She knew they would come. She knew they would find her. She tried to resist the dream-traveling but she was weakening.

She wished they hadn't arrived so soon.  There hadn't been enough time for Nora to kill the vampires and she was afraid for her family. There comes a point in which you have to admit you need help, though.

Nora'd been slipping in and out of consciousness for the last hour, though. The continuous fighting was becoming too much for her. The vampires had been toying with her for hours. Saddistic to the core they had every intention of dragging her death out as long as possible.

They were careful, too. All the injuries they'd given her had been internal. Bruising and broken bones were good. Open cuts were avoided at all costs.

Nora had unusual strength and stamina, but her eighteenth human birthday was still a month out. Her powers hadn't reached their zenith yet. If she were bit again, she'd likely not survive.

Not that Drexel and Utz were trying. In fact, it seemed like the only thing wearing them down was resisting her draw.

After Drexel broke Nora's arm with a twist and a laugh, however, Nora saw stars. She couldn't help herself as she blacked out for a few minutes. In doing so, she drifted. Dream-traveling to her father she ended up leading the cavalry right to her location...and their death if she wasn't careful.

Just as Kaden and the rest of them arrived on the scene, Nora threw herself at Drexel. Hitting him centermass, the momentum tumbled them both into Utz as well.

Nora knew her scent was intoxicating. She just had to give them an offer they couldn't refuse.

Lying in a filthy alley had its perks. Trash, glass and sharp objects were in abundant supply.

Moaning on top of Drexel, her lower body sprawled across his chest, Nora reached for a nearby bottle. It was cracked at the neck. It was the perfect weapon. Utz tried to stop her, but Nora was too quick.

She heard Kaden shout in the distance but ignored him. She had to do this. It was her fault they were in this mess in the first place. Kaden never asked to be immortal. He never asked for this life.

Nora was a package deal, though. Marry an Aingeal Fola, marry a life of vampire-killing and death at every turn.

Kaden accepted Nora unconditionally because he loved her. In doing so, he accepted this life.

There was nothing she wouldn't do for him, even if that included sacrificing herself for him.

Then there was Slate and Donovan, her guardians. When her biological parents met Kaden they agreed to their marriage on one condition: that one guardian from each family stay by her and her husband's side. Slate was Kaden's best friend and stood for him. Donovan was a cousin on her mother's side. He stood for Nora. Both gained immortality in joining the union.

Nora wouldn't let anyone die for her, supposed guardians or not.

Which is why when Utz sat up to grab the empty Coors Light bottle from her, Nora plunged it into her thigh, severing an artery.