Marla had gotten to come home yesterday. The doctors were still stunned at her recovery.

  Her father grinned. “Your sister is trying to show that she accepts you.”

  “Yeah, well, she could just say that. We watched those movies years ago. Whoever heard of a vampire sparkling?”

  He leaned in. “Marla’s like your mom. She has a hard time saying things sometimes. Not like you and me.”

  It was true, Della realized. She and her dad didn’t sugarcoat things like her mom and sister did.

  Her father leaned back in his chair. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into staying home and finishing out the year at your old school?”

  Della made a face. “I kind of like it at Shadow Falls. I have my best friends.” Chase lives close. Though why that mattered she didn’t know. At least a hundred times, she’d written him a text, only to delete it.

  He’d kept stuff from her. Wasn’t that the same as lying?

  “Okay, I’m not going to try to talk you out of it. But I’d buy you a new car if you reconsidered.”

  “That’s bribery,” Della said. “And it’s a low blow.”

  He sighed. “Okay, I just can’t stand the thought of you leaving.”

  “I’m almost eighteen.”

  He sighed and held up his hands. “You know I’ll still buy you a car. I was going to when you graduated high school.”

  She stood up and hugged him. “Can I have stick shift?”

  “You don’t drive a stick shift,” he said.

  “I learned.” She remembered her driving lessons with Chase. Her heart did another tumble. Would she ever stop missing him?

  “I’ll let you help pick it out.”

  “Thank you.” She hugged him again.

  Funny how lately she’d become almost as much of a serial hugger as Miranda.

  * * *

  Sunday, at almost eight that night, her whole family drove to drop her off at Shadow Falls. They hugged, kissed, and Marla even cried.

  “I’ll be back in two weeks.” Della stayed at the gate and watched them leave. Then she cried. For the first time, she actually knew they were going to miss her. She knew she still had a place at home. Would always have that place.

  She turned around and stared at the Shadow Falls Academy sign. This was home too.

  Oddly, she was surprised when Kylie and Miranda weren’t at the gate waiting for her. They had called five times today, asking when she’d get there.

  She walked through the gate.

  “Hey,” Miranda called from the dining hall. “I was just grabbing us some Cokes, can you help?”

  “Sure.” Before she walked through the door, their scents hit. Vampires, shape-shifters, faes, witches, werewolves, shape-shifters. The whole bunch of them. She was still surprised when they all yelled, “Welcome home!”

  She almost got a little teary eyed. Everyone was so nice. Over the next hour she spent time laughing with all of her Shadow Falls family, Holiday and Burnett, and little Hannah, Jenny and Derek, Perry and Miranda. Lucas and Kylie. Jonathon and Helen. Even Fredericka and Chris came over and welcomed her back.

  When Della was ready to head back to her cabin, Burnett asked if he could see her in the office.

  “Is there a problem?” She walked into Holiday’s office.

  “No,” Burnett said. “Well, a little one.”

  “What?” Right then something rubbed against her leg.

  She looked down. “Chester? What?”

  “Remember you asked me to find out what vet the Chis’ cat was at?”

  “Yes,” Della said.

  “Well, I don’t know how I got to be the person responsible. But the Chis’ daughter called the vet and said they couldn’t have a cat at their apartment. So I got stuck with Chester. Holiday doesn’t trust Hannah with a pet yet. Do you think Chester could hang out with you?”

  “That’s a great idea!” Della picked up the cat.

  “There’s a carrier.”

  She started out, cat in tow. “Della?” Burnett said.

  “Yeah,” she said.

  “Have you spoken with Chase?”

  A lump filled her chest. “No.”

  “Oh,” he said.

  She started out again and stopped when he spoke up.

  “It just seems odd.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “He worked so hard on your dad’s case.”

  “And he kept things from me. Eddie had told him that he was going to come forward and confess. He didn’t tell me that.”

  “Yeah, but do you know something else that’s odd?”

  “What?”

  “You both were doing the same thing. Trying to save your fathers. But only one of you seemed to support the other one.”

  She stood there, feeling her emotions well up. When it was put like that, she really came off as a bitch.

  “Stone was blackmailing the council. He had files that put them all at risk, even your uncle. The council promised Chase that they’d protect Eddie if he’d kill Stone. He didn’t do it, because he knew that if Stone died, your father might still get convicted. He risked Eddie going to jail to save your father from the same thing.”

  “He did?” she asked and realized she didn’t just come off as a bitch, she was one. A full-fledged bitch.

  “Yup.”

  She looked down at Holiday’s desk. A plan started to form.

  “Do you think I could borrow the car later? I might … run out and get some food and stuff for Chester.”

  He grinned. “You’re going to ask? I thought you just took the keys and ran.” He picked up the keys and tossed them to her.

  Smiling, she started out, then turned. “Burnett?”

  “Yeah.”

  She searched for the right words. “During some of this time, I felt like I lost my father. But you were sort of a backup. And still are. Thank you.”

  He smiled. “I feel the same way.”

  Chapter Fifty-one

  Della went to her cabin and had a round-table Diet Coke session with Kylie and Miranda.

  They laughed, listening to Miranda whine about her love life. She’d been spending time with Shawn since he’d been hurt. As friends. Just friends. But now Perry announced he was going to be gone for another month to try and find his parents.

  “He said you’re the one who told him he should do it.” Miranda frowned at Della. “Not that I think it’s wrong, I just … I’m confused.”

  They talked for a few more minutes. Della put her soda can down. “I’m confused too. I’m about to do something and it might be stupid.”

  “What?” Kylie asked.

  “I’m going to go see Chase.”

  “That’s not stupid,” Kylie said.

  “I don’t think so,” Miranda said.

  They agreed to watch Chester, and Della went back to her room.

  “I thought you were going to see Chase.”

  “I am, but I’m going to shower first.”

  Miranda’s mouth fell open. “You aren’t just going to talk, are you?”

  “Shut up,” Della said.

  “What kind of underwear are you going to put on?” Miranda teased. “Just in case you don’t know, it’s Sunday.”

  “I should have never told you guys that,” she said.

  “You have to, it’s in the rule book for best friends,” Miranda said as Della walked out.

  * * *

  Della drove to the grocery store. Not the closest one, but the one thirty miles away. The other store would have what she needed. Items purchased, she got back in her car. Her phone dinged with a text.

  She figured it was either Marla or Kylie and Miranda.

  It wasn’t.

  Chase. It was short, sweet, and right to the point.

  Still here.

  Still miss you.

  Still love you.

  She started to text him back, then decided to just surprise him.

  Twenty minutes later, she parked in front of his cabin.

  He stepped out onto the porch. He wasn’t wearing a shirt. Not that she minded. The guy carried off shirtless really well.

  He stood there and stared as if he couldn’t believe she was there. Then he and Baxter finally came hurrying down the stairs.

  “You’re here.” He didn’t try to kiss her. So she leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

  He pulled her against him. “God, I missed you.”

  “Me, too.”

  Once inside, he pulled her against him. She leaned her head on his chest. His bare skin felt so good.

  “Oh, I forgot.” She ran outside, snatched the bag, and hurried back in and handed it to him.

  No sooner had the bag left her fingertips when she remembered what else she’d bought.

  “Wait!” She snatched the bag back. Unfortunately he still held it and it ripped open. The twelve-pack of condoms and the bakery container fell to the wood floor.

  Chase looked down. Della snatched the condoms. But not before he saw them.

  “Don’t you dare say a word, or I’ll change my mind.”

  “Not a word,” he said, but he had a silly grin on his face. “You know, I had some.”

  “Oh, you thought you’d need them, did you?”

  “I hoped I’d need them. So why did you buy them? You collect them or something?”

  “I … Forget it.” She grinned.

  He laughed, then picked up the bakery box that Baxter had started to sniff. When he opened the box, his smile vanished. He glanced up, and he looked … not sad, but serious. “Snickerdoodles?”

  Holding the condoms behind her back, she nodded. “You … you said they tasted like love.”

  He put the cookies on the table and kissed her—a warm soft kiss. “They do.” He reached for a cookie.

  “Taste one,” he said. He reached back and held on out.

  She shook her head. “Sorry, I tried one last week and it tasted terrible.”

  He laughed. “Well, that’s okay. I tried French onion soup and I puked. It could have been the wine, though.”

  She laughed and leaned in, setting her chin on his chest. “We don’t have to love the same kinds of foods. Just each other.”

  “I do,” he said. “Love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She put one hand on his chest. The one not still hiding the condoms behind her back. “I’m sorry I was a bitch. I was scared, and confused.”

  “You’re not a bitch,” he said and put his hand on top of hers.

  “No, let me finish. I need to say this.” She swallowed. “All I could think about was that if my father got convicted, it would be my fault. And while I knew you considered Eddie like a father, I never really took into consideration that you were just as scared about him. I mean, I sort of knew it, but I was being selfish and—”

  “Stop,” he said and brought her hand to his lips. “You are the least selfish person I know.”

  “I pushed you away,” she blurted out. “I didn’t want to admit how much I cared. And it’s not just the bond, Chase. Steve set me straight about this. He told me that I was crazy about you before you ever gave me your blood. And he’s right. I was … crazy about you.”

  He smiled. “I’m crazy about you, too.”

  Leaning down, he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was soft, sweet, but quickly moved into hot. And Della became more and more aware that she was holding a pack of condoms behind her back.

  Somewhere in his cabin she heard a clock hand move, counting down seconds.

  She pulled back. “What time is it?”

  He looked over his shoulder.

  “Eleven fifty-eight—why?”

  “We need to get this show on the road, then.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “Can I take my clothes off?” She tossed the condoms on the sofa.

  His eyes widened. “Well, I … Sure.”

  She glanced at him and giggled. “I think you’re blushing.”

  “I am not,” he said.

  Yes, he was. But she kind of liked knowing that. Knowing he was sort of new at all this too. At least a little new.

  She pulled her T-shirt off, then wiggled out of her jeans. Then stood before him with only her underwear on.

  His gaze shifted up and down, and she could tell he liked what he saw.

  He inched closer. His hand moved gently around her waist.

  His soft touch brought goose bumps to her skin and anticipation rippled through her, but she pushed his hand way. “Hey, Panty Perv, you’re missing the point.” She backed up and waved her hand up and down her partially naked body.

  His brow pinched. “Missing what … point? Other than … you look amazing.”

  She shook her head. “I got the day right.” She pointed to her panties.

  He dropped his head back, and laughed. The sound rang like music to her ears. And being here with him felt like magic. Then he pulled her against him. They laughed and held on to each other all night long.

  Della couldn’t remember anything feeling this right. Being with him, beside him. Feeling his bare skin against hers. She loved him. Loved how he made her feel beautiful and sexy. Loved how he took his time and made touching her feel like an art.

  Nine months ago, her world had turned upside down. She’d hated that everything had changed. Hated who she was. What she was. And yet now, she realized that those changes had led her here. Led her to Chase. Led her to the career she wanted. Led her to two best friends and everyone at Shadow Falls.

  Sometimes, she supposed, change wasn’t so bad.

  About The Author

  C. C. Hunter lives in Tomball, Texas, where she’s at work on her next novel. To learn more, visit her on the Web at www.cchunterbooks.com. Or sign up for email updates here.

  ALSO BY C. C. HUNTER

  Born at Midnight

  Awake at Dawn

  Taken at Dusk

  Whispers at Moonrise

  Chosen at Nightfall

  Reborn

  Eternal

  Praise for The Shadow Falls Series

  “Hunter sucks you in … an amazing roller-coaster ride.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “The Shadow Falls series belongs to my favorite YA series. It has everything I wish for in a YA paranormal series. A thrilling tale that moves with a great pace, where layers of secrets are revealed in a way that we are never bored. It continues a gripping story about self-discoveries, finding a place in the world, friendship, and love. So if you didn’t start this series yet, I can only encourage you to do so.”

  —Bewitched Bookworms

  “Ms. Hunter handles this series with such deftness, crafting a wonderful tale that speaks to the adolescent in me. I highly recommend this series filled with darkness and light, hope and danger, friendship and romance.”

  —Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)

  “Jam-packed with action and romance from the very beginning, Hunter’s lifelike characters and paranormal creatures populate a plot that will keep you guessing till the very end. A perfect mesh of mystery, thriller, and romance. Vampires, weres, and fae, oh my!”

  —RT Book Reviews on Taken at Dusk

  “An emotional thrill ride full of suspense, action, laughter, multiple love stories, and an intriguing variety of paranormal species. I could not put this book down and can’t wait to start the next book as soon as I finish this review.”

  —Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews on Awake at Dawn

  “There are so many books in the young adult paranormal genre these days that it’s hard to choose a good one. I was so very glad to discover Born at Midnight. If you like P. C. and Kristin Cast or Alyson Nöel, I am sure you will enjoy Born at Midnight!”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  “The evolving, not-always-easy relationships among Kylie and her cabin mates Della and Miranda are rendered as engagingly as Kylie’s angst over dangerous Lucas and appealing Derek. Just enough plot threads are tied up to make a satisfying stand-alone tale while whetting appetites for sequels to come.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “With intricate plotting and characters so vivid you’d swear they are real, Born at Midnight is an addictive treat. Funny, poignant, romantic, and downright scary in places, it hits all the right notes. Highly recommended.”

  —Houston Lifestyles and Homes Magazine

  “I laughed and cried so much while reading this.… I LOVED this book. I read it every chance I could get because I didn’t want to put it down. The characters were well developed and I felt like I knew them from the beginning. The story line and mystery that went along with it kept me glued to my couch not wanting to do anything else but find out what the heck was going on.”

  —Urban Fantasy Investigations Blog

  “This has everything a YA reader would want.… I read it over a week ago and I am still thinking about it. I can’t get it out of my head. I can’t wait to read more. This series is going to be a hit!”

  —Awesome Sauce Book Club on Born at Midnight

  “The newest in the super-popular teen paranormal genre, this book is one of the best. Kylie is funny and vulnerable, struggling to deal with her real-world life and her life in a fantastical world she’s not sure she wants to be a part of. Peppered throughout with humor and teen angst, Born at Midnight is a laugh-out-loud page-turner. This one is going on the keeper shelf next to my Armstrong and Meyer collections!”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “Seriously loved this book! This is definitely a series you will want to watch out for. C. C. Hunter has created a world of hot paranormals that I didn’t want to leave.”

  —Looksie Lovitz Book Blog

  “Born at Midnight has a bit of everything … a strong unique voice from a feisty female lead, a myriad of supporting Supernatural characters, a fiery romance with two intriguing guys—mixed all together with a bit of mystery—making Born at Midnight a surefire hit!”

  —A Life Bound by Books

  “Very exciting, taking twists and turns I never expected. The main character grows very well throughout the story, overcoming obstacles and realizing things she never thought possible. And the author masterfully ended it just right.”