Cursed Hearts: Book One of Hearts Duology

Chapter 2/Kelsie

Landry Moore is still on my mind as I finish up my jog through the neighborhood. I was so certain exercise would clear away my guilt and make me feel somewhat normal. What the hell is wrong with me? Lilin don't feel remorse. Ever.

Mom didn't have any regrets when she drained our fathers. After they served their purpose—providing offspring—it was time for them to be terminated. That's the circle of life with Lilin, a regular event for us.

Cash tells me I'll grow out of my emotions. Mom says it just makes me different, but I don't like standing out. It's better to blend in when you have issues.

Remorse is a human trait. Something none of my cousins exhibit. Ever since I can remember I've always been the Lilin who sticks out like a rotting corpse.

I'm the only succubus in the family having issues. No one else is killing their prey. To make matters worse, I'm also the only one not having full on sexual encounters. My incubi cousins are busy pleasing single women in town with hot sex. Not one of those women has died.

To be honest, it's not just Landry's death eating away at me. I have this desire that only humans get to experience—the quest for a happily ever after. It's an idea planted in my head by my aunt. She used to tell me wonderful stories about humans falling in love and getting married. Ever since I heard her tales, I wanted to meet and fall in love with just one guy and spend the rest of my life with him. Mom places the blame with my sire, my father. He was a man with a heart so big it blinded him from the truth: even humans don't get fairy tale endings.

Running may not have cleared my mind, but it did exhaust me. I'm ready for a hot shower and a cool bed.

I look toward our front porch and notice Cash sitting on the stairs. He's oblivious to the effect he's having on our neighbors walking by. My brother has his head tossed back. His chiseled body is on display as he soaks up the sun. He needs to stop before there's a line at our front door.

I clear my throat.

"Hey, sis," he drawls. "Finished running?"

I drag my feet up the stairs and head for the door. "Yes. A shower and—"

"A surprise is waiting inside for you." His fingers grasp my forearm and prevent me from going indoors.

"Not now, Cash," I groan. After what I did earlier today, I don't want to hook-up with anyone. "I need a shower, and I have homework."

"Stop coming up with excuses. You need to forget about the kid. He was a casualty."

"Really, Cash?" His apathetic words hit me like cold water. "His parents won't think of him as a casualty."

"Humans die. They'll get over it. You need to pull yourself together. Hiding in your room isn't gonna help you learn control. Besides, you need it. You look like shit."

I ignore him and tug on the door, but he won't let me by. "You want to help me? Stop forcing so many hookups. I promise we'll train tomorrow. But tonight, just give me a few hours to get over this one."

He shakes his head. "No can do. You've got to stop feeling so much. It's not healthy."

"Enough, Cash."

He leans against the door. "Look, we've been waiting for you to grow out of this. Emotions are for humans. It's what we prey on. You need to face facts and start living the lifestyle."

"I'm not ready," I shoot back. "Maybe I'm just a late bloomer."

"Maybe you're just chicken," he hisses.