There are certain known facts about vampires. They revile change. They are obsessive-compulsive. They are illogical. They are cursed. They will burst into flames in sunlight.
They are dying.
With less than a hundred vampires left in the world, Yas...
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Tavius grabbed ahold of Tavia, covering her eyes. Forcing her not to look where, a few seconds ago, their youngest brother had been. "No, Octavia, don't—!"
Her magic. Don't let it get out. She can't handle it.
"Where's your brother?" Redbud had a familiar unpleasant look on her face, one that showed absolutely no concern about her daughter's magic and how it might backfire on them all. In light of everything else, Tavius remembered, with a stinging jolt to the chest, why Tavia was able to side with their mom and keep a clear conscience.
Tavius tightened his hold on his twin, wishing he had enough hands to cover her ears, too. "Redbud, stop. Tavia is..."
But his mother's gaze was uncompromising. Maybe, even, a little scornful. She tossed a flat look at Tavia's trembling, her jaw firming. "Don't coddle her. Octavia. Get up."
Redbud seized Tavia by the arm. Tavius slapped her hand away, snarling. "Stop it! Leave her alone!"
Tavia shivered against his shoulder. Her breathing turned erratic. She started to mumble under her breath.
No. Not again. Please, not again.
Redbud muttered something like "should have separated them sooner," and anger unfurled in Tavius' breast.
"Why don't you—"
"Where is your brother?" His mother repeated stonily, towering over both of the twins. "Octavius. Augustine. Have you not noticed?"
