Page 80 of The Immortal’s Mark

“I’m surprised you know it.” He lifts his head but promptly drops it again when he sees my robe.

I suppress my smile. Despite the fact that I’m completely covered, he’s mortified by my “state of undress,” as he called it the first time I stepped out in a robe.

I’m not trying to fluster him. I just don’t like changing into clothes until my skin is no longer damp.

“It’s one of my dad’s favorites,” I say, hoping conversation will lessen his embarrassment.

“Your dad has good taste.”

“I guess.” I pause while I work out a particularly nasty knot, then ask, “Have you ever seen the movies?”

He doesn’t look up. “Not yet.”

“They’re really good.” I wince as I tug at my hair. “Robert Downey Jr. is an awesome actor.”

“We will have to rent them, then.” He turns a page with care.

“I’d like that.” I focus on my reflection as I continue to work through my hair. New freckles pepper the bridge of my nose, and my skin is tan from days spent out in the Grecian sun.

I’m far from achieving the olive-skinned tones of the Immortal brothers, but at least I’m no longer as pale as a vampire.

I grin, and my gaze flicks back to Gregory. He turns another page, engrossed in his novel.

I take the moment to inspect him.

His eyes are several shades darker than Alex’s pale blue, and the deeper hue contrasts more sharply with his fair skin.

Do all vampires have midnight-black hair and blue eyes? Or are there variations in Adir’s offspring that I have yet to see?

“Are you done?” Gregory asks.

I blink. “With what?”

“Staring at me.” He finally looks up, brushing stray strands of hair from his forehead.

Instead of being embarrassed, I ask what’s been circling in my head. “Do all vampires look like you? Is every vampire a descendant of Adir?”

Gregory closes the book, sliding a finger between the pages to mark his place. “No. Vampires can come in all shapes and sizes, especially those who were created, not born. But yes, all born vampires originated from Adir’s bloodline.”

The word “born” sticks with me.

“So, Adir is your father, too?”

Gregory shakes his head. “No. My father was another vampire, Alexander’s former second-in-command.”

My eyes widen. “Vampires can have children?”

“With human women, yes.”

“Oh.” My stomach churns. “That’s a little…strange.”

He smirks faintly. “I would agree. But do not fret. My father loved my mother. Once I was born, he turned her. I grew up in a stable, two-parent household.”

Even vampires get better childhoods than me.

The thought hits before I can stop it. I push it away just as quickly. My dad gave me a great life. I don’t need a mom.

I don’t.