Judas No Vine Novels & Stories

Judy’s POV I took another sip of my wine, feeling it relax my mind and body. I kept glancing at my phone periodically, thinking there would be a missed call or a new message. But there wasn’t. I hated the jab of disappointment I would feel in my chest every time I saw that there was no message. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. Gavin was with his family… it’s not like he was losing interest in me or anything. Besides, even if he was, it shouldn’t matter that much. We are only having some fun… scratching each other’s itches and putting on a show to get some people off our backs.

“If not I’m sure Jude can grow them.” Holding out his hand, a vine sprouted from his palm and curled into the air. Emerald leaves unfurled, stretching out to bask in the sunlight spilling through the windows. Within seconds little fat grapes began forming, growing until they were ripe for picking. Jude plucked one off and chucked it at Edwards face. As it hit vines erupted from the grape, wrapping around Edwards head like a hoard of angry snakes.

He was just speaking, turning it over, trying to understand the shape of it. "She kept her from dying for nothing," he said. "My mother died finding something that would have saved people. And Vera made sure that what she found didn't just get buried." He looked up at Lucian. "Tonight we know. Because Vera made sure we'd know eventually. Even if she had to wait for it to kill her first." Lucian lowered his hands from his face. He looked at me. He looked at the Blood Oath mark, half-dissolved now, the purple already fading to silver at the edges. He looked at my cracked nails, the rosewood yoke still cutting into my wrists, my face.