“Yes, I am a Hearteater myself…” I read silently, disregarding the knitting of my brows. “…and so I must continue our bloodline, the original Hearteater’s bloodline as what my Hearteater father suggests—commands.”

            ‘Oh, Selena!’ I huffed. Even though I badly wanted to crawl beside Tyler and sleep, I must know more. Perhaps that’s why Rowena—Eliane—whoever that is, led me to this journal that still reeks of dried blood.

            I bowed my head, letting truth after truth just crowd and swirl within me. Even Rowena has secrets. Maybe even Tyler has secrets, too.

 “With my life,” her handwriting becomes different this time. From bold to cursive, I knew this part will...