Clarity: A Young Adult Paranormal Vampire Romance (Blood Haze Book 4) Read Free

big believer in free will, and to use an ability to force someone to bend to my own was reprehensible. I just couldn’t imagine doing that to someone.
    “Liam, I really don’t think…”
    Liam grabbed my shoulders and looked deeply into my eyes. I stray strand of hair fell into his line of sight, and he blew it away out of the corner of his mouth. I almost laughed, but then I noticed how terribly serious he looked.
    “Listen to me,” he demanded, his tone harsh and grave. “This could save your life – or mine, or Alexi’s. You will only use it when absolutely necessary. But this could be the most useful ability you have. Trust me, Alice. You need to work on this.”
    I stared at him incredulously for a moment; then I sighed. My shoulders slouched forward. I was defeated.
    “Alright, fine,” I relented. “I’ll try.”
    A broad smile spread across Liam’s face, and he lit up brightly. I could tell he wanted to jump in the air and pump his fist or something, but for my sake, he managed to restrain himself. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
    “Now, concentrate on making me like you,” he said. “Then try to get me to do something.”
    Making my voice sound spooky and waggling my fingers in his face, I said, “Liam, stop making me do this.”
    “Alice, be serious!” he said, sighing with exasperation.
    “Alright, alright,” I said.
    I tried to relax my body, and I concentrated. It was hard enough knowing I was influencing him to like me more than he already did. I knew how it must be making him feel, especially now that I was married to his brother. But he was right. He must be. After all, Alexi agreed with him. If they both thought this was a good idea, I was determined to give it my best.
    A few moments after I started con centrating, Liam got this goofy, far away, dreamy look on his face. I took that as a signal that my ability was working, so I took a deep breath and tried to influence him.
    “Liam, bring me a chair,” I demanded.
    For a moment, I thought it didn’t work. He just continued to stare at me. Then I noticed him shake his head slightly as if clearing away a fog, and he immediately crossed the room and slid a chair over to me. He stood in front of me smiling proudly.
    “Here you are!” he chirped pleasantly.
    I must admit that it was a rather nice change having someone submit to me so willingly. For the most part, everyone in my life had been telling me what to do for months. Still, I felt a twinge of guilt. It just didn’t seem right.
    “Sit down,” I told him.
    He immediately slid around to the front of the chair and planted himself in it, looking up at me admiringly. I raised my eyebrow at him. It was surprisingly simple to get him to submit.
    “Stand up,” I ordered him.
    He stood up, standing before me like a willing soldier. These were simple commands. I knew he wouldn’t object to them. I needed to see if I could influence him to do something he normally wouldn’t do, and there was only one thing I could think of.
    “Slap me,” I commanded.
    His mouth fell open slightly, and I saw his bottom lip quiver. His eyebrows pushed together, and his forehead wrinkled.
    “Slap me!” I ordered.
    He hesitated briefly, and for a moment I thought he wouldn’t comply. Then he drew his hand back and poised himself to strike me. I scrunched my eyes shut and waited for the impact. I heard a whoosh and a loud thud. My eyes popped open.
    “What are you doing?” Alexi shouted in a rage.
    Alexi had Liam pinned against the wall by the throat. Liam’s feet dangled in the air, and his eyes were bulging from their sockets in a sickening grimace. He gurgled a plea and looked thoroughly confused. Alexi’s face was taut with fury.
    “Alexi, stop!” I shrieked, rushing to his side and grabbing his arm. “Let him go! I told him to do it!”
    Alexi’s grip didn’t loosen, but his expression softened slightly. His eyes tilted toward me.
    “Alexi, let him go,” I said softly. “I