wrong. As soon as she got close, all her desire fled. I guess that’s what happens when you’re dressed as your brother for Halloween.
Lilah quickly departed back to the ballroom, wanting to check up on Jupiter. I continue my foraging for more food. I swear it’s like I’m a bottomless pit. Even though I feed from Lilah, I’m still hungry for human food all the time. Granted, it doesn’t sustain me like blood, but it’s a nice boost.
“Oooh, a turkey leg,” I say as I discover it in the fridge.
The food for the party tonight was made in advance so those who work for the pack could take the night off to spend with their family. I can’t wait until Jupiter is old enough to trick-or-treat. I’m taking her to our friend’s houses and getting candy. For her, that is. Not me. Okay, I’ll probably end up eating half of it, but the fun is in acquiring the treats.
As I withdraw my find from the fridge, something slips over my eyes. “Kitten, you’ve returned. I love where this is going.”
But just like that the world goes dark…
When I wake next, it takes a second for me to get my bearings. First, I reach out with my ears. No sounds can be heard. Not even the rustling of leaves on a fall breeze. With my nose I smell blood. Not a strong odor, like I’m covered in it, but it does hang in the air. And turkey. Nice. I must have hung on to that leg while I was being abducted.
The scent of a sweet flower hits me a moment before whatever is covering my face and eyes is pulled away. The light is dim in the room. My eyes adjust as I quickly scan my surroundings. Four cement walls and a floor with a drain at my feet. Nothing in the room but me on this hard metal chair and whoever is standing behind me.
My hands are bound, as are my fingers. No teleporting for me. I try to break whatever is securing me but I can’t. My vampire strength isn’t doing me any good. Must be magical handcuffs spelled by a mage.
“Oh!” I yell. “You’re the one we’re looking for!” I’m so excited. I didn’t need to find the being responsible for harming those in the pack. She came to me. “I’ve already seen what you look like in Ari’s mind. Please come forward so I can talk to you. I’m curious what your motive is.”
The female walks in front of me and appears exactly as she did in Ari’s mind. “Are you always this chatty?”
“I am.” I smile. I may not be able to break free, but I can hopefully win this nightmare of a female over with my charm. You catch more bees with honey is the saying, I think. I can’t remember, but I’ll be sweet as hell to get some intel. I am an investigator after all. “Ford hates it. I drive him crazy sometimes. That’s what brothers are for, though.”
Her eyes widen. “You’re not Ford?”
“Um, no. I look like him at the moment but it’s all in my costume. I really went for the authentic vibe with the trench. I had you fooled, huh? Wait. Does that mean you meant to take my brother and not me?”
Her hands fist as magic crackles in the air. “I didn’t want you. I wanted Ford.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I am the better brother. Your standards must be exceptionally low. Why would you want him and not me? I’m a far better vampire specimen.” I glance around her and notice my turkey leg on the floor. “Fate, did you have to ruin my snack? That was like finding gold in the fridge.” I’m honestly not sure if I’m more upset about the abduction or the leg. I really wanted that. It’s not the same now. Who knows what’s on this floor? Then again, is there a rule to eating food that fell when you can’t get sick? The five-second rule turned into a five-minute rule. The turkey leg is deemed… edible! “Could you maybe pick that up and put it in my mouth?”
“You like taking your life in your hands?”
“The wild side is my favorite place.” I wink.
She steps closer and a blade appears in her hand. She presses it to my throat. “I’m seconds away from killing you.”
“Not silver, then. Doesn’t burn like it should. Plus, you can hold it. So, are you half