Crave - Teresa Mummert Page 0,34

around my waist pulling me close to his side as we walked up the dirt driveway.

I suddenly thought of the little boy in the ammo store, whose mother had held him close trying to make him feel safe. At least, Elijah possessed the foresight to try to keep me calm. I decided to believe the lie I had told myself since the moment he stepped out of the shadows the first night we spoke. He was a hunter, giving his life to keep others safe. We reached the front steps and Elijah stopped and turned to me.

“Whatever happens, we will walk out of here tonight together,” he whispered. Whatever happens? Like getting killed and becoming a succubus? I reluctantly nodded my head. He kissed me quickly on the forehead and knocked on the door. Only a moment had passed before it flung open.

“Greetings, Elijah,” a young woman who appeared to be in her late teens said with a smile. She was dressed as a flapper from the Roaring Twenties. “You brought dinner,” she said glancing over at me as her tongue ran over her lips. “What’s your name?”

“Does it matter?” I asked awkwardly.

She shrugged. “You know, humans don’t name their livestock because they are sentimental creatures. They don’t want to know the name of their dinner.” Her fangs ran out.

“Eva,” I cleared my throat as my voice cracked. “My name is Eva.”

She glanced back at Elijah and giggled. “Come in,” she said, stepping off to the side and sweeping her hand in front of her in a grand gesture.

I glance over to Elijah, who held his hand in front of him for me to enter first. I cautiously stepped into the house and scanned my surroundings. The walls were painted vibrant colors. Elijah came in behind me and put his arm around my waist, leading me through the house. Each room was decorated according to a different era. I was in awe.

“What do you think?” Reid asked from a chair in the corner.

“It’s breathtaking,” I whispered. He laughed, looking positively amused.

“The breath taking will come soon enough, friend,” he joked, showing a fangy smile. I glanced around nervously as vampires slowly surrounded us.

“Would you like me to show her to her room?” the young female vamp asked.

“There will be plenty of time for that after dinner,” he replied and the room broke out into a broad sadistic laughter.

“Enough,” Elijah shouted through clenched teeth and the room fell silent.

“Right, we have business to attend to,” Reid agreed, waving his hand as two vampires stepped behind Elijah and grabbed his arms. Elijah struggled against them and a third stepped in to hold him still. The young flapper moved beside me and gave me a warning look. I didn’t move, paralyzed by fear.

“Elijah, you have taken it upon yourself to kill two of my vampires for this… human,” he sneered. “As we negotiated before this meeting and under the advisement of the Council, two lives would be taken in turn,” he said, nodding his head to the vampire in the next room.

The man entered dragging a limp bloodied body in his arms. He let go and the person fell into a motionless heap onto the floor. “That’s number one. He didn’t make it.” His eyes glanced coldly at me. “Let’s see how many lives this Eva of yours has in her,” he said with amusement.

My heart began to race and panic took over my body. My knees started to buckle as my head grew faint. I thought about what Elijah had said. We were going to walk out if this together no matter what. I steadied myself. I glanced quickly at him, nodding my head. Reid smiled widely as he noticed the exchange. “Well, isn’t this just sweet,” he laughed. Elijah’s fangs ran out and I heard a growl resonate deep within him. “Careful,” Reid warned, standing up quickly from his chair and snarling at Elijah.

“Please! I didn’t do anything wrong,” I begged. Reid stepped toward me slowly and grabbed my chin in his hand forcing me to look at him.

“He did,” he replied, glancing over at Elijah. “Unfortunately for you,” he continued with mock sympathy as he let go of my face. I rubbed my tender jaw. I could feel the bruises setting in. Reid stopped and raised his head, sniffing the air. I dropped my bloody hand down to my side and slid it in my pocket as he shot me a smile. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself