Crave - Teresa Mummert Page 0,36

as. I blinked open my eyes, gagging at the dryness of my throat. Even in the darkness of night, the stars in the sky were blinding. I squinted, staring up at Elijah whose expression was unreadable.

“I-I’m alive,” I sobbed, still unable to move. Elijah bent down and pressed his lips to my clammy forehead. “You saved me.” I wrapped my fingers in his t-shirt and gripped it tightly, the fabric tearing under my grip.

“Shh… Rest. You’re fragile.” Brushing my hair from my forehead, his lips curved into a sardonic smile. “But you’re a fighter.”

“No, you saved me.”

Elijah shook his head as his expression fell. “No, I didn’t, Eva.”

Chapter thirteen

Feed

I stood on the ledge of the building I had once before. Elijah squeezed my hand and I glanced to my right, shooting him a smile. We both looked ahead into the darkness. I had seen this view many times before but tonight it was different.

Tonight it seemed as if the veil of obscurity had been lifted, and every exquisite detail shown through crisp and clear. My eyes danced over the buildings that were once too far to see. Sporadic windows illuminated the facades, giving the illusion of a starry night sky. It was breathtaking. I sucked in a harsh breath and my lungs burned at the sudden rush of air. My body no longer needed it, but it was a human habit that still lingered. Without a single spoken word and perfect synchronicity, we leaped into the vast abyss. Our bodies intertwined and danced in the sky above the city that was oblivious to our presence.

We descended to the ground at a lazy pace. I giggled and stole a kiss from Elijah as our toes touched the Earth. He grabbed my hand and pulled me along the street as we made our way through the maze of alleys onto the main road. He pushed me against a store front, the bricks cracking and crumbling under the force and kissed me hungrily. My new fangs shot out and I pulled back from him and gingerly ran my fingertips over my teeth, piercing my finger against the sharp tip.

“You need to feed,” Elijah said with a wicked grin as he bared his own dagger-like fangs. A smile spread across my face at the idea, high on bloodlust. I could feel his excitement swimming through my body, vibrating in my veins. “Come on,” he said as he pulled me along, glancing back every once and a while with wide eyes.

The thought of draining someone of their blood was all I could think about. My mind was focused on the kill, like a hunter. I could feel the blood coursing through my veins with the melodic rhythm of a drum. My mouth filled with saliva, and I swallowed hard as my stomach panged with need.

I ran my tongue over the tips of my fangs as Elijah turned around and winked at me. “Almost there,” he called out. Time seemingly slowed as we made our way through the sea of people on the street. I was dying in anticipation for my sanguinary treat. “Come, my Love,” Elijah said facing me and backing his way up a staircase. His devilish grin caused a blush to burn across my cheeks. I couldn’t take my eyes off of his. He slid a door open at the top of the landing and gestured for me to enter. I stepped inside the apartment and realized we were in my place. I glanced around at the familiar yet strange surroundings.

I could hear a faint whooshing sound coming from the other end of the apartment. Was someone doing laundry? I closed my eyes and listened to the steady rhythm of blood pumping through a heart. My eyes shot open as my mouth watered in anticipation. Elijah slowly crept down the hallway like a lion on the prowl.

I followed his lead and crept behind him on my tip toes, light as air. Elijah stopped just before the entry to my kitchen. He turned to me and extended his fangs, and I did the same. His face contorted into that of a killer as he stepped around the corner to stalk his prey.

As I rounded the corner, Elijah had already overcome his victim and was on top of him on the floor growling. My stomach knotted as I was overcome with the irresistible urge to feed. In an instant, I was by Elijah’s side eagerly anticipating my meal. Elijah smiled a fangy grin as his