I glanced around the new room once more.
“Drained?” I felt my heartrate accelerate. Had I been turned?
“Tired,” he clarified.
“Where are we?” I asked squinting and waiting for whatever answer he would throw at me. Nothing could surprise me at this point. A devilish grin spread across his face.
“Come,” he said, avoiding my question. He stood and he extended his hand toward me. I smiled nervously and sat the plate on the bed. I reached for him, placing my hand on his. He pulled me to my feet effortlessly.
I trailed behind him barefoot as we made our way through the maze of hallways and rooms to the front door of the home.
He stepped to the side and opened the door widely. The warm air that carried the scent of the salty ocean engulfed me. The roar of crashing waves pounded the shore like a steady heartbeat in the distance. I could hardly contain my giddiness when I spotted the moon reflecting off the water. I squeezed Elijah’s hand and ran out of the door in a full sprint. I was thankful I was barefoot when I felt the sand between my toes. I felt free.
We reached the water’s edge and I stopped short, dipping my toes in to feel the temperature. It was as warm as bathwater. I bit my lip playfully as I glanced at Elijah who was smiling broadly. I tugged at his hand playfully and he gave me a mischievous grin before splashing me. I screamed and splashed him back, soaking him.
His arms circled my waist and he lifted me off the ground as I squealed. His body stilled and he pressed a small kiss to the tip of my nose.
“This is incredible,” I whispered. He pulled his head back to look into my eyes.
“You are incredible.” He kissed me softly on the forehead. I squeezed him tightly and for this brief moment in time, I had left all of my worries on the shore. My life had become a roller coaster. It was time to accept that I could not change its course. All I could do is hang on and hope it did not end too soon.
“I never want this moment to end. How long can we stay here?” I asked with a smile.
“Forever, if that’s what you want,” he replied with complete sincerity. I tilted my head to hide the fact that I was blushing.
“We can’t run forever,” I said solemnly. Elijah had been risking his life for me and I still didn’t understand why.
“You wouldn’t be going through all of this if you wouldn’t have met me,” he said with a slight hint of anger. Taking my chin in his hand, he tilting my face back up to meet his gaze.
“Marcus got me into all of this,” I argued as sadness swept back over me like a wave.
“The past is the past. Dwelling on it won’t change a thing. It’s us against the world,” he reassured me. I leaned in closer, hesitating for a split second before kissing him. He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine as the waves lapped at our toes.
“Come on,” Elijah whispered as thunder began to ripple through the air as big heavy drops of water speckled the sand.
“Hurry,” Elijah yelled enthusiastically and grabbed my hand, a boyish grin spread across his face. I stumbled to keep up as he dragged me across the beach. We made it to the safety of the porch roof. Elijah gripped my waist and pressed me against the front door, kissing me passionately as he turned the handle and I nearly fell inside. He pulled me closer and held me upright as he kicked the door closed behind him. Being able to feel how deeply he wanted me was intoxicating. I giggled as we snaked our way through the house, never letting our lips part.
Chapter twenty-seven
Elders
The room illuminated around us and our bodies froze in place. In the blink of an eye, Elijah was facing away from me in a protective stance. My heart began to race and my breath caught in my throat. His peaceful, loving emotions ripped away at the speed of the light that now blinded us.
“That is how you greet the Elders?” Our intruder asked in a thick French accent. She was almost too beautiful to behold. Her jet black hair was incredibly long and bone straight. She wore a vintage off-white gown, covered in intricate lace that flowed to the floor, hugging her curves as if sewn