16

eeping busy was Evonne’s current plan. After the first few days of nothing to do, she decided to focus her time on reorganizing the study. She emptied each bookcase and stacked the books around the room, and then used some paper she found to catalog the titles and authors. She thought about using her laptop for the job, but without a printer, all of her efforts would have been useless. It was back to basics for this technology spoiled girl.
Evonne looked around the room and sighed. The task appeared more than daunting. She had a strong feeling that she’ll have nightmares for weeks about drowning in a sea of book, some even sprouting teeth and gnawing on her fingers and toes. Or would the nightmare contain the ever-growing stacks of books, ultimately crashing down on her like an avalanche?
A week had passed since they arrived. While Gabriel concerned himself with his work outside the house, Evonne stayed inside, only venturing out when it was time to hunt. Demetrius, as well, remained to himself, even while hunting. Evonne never questioned his wish to be alone. She still didn’t trust him completely. For someone who had plenty to say, she knew little of what he truly thought, and this made her uneasy.
Their early morning hunts usually took them to a nearby farm. The large amount of cattle made for a quick and simple meal. They would take what little they needed, and left the animal alive. The following night, if no deer could be found on their way to the farm, they went for the cattle again, each this time targeting a different animal than the night before. The animals were very trusting and never fought against them. The cows had their own unique smell and taste, both of which Evonne learned to ignore. One night they happened to find a group of deer. Though different in appearance to Whitetail, they tasted the same to Evonne. She was actually happy to forgo the cows for a night.
Evonne picked up another book and jotted down the title and author’s name. She then flipped through its pages. The pages, old and discolored, were like many of the other books in this room. Through her organizing, she had yet to come across a book published after the 1960s.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Startled, Evonne looked up to see the human, David, standing in the doorway. She didn’t even hear or sense him approach. Did the animal blood weaken her this much?
“Not really,” she replied, setting the book down among a stack of others.
David entered the room and glanced over the scene. “You’ve been busy.”
“Trying to stay busy is more like it.”
“Can I help?”
“If you want,” said Evonne as she cleared a place before her.
Carefully stepping through the many piles of books, David took a seat across from her and grabbed the papers she handed him.
“Write down the book titles for me,” she instructed, “and the author’s name and year it was published.”
He nodded and readied himself for the first book.
Evonne began reading the information as David wrote on the paper. She was actually thankful for his help. The daunting task looked a little less overwhelming with him here, though she was more thankful for his company than help. Through her weakened body she could still feel his warmth. She didn’t realize how tempting it would be. Perhaps it was a bad idea to allow him to help.
She pushed beyond her body’s pleas and focused on her current task.
“I don’t mean to pry,” David began, ending the long stretch of silence, “but I thought vampires needed human blood.”
Evonne looked at him but said nothing. How could he know her thoughts? He was only human, incapable of such ability. Ability or not, it was obvious by the way she acted. The whole time she kept her eyes from him until now.
He continued, “I see you all heading into the woods to hunt animals. Does that mean you can live without drinking human blood?”
“It’s not that,” Evonne said, grabbing another book. “Human blood just isn’t an option right now.”
“All you have to do is ask.”
Her eyes returned to him, uncertain.
“I don’t mind,” he said, setting the papers down. “I’ve given my blood to others before.”
“I thought you said that I was the first vampire you’ve seen.”
“You are. But I have friends who roam the forests each night. They don’t need blood to survive, just a little to show that I mean them no harm.”
Evonne didn’t know how to respond. “So you’re friends with werewolves, but have never seen a vampire until now?”
“Not many vampires dare venture into a pack’s territory, especially the Theodore Pack. And I don’t travel much.”
David removed his shirt. He had fade scars on his body, but nowhere near as many as the one’s on Derek. The marks on David was a mixture of bites and claws.
“You don’t have to do this,” Evonne replied.
“But I want to.” He took the book from her hands and set it down with the others. He then turned his head, presenting his neck.
Evonne’s eyes lost all sight of him as she stared at his skin. He was offering this to her. With no other viable humans around, the blood he carried was like gold in her eyes. She would be foolish to turn down such an offer. Inching closer, her teeth lengthened as she prepared to bite. Her apprehension vanished.
His blood rushed into her mouth like a torrent of fire. His heat became hers. Animal blood could never compare to this. As she took her first two drinks, another familiar taste surfaced. Werewolf.
David pulled away. The amount she’d taken wasn’t enough to calm her, but to tease her. He was playing this game perfectly in his eyes.
Sitting back, Evonne licked the blood from her lips. She felt David move forward, his mouth against hers. Shocked, she pushed him away.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “I gave you what you wanted.”
She stared at him, what little trust they had broken. “And that is as far as it goes.”
“You’re making it sound like something terrible. We can go to your room, if you want.”
He placed his hand to the side of her face and attempted to kiss her once more.
Evonne stopped him. “For the amount of blood you just gave me, a kiss is all you get.”
“I can give you more later,” he said, his voice hushed as he kissed her.
Giving in for a moment, Evonne’s lips finally left him. “I’ll take it now.” She went for the bite on his neck.
It was David who pushed her away this time.
“No,” he said.
Evonne studied him, her annoyance rising from some foreign place. “You think you can order me around just because you have something I want?”
“You’re the one turning down my offer,” he hatefully reminded.
She looked him over, disgusted with herself for even falling for his trick. “No matter what continent I’m on, guys are all the same, always thinking with their dicks.”
David scoffed at the accusation. “With the way you’re reacting, you haven’t had much experience in that department, have you?”
Evonne’s anger boiled over. “The only thing keeping you alive right now is my fear at what Gabriel might do if he finds out.”
“The only real thing keeping me alive right now is your curiosity. It’s not like I can get you pregnant or anything. It’s the safest sex possible. I really don’t see the issue here.”
His hands went to her waist and began to unfasten her jeans. Evonne grabbed his wrist, holding tight. She sneered, her voice more like a growl. She let her teeth be seen, trying her hardest to place fear within.
“You’re not listening to me,” she hissed. “I said ‘no.’ ”
Evonne’s mind no longer scrambled about in anger. She was furious. Why was it so difficult for this human to obey a simple request? His very existence annoyed her in this moment. She wanted to kill him. Gabriel’s anger, perhaps great once he found out, would soften over time.
Evonne pushed him back and into a stack of books. Once in control of the situation, the human now cowered in fear. Evonne moved on top of him, her mind losing its battle against her new nature. Her body acted on its own, pulling at the boy’s jeans as her hand slid inside.
Pain flashed across David’s face as she grabbed hold of him, gripping tight, her nails digging in.
“As I said,” she sneered, “you have only one thing I want and plenty of flesh to pull it from. Try this shit with me again and they’ll have to drag you to the hospital in pieces.” Her hand squeezed tighter, making sure he paid attention to every word.
David cried out in agony.
Finding his neck once more, Evonne bit him for a second time. She drank fast, his fear engulfing her and pushing her to the cusp of a blinding frenzy. She wanted him dead.
David struggled underneath her and broke free. He tore from the room, one hand holding up his jeans while the other held his neck. Evonne gave chase. She followed him down the hall and to the stairs. She stopped, watching him frantically reach the first floor and running for someplace safe. She smiled. That got rid of him.
“Is this something I should know about?”
Evonne looked to see Demetrius in the hallway. She abruptly turned from him, wiping the blood from her mouth. “It’s nothing,” she said.
He stepped closer. “A frightened human smelling of blood and fear, running from a vampire? Sounds like a typical night to me.”
Evonne kept herself from looking at Demetrius. “I don’t want him around me.”
“What was his game?”
She crossed her arms over her stomach forced herself to answer. “Blood for sex.”
“And you declined?”
Evonne finally looked at him oddly. “Of course. That would be like prostitution.”
Demetrius shrugged at the comparison. “Give the boy a moment of pleasure for a night of eased hunger. As I see it, you have the better deal.”
She looked away. “I can’t do that.”
His words turned serious. “Don’t confuse sex with intimacy.”
“To me, that’s the same thing.”
“That’s your definition. But your real concern now is Gabriel’s definition.” He caught her wandering eyes.
Evonne stepped away from him and the railing as she headed back to the study. “I can never think like that. He already gave me permission to sleep with this one guy—this werewolf. He didn’t even hesitate when he suggested it.”
Demetrius replied as he entered the room behind her, “It’s because he sees the difference.”
She looked out the window and at the barn. “So that’s all I am to him,” she hated to admit. “Just someone to pass the time with.” She left the window to return to her seat among the books.
“Gabriel is a nomad,” Demetrius began, walking further into the room. “Every now and then, he takes a companion. For twenty years it was my Laurel. That was right after he left your father’s shadow. Before then he had Keelan, and even further back it was Edward.”
Out of all three names, one stuck out. “He was with Laurel?”
“No need to feel threatened. There was no love between them, just sex.” Demetrius gauged her reaction and tried to hold back a laugh. “Still so innocent. If Gabriel can find no time to teach you, then perhaps I can.”
Evonne didn’t like where this was going. “Gabriel is capable of teaching me all I need to know.”
“But what about the subjects you want to know?”
“I see what you’re doing,” she pointed out, her anger returning. “I’ll save you the trouble. No matter what you say, I’ll never turn my back on him.”
The lighthearted tone in his voice turned into spitefulness. “Even after he forced you to take his blood? Then forced you to kill? It is because of him you are here now. Even the few moments of bliss he has given you pales in comparison to the darkness you now face. You wish to hurt him for what he has done, yet you strive for his acceptance. You are like him in many ways… except you talk more.”
She rolled her eyes. “Gee, nice to know I’m a chatterbox.”
“You don’t have to pretend. I know you’re still frightened by all of this. And your only way to cope is by continuing to see yourself as human. But this is no virus in your system. Our blood has never been a virus, but I can see how humans may view it as such. And there is no cure when there is nothing to cure. The only end to this is death. The removal of your heart or head should work on one as young as you.”
His words sounded like a dare.
“I don’t want that,” she muttered.
“Beheading isn’t so bad,” he said, his eyes refusing to leave her. “It happened to me once.”
“You were beheaded and survived?” Her voice was caked in disbelief.
“Many things are gained through old age. Sadly, complete immunity to the sun’s light isn’t one of them. But beheading can be remedied if acted upon quickly. Perhaps that’s the way you should end it—sunlight.”
Evonne grabbed the nearest book and pretended to lose interest in their conversation. “I don’t want to die.”
Demetrius’ voice came sharply to her ears. “Then stop wishing for it all to end.”
She slammed the book down. “Stop reading my thoughts!”
“Afraid I’ll see something you’re hiding from him? Or from yourself?”
“I’m beginning to hate talking to you,” she said, gathering up the papers.
Demetrius smiled. “Very much like him.” Nodding respectfully, he added, “Have fun with your books,” and then left the room.
Fearful that he could still “hear” her, she held back all of her bad thoughts until she was unable to wait any longer. She sat among the books, her mind swimming in a sea of bad names and cursing. Each time they talked, the more and more she loathed him. There had to be a way to keep Demetrius from seeing beyond her spoken words. Blocking his mind from hers sounded like the best idea, but not the easiest option. She wasn’t sure if she could pull it off but it was worth a try. Though she had nothing to really hide, the thought of being unable to hide anything felt like a lack of privacy.
Evonne began to grumble in the wake of her anger. It was going to be a long night.