Dreams about how exciting it would be to ride down to South America or go up to Alaska on the Harley clouded my mind.No need to worry about dangerous predators of any kind, because I would be packing my own!What freedom.
I knew Theron loved me.He had from the start.It just took me a while to catch up.
Theron’s motorcycle had been back in its place.The bar room inside the inn was full of cheerful chatter.I was no longer revolted by the thought of seeing Piers.I knew Theron would protect me like he had always done.
But something—someone—must have stopped me from entering the bar.
I could see Theron and Piers sitting opposite each other, deep in conversation in one of the booths, and then… nothing.Everything went blank.
I better get up and find out what happened.I’m not worried, not by a long mile.How can I be stressed with Theron on hand to solve all my problems for me?
A white furry dog sits up and barks at me when I move.It’s a friendly bark.
“You’re Luna’s dog, aren’t you?”I pat the bed because I can see the dog is just dying to jump up.He comes to lick my face as I pet him.Running my fingers through the fur feels therapeutic.
I take the chance to look at the dog’s nametag hidden under its thick fur.
“Mu-oh-ta.Damn.I wish my phone worked here so I could look up what that means.”
Knowing I must not open any of the curtains drawn across the windows, I go to the bathroom.I get a bit of a fright when I look at myself in the mirror.
“Damn!Hideous much, Aila?”My face is so pale, I’ve lost my tan, which makes my skin look kind of beige now.Pulling down the bottom of my eye, I can see the inside of my lower lid is almost white.
That’s bad.It means I’ve lost so much blood that my system hasn’t got any to spare for the tiny capillary blood vessels.
There is human stuff in here: toothbrushes—unused, obviously—soap, facial wipes, moisturizer, deodorant; old, but not expired.So I use some.
But there’s no makeup.Why would there be?If I looked as gorgeous as Luna, it would be stupid to put makeup on.I guess I’m going to have to white-knuckle it until I can borrow some of my mom’s mascara and blush.
All I can do is try pinching some color back into my cheeks and biting my lips to make them pinker.Two pale blotches appear on my lower lip when I bite it, but they fade away as soon as I stop.
The dog is waiting for me when I come out.
I am absolutely starving.Wriggling into my jean shorts and tank top, I go downstairs into the kitchen.The layout reminds me of Ben’s house.I guess architects and floor plans are not a thing on Landslide.
I shouldn’t be complaining.I don’t even own a house.
It’s so easy to get lost in dreams of blissful domesticity now that I know Theron will kick Piers off Landslide and tell him to stay away from me.
I always yearned for a dominant lover who would take control of my life and protect me from the foolish decisions I made as a teenager.And now I have him.
Teenage mistakes can be a real problem when you have to face them alone, and knowing this doesn’t make me weak; it makes me a realist.
The kitchen is packed with long-life food.In the fridge and the cupboards.I guess it’s part of the window dressing the vampires use for when they have visitors.
“Theron told me you don’t take cream in your coffee, Aila?But I can run and get you some if you like.”
“Shit!”I nearly drop the coffee can.
Why is it always so shocking when a vampire suddenly appears?I mean, I’m living on Vampire Island, for God’s sake.
Muohta is overjoyed to see his dog mom is awake, dancing around her until Luna fills his bowls with food and water.When I see the expensive pet brand kibble and dried salmon, I’m thinking the darn dog eats better than I do!
“Morning, Luna.What’s the time, please?”
Luna points to a digital display on the kitchen wall.3:12.
I attempt to make a joke.“A.m.or p.m.?”
