How much? What does he think I am?
“I asked how much,” he repeats. His tone is much harsher than before. “Are you deaf or just dumb?”
My teeth grow as his smell fills every pore. The warm nutrients that flow through his body are calling to me…begging me. “I’m more than you can afford,” I tease, keeping my voice even.
He smiles, showing the three teeth left in his mouth. “I doubt that, whore.”
I step closer, fighting to control what wants to come out. “I’m not your average whore.” I run my fingers along his shirt collar. “You get what you pay for.”
He raises a hand, ready to slap my cheek. I catch it mid-flight. “Don’t do that,” I warn.
Fighting back brings an even larger smile to his disgusting face. “I like you. You’re a fighter.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” I continue to tease.
He nods to a dark alley. “Ten minutes is all I’ll need.” He laughs, looking at my breasts. “Hell, maybe five.” I don’t hesitate. I grab his arm, pulling him into the pitch-black space. This is the first time I’ve realized that vampires can see in the dark. Every detail of the alley glows like it’s high noon.
He pulls out of my loose grip, pinning me againstthe wall. “Dammit, you’re one of those women who wear pants. I hate pants on women. Takes too long to get to what I want.”
I reach down to his pants, unbuttoning the fly. “Let me help.” I smile, knowing he can’t see my face. With barely any effort, I turn, putting his back to the wall and me on the outside.
“Damn, you’re a strong little thing, aren’t you?”
“I am,” I continue my game. Who is this woman? My teeth fully extend, and I sink them into his neck without a second thought.
“Stop!” a deep voice says from behind. I ignore the voice, allowing the monster to take its fill. “Violet,” the voice warns. This time, strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me away from my meal.
The sounds that escape my lips are sounds I didn’t know my body was capable of making. Monster, mixed with anger and pain, as the man I was drinking from slowly slides to the filthy alley ground.
“No,” I manage to scream as I’m lifted away from my meal and returned to the apartment a heartbeat later.
“Dammit, Violet!” Cyrus says, setting me on the couch. “What the hell was that?”
The blood lust inside takes a while to settle. I feel like I’ve run a ten-mile race and experienced an orgasm at the same time. My body is hyper-aware of every sound, every movement, and every smell. “I was trying to go home,” I manage to whisper.
“I warned you what would happen. Did you think I was making that up? Or are you arrogant enough to think it won’t affect you?”
I don’t know how to respond. Maybe I did? “I don’t know,” I answer, choosing the safe response.
“You are not ready to be among humans yet. No matter how arrogant or egotistical you are, you’re not ready. No one is ready at this age.” He steps closer. “Do you know what would happen if you did manage to make it home?” I refuse to answer, remembering what he said earlier. “Your entire family would be dead,” he repeats. “You don’t have the ability to control yourself.” My eyes well with tears. Dammit, I hate looking weak. “Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I whisper my answer
“Do you truly understand, Violet?”
“Yes!” I scream. Anger fills me. “I didn’t ask for this. I was happy. My entire life was planned, and I was going somewhere. I never wanted to be a vampire. He should’ve just let me die or, better yet, left me alone!”
Cyrus matches my energy. “You’re right. You were a victim of someone who has never had control and never will. Throughout my lifetimes, I’ve only known one person who asked for this life. None of us chose it, but it’s the life that was given to us. You can either be the victim and a killer for the rest of your lifetimes, or you can learn to control it and help others.” He runs a hand through his dark hair. “It’s your choice, Violet. I will not make that decision for you, nor will I stand by whileyou eat half of the French Quarter. From here on out, you are in charge of your future. You are in charge of who you will become.”
I stare at the vampire in front of me. “How am I in charge if you’re selling me to the highest bidder?”
“Because you will choose your buyer.”
SIX
i want to go home
“I don’t understand,”I answer after an intensely long stare off.
