The sound of Ramona’s blood being licked off the floor is the last thing I hear as I’m placed in a different room from before, the door locking behind me.
TWENTY
pity party of one
In a room with no windows,it’s easy to lose track of time. I’ve been locked in this room for what feels like both an eternity and mere minutes at the same time. Watching Ramona die was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Worse than dying.
If I had only listened to Carol, none of this would’ve happened. I’d have stayed at Café du Monde and never ventured out alone with Harrison, the asshole, Chamberlin. I’d be working a dead-end job at the telephone company with my open ticket to New York burning a hole in my pocket. Ramona would still be alive and preparing to get married.
I’ve cried so much, there are no tears left to cry. My time has been split between rocking pointlessly in the corner or assuming the fetal position in bed. Death is my only escape.
My knees are curled into my chest as I mute therumbling of my stomach. I don’t remember the last time I ate. Can a vampire starve to death? I hope so.
Time passes, and I switch from the corner back to the bed. The sound of keys rattling outside the door grabs my attention. I have no idea what to expect, but I know it won’t be good. The lock turns painstakingly slow as I await my fate. Sitting up, I watch the minute movement of the knob. I won’t fight.
The door opens, and lycan energy rushes toward me. “Are you awake, vampire?”
I stare at the intruder, hoping that common sense will take over. “What do you think?” I ask.
A young boy steps into the room. He’s barely old enough to be considered a teenager. “I guess that was a dumb question.” He laughs awkwardly. The energy and blood flowing inside him calls to me.
“Whoever you are, you need to leave,” I warn. “I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve eaten, and your blood smells...”
“Simon sent me,” he says, taking my attention away from the scent of his blood to his words.
“Simon? He’s…he’s here?” I’m on my feet a heartbeat later, not sure if I’m experiencing hunger-induced delusions or if he’s speaking the truth.
“He’s with the pack,” the boy answers. “I’m here to save you.”
“You’ve been sent to rescue me? No offense, but you’re a child.”
The boy stands straighter. “I’m old enough to shift, and small enough to pass undetected.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means Aurora, nor any of the others that live in this house, are here at the moment. I’m here to rescue you. Take this,” he says, holding a bottle of red liquid in front of him. “I have brought sustenance.”
My body takes control, grabbing the bottle from his hand and drinking it in one gulp. The instant it hits my palate, the urge to eat my rescuer settles.
“Thank you,” I sigh, licking a small drop off my fingers. “The house is empty?”
“Mostly,” he answers.
“What does mostly mean?”
He smiles, avoiding my question. “We need to go. I don’t know how long they’ll be gone.”
“How did you get the keys?” I have no idea if I can trust this kid.
He turns toward me. “You’re going to have to trust me. Simon and Stella are my cousins, and Gideon is my uncle and my alpha. There’s no time to explain any more than that. We have to go now.”
“Okay,” I whisper. “If this is a trick, I won’t fight. I don’t want to live anyway.”
The young boy looks at me. “It’s not a trick. Simon told me to tell you that Cyrus is alive.”
“He’s alive?” I whisper, his words renewing my strength. “Let’s go.”
“You have to stay with me, and do what I do,” hewarns. “Do you understand?” I nod, not sure what my rescue is about to entail. He moves to the top of the stairs with me right on his heels. “We have to go up,” he whispers, pointing to the high ceiling above our heads.
