Probably another lie.All to hide the fact he was a cave-dwelling night goblin.
Teri added, “The only humans allowed down there are the maids during the day. They clean and prepare the vampires’ waking chambers.”
“What the heck’s a waking chamber?”
“It’s where they feed after they wake. It’s…not for the faint hearted. Think Dexter’s kill room.”
From that TV show about the serial killer who diced people up?I swallowed hard. “They munch on people? Live ones?”
“Until they’re not.” Her face contorted.
My mouth hung open. How did I not know this? Worse, I never even suspected. Not a whiff!
“They’re vampires, Miss Kicklighter. What did you expect?”
“Not that.” A wave of revulsion crawled over my skin.What happened to not killing humans?It appeared that everything I knew aboutvampires was a lie.
My stomach tangled into a mess of anger. The world needed to know the truth, but that wouldn’t happen if I didn’t get the hell out of here. Hopefully, without turning Teri into Stark’s next meal.
“Can you get me a maid’s uniform?” I asked.
Teri groaned.
“Yes or no?” I asked.
“It’s too risky. They have vampire security guards down there watching everything from cameras.”
“Didn’t I overhear you say you could bribe them?” She’d mentioned it to Albert the morning he found me on the beach.
“A few are open to doing favors, but I’m still recovering.” She pulled down the collar of her blouse, exposing a deep purple bruise and two puncture marks at the base of her neck.
Holy hickies! Poor woman.“I could donate the snack.”
“Are you joking? They wouldn’t dare touch you. You’re Mr. Stark’s property.”
Ew.
“But,” she added, “I have another idea. There are empty bottles in the supply room, for whentheymake fresh moonshine for our human guests.”
This was perfect. I could make it look like I’d gotten my hands on a bunch of moonshine and drank it all. “Stark will just have to believe I stole someone’s stash.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t catch on, Miss Kicklighter,because I’d prefer not to end up on the menu tonight.”
“Did you eat Taco Bell today?” I asked.
“No. It’s not exactly available on the island.”
“Then you’re probably safe.”
CHAPTER TEN
An hour later, Teri was at my door with a cleaning cart piled with towels. I rushed her inside, and she pulled out five brown glass bottles hidden among the supplies.
“Perfect.” Stark would see the empties in my trash can and around the room, watch my crazy behavior on the security cameras outside, and buy the story of me flipping out. He’d wonder which vampire had supplied me with the crazy juice and then be entirely focused on punishing them. Meanwhile, I’d be long gone.
Teri produced a small bottle of strawberry Ensure from her pocket. “Put some of this in each bottle and swish it around so it smells like real moonshine.”
Say whatthehell?“He’s been giving me Ensure?”
