Eventually, there is nothing left. She stops, sitting back, closing her eyes and licking her lips as that euphoria pulses through her. I smile, seeing the darkness fade a little from under her eyes. “When did you last feed?” I ask.
Her eyes spring open in shock as if she forgot I was there. She quickly scurries back, casting her gaze down to avoid me. Silently, she grabs the man’s ankle and drags him out of the room, keeping her head low.
I shake my head and walk into the bathroom, washing my face and hands. I notice my blood-stained top. I walk back into the room and open the huge wardrobe; tops, dresses, coats, jumpers. An entire wardrobe of brand-new women’s clothes. My jaw drops as I pull out a plain black V-neck t-shirt. I make quick work of removing mine and putting on the new one. It fits perfectly. Did he know I would come? The thought makes me angry; angry that I was so predictable to him.
The door opens, and Cara steps in, returning to her spot against the wall, not saying another word. “I won’t tell, you know. That you fed with me,” I clarify. I pause for a moment. “Cara, what’s down the narrow stairs?” I catch her body tensing at my question. “I went looking for food, not realizing that you had gone to get some. And I came to a door with iron bars. And I saw…” I pause, wondering how to word it. “Well, people like you.” But they looked nothing like living people. Death. Living corpses. “They looked and sounded in pain. Hungry.” My eyes watch her intently for any sign she’ll start talking, explaining that it was a prison for ones who have turned evil or something; not that it was just how they are treated, how they have to live and suffer working for the Dominion. “Cara. Tell me,” I demand, hoping the request will force her to talk.
“I—” She pauses, her voice sounding dry and rough, like she hasn’t spoken a word in a hundred years.
“I am not allowed to say,” she chokes, her voice cracking.
My mouth turns to a thin line, not liking that answer, but I don’t want her to think she’s in trouble. Nor do I want Morbius punishing her or them. “I won’t ask you again,” I assure her. “I’m going to have a lie down. Please, have a seat in the armchair. You don’t have to stand there the entire time,” I add. Walking over to the huge bed, I pull off the throw at the foot of the bed and a pillow before returning and handing them to her. She looks at my hands, then back to my face. “Take it. Get comfy,” I gesture, lifting it closer to her. Slowly, she holds out her arms and takes it. I give her a small smile before returning to the bed. I don’t bother changing, climb under the covers and lie on my back, looking up at the draped fabrics above me. That gnawing feeling claws at my gut; the one I can’t shut out, the one reminding me that something isn’t right. Something doesn’t add up. I pull the covers up over my head and pull out the cell to type a message to Silas.
L: Silas, I?—
I pause, not sure what I should type. Am I being dramatic? It’s a world I’ve never seen before, so maybe I’m being oversensitive? Maybe those vessels are created like that. I exhale a breath. Damn, why is this so hard? If I were messaging Evelynn, then I would just type my thoughts without thinking. The fact that Silas’s number is the only one other than my own that I remember, because it’s been the same for years. Ironically, he would usually be the last person I’d ever want to call until that night. I sigh. Memories flashing in my mind. I squeeze my eyes shut. Willing my thoughts to calm. I can’t lose focus now.If there is a chance I can see my family again, that has to be my only focus.
L: Silas, just to say I’m okay.
I cringe and click send. Within seconds, the cell lights up with his reply.
S: What is it?
I frown, confused, and quickly type my reply, grateful the guy’s phone is fully charged.
L: Nothing, I said I’m okay.
S: Lilith, I know you. You wouldn’t message me unless there were something wrong. What is it?
Damn him. I hate that even now, after everything, he knows me so well.
L: It’s just a creepy place, is all. I’m going to turn the phone off now to save the battery.
S: I can imagine. Want me to sing you a lullaby? Turn it back on as soon as you wake and let me know you’re alright.
I roll my eyes at his sarcasm. This is probably the most civil we’ve ever been,apart from when he fucked me senseless.I shake my head and reply.
L: No thanks, I don’t want your singing voice haunting my dreams. And I will.
Once I’ve sent the message, I turn off the phone and slide it back into my pocket. It takes me a while to fall asleep, my mind full of mixed messages: questions, so many questions. Before, I so blindly followed Morbius, believed every word he said. But that was twenty-seven years ago, and something my mum always used to say echoes in my mind:Actions speak louder than words. Morbius left. He didn’t fight for me. He didn’t come back for me. He says all the right things—the memories of what we had, what I thought we had—swayed my choice to be here. I huff and roll over, angrily fluffing up the pillow, willing and praying my mind will switch off.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SILAS
I pushmy bike across the parking lot, careful not to alert them that I’m leaving. “Did you really think you could leave unnoticed?” Lucian stands before me, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Fuck,” I mutter, my shoulders sagging. I shake my head. “I’m going,” I state.
“We’re all going tomorrow. It was voted and decided,” Lucian counters, his tone sharp and final.
I lift my chin. “I can’t wait that long, and you can’t expect me to. It was my fault that what happened twenty-seven years ago happened. I won’t sit back and allow anything else to happen to her.
“It wasn’t your fault. You saved her,” Lucian argues.
I arch my brow at him. “I saved her. Right.” I nod, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Fine, let me put it to you like this. If that was Evelynn in Velmora right now, would you wait?” I press. His jaw tightens, his expression answering my question for me. “Exactly what I thought. You and the rest of the club can come tomorrow. I'll need your backup by the time you get there. But Ican’t sit back and wait. I just fucking can’t,” I say through gritted teeth.
Lucian’s amber eyes blaze with anger and frustration. But he surprises me and steps aside, allowing me to pass. I blink in surprise. “Why?” I ask because I know him. I know he’s a stubborn asshole.
