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I stand, moving closer to the door, trying to seem unfazed by his behavior. “Where are we going?”
“It’s time to eat,” he answers, smiling once more. “Follow me, please.”
He leads me down the hallway, back into the room I entered earlier. Scattered throughout the room, intermittently filling several pews, are children.Most have silver chains wrapped around their torsos, holding their arms to their sides.
“What is this, Alexander?”
He turns, smiling once more. “I told you. It’s time to eat.”
I count the number of heads as we enter. Not including my tour guide, there are nine children in the room. Gretchen said she had ten brothers and sisters. That means the two new children are missing.
“Is this everyone?” I ask.
“Nearly,” he answers without elaborating.
“Children!” Patrice calls from the stage. “I would like to introduce you to Elsbeth Abernathy.” Chill bumps cover my skin at the realization that I never told her my name. Shit. Did Elijah tell her? Does Elijah even know my last name?
The children hiss in my direction.
“Elsbeth is here because she wants to be a mother.”
Again, the children hiss. The ones being held with chains begin struggling against their hold, fighting the silver holding them in place. What the hell is happening?
“Elsbeth?”Thorne calls.
“I’m okay. Just not sure what’s going on.”
“You get to choose whether she stays with us,” Patrice continues. “Before you vote, she must prove her worth.”
Shit, shit, shit. This is going downhill fast.
“Elsbeth! What’s going on?”I ignore his call and focus on the children in the room.
Patrice turns toward me. “Prove your worth to them, Mommy.”
“How?” I whisper.
“Feed them.”
I turn back toward the immortal children. Most of their faces have contorted to the monstrous form I witnessed from Alexander and his friend. “Where do I find food?”
“Anywhere you can,” Patrice answers.
“She wants me to feed the children.”
“Is there…food there?”
I look around the room, seeing and sensing only vampires.“No.”
“Alexander will accompany you on the hunt,” she continues. “He knows what we need.” Oh, my God. I can’t do this.
Small fingers lace through mine. “Are you ready, Mommy?” he asks.
“Elsie?”
“Yes, sweetie. Where are we going?” I lie, holding back tears.
“The beach is where Mother finds the best food.”
