Page 33 of The Vampire’s Prey

Sighing, I let my head fall back against the wall. I bought myself at least another week. Now, all I have to do is figure out how to get myself out of this mess without bringing the wrath of God or The Family down on me. Groaning, I shift on the floor until I'm in kiza. I will undo everything he's taught me, and make it something to do with The Family and my mission. He said he would use this if I was really naughty. Well, I don’t know what else to call what I did tonight. Tipping my head back, I stare at the ceiling.

Wordless prayers drip from my lips. Maybe if I pray hard enough. Maybe if I repent enough. Maybe then, I'll be good enough. By the time I'm done praying, my legs are numb. I'm not stable enough to take a shower, so I crawl over to my bed. Underneath is a very large box; inside rests my path to redemption. Swallowing hard, I open the lid.

6

Adrian

She is not here again tonight. Scenting the air, I don’t even get a hint or remnant of her. According to my nose, it’s like she never even existed. Disappointment slams through me. She should be on her knees, begging for me to have my way with her. How is she able to resist me for so long? Anger flashes through me. I should have insisted she see me. Better yet, I should have gone over the next night and continued what we started.

The memory of her lips haunts my waking hours not to mention the taste of her blood. I need to feed from her again. Pain usually sweetens the meal for me, but with her, she is ambrosia. Within moments, I am up at the bar. My expression must be murderous because humans and vampires alike part in front of me.

Barbara spots me and frowns. "She's not here, Adrian. It's the same as the last several days. I don't know what to tell you."

"You can tell me her number," I growl, leaning over the bar.

"Whoa there, buddy," Tiberius clamps his hand down on my shoulder.

"Remove it or face the consequences."

"Chill the fuck out, or I grab Lucius.” The command in his voice is clear. And, I don’t doubt the validity of his words. The last thing I need is a run-in with Lucius.

"I need to check on Evangeline. I promise to keep my temper.” His fingers ease off of me, and I feel a bit calmer. "Have you seen her?"

Tiberius strokes his chin for a moment. "Can't say that I have. Not since that night at least."

"Fuck."

"What's the big deal man? She's only a temp here. If Lucius doesn't need her, she won't come in. Besides, I'm sure if she wanted to, she would. I definitely wouldn't deny her entrance."

Barbara's face falls as she listens to our conversation. Hell. I was not trying to hurt her feelings. I feel nothing for the poor girl, but that does not mean I’m purposefully trying to hurt her. Turning to face her, I reach up and stroke her skin. My hand tries to rebel because it is not her skin I wish to be touching. Something in my gut tells me that Evangeline needs my help. I am trying to keep my distance, but it’s becoming increasingly hard.

Every night, I go to the club to see if she is working then drive back over to her apartment. Her car has not moved once. Either she’s going out in the daytime, or I’m just missing her. There is no way she can stay holed up for several days and not need anything.

"Barbara, you are her friend. Do you know anything? Has she said anything?"

Tiberius snorts next to me. "She's probably at home or at some other job."

"Actually," Barbara's throat works as she tries to swallow. "As far as I know, this is her only job. I'm super worried Theophilus is going to fire her. She hasn't shown up for three of her shifts now."

Ice flows through my body. Something is definitely not right. I tear away from the bar and race towards the club entrance, Tiberius hot on my trail.

"Think man.” His iron grip around my arm stops me in my tracks. "You can't just go after her. Let's say she is at home. There's no guarantee that she will even allow you in. Then what are you going to do? Sit on her stoop like some crusty crow? You'll have to leave before dawn anyway. Look. Go get her number. If she doesn't answer, then maybe she just doesn't want you."

"Does not want me?" I laugh, the dry sound forcing its way out of me. "Do you think I care if she wants me or not? This is not about me or her feelings for me. If she’s in trouble, I have to at least make sure she’s okay. I owe her that much."

"Then, I guess you better get her number."

Whirling back around, I take the steps up to Theophilus' office, barely pausing before I go through the door. "I need her number."

Chuckling, he leans back in his chair. "Is she refusing to give it to you?" He sits back up and flits through a stack of papers on his desk. "Here.” He tosses the paper over to me before steepling his fingers under his chin. "I was just about to tell her to not bother coming into work tomorrow. I can't have someone miss that many shifts and still have a job. I don't care if she fucks a different vampire every night."

I can feel my anger flaring up. "Or, she could be in trouble," I ground out. "Have you ever thought of that?"

His eyebrow quirks up as he looks me up and down. "Isn't that what you're here for? Everyone knows you had her down at the club. If you care so much, why aren't you over there watching out for her?"

"I have been damn it! But I’m not just going to barge in on her life if she does not actually want me there. I do not grovel.” I don’t even wait for a reply. Pulling out my phone, I dial her number as I head to the car.

Voicemail.