Page 72 of The Vampire’s Prey

Once she's buckled in, we start making our trek back. Silence fills the car since neither of us really know what to say. The gulf between us hurts since we'd been so close not even a week before. Clearing my throat, I decide to start the conversation.

"I want to apologize for how things ended the other day."

Her look of incredulity nearly makes me laugh, but somehow, I don't think she'll be happy with me if I did.

"I'm the one who tried to kill you. And I'm sorry. So, so sorry. If I just stopped and thought for a bit."

I reach over and take her hand in mine. "If we both just stopped and thought," I interrupted. "You are not the only one in possession of a brain. I acted out of hurt and not rationally.” Her fingers feel like warm silk beneath my fingertips. "I don't know how this is going to look going forward, but I want to try and mend this bridge between us if I can."

Evangeline slumps down in her seat. "I don't see how it can be fixed with what I've done. I've done so many bad things, and I put you and your friends’ lives in danger."

"That you did," I murmur, a thought forming in my head. "From what I know about you, retribution and penance is a big deal. What if I were to give you a way to wipe the slate clean? Not only with me but with the other vampires as well?"

"You-you're not going to let them punish me, are you?"

Growling, I tighten my grip on her hand. "No one will ever touch you. Not while I'm here. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," she whispers, a look of contentment easing across her face.

Oh yes, my little deviant will pay for her crimes, but in so doing, we might finally be able to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. The rest of the drive passes uneventfully. I finally learn more about her childhood and how she was shaped and molded into the woman she is now. My heart aches as she talks about her training and The Family. From that moment, I vow in my heart to give her all the love that is in me to give.

As we approach the house, Evangeline looks up at me for a moment. "I promise you, I did come here to kill you, but after knowing you, I just couldn't. Not until I thought…"

"Hush now. We will not speak of this again until your punishment. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good girl. Now, stay put."

She puts her hands in her lap and waits patiently for me to come around, open her door, unbuckle her, and scoop her into my arms.

"I'm now inviting you to live with me. I feel it's fitting I carry you over the threshold."

"My bunny!" She gasps, looking up into my face with horror.

Chuckling, I hold her tight. "Slash grabbed your car and all your belongings. I'll double check with him, but I'm sure your bunny is safe."

She sighs and burrows deep into my chest. This feels right. For the first time in years, I finally feel at peace. And, after her punishment, she will too. Easing her into the house, I pause so she can toe her shoes off. At least, I won't have to retrain her, but why does that thought disappoint me?

* * *

Her room is just how she left it. Setting her on her feet, I move the covers over before undressing her. Seeing her body revealed as piece by piece of her clothing hits the floor fills me with lust. But I will not touch her. Not until everything is settled and right between us. Tucking her into bed, I go over to the other side and snuggle her close to me. It is agony ignoring my throbbing cock, but I have all of eternity to state my lust with her. That is, if she'll have me that long. But that's another conversation for another time.

Soon, her soft snores and deep breathing indicate to me that she's fast asleep. Perfect timing too. Checking my phone, I see a notification from Slash that he's almost here with the car. I meet him outside, and he presents me with both Evangeline's bunny and her new phone.

"Thank you so much for this. I'll give you a ride back to the club. Just give me a minute."

Taking her precious cargo, I slip back into her room and ease the bunny under her arm and put her new phone on the nightstand. Slash is leaning against the car waiting for me as I jog back outside. We both duck into my car, and I drive us back to the club.

Quickly, I text Maria, asking her to stop in and stay the night, just in case Evangeline wakes up. I don't want her to feel alone and abandoned. As we drive, I hand Slash a contact case holding Evangeline's old contacts. They dried out a little before I could put them up, but they should still hold some info.

"Both Evangeline and Simon wore these. Somehow, they were able to block my compulsion. I think it would be smart to examine them, just in case more technology like this is out there."

"Sure thing," he says, grabbing them from me. I can already see the wheels turning in his head.

"Evangeline didn't know much about them, but according to Simon, what he understands is it uses some sort of two-way mirror effect or something. Most of their intelligence was faulty. They based everything off of legends and old wives’ tales.

They basically created their own echo chamber by capturing humans they thought were monsters and killing them. When their killings were successful, they chalked it up to their technology working and not realizing it was just humans dying naturally. Somehow though, this manages to work. And it works well."