A Fire in the Blood(66)
Her heart skipped a beat when her cell phone rang. Was it Andrei? She ran into the bedroom and snatched it off the nightstand.
It was Jilly. “Hi!” she said exuberantly. “Are you sitting down?”
“No, why? What’s wrong?”
“Luke asked me to marry him!”
Tessa dropped down on the edge of the bed.
“Tess? Are you there? Did you hear what I said?”
“That’s wonderful, Jilly. I’m . . . I’m happy for you. For both of you.”
“You don’t sound very happy.”
“I am, really.” She forced a smile into her voice. “So, when’s the big day?”
“Gosh, we haven’t settled on a date yet, but we both want a small wedding. Just close friends and family. Nothing fancy. You’ll be my maid of honor, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks! I’ve got to go call my mom. I wanted to tell you first. Tell Bailey and Andrei, okay? I’ll call you later!”
Of all the rotten timing, Tessa mused. Tossing her phone on the bed, she went to tell Bailey the happy news.
* * *
Andrei wandered the busy streets of Cutter’s Corner. It was the day after Thanksgiving. Most of the businesses were still closed, although the movie theater and the specialty shops were crowded with people who had the day off.
He and Luke had swept the town before, searching for any vampires who had decided to stay but, having nothing better to do, Andrei had decided to look again. Thus far, it had been a waste of time.
If his preternatural senses were to be trusted, he was the only vampire left in town.
Perhaps it was time to move on.
He ducked into a restaurant, something he rarely did. He ordered a glass of the house chardonnay, which came with a small basket of bread and crackers. He had been a fool to think Tessa would be his. Oh, he could compel her to stay with him, to share his bed, he could even make her believe she loved him, but the idea held no appeal. It wouldn’t be real, and more than anything, he wanted her, warm and willing. He didn’t blame her for not wanting him. For being afraid of him, deny it though she might. Other than the desire that sizzled between them whenever they were together, they had little in common. And yet, he wanted her like no other woman he had ever known. Needed her in ways he didn’t understand.
Without thinking about what he was doing, he buttered a slice of bread and took a bite. And then another. He frowned when he realized what he was doing. And then, angry without knowing why, he tossed a handful of bills on the table and left the restaurant.
He preyed on the first mortal that crossed his path. Only when he realized he was close to draining the woman did he free her from his thrall and send her on her way.
What the hell? How could he be hungry for both bread and blood? What the hell was happening to him?
* * *
“Married?” Bailey paused in the act of adding cheese to her sandwich. “Wow. I knew they liked each other, but didn’t they just meet a little while ago?”
Tessa nodded. “It does seem a little sudden, but . . .” She shrugged. “They seem happy together.”
“I guess.”
“How are things going with you and Tristan?”
Bailey shrugged. “Oh, you know.” She sliced a tomato. “He’s really cool. I like being with him. I still don’t know about that ‘life-mate’ thing, but I kind of like hanging out with the pack. I feel like I belong there, with them.”
“Oh.”
“I like it here with you, too,” Bailey said quickly.
“Well, you know you’re welcome to stay as long as you want.” Tessa pulled a soda from the fridge, then sat at the table. “Was it really terrible in your foster home?”
“Yeah. They had three kids of their own, and two other foster kids. They made us eat last and wear their kids’ hand-me-downs. Plus we had to do all the chores, and whenever they went out with their kids, they locked us in the basement.”
“Bailey, maybe you should go to the police and report them.”
“No! There was an older girl there—Kim—when I first arrived. She told the school principal that Mr. Fischer molested her. No one believed her. A lady from social services came to the house a few days later, but all she saw was what the Fischers wanted her to see. They gave us nicer clothes to wear and made sure we were all clean and had nice haircuts. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer were on their best behavior. They threw out all the booze and stocked the refrigerator with milk and good food. The social worker congratulated them on being such outstanding foster parents. A week later, Kim ‘fell’ down the basement steps and broke her neck.”
“Bailey, that’s terrible! We’ve got to do something.” But what? They had no proof of any misconduct other than Bailey’s word.