Page 40 of Eat Me

Elijah's expression hardens slightly, a sharp tone to his voice as he speaks, "And yet you've risen to every challenge we've set before you. You've proven yourself stronger and more adaptable than we ever expected."

"That's not a good thing," I whisper, wrapping my arms around myself. "It means I'm becoming what you want me to be."

Elijah leans forward, his green eyes intense as they bore into mine. "Is that really such a bad thing, Victoria? To become stronger, to evolve beyond the limitations of normal?”

Shaking my head, "Haven't I been through enough already? What more could you possibly want from me?"

Elijah's expression turns serious, all traces of amusement gone. "We want everything, Victoria. Your loyalty, your obedience, your complete devotion to our family and our ways." He leans in closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "We want you to be ours, wholly and completely."

A shudder runs through me at his words, the intensity in his eyes making my heart race. "And if I can't give you that?" I ask softly, already dreading the answer.

Elijah laughs as he raises an eyebrow at me, “You will. I can see through you Victoria. I can see the want to be accepted and loved. I can tell in the past you didn’t have a good upbringing but became stronger because of that….so I don’t think for a minute you won’t adapt to our family once you’re able to settle in.”

All I can do at this point is stare at Elijah, taken aback by how accurately he’s able to read me. It’s true that my childhood had been difficult, that I'd always longed for acceptance and love. But how could he know that? How could he see through me so easily?

"You don't know me," I say, but my voice lacked any and all conviction. "You can't just... decide who I am or who I'll become."

Elijah's lips curve into a knowing smile. "Oh, but I do know you, Victoria. Better than you might think. We've been watching you for quite some time, learning everything about you. Your past, your desires, your fears... We chose you for a reason…. Well, Grandfather did."

A chill runs down my spine at his words. "How long?" I whisper, horrified at the thought of being observed without my knowledge. "How long have you been watching me?"

"Long enough," Elijah’s eyes light up, “Grandfather didn’t tell us about you right away. He got to know you and took a different approach than normal…but it seems like that worked out in the end…didn’t it?”

He gave a hum as he looks me over, “You can have that acceptance here…we can love and cherish you. Family is something we cherish here.”

I stare at Elijah, unsettled by the direction this conversation’s going. Taking a deep breath in, stealing myself as I’m about to be vulnerable with him. Something I don’t know if it’s a good idea or not.

"You're right," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I do want to be accepted. To be loved. But not like this. Not at the cost of my humanity."

Elijah's eyes soften slightly, though the intensity remains. "Your humanity is a construct, Victoria. A set of arbitrary rules imposed by society. We've moved beyond that, embracing our true nature."

Shaking my head, I’m fighting back a fresh wave of tears. "Our'true nature'isn't to eat other people or to torture and kill for some twisted sense of superiority."

Elijah's eyes gleam as he leans in closer. "Isn't it? Throughout history, humans have committed unspeakable acts of violence and cruelty. We've simply embraced the darker side of our nature and honed it into something purposeful."

Recoiling from his words, disgust coursing through me at his words, "That doesn't make it right. Just because humans are capable of evil doesn't mean we should embrace it."

Elijah sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. "You're still thinking in terms of right and wrong, good and evil. Thoseare artificial constructs, Victoria. In nature, there is only survival and power. Our family has thrived for generations because we're willing to do what others won't."

"Is that really how you see the world?" I ask, studying his face. "Just a brutal struggle for dominance with no room for compassion or morality?"

"Compassion and morality are luxuries," Elijah sighs, I can see he’s tired of talking by the look on his face, "I can see we're at an impasse for now. But you'll come to understand in time. To see things our way."

We’re going in circles, and I know that we won’t agree on anything, and I think he knows that too as he stands and gives me a tired smile, leaning forward and kissing my forehead.

“Get some sleep. I know you can get some in this room, compared to the cell you were in.” He gives me one last glance back before leaving, the door snapping shut, and I can hear the sound of a lock echoing through the air.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Victoria

Waking up curled into the fetal position, I don’t want to move. I’m in a daze as I try to get my brain working for the day. I’m tired, both mentally and physically. I also know that I have a day ahead of me, and most likely dealing with this damn crazy ass family.

“One day at a time,” I mutter to myself, curling more into a ball on the bed. It’s comfortable, that’s for sure…. but knowing I have this bed now that the others were dead, leaves a bad feeling in my chest.

I don’t know how long I stayed curled up in a ball before I hear the lock latch being opened. Keeping my eyes closed, I hope whoever it is will end up going away. If it’s any of the guys, I know they’ll bother me regardless.

“Good morning!” My eyes snap open hearing a feminine southern voice. I quickly sit up as I blink my eyes, trying to bring them into focus. There, standing in front of me is a woman withblond hair with soft curls that reaches her mid back. She’s petite, probably only five feet tall, wearing a light blue sundress that has a belt around the middle. Her green eyes remind me of Elijha’s and I can feel my face goes pale looking at her. She has a bright smile and she’s holding a metal tray of food.

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