Page 99 of Cruel Destinies

I chuckled. “Besides what I'm currently wearing, I’ve got this one,” I said, holding up the purple knit I’d chosen. “And there’s this one.” I shuffled through the hangers, pulling up a red sweater with gems and sequins woven into the design. “And finally, there’s this.” The last hanger held a gold sequin shirt, which changed to a hot pink color depending on which way the sequins lay. “It’s not a sweater, but I like it.”

“Me too,” he said, his brows flaring. “You should wear it.”

I shook my head, amusement tugging at my lips. “It’s far too cold today for this shirt.”

“I’d be happy to keep you warm.”

Damn, I really had to admire his confidence.

I shook my head. “Come on. Let's check out with these. I need to get home.”

“What’s the hurry? You haven't even found a dress yet.”

“It’s time to wrap it up,” the store clerk said from across the floor, an elderly woman whose girth made her look cuddly and soft. “I’m getting ready to close down.”

“Well, there’s that,” I said to Adam, casting a worried glance at the storefront. I hadn’t realized how much time I’d spent. “Wait, what time is it?”

I reached for my phone, but Adam got to his first. “A little after four.”

“What? Let me see that.”

He turned his phone around, and I stared at the mocking numbers, marking it as 4:08 in the afternoon. The sun would be setting soon. I was in so much trouble.

“Aw, fudgesicles. Come on.” I grabbed his forearm and dragged him to the counter. Plopping the shirts down, I threw my thumb at Adam. “He’s paying.”

The woman nodded and began ringing everything up, including the shirt I was still wearing. She rattled off the total as she carefully folded the shirts and bagged them, and Adam handed over a card.

I looked at the window again, my foot tapping, my fingers beating an anxious rhythm against my thigh. The Christmas display across the street was glowing in the darkened shade of the buildings, but it did nothing to warm my franticallybeating heart. This was taking too long, and I was already late. I’d need to send Gram a text, and soon.

The clerk wished us a Merry Christmas, and I gave her a quick smile before darting for the door. Halfway there, I realized I'd forgotten to grab the bag, and turned back, but Adam was sauntering my way, swinging my purchases from two fingers.

I ducked out of the store and waited for him to follow. The clerk was just behind him, and as soon as he was out, she pulled the door closed and locked it.

I angled toward the L, expecting Adam to follow. After a moment, I turned to find him lagging behind. I hurried back to him and made to snatch my bag, but he held it above his head, just out of my reach.

“Hey! You bought those for me, remember?” I put my hand on my hips, putting on my best angry face.

He laughed. “And I think it’s only fair I get to see them all on you.”

“I don’t have time for this,” I said, stepping back but not lowering my chin. “You should give me my bag so I can go.”

I still needed to send that text. I cast a worried glance at the last hints of pink peeking through the skyscrapers.

“Only if you agree to a proper date with me.” He flared a flirtatious eyebrow over his guy-linered eyes.

“You know what. Keep them.” I spun on my heel and marched off, giving him the one-finger-salute over my shoulder. I had my replacement sweater on, and that was good enough for me.

When I turned a corner and out of Adam’s sight, I broke into a sprint, looking for the nearest L platform. A train decked out with twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and Santa’s sleigh, barreled past on the L above, broadcasting merry holidaytunes. On any other Christmas Eve, I’d be delighted to see the Holiday Train, but worry and hurry had me looking beyond it.

I spotted the accompanying platform and slowed, pulling my phone from my pocket. Twilight was gathering in husky blues, and my heart hammered against my chest as I sent a text to Gram saying I was going to be late. Hopefully, that little bit of forewarning, and the magic of Christmas, would ensure I got off easy.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and took off again, but a force slammed into me, sending me sprawling and knocking the wind out of me. Hand to my head, I tried to steady my vision, searching for the source of my collision.

What I saw sent ice through my already-chilled body.

The pale face smiling down at me bore a wicked grin—one that definitely didn’t belong to my cocky goth stalker. Two sharp teeth glinted in the yellow glow of the streetlamp, dark hair styled into boyband perfection. But it was the eyes, with their red sinister glow, that turned my mouth to a desert wasteland.

The vampire took a deep breath, reveling in my helplessness.

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