Page 45 of Undying Thirst

They never left me unbound or alone until now. I eyed the doorknob. Had they . . .? Maybe my opportunity had come sooner than I anticipated. I jumped to my feet, rubbing my palms against the large sweater. I dropped my gaze to the doorknob. No way they left it unlocked. I gripped it . . . and it turned. A smile twitched the corner of my lips, and I caught myself before it turned into a full blown one. No celebrating until I was long gone.

A lovely, sweet scent reached my nose and I lifted the front of the sweater to sniff it. My eyes shuttered as I inhaled deeply. With my move, my hair fell forward, so I brushed the wavy masses back. It had puffed up much more than usual, like it did after I showered and fell asleep without blow drying it. I sniffed a lock. That didn’t smell like my shampoo, there was an earthy musk mingling with a sweet scent. Tobias. All the Crimson Coven vampires had the same distinct vanilla smell.Not overwhelming or cloying—a scent I could breathe in forever. I sighed and marched forward.

Each step was accompanied with a twinge of soreness. Whoever bathed me last night had done me a favor; it was something I could begrudgingly admit. I bet I’d feel ten times worse if I had woken sticky, naked, and in pain.

I padded across the carpet, down the hall toward the staircase. A few steps more and I would be within the faint light filtering up the stairs. The only beam spearing through the hallway since the shutters covered the window at the opposite end of the hall. I descended the steps. No one stopped me. There was no sound or a vampire springing out to yank me to their side. A smile bloomed to life.

I tiptoed as I crept forward, trying to be as quiet as possible. They were deep in their vampire slumber, but I could never assume what precautions they’d taken to ensure I stayed put. I was counting on them assuming I would be out for the entire day considering last night’s events.

The exit, freedom, taunted me from a few steps away, but I kept my pace steady and quiet. If I stepped out unscathed . . . where would I go?

I didn’t have anything. My things had all gone up in flames, from my laptop to my clothes, to most likely my cat. That included my debit cards. My heart pinched at the thought of all I’d lost. Wondering if Binx had escaped or if he was truly gone. I slowed. Sunlight spilled in from the half-circle window at the top of the wide door.

But even if I had nothing on me right now, I might not have a chance like this again. I’d just have to find a ride to the bank . . . except they’d request identification. If I went to the police, they wouldn’t be able to protect me against vampires that could compel them, and even less against their deadly strength.

Then there was the dead girl. Whoever had killed that girl, and all signs pointed to the Pale One, could kill me. What if Crimson Coven was the only reason I’d survived this long?

Who was I kidding, they were also the reason I wasinthis mess.

The doorknob twitched, like someone was trying to open it. What the . . .? A thin knife looking object jiggled between the hinge and the frame. That didn’t look legal. I backed up, at first hesitantly, and then I bolted into the living room and crouched behind the thick red curtain. The shutters were drawn down in here, too, so it left me within a veil of darkness.

I was just in time for the click of the lock giving to reach my ears. I kept my breaths shallow, but in my flurry to hide, I disturbed the layer of dust coating the velvet fabric. I clasped my palm over my nose, trying not to sneeze.

Whoever snuck in shut the door quietly—sneakily.

I nudged the curtain to peek out. A tall, slim form paused in the middle of the foyer, a swinging machete in hand. The weapon was half the size of my body.

My lungs seized. Was he here for me? I clenched the soft curtain in my fingers. Breathe. I forced an exhale out. Were there more people outside? Ready to catch me if I fled? I licked my lips. I’d have to take the chance.

The footsteps became louder and then the man came within my view. His gaze scanned the dark living room I hid inside. I dipped to hide my mass of hair. Gashes marred the man’s face and . . . I squinted. Were those bite marks on the side of his neck? He continued looking around and anger flitted over his expression, then he started down the hall.

Slipping out from the curtain, I oh so slowly tiptoed across the living room, stopping shy of stepping into the foyer.

What would the person wielding a machete do to the vampires? I clenched my teeth.

Not my problem. I tiptoed out and leaned to make sure it was a clear path to the door.

From the light, hollow steps echoing down the hall, he was in the kitchen. He seemed to be sweeping the area.

Would he use the machete on the vulnerable sleeping vampires upstairs? Or was he just after me?

I sighed and squeezed my hand into a fist and peeked at the steps. He could kill them, and the Crimson Coven would be no more . . . revulsion roiled in my chest. I didn’t want them to be gone. At least not all of them. Could I live with their death on my conscience? I only had a moment to think about my next act. My body moved before my mind caught up and I dashed across the open foyer and up the steps. I skidded to the left side of the hall. The first door was my target. Since I had woken up in Tobias’s room, then maybe he’d gone to bed there as he had before. I opened the door as quietly as possible, sliding inside the room and gently shutting it behind me. Closing the door left me in the dark. My heart jumped frantically.I can do this, I chanted repeatedly, almost like a prayer.

With my hands in front of me, I navigated from muscle memory since I couldn’t see anything. My knee bumped into the mattress and I ran my hands over a cotton sheet until my fingertips nudged a foot. Please, please be Tobias. Using it as a guide, I dragged my palms up the muscled body.

This didn’t feel like Tobias. He was too bulky. I trailed my hands up the large body. All of them were ungodly tall. Tobias was compact and the leanest of the three, and this one had too much muscle.

I touched a hip and the divots on the stomach dipped dramatically, marking his abs. Ren was the only one who had this many distinctly chiseled abs. Hands were interlaced on his belly and I ran my fingertips over the knuckles. Definitely Ren. He had scars on his knuckles like he spent most of his time asa human beating on people or punching poles. Could be either one, honestly.

“Ren,” I whispered and nudged my palm against his shoulder. He didn’t budge.

Could I even rouse him? My hand smacked into a corner of a nightstand and I flipped the lamp on, knowing it might bring attention to this room. But I had no choice, I needed to see. “Wake up,” I whispered. “Ren.”

I clenched my fist, poising to strike his face. I pursed my lips, winding back. I sighed and opened my hand. My aversion to violence was annoying. He’d hunted me down. He’d laughed at me. He’d stood by with that irritating smirk—I smacked him across the face. His eyes sprang open so suddenly. I hissed a breath out, clenching my stinging hand.

He lashed out, grabbing my arm so hard I landed on the bed. My bounce on the mattress cut off as he flattened me under him. Ren grabbed my throat with one hand, the ease in which he moved, frightening.

He didn’t blink as he loomed over me. I lay unmoving, struggling to breathe. He inhaled sharply, lowering the tip of his nose to brush it against my cheek. The suffocating grip loosened. I dragged in oxygen.

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