Page 89 of Bite
James seems unbothered by the blood streaking his skin, his eyes on the window as the city gives way to the dark. His jaw is set, a muscle in it twitching every few seconds, but he’s otherwise calm– so calm it makes me want to scream.
I don’t. Not yet. I just stare straight ahead, eyes glazing over.
I think I’m in shock.
I want to ask why. I want to ask how he can do something so monstrous and then just sit there like it was nothing at all. But my mouth won’t open, the words won’t come, so I let the silence eat me until I’m sure it’s the only thing left.
Ten minutes into the drive, I finally find my voice, though it comes out high-pitched and trembling.
“You killed him.”
James doesn’t turn, his blank expression still in place. “I did.”
“Why?” I whisper, barely audible over the purr of the engine.
The city slides by in a blur of cold light as he slowly turns to face me, and I almost wish he hadn’t. His eyes pin me with their intensity, still holding the echo of violence. “Because he’s tasted you.”
“That’s not–” I choke on the words, pulse battering against my ribs. “That’s insane. You’re insane.”
“That’s vampire society, darling,” he replies blandly, still infuriatingly calm. “You’remine. Anyone who challenges that dies.”
I bark a wild, desperate laugh. “Is that supposed to be romantic?”
He shrugs. “It’s just the way our world works.”
I gape at him, hands trembling in my lap. “You just… youmurderedsomeone, James,” I croak. “In front of hundreds of people.”
“Sebastian Avalon knew exactly who you belonged to,” he states flatly. “He made his choice.”
I press myself into the corner of the seat, as far from him as I can get. “You’re a monster,” I whisper, the words hanging between us like a curse.
His head cocks, a strange sort of intrigue flickering in his eyes. “Are you afraid of me,mea dulcis?”
I almost say no, but that’d be a lie. I’m terrified. Of what he is, of what he’s done, and of the way my heart still stutters when he looks at me like that. “Yes,” I say, voice barely more than a breath. “I’m afraid of you.”
He considers, tracing a finger over the curve of his upper lip. “Good.”
The rest of the ride is such a blur that I don’t even realize we’ve reached the estate until the driver flicks on the interior lights. I have to force my body to move, every muscle in my legs locked tight with adrenaline.
James steps out first, then holds the door for me, offering his hand. I ignore it despite how wobbly my knees are. The night air is freezing, the kind of cold that cuts straight to the bone. The car pulls away, and we make it halfway to the front door before James suddenly stops, turning to glance back at me over his shoulder.
“If you’re afraid,” he murmurs, “then run.”
The words don’t register at first. I stare at him, waiting for the rest, but nothing comes. He just stands there still as a statue, eyes hollow and expression blank.
“Run, Taylor,” he says again, firmer this time. “If you want to live,run.”
Terror tightens my throat like a noose. I whip around, gathering the hem of my dress in one hand and kicking off my heels. My feet hit the icy ground and the world sharpens to a single point: escape.
I sprint down the front steps and across the lawn, dress bunched in my fists, lungs searing as I suck in cold air. The estate is huge, but I know the general layout of the grounds by now– the back garden, the frozen fountain, the little thicket of trees that borders the property. I aim for the trees, hoping the darkness will provide cover.
Behind me, I hear nothing. No footsteps, no breathing. Just my own ragged gasps and the slap of my bare soles against snow-dusted grass.
I make it to the trees, the branches clawing at my arms and hair as I duck and weave, heart pounding so loud it drowns out everything else. I don’t look back. I don’t need to. He could catch me in an instant if he wanted– the only reason I’m still moving is because he’s letting me.
I slow, just for a second, fighting to catch my breath. Adrenaline surges through my veins as I press myself against a tree, listening for any sign of pursuit. All I’m met with is silence.
Then I feel him behind me.
