Page 27 of A Vampire Bewitched
Chapter 15
Emma looked around, checking out her new digs. At least they would be for the immediate future. “Oh, wow.”
From the outside, the vehicle looked like any normal family vacation nightmare. From the inside? Gutted completely and remodeled for their use, it was a combination of spaceship control room, modern living quarters, and bank vault.
Stainless steel and black leather dominated the masculine decor. Instead of the usual chairs and TV set up behind the drivers seat, there was a corner desk with multiple computer monitors. A keyboard, mouse, cell phone, notebook, and satellite phone were all laying on the desk, and a swivel chair was bolted to the floor in front of it. A map was tacked to the wall above, red pins stuck into it here and there, including one smack in the middle of the location of her house.
All of the windows throughout the RV were covered with what looked like some kind of steel coverings, except for the front windshield and front door windows, which she was pretty sure were tinted darker than the legal limit. There was the usual driver and passenger seats, and a third seat behind the passenger’s.
Behind her, there was a counter, a small fridge, some cabinets and a sink. Toward the back end, there were some sofa seats lining the sides with narrow tables parallel to them, a doorway which led to what she guessed was a bathroom, and the back room where the guys had disappeared with her stuff. To top it off, all of the doors seemed to be made of reinforced steel with multiple locks, even the driver and passenger doors.
She wondered where they slept during the day. There weren’t any coffins lying around.
Setting her bag of snacks on the counter, she opened the fridge, and found it stacked full of bags of blood. More surprisingly, there was some bottled water in the door. And in the crisper? She found her favorite fruits. She stared at the apples (Fuji), and pears (Asian), and ignored the feeling in her chest at Nikulas’ thoughtfulness. After a moment, she added her own pieces she’d brought with her. Opening the top cabinet, she found more of her favorite foods. Even her chai tea and the agave she liked in it.
She was still staring into the cabinet when Nik and Aiden wandered up from the back.
Nik cleared his throat. “I had Aiden run by the store while we were talking earlier. I gave him a list. Just some stuff I know you like.” Rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably, he wouldn’t look at her when she tried to catch his eye.
Reaching over her head, he closed the cabinet door. “We need to get going Em. Unless you’re hungry?” he asked.
“No, I’m good. Thanks.” Stepping back from the counter, she silently berated herself for getting so emotional over some stupid fruit. It was just, she couldn’t remember a time someone had been so thoughtful toward her. Not since her parents had died, actually.
As Aiden settled himself in the driver’s seat, Nik told her, “We put your stuff in the back bedroom. Aid and I will crash out here on the couches come sunup.”
Leaning forward, he got right down in her face. “When you wake up before us, do NOT leave this vehicle. Do you understand? Not for anything.” When she’d confirmed she’d heard him, he added, “There are some books in the back room. Satellite TV. Shower items and towels are in the closet. Oh, no cell phone calls, and don’t touch the computer.”
“I don’t have a phone, or anyone to call.” Emma was well aware she was probably one of the few people in the world who didn’t, but it would be a waste of money. The signal was so weak where she lived, she would never be able to call anyone on it, anyway.
As Nik went up front to join Aiden, she got the distinct feeling she was being dismissed. “Nik?”
Sitting down, he twisted his torso around to look back at her.
“Um. Thank you. For the food.”
His blue eyes roved over her face. “You’re welcome. Get some rest.”
Emma gave him a small smile, then headed toward the back room, closing the door behind her.
Nik frownedas Emma closed the door behind her. Turning back toward the front, he caught Aiden's smug smile. “What?”
“I’m just quite relieved is all.”
“About what?” Nik pulled up the GPS and set their coordinates.
“That Emma is such a crumpet. It’ll make the trip much more interesting.”
Nik’s head whipped around. “You stay the fuck away from her, Aid.”
Aiden glanced over, his brow lowered in exaggerated confusion as he started the RV. “For what reason? You have no need for any of that. You feed from a bag, and live like a monk.”
He turned away, but caught Aiden’s smirk out of the corner of his eye, and growled low in his throat.
“What? I won’t hurt her. I just want to play a bit with our little witch.”
“Aiden, you lay one fucking finger on her and I will lay you out. I am not fucking around. You are NOT to touch her. EVER.”
“You take all the fun out of life for me, Nik. You know that?” Glaring out of the corner of his eye, he added, “I don’t know why I even hang around with you. My stodgy ole mum was more fun than you are.”
