Page 49 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
Three, two, one. . . "Surprise!"
* * *
Demi
My heart bursts out of my chest and I collapse to the floor dead.
Or at least, that's what it feels like.
In reality, my hand slaps against my throat and I shriek when the lights flash on and Lexie and a few of my close friends jump out and scream, "Surprise!"
"Judas fucking Priest, Lex!"
She giggles. "Happy birthday, baby! You didn't think we'd forget, did you?"
Lexi looks good. A lot better from the last time I saw her. Her face is flush with the excitement and probably the beer she's holding and most importantly, she isn't screaming to be bitten by a vampire.
Kiera loops her arm over my shoulder and leads me to the kitchen. Her curly red hair brushes against my head. "We have all your favorites. Moose Tracks, triple chocolate cake with raspberry filling, chocolate pie, cookies—"
She continues to name off all my favorite desserts. I look around the small kitchen. Lexi, Kiera, Natalie, and Amy. Grayson somehow got my four closest friends on board for an impromptu birthday party. He probably compelled them.
The thought of Grayson near Lexi makes my throat constrict. I flit my gaze to her once more and sigh in relief when I don't see any bite marks or traces of that crack-head need shining in her eyes.
Kiera shakes my shoulders.
"What do you want first?"
I beam at her. "Why choose, baby? I want one of each."
She hoots and shimmies her hips. "That's my bitch. Let's go!"
We all grab a plate full of desserts. I'm careful with my words as we joke and talk, because Grayson's compelled them for this. They have no idea I've been gone for weeks and they probably won't remember this when we're done.
For tonight though, being with them is enough. I didn't realize how much I needed the familiar comfort of my friends until they sprang out at me. The only thing that would make this more perfect is seeing Mom and Dad.
Tears blur my vision, but I quickly blink them away.
This is a celebration dammit.
Tonight is for me. I'm going to enjoy every moment of this while I can. Who knows when I'll get to see them again?
Chapter Fifteen
Grayson
I end up giving Demi close to two hours and go get the car. The compulsion I used is set to kick in at six. The women will leave, whether Demi wants them to stay or not. They'll go back to their lives and forget about what happened, and whenever they see something that would remind them of Demi, their mind will turn them in another direction.
I haven't erased her memory from their heads, I merely made it impossible to access. It's the only way I can ensure they won't come try to find her like Lexi did and turn into feeders. This way I can also set up future meets with them when Demi gets lonely. I admit it isn't the best solution, but it's one that works.
For Lexi's sake, I stay in the car as the party ends and the women walk outside together. Her desire to be bitten almost counteracted my compulsion. I don't want to risk her seeing me again, because while her mind may not realize what I am, her body does. The chemical reaction my presence creates will cause problems.
Tonight I don't have time for problems.
Mateo expects Demi back in time for her birth hour. We have plenty of time right now, though I know Demi will need some time to recover from seeing her friends and the realization that being in contact with them going forward is going to be hard.
They hug and Demi starts to cry. I hear her friends laughing and telling her how much they love her. She smiles through watery eyes and they all hug again. One by one they leave. She watches them go, wiping her palms over her face to remove the tears.
Demi turns, and her eyes immediately seek me out. It takes her a moment, but she sees the SUV. Shielding her eyes from the sun, the little Hunter gives me a breathtaking smile. It's the first one I've seen where she doesn't let an ounce of her hate bleed through. She's happy.
