Her phone buzzes and she answers it. The sound of her voice is like a punch in the gut. It’s soft and melodic with a touch of anger as she talks to the person on the other end of the phone. I listen to her conversation and for some reason I’m irritated. I don’t like not knowing who she’s talking to.
Before I can get any closer, she’s tucking the phone away and takes off almost at a run. She’s quick, but I’m not far behind as I follow her down the small trail. Once she’s to the clearing I see a house surrounded by a wrought-iron gate in the distance. Without missing a beat, she leaps over it and I stop at the edge of the trees to keep in the shadows. She doesn’t turn around or catch me following her, but instead goes into the house like it’s another normal night.
I’m relieved I wasn’t caught, but I’m also intrigued that a vampire lives in this area. She looked to be in complete control of herself and obviously lives here in the city. Could she be the killer after all? The idea of a vampire with the control it would take to sit amongst all those people and children and not feel compelled to hurt them in any way is shocking. It goes against everything I’ve been taught. Vampires are evil and unable to control themselves; that’s always been the rule.
But there she was, every inch of her perfection, and all I wanted to do was go to her. I can’t let this go, and I have to know more. I decide to watch her house for the night and see if there are any clues as to who she is and where she came from. Could this be part of the coven I was sent here to find?
Out of all the things running through my mind, the loudest thing that I can’t control is one word over and over.
Mine.
Three
Ravana
“What do you think?” I ask Bishop as I smooth out my long red dress.
I don’t know what it is about dressing up and going out but I love it. I enjoy looking nice and being around other people. Or maybe I enjoy that for a moment I can still feel human and pretend I’m just like everyone else around me.
I took the time to style my hair and do my makeup. I have on heels that, before I was changed, would have killed my feet within an hour. That’s another perk of being a vampire. I can run in these things if I need to and it won’t hurt my feet.
“I thought we talked about this,” Bishop sighs.
He’s agitated as he stuffs his hands into his slacks. He’s always in a three-piece suit and looks as if he’s about to go into a meeting. I wouldn’t be surprised if he just got off a conference call. Bishop is good with investing money and making sure none of us have to ever worry about anything. Lately work has been consuming him and I think it’s because he’s worried he won’t be around much longer. Fuck the money, it’s him I’m worried about.
“No, you made a command and expected me to follow orders.” My voice is firm because I refuse to stay locked away. I won’t let a man ever try to put me in a cage again.
I walk over to the mirror in my entryway and make sure my lipstick still looks good. I can feel Bishop’s stare from behind me, but I ignore it, not wanting a fight. He’s like a father to me, and though I don’t want to give in, I can’t be disrespectful.
“The dress draws too much attention.”
I roll my eyes and turn around to face him. Maybe it does, but it makes me feel sexy.
“It’s not like I’m going to get it on tonight. I need a mate for that, remember?” I smile at him, trying to lighten the mood.
Although, as far as I know, it might not be true. Male vampires are the ones that can’t get it up until they find their mates. It’s not as if I have that problem because I don’t need to get anything up. That said, I’ve never felt anything close to desire, including the time before I was created.
Bishop shakes his head at me with disappointment clear on his face.
“You’re acting like a jealous lover or something. What does it matter what I wear?” I pick up my small purse and double check to make sure I have my tickets to the play.
“I’m only watching out for you, Ravana. That’s my job.”
He’s angry, but for some reason it doesn’t work on me today; nothing has been lately. Life has felt so ordinary these last few weeks. What’s the point of getting to live so long if there’s nothing to live for?