Page 52 of Entombed By Blood

“Two glasses of the toffee,” Callista orders. “And a black coffee for Bella, because she can’t take sweetness. Did you want anything, Draven, honey? Whiskey? Or can you not drink on guard-duty?”

“I’m not thirsty.” I don’t take a seat, standing to one side. “There’s only an hour until dawn.”

Callista shrugs. “Feel free to return to Eden Tower. Evie’s tour is just getting started.”

She can’t have missed the way Evie’s pupils are blown wide. Or the fangs peeking out between her sister’s lips.

When the tall glasses are delivered, topped with blood candies, Callista reaches for hers and sips it leisurely, watching Evie like a hawk.

Her smile stretches wide around her straw as she watches Evie’s shaking hands reach for the glass.

Chapter Seventeen

Evelyn

Callie has never been verysubtle, and this latest trick suits her perfectly.

The instant I scent the boutique she’s dragged us into, I regulate my breathing into shallow bursts through my mouth. But when the glass is pushed toward me, steaming slightly and topped with ruby-red teardrop candies, I know I’m going to fail.

The straw taunts me, my predator’s instincts urging me to disregard it and down the glass before searching out more.

I cut off all breathing altogether as I bring it closer.

Sealing my lips around the cold metal is a test of will. The first slurp feels like the start of my downfall.

Ecstasy. Pure and sweet in a way I haven’t tasted since I was mortal. I moan and cradle the glass.

“One of the best advances science made in your absence,” Callie agrees, sipping her own. “A pity they can’t replicate immortal blood and flavour, but I’ll suffer the tang of mortality if I can taste sugar again.”

There’s a dry sucking sound and the flow of blood stops abruptly. Empty. How can it be empty?

My incredulous gaze latches onto Callie’s glass—still half full.

My nostrils flare, my lungs filling with the breath I’ve been holding back for so long.

“You okay, Evie?” Callie asks, her saccharine tone barely penetrating the fog. “You look a bit distracted.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to use the bland taste of my own blood to fight back the urge to dive over my sister for her glass.

The tinkling of the bell at the door snaps through the haze, and I whip around so quickly that I almost fall off my stool.

A lycan so gorgeous that I have to blink stumbles through the door. His skin is a warm, soft brown and his matching eyes twinkle with mirth behind the round frames of his glasses. He also smells like he’s bathed in a distillery. The harsh, alcoholic scent almost completely covers his own natural fragrance.

“This ain’t the men’s room,” he slurs, stumbling back as Draven puts himself between the stranger and us.

“I suggest you leave.” His voice is steely as he grips the man’s sleeve and shoves him out of the door.

“That’s no way—” The stranger’s voice is cut off by the door swinging closed behind them.

But it’s enough. The spell of the bloodlust is broken. The scent of vodka blankets the room, giving me the precious seconds I need to regain my self-control.

“Well, that was delightful,” I comment dryly. “I’m not certain the toffee is quite to my taste, Callie. Too sweet, I think. It’s sickly.”

Callie wrinkles her nose in disappointment, but Bella just snorts.

“The coffee is much better.” She holds out her glass in offering.

“Maybe later,” I say, watching Callie drain her glass. “I’m quite full.”