Page 59 of Nightshades

My eyes dart all over his body, trying to see each and every part that belongs to what he has named, but I don’t see them all.

“I-I-I don’t unders-stand,” I stammer, confused about how that is possible.

“I don’t understand why you can see me and no one else can.”

“I can see things that others can’t. I have always been able to.”

He cages me in again, the pitch black of his eyes shining like polished onyx, and he leans down. If I could melt into the wall, I would. More distance between us would be best. I don’t trust myself around him.

Roots tighten around my body again, this time pinning my arms and legs to the wall and leaving me vulnerable.

“You want to see where my monsters hideee?” The chitter his back, his fangs gleaming, and a large black shadow with the consistency of smoke begins to emerge from him.

It swirls around his body, hissing and clicking with excitement.

Flowers begin to bloom along the roots, a sweet floral scent invading my nose. My fingers and toes begin to tingle, white static moving throughout my entire body.

“Let me in.” He grips my jaw, prying my mouth open. “And I will show you why your soul has led you astray.”

The longer I stare into her eyes, the more I want to fall into them. I want to explore her insides to figure out what makes her so unique compared to all the others.

There isn’t a moment when she locks into my gaze, and her sense of consciousness drifts. The hypnotic state I use against my victims does not work on Lula. My vampire influence has no effect on her. Will anything else? Will finding her fears be impossible?

A thunderous growl of frustration builds in my chest, followed by a slight whine of not knowing what she fears most. I want to experience her terror and soothe her pain. I want her screams, yet I want her moans.

I get lost in the feel of her trapped within my roots, her skin rubbing against the rough vascular tissue that allows me to feel every torturous inch of her silken skin.

She’s softer than I deserve.

Without breaking eye contact, I kick off my boots and unbutton my jeans.

“What are you—” She stops mid- sentence, closing her eyes to focus on speaking. The nightshade poison is beginning to work. “What are you doing?” Lula manages to slur, the poison taking longer to take hold.

“Taking what’s mine, Lula. I should have done this much sooner.” One claw drifts down her chest, plucking the first button free. “But I’ve been busy making sure no one else has your attention.”

“The killings?” Her eyes hood. “It’s you?”

“It’s always me. It will always be me.”

“I can’t…” She swallows. “I can’t allow you to do that.”

I pop another free, her blouse parting to show her cleavage, a white laced bra peeking through.

“Allow me?” A full belly laugh is unknown to my own ears since I can’t remember the last time I found something truly amusing. I rip her shirt free, her body on display to sate my disgusting tendencies. “I do not need permission.” Raking my nails down her pants, blood sticking to the underside of my claws.

She screams the moment her skin tears from the sharpened points.

“Mmmm,” I hum with satisfaction, lifting my nails to the light.

Her blood glistens so beautifully. It’s the perfect color. Not too dark, not too bright—the exact shade that I love the most.

I smell them, inhaling the rich citrus that reminds me of a refreshing drink on a hot, unforgiving day.

“You smell…” My voice deepens with arousal. “Divine.”

She watches me intently, calculating, as if she’s trying to figure out a way to set herself free or give in to the monster who has been breaking into her home for the last few days.

Without her knowledge.