Page 76 of Thicker than Water

“Celine, I…”

She moves closer to me, so quick I don’t even catch her movement. Her bloodstained fangs graze my cheek as she whispers in my ear.

“Get out before I do something I regret.”

My heart breaks. I bite back the tears that threaten to erupt. I push everything back, push everything away, as I hastily retrieve my shirt and pants. She throws my purse to the ground and I take it, then I stumble out of the room and onto the elevator.

As the doors shut, my knees buckle beneath me. I clutch my purse like a life raft.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the elevator mirror. Eyes red-rimmed.

And bright gold.

A COMPLETE, ABSOLUTE FOOL

Celine

Fury envelopes me, a prison of red.

The line clicks and the curt voice of the concierge comes through.

“Yes, Ms. Côté?”

“I need a cleaning service for my suite.”

“Of course, Ms. Côté. How extensive?”

“Not very. Only the duvet needs changing, and the floors mopped.”

“I’ll send someone right away.”

“Thank you.”

I hang up the phone, and place the stake in the bottom drawer of my desk.

I wait five minutes.

What a complete,absolutefool I’ve been.

Three hundred years, and I’m still making the same mistakes.

Still falling for the same trap.

But never again.

Never,everagain.

I rise, and go to the elevator. I don’t want to be here when the cleaning service comes. I’m not sure what I would do.

The elevator chimes, and I enter.

Hmm. Not the club. Not the casino. Not the lounge. Certainly not the event room.

The office. I’ll look over some paperwork before dawn.

I try not topay attention to how incredible I feel. The magical power coursing through my veins. Vampires don’t often feed on witches. If I wasn’t so old, I might not have even recognized it as such.

Before realization set it, it was so delicious. Her blood like ambrosia. Rich, full of sunlight.