Crave by Teresa Mummert Page B

livestock because they are sentimental creatures. They don’t want to know the name of their dinner.” Her fangs ran out.
    “Eva,” I cleared my throat as my voice cracked. “My name is Eva.”
    She glanced back at Elijah and giggled. “Come in,” she said, stepping off to the side and sweeping her hand in front of her in a grand gesture.
    I glance over to Elijah, who held his hand in front of him for me to enter first. I cautiously stepped into the house and scanned my surroundings. The walls were painted vibrant colors. Elijah came in behind me and put his arm around my waist, leading me through the house. Each room was decorated according to a different era. I was in awe.
    “What do you think?” Reid asked from a chair in the corner.
    “It’s breathtaking,” I whispered. He laughed, looking positively amused.
    “The breath taking will come soon enough, friend,” he joked, showing a fangy smile. I glanced around nervously as vampires slowly surrounded us.
    “Would you like me to show her to her room?” the young female vamp asked.
    “There will be plenty of time for that after dinner,” he replied and the room broke out into a broad sadistic laughter.
    “Enough,” Elijah shouted through clenched teeth and the room fell silent.
    “Right, we have business to attend to,” Reid agreed, waving his hand as two vampires stepped behind Elijah and grabbed his arms. Elijah struggled against them and a third stepped in to hold him still. The young flapper moved beside me and gave me a warning look. I didn’t move, paralyzed by fear.
    “Elijah, you have taken it upon yourself to kill two of my vampires for this… human ,” he sneered. “As we negotiated before this meeting and under the advisement of the Council, two lives would be taken in turn,” he said, nodding his head to the vampire in the next room.
    The man entered dragging a limp bloodied body in his arms. He let go and the person fell into a motionless heap onto the floor. “That’s number one. He didn’t make it.” His eyes glanced coldly at me. “Let’s see how many lives this Eva of yours has in her,” he said with amusement.
    My heart began to race and panic took over my body. My knees started to buckle as my head grew faint. I thought about what Elijah had said. We were going to walk out if this together no matter what. I steadied myself. I glanced quickly at him, nodding my head. Reid smiled widely as he noticed the exchange. “Well, isn’t this just sweet,” he laughed. Elijah’s fangs ran out and I heard a growl resonate deep within him. “Careful,” Reid warned, standing up quickly from his chair and snarling at Elijah.
    “Please! I didn’t do anything wrong,” I begged. Reid stepped toward me slowly and grabbed my chin in his hand forcing me to look at him.
    “ He did,” he replied, glancing over at Elijah. “Unfortunately for you,” he continued with mock sympathy as he let go of my face.  I rubbed my tender jaw. I could feel the bruises setting in. Reid stopped and raised his head, sniffing the air. I dropped my bloody hand down to my side and slid it in my pocket as he shot me a smile. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”
    My stomach turned at the thought.
    “We agreed I would handle this,” Elijah interjected with his jaw clenched shut tightly.
    “That was before you brought her to me bleeding,” Reid replied with narrowed eyes.
    “She belongs to me ,” Elijah argued, as the other vampires tightened their grips on him and he struggled against them. Reid rolled his eyes and walked back to his chair. I could almost feel Elijah’s want for me to remain strong. It felt thick and cumbersome in the air around me. Reid sat quietly for a moment as his eyes darted back and forth between us.
    “So she does. Eva, did our friend here explain to you why he is able to share his feelings with you?”
    I looked at Elijah, who remained silent, but I could tell he was furious. It radiated off him in