Vampire Coven Book 3: A Vampire's Embrace by C.L. Scholey

tickled Ann’s belly. “Tell you what, honey, why don’t we have a picnic inside?”
    “A what nic?” Ann sniffled but her curiosity got the better of her.
    Rhett took a fast glance around the large area and muttered something before snatching a box off a high shelf.
    “Better yet, little one, how about a tea party?” he asked.
    “What’s tea?” Ann said, then as an afterthought: “What’s a party?”
    Rhett grabbed a blanket from another shelf and wrapped Ann in it. He turned to Hope. “You don’t need to be afraid; your heart is pounding. I can hear the rain. The roof is tin which doesn’t help, it amplifies everything. Especially in such a large open space.” It was on the tip of Hope’s tongue to ask what rain was. But he must have seen her confusion. “Rain is simply water falling from the sky.”
    Water falls from the sky? Snow fell from the sky. It led to so many new questions. Hope began thinking this truce would be a big help. She wanted to understand so many things and hadn’t been able to ask anyone.
    Rhett took her in his arms. He adjusted the blanket to fit over Hope’s head. “You can watch the storm from my window but I don’t want Ann to get chilled. I’m going to be moving very fast. Put your arms around me. I won’t let you go.”
    Hope stepped into his arms, she pretended for a second he didn’t hate her. Every inch of him was hard, powerful, safe. Hope clung to him, her eyes squeezed shut. Her hand clutched Ann’s. In seconds, she felt her world whoosh around her. Soon Rhett was removing the blanket from her as he closed his bedroom door. Hope was stunned. They had been so far from the main building but here they were. The sound of booming noise came again except it wasn’t as brutal. Ann scrambled onto a chair and looked out the window.
    “Lake’s turned over,” she cried out.
    Rhett took her hand in his. “No honey, the lake is right where we left it. This rain falls from the clouds. The noise is called thunder.”
    “Ice cracking,” Ann said.
    “Yes, I suppose it does sound like ice cracking.”
    Hope stood near Ann watching as the foliage bent with the pressure of the falling water. It was a terrifying sight to someone who had never seen such an event. A streak flew through the sky startling her.
    “Flying icicles,” Ann said in awe.
    “It’s called lightning.” Rhett chuckled and moved to open the box he had gotten from the warehouse. He began pulling out tiny plates and cups which he set on a blanket he laid on the floor. Hope helped Ann down from the chair.
    “I’ll go get us some lunch and we can eat in here.” Rhett was gone.
    Ann set up Dooder and her new baby doll next to two cups. Hope gave each toy and Ann a plate and marveled over the smooth curves. Hope was used to eating from flat wood or smooth bones. She held up tiny things she had learned were forks. Hope knew what knives were but all of hers had been bone. Teeny spoons made her smile; all Hope had used were cleaned sticks for stirring anything. Everything was in miniature form, as though made specifically for children. Had her ancestors at one time so adored their little ones to cater to them? From what Hope saw they must have, which increased her curiosity of days of old. How had humans gotten to the point they no longer valued their own children? Except in this coven filled with vampires.
    Rhett returned shortly with his arms loaded. He carefully set a small container off to the side after pouring Ann a glass of juice. He opened a tall bottle and poured the white contents into a cup for Hope and one for himself.
    Hope sipped the contents. The liquid was sweet and immediately sent a warm feeling through her body. She settled back and watched as Rhett put food on plates, making sure not to forget the dolls. It was comical the way he lifted his little finger while he slurped his drink, making Ann giggle.
    “I do hope you find the tea to your liking, Mrs. Dooder,” Rhett said with a strange