A powerful, aching heat in my core that I can’t deny.
But even before I open my eyes, I know I’m not at home in my studio apartment. This mattress is soft and the duvet envelopes me in a cloud of down. The room is perfectly heated, warm and cozy, unlike my apartment, which always had a draft that the landlord never got around to fixing.
My eyes blink open lazily. I parted the curtains last night, so the sun streams in through the arched window. It’s bright. It must be late in the day already. I suppose this is what being on a vampire’s schedule is like.
I sit up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I feel hazy, disoriented.
The details of last night come rushing back to me, in little snippets, like watching the trailer to a horror movie.
Ican’tstay here.
It doesn’t matter how much I get paid. I made a huge mistake even coming here. This isn’t like donating blood at all. This is…this is like living in a haunted mansion. These vampires exist in a world completely different from my own, lawlessly, shamelessly…
I remember the feelings that rose in me when that vampire leanedin close. A fluttering…a dark, carnal desire deep inside me. I’ve never felt that way before. What was she doing to me? Now that I’ve had a moment to process my feelings, it’s obvious to me that I felt some sort of strange attraction to her, one I wasn’t expecting.
I can’t be thinking thoughts like that. What would Blake think, if he knew I’d shared such an intimate moment with her?
No, it’s best just to get out of here right away, before things escalate. In the light of day, everything seems more clear.
Good thing I didn’t pack much. It’s easy to quickly brush my teeth, throw on some sweatpants, and toss my things back into my suitcase.
I’ll go home, and it will be like none of this ever happened. I’ll find another way to support Miles.
My gut wrenches when I think of him at the treatment center. I used all my savings for the deposit, and turned in my notice at the coffeeshop. Maybe they’ll take me back. Maybe I can move in with Blake, finally, and I can save some money that way.
I carry my suitcase down the hallway and descend the stairs, trying not to make eye contact with any of the naked figures in the paintings on my way down. Worries swirl in my head as I try to figure out how I’m going to make money now.
Luckily, I don’t pass anyone as I go down the stairs. I guess everyone’s sleeping in after the celebration last night. I hope Eloise is awake. I want to let her know I’m leaving and tell her thank you for her advice, even though it didn’t work out.
I wander down the main hallway, looking for her. I shiver as I pass the open door to the lounge, remembering the debauchery of the previous night.
A door down the hallway opens, and Eloise steps out. She smiles when she sees me.
“Paige!” she calls, waving at me. “I was just coming up to check on you.” Then she spots my suitcase. “Are you…going somewhere?”
I feel so guilty for leaving on such short notice. “I’m so sorry, Eloise. But I don’t think this is for me. I appreciate the opportunity, but I can’t work here any more.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she says. She sounds genuinely disappointed, and I appreciate her kindness, but it doesn’t changeanything.
“Could you tell me where the nearest bus station is?” I ask. “My cell service isn’t very good out here, and I wasn’t able to look one up.”
She frowns, her eyes crinkling. “That’s because there isn’t one. The transit system out here isn’t very well developed. I think it’s because…” her nose twitches, and she doesn’t finish her thought. “Well, never mind. I can arrange a car for you, if you like. Unfortunately, because it’s been a very busy week, all of our drivers have the day off, or are otherwise occupied, but I’m sure I can coordinate something for tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow…” my stomach sinks at the thought of spending another night here.
Eloise puts a gentle hand to my shoulder. “If you want, you can enjoy the restaurant and garden today, and when night falls, you’re welcome to stay in your room. No one will bother you there.”
I bite my lip, considering her offer. My mind races through my limited options: there’s no way I could afford a cab, Amanda doesn’t have her license, and I doubt that Blake would be willing to rent a car and drive all the way out here to pick me up.
“Why don’t you think about it, and let me know when you’re ready,” Eloise says, with a concerned frown. “I do apologize that your first night was…difficult. I can understand if it’s too much for you.”
I nod. “Thank you, Eloise, I really appreciate that.”
“Have you eaten anything yet?”
“Not yet,” I reply. Although now that she’s mentioned it, I can feel a gnawing hunger in my belly. Yesterday, I was so nervous that I skipped dinner, and now it’s catching up to me.
“Why don’t you come have breakfast in the restaurant,” Eloise says. She hooks her arm into mine. “You can leave your suitcase here.”
