Amanda Ashley by After Sundown

Author:After Sundown [Sundown, After]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Marisa was seated at a corner table when Kelly entered the restaurant. She was a pretty woman, Kelly thought—impeccably dressed in a beige suit and white silk blouse.

“Meeting for lunch was a good idea,” Marisa said, smiling as Kelly took the seat across from her. “I’m glad you called.”

“I’m sorry I’m late.” Kelly spread her napkin in her lap. “Did you order already?”

“No. I’m in no rush.”

“The days are long sometimes, aren’t they?” Kelly said wistfully.

Marisa nodded. “Indeed, they are. And getting longer as the season wears on. I’m not looking forward to summer at all. Shall we order?”

Kelly nodded. Marisa ordered a Chinese chicken salad and iced tea; Kelly ordered a turkey club sandwich and lemonade.

When the waitress left the table, Marisa leaned forward. “I have a feeling there’s more to this meeting than just lunch. Is something bothering you?”

“I’m in love with Eddie.”

“Eddie!” Marisa laughed. “I’ve never heard anyone call him that.”

Kelly grinned self-consciously. “I don’t call him that out loud, but that’s how I think of him.” She placed her hand over her heart. “In here.”

“Does he feel the same about you?”

“I don’t know. I hope so.”

“But?”

“He scares me sometimes,” Kelly said, her voice low and urgent. “He’s so unhappy being a vampire. Did you know he tried to kill himself?”

“Grigori told me.”

“It was awful.” She shuddered with the memory. “I found him in the cellar. I was sure he was dead. His skin was horribly burned, and . . .” She broke off.

“And you’re afraid he’ll try again?”

“Yes. But what really scares me is the way he seems to need my blood. He says it soothes him. Why should my blood be any different from anyone else’s? And what if someday he can’t stop? What if he . . . ?” She couldn’t say the words out loud.

Marisa covered Kelly’s hand with her own. “I don’t think Edward would ever hurt you, deliberately or otherwise. He’s a strong man. As for why your blood soothes him, I’m sure it’s because he loves you. And the need for blood lessens as vampires age, if that’s any comfort.”

“Are you happy with Grigori? Are you ever sorry you married him?”

“Happy, yes. Sorry, no.”

“But what about children?”

“That’s difficult. I always wanted a big family. But I love Grigori with all my heart and soul. I can’t imagine a life without him. And someday . . .”

“Someday what?”

“I’ll become what he is so we can be together forever.”

Kelly’s eyes widened. “You want to be a vampire?”

“Not really, but it’s the only way we can truly be together forever.”

“I think it would be wonderful to be a vampire,” Kelly confided. “Oh, not the blood part. I’m not sure I could do that. But just think: never to grow old, never to be sick. I could live without the sun. I’ve always been a night person, anyway. But the blood part . . .” She shook her head. “I just don’t think I could do that.”

Marisa drew her hand away and leaned back in her chair when the waitress arrived with their order.

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