almost final curtain- vampire princess os St.Paul 2 by Tate Hallaway

Author:Tate Hallaway [Hallaway, Tate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePub Bud (www.epubbud.com)

Chapter Nine

One by one in the hours before dawn, vampires disappeared into the warrens of Echo Cave. The music wound down, leaving Elias and me holding hands on the banks of the river solemnly watching as the instruments were packed away.

I’d been out all night. Mom was going to kill me.

“We should get you home,” Elias said, reluctantly. The moon hung low on the horizon. Though it was still dark, the light had a different quality to it. I felt certain deep in my bones that sunrise was imminent.

“What about you? Will you be okay?”

We started up the path that led back to the car. The muscles in my legs felt the strain of the sharp incline, not to mention the long night. “I’m not expecting a traffic jam.” He smiled. “I can get you home quickly, but I may have to leave my car in your neighborhood.” I knew from past experience that Elias had a hidey-hole not far from my house. My shoulders relaxed somewhat, but I did my best to keep up with the brisk pace Elias set.

We hadn’t spoken about the kiss. I held his hand firmly as we made our way up the slope, reveling in our nearness. Exhaustion began to insinuate itself into every pore. By the time we reached the car, I had only enough energy to slump into the seat and tip my head back against the rest. I closed my eyes to the gritty heaviness. The soft sounds of the car and empty road soon lulled me to sleep.

Like a fairy-tale prince, Elias woke me with a kiss. Though the pressure on my skin was featherlight, his heat raced through me. I blinked, instantly awake.

“It’s time for good-bye,” he said, pulling away.

I sat up and sucked in a deep breath. “I hope not forever.”

“Me too, dear princess,” he said, turning away, avoiding the concern I was sure etched my face. “Me too.” Though I wanted to linger, I knew he had to get underground before the sun rose. I pulled myself up out of the car with effort. My feet dragged from tiredness, but also with reluctance to break the spell of the incredible night we’d shared. I wanted to say something hopeful like “See you soon” or

“Let’s do this again,” but it all seemed inadequate. The next time I saw Elias, he could be someone’s slave. I could be too, but I didn’t want to think about that. I wondered how the talisman would change him. How completely would he be enthralled? Would he know me? Or would he simply be unable to speak freely?

I must have looked stricken, standing stock-still on the curb with the open car door still gripped in my hand, because Elias mustered a soft smile. “I’ll think of you, always.”

The sky had begun to lighten, changing from black to deep blue. Elias reached across the seat and gently pulled the door from my grasp and closed it with an awful, final-sounding latch. The car engine thrummed to life.

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