Reapers Creepers by Rachel James

Author:Rachel James [James, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Booklover Legion
Published: 2023-04-03T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

"Whew. That's a loaded question. Want to go for a drive? I feel like everyone inside is staring." I would hazard a guess that even the Chief had been told I showed up to the precinct and was waiting to speak with Steve.

"Probably waiting for us to fight." He shrugged. "Why not." He rearranged his long legs so that he was facing forward. "Where did you have in mind?"

"I don't know." Had I not worried about my ghostly houseguests, I would've suggested there.

"Why don't we go over there." He pointed in the direction of the skate park.

"That'll work." I carefully backed out and maneuvered through the lot until I found a lone parking spot near a cluster of palm trees. Pulled in and shut off the car.

My stomach was a jumble of nerves now that we were doing this. It'd been weeks since we talked. Weeks since he'd become a vampire. Other than the fact he was thinner and paler, there wasn't much physical change. But inside? His heart? The stuff that made Steve who he was? I wanted to believe he was still in there, but I didn't know.

"How have you been?" I asked, hoping he'd tell me the truth.

Steve rubbed a hand over his face. Flashed his fangs, touching the sharp tip with the end of his thumb.

It was shocking to see him that way—all vamped out. "It's been difficult," he mumbled before sending the fangs away. "I really hated you after the … change. But once Hikari explained how dire the situation had been and that there wasn't another choice, I …" He closed his eyes and swallowed. Opened them and met my gaze. It was as though he was staring into my soul. "Faith, I'm sorry I was such a jerk." He held his hand out, reaching across the middle console.

"Jerk is putting it mildly. But it's okay. I'm sorry you had to go through that." I carefully placed my palm against his. It was cool to the touch. Probably because he didn't have any of his own blood. "So, why haven't you called or texted me back?" I didn't want to sound like a pouty child, but he'd really hurt my feelings.

"As you can imagine, becoming a vampire hasn't brought out my good side." He squeezed my hand a moment and then pulled back. "Sure, my alcoholism doesn't affect me anymore, but I still have those addictive tendencies." He grimaced as though in pain. "I've done things I'm not proud of."

"Like what?" Guilt pummeled my heart. What horrors had he dispensed because of my decision to save him by making him a vampire?

"I'm not a murderer," he said. "There were several close calls, but I didn't go through with it." He paused a beat before continuing. "There's a club in L.A. that became my hunting ground. I'd go out even after Hikari told me not to. Dance. Drink. Compel … I couldn't think of anything but blood and my need for it." He shook his head.

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