“Kara . . .”
“Look at me, Gabriel!” I exploded. “I’m covered in blood, and I actually hurt animals. Yeah, I was a hypocrite when I was a human, ok? I ate meat, but trying to drink their blood just felt so different. It felt so wrong. I tried to kill you back at your house, and then I go and hurt you again just because I can’t forgive myself for loving you! And then I come here, planning on killing every human in sight because I saw them as nothing more than walking blood banks!”
Gabriel quickly unzipped his black jacket and put it on me, and I understood why he did it. My clothes were covered with blood and were full of holes, and seeing myself so bloody and disheveled was probably not helping me.
Gabriel ran his hands up and down my arms, soothing me. His smell blocked out the haze of blood.
I stared at Gabriel’s dark gray shirt. “The worst part was that I liked it,” I admitted. “I liked the thrill of the hunt. Of feeding on him. Part of me didn’t want to let him go.”
He stroked my hair, twisting his fingers around my messy curls. “You are a vampire now, heart. Your instincts are going to be overwhelming and hard to resist. But you have me to help you. You are strong enough to resist. I truly do not believe this will happen again.”
I nodded, leaning my head against him, the fight gone out of me.
“Let’s get you out of here. My car is outside of town,” Gabriel said. “Put these on,” he instructed as he handed me a pair of sunglasses. I obeyed, and he put on a pair as well.
“How did you find me?” I asked as he led me away from the noisy nightlife.
“Leading me in the wrong direction was a nice try. It worked for a few miles. I turned around and followed your scent as much as possible before it faded, and then I followed your trail. Your hair was caught in tree branches, and I occasionally could see your footprints. Thomas had my car and was driving parallel to me as much as possible. Finally, I was hit with the smell of your blood. As attuned to it as I am, I smelled that you were hurt.” His body tensed. “I was not far behind you when the sun rose. I had to take refuge in the car. Inola had gone the opposite direction, just in case I was wrong about your blood diversion.”
“Where are they now?” I asked.
“Thomas told Inola we found you. She came and is in the parking lot with Thomas.”
Once again I felt like a child, guilty and small, just like when I’d broken the dishes in the kitchen at the coven house.
Gabriel’s hand tightened around my waist. “Kara?”
“Yes?” I mumbled sheepishly.
“Do not ever do that to me again. I thought Elias might have . . .”
I trembled, fighting the urge to be sick. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
He kissed my temple so swiftly I didn’t have time to move away. And if I was completely honest with myself, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to.
Inola and Thomas were leaning against Inola’s car, and they took off their sunglasses as we approached them. Inola looked angry, but Thomas looked entirely at ease, although he rolled his eyes at me.
“I’m sorry for making you worry,” I said. Thomas raised an eyebrow. “Again,” I tacked on glumly.
Inola pulled a black duffel bag out of the back seat. “Some changes of clothing,” she said stiffly.
“Thank you,” I said.
Inola shook her head at me. “Kara Deuel, run off again, and you can just stay gone.”
I took my sunglasses off, my eyes widening at her words.
Thomas turned to his wife. “Anger will give you wrinkles,” he joked calmly before looking at me. “She doesn’t mean that.”
Inola snorted and climbed inside the car.
“Aren’t you angry with me?” I asked Thomas.
He leaned toward me. “Why do you think I am as calm as your sire? Do you truly think all my comic relief is just that? I joke around to keep myself from acting on impulse—like staking you right now. It would be counterproductive, Red, since I really do want you to stick around,” Thomas said. He went to the passenger side of the car and slipped inside.
They drove away, tires screeching, which I thought was a little unnecessary. Their point had been made. I was foolish and impulsive; vampirism definitely had not cured those traits.
Gabriel ran his finger along the base of my neck as I turned my attention to what must have been his car. I wasn’t the best at identifying vehicles, but the sleek, black car was obviously expensive and new.
“It’s unlocked,” he said.
It was hard to concentrate with him touching me, but I managed to get in and shut the door.
The ride home was quiet, and waves of Gabriel’s silent anger washed against me in warning.
I didn’t protest when he followed me to my room.
Chapter 12 In Blood And Wings
The door closing behind me felt almost final.
I turned the box fan on and wandered over to the side of the room where a kiddie pool filled with toys sat. It was Panini and Dandelion’s playground. Maybe if I got them out of their cage, I could delay whatever was coming.
But I knew there was truly no stopping the approaching storm.
As if on cue, the back of my hair lifted from a rush of movement.
I turned to Gabriel. He stood so close to me I could feel his heart beating through his shirt.
“I’m sorry I shot you,” I said.
A look of disgust crossed his features. “You seriously think I care about that? Kara, the safest place for you is here. You know that, especially after everything you’ve been
