Page 68 of Bleed

“Beatrix.”

“It’s Bex,” I grind out, glancing back at him over my shoulder.

“Bex,” he corrects, eyes locked on mine with unnerving intensity. “If you need anything, you only have to ask. Time off from your duties in the lab, a visit with Taylor…”

The offer catches me off guard. It’s practical; exactly the sort of thing a reasonable person would offer someone in distress. Yet from him, it feels oddly personal.

“I’m fine,” I mumble, turning away before I can think too hard about why that bothers me.

I continue down the hall and slip into my bedroom, not even bothering with the lights. The darkness greets me like an old friend, wrapping around me as I lean back against the door and let out a slow, weary sigh.

For a little while, I just stand there, mind racing.

Tonight started with me pretending nothing had changed– that I could just slip back into my old life as easily as pulling on an old hoodie. Then Vincent walked into the tattoo shop and reminded me exactly how much it has.

I squeeze my eyes shut.

Maybe this is just how my life will always be. Navigating one problem after another, each disaster bleeding into the next until I figure out how to claw my way through it. I’ve always managed before. I’ll manage this time, too.

The apartment is so quiet I almost miss the faint creak of a floorboard outside my room. The subtle shift of air, like someone’s standing there, listening for the sound of my breathing.

An hour ago, that realization would’ve sent ice through my veins. Here and now, it sends a little thrill surging through me.

Part of me wants to throw the door open just to see if I’m right. The other part can’t decide which outcome would be worse– that nobody’s there at all, or that Elliott is… and he’s still standing on the opposite side of a door instead of crossing the distance between us.

I saw the way his pupils flared when I mentioned the bath. The way he looked away almost immediately afterward, like denying himself came as naturally as breathing.

Vincent watched me because he wanted information. Elliott watches me because… I don’t know why. But it doesn’t feel like a threat. Something about it feels safe.

A bite would make all of this disappear for a while. Just one rush of venom, one blissful wave of euphoria, and the rest of the world would finally shut the hell up.

But Elliott won’t bite me.

Won’t touch me.

Won’t even let himself look for more than a heartbeat before retreating behind that maddening self-control.

I push away from the door before I’m tempted to do something stupid, cross to the bathroom, and start the tub.

Maybe enough hot water can wash this night off me. Though somehow, I doubt it.

Chapter

Sixteen

My hips sway to the beat of the Dua Lipa song blasting from the little portable speaker on the counter, my own voice echoing off the marble backsplash in the kitchen as I shamelessly belt out the chorus. I’ve never been a great singer, but I swear the acoustics in this place make me sound just like a pop star. If Dr. Faulkner ever gets tired of science, he could probably make a fortune renting his kitchen out as a recording studio.

I found the speaker sitting on the coffee table when I woke up, so naturally I took the liberty of connecting my phone. I assume it’s Elliott’s, though I’ve never actually seen the man listen to music. Not in the lab, not while working out… not ever. Then again, I’ve also never known him to leave his belongings lying around, so maybe today’s just full of surprises.

For such a tiny speaker, it packs an impressive amount of volume. I’m giving myself the full concert experience while throwing together a sandwich, my wrist flicking in time with the music as I spread a thick layer of peanut butter across the bread. A glob lands on the pristine white countertop, and I swipe it up with my thumb before sucking it into my mouth, never missing a beat.

Just as I shimmy toward the fridge for the jelly, a deep voice sounds from behind me.

“Hey.”

I let out a startled yelp, whirling around so fast the peanut butter knife slips from my grip and skitters across the kitchen island. My shoulders sag with relief as I come face to face with Albert, pressing a hand to my chest as I reach over to turn the speaker down.

“What’s with you vampires and sneaking up on people?” I ask breathlessly, my heart racing beneath my palm. “You guys need to start wearing bells or something.”