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Chapter 18
HAYLEY
Preparations
I’M GROWING ANTSY. I’ve been stuck in my room for what feels like days. Without a window, I can’t even tell how much time passes. At least I’m not in a cell. But I wish Sawyer, Monroe, and Knox would hurry up. They’re with Lawrence now. I know the meeting with Alexander draws near, and they’re strategizing exactly how to handle things. Alexander wants me back, and Lawrence plans on working something out with him, giving him temporary access to La Vega in exchange for peace. But as for everything else? I have no fucking idea. It’s going to be a shitshow.
A knock sounds on the door, but I don’t even move to answer it. I don’t call out either. I can’t even get out, so there’s no point in doing anything other than waiting for whoever is on the other side to barge in.
“Hayley?” Cooper’s muffled voice sounds through the door. “Are you awake? May I come in?”
I close my eyes and think whether or not I should. What happened with his sister still lingers in my mind.
“I was told to bring you something to eat. We have to be prepared for the trip to La Vega.” Cooper knocks again, this time cracking the door open. I force myself to open my eyes and catch him peeking at me through the small opening. I roll to my side and rest on my elbow, but I don’t bother moving.
“I don’t really need to be prepared. I doubt I’ll even get to leave the car. They’ll probably just show me on a com device or some shit to prove I’m alive.” I flop back on the pillow and stare at the ceiling. “Plus, I’m too nervous to eat anything. I have a terrible feeling.”
“Those are your dhampir instincts. Never ignore them. My grandma used to say that. She wanted us to always remember it in case we decided to have children. Of course, she probably never expected this.” Cooper waves at himself, referring to the fact that he is no longer a donor.
I sit up on the bed and rest my elbows on my knees. “Tell me more about her. What was she like?”
Cooper offers me a soft smile. “That’s a hard subject for me, my showgirl. It still feels as if I just lost her, even though it’s been years. I guess that’s what happens when you stop aging.”
I pat the bed beside me. “Then tell me more about yourself. I need a distraction. How are you feeling? You have to be upset over your sister.”
He rubs his hands over his cheeks. “Not as upset as I am over putting you in that position, Hayley. You’re not the only one in need of a distraction. I feel as if I’m always talking about myself, and I’d love to know more about you. I know you were enslaved to Alexander but tell me more about your life in La Vega. What’s it like being a donor in the city? Did you have to donate blood like the donor’s here? Do they have herds?”
His questions ignite memories inside me, and I can’t stop the frown crossing my face. It’s hard for me to imagine him ever being a donor.
I crinkle my nose and shake my head. “The human population wouldn’t stand for that, but I don’t know much outside of the Aris. I had never left until I met the Bella Crew.”
“It must be strange for you.” He doesn’t pry with more questions. He understands from experience that these conversations aren’t exactly easy. “All of this.”
I shrug without a word, unsure if my voice will come out shaky. I pat the spot on the bed next to me again. “You brought food?” I manage to say, changing the subject.
“Shit, yeah. Sorry. I bet you’re famished.” Cooper plops down beside me and reaches into the bag hanging on his arm and pulls out an orange. It’s been a while since I’ve had one, and I zone in on it as if he’ll peel and feed it to me if I look at it long enough.
And sure enough, he digs his nails into it and pulls at the rind until he can get a piece for me. He holds it out in his palm, and I bow forward and snatch it with my teeth, surprising the hell out of him. I could’ve taken it with my fingers, but some vampires love handfeeding donors, and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to show him my appreciation. This kind of distraction is far better, and I’m not one to be ungrateful for food.
“Shit. I thought you were going to bite me.” He grins with his words, peeling another piece and holding it out. “I’m not supposed to give you blood. So, control yourself, my showgirl.” The tease of his words makes me want to test him even more.
I grab his wrist and bring it to my mouth, playfully nipping him. It helps ease the weirdness between us over Falo. “I can’t. I’m just so hungry. I’m going to devour—”
Cooper rips away from me, abandoning my side to rush toward the door. He rests his back to it, a strange look on his face. The playfulness between us disappears, and I gawk at him in silence. Fuck. I took things too far. I’m just so used to being able to tease Monroe, Knox, and Sawyer.
“I’m sorry,” I say, scrunching my face. “I was only teasing you. I didn’t mean to scare you. I don’t think I have the stomach to drain you dry anyway.”
Cooper’s chest rises and falls as he pulls himself together. His eyes flick from the floor and to me. He gapes at me with such an intensity that I’m nearly certain he might set my body ablaze. I shift on the bed, wishing he would look away. I can’t seem to get myself to do so, though I know I’m not trapped in his mind manipulation.
I cross and uncross my legs, fidgeting with the comforter by balling it in my fists. “I’m sorry,” I repeat. I don’t know what else to say, and I hate the sound of the silence in the air.
Cooper palms his forehead and scrubs his fingers into his blond hair, finally breaking eye contact. I fall back, bouncing on the bed, my body buzzing and out of whack. But at least I can breathe again. I don’t know what it was about his gaze, but I felt completely enthralled.
Snatching the pillow, I cover my face with it. “Cooper, please say something. I can’t tell what you’re thinking.” I mumble the words into the pillow, refusing to look at him again.
The bed shakes as he returns to it, and I feel the coolness of his hand touch my knee. He clears his throat, but he doesn’t speak right away. He gathers his thoughts, and I let him. I’m afraid if I say anything right now, he might just leave. I really want to know what the fuck is going on and why he acted the way he did.
“Fuck, Hayley. I’m sorry. You probably think I’m out of my goddamn mind.” Cooper shifts on the bed again, bouncing me. “It’s just...you can’t tease me like that. Okay? It’s dangerous.”
