Page 28 of Petals and Fangs

“Are you kidding me, Lily? Come on. We are leaving this place,” I say as I try to grab her hand once again, but she resists again.

“And whose fault is that?” she says back, her face flushing with anger.

“Stop this, Lily.”

“Who do you think you are to talk to me on the phone like I am one of your depraved little assistants?”

“What are you saying?”

“I don’t work for you, Ethan Rothschild. I don’t care how wealthy, powerful, and successful you are. I don’t even care if the whole government is after you. I don’t care what you do for a living. You are not supposed to talk to me like that.”

“You think this is a game? You show up here, wasted, because of our phone call? I was in an important meeting. The very meeting I had to leave suddenly because I can’t stop getting calls about this reckless human who is trying to ruin my club’s reputation,” I snap at her.

“Oh, human again? You are such a freak.”

“Lily, please. Let’s get out of here. You are going to hurt yourself.”

“You were downright rude to me.”

“My apologies, let us just take this conversation somewhere else,” I say, clenching my fists and looking around me. There are hungry looks everywhere.

“Don’t pretend like you care,” she scoffs, stumbling a bit.

“I do care!” I yell, and people nearby turn to look.

“Well, you have a funny way of showing it,” she says bitterly.

“Damn it, Lily. You can’t just show up here like this,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. I don’t care if people are staring.

“Why not? In your club, right? I am just having fun,” she challenges, stepping closer to me.

“This isn’t fun. You are being childish right now,” I argue, my frustration boiling over.

“I’ll tell you what’s fun,” Lily smirks at me.

She drinks the last sip of the liquor and slams the glass on the counter, breaking it, and causing her hand to bleed.

“Good God, Lily,” I snap at her, but it is too late. Her hand is bleeding. My eyes freeze in horror. How can I do this? The smell. The sight.

A group of men is watching Lily. Some are smiling. They all look dangerous and hungry. A shiver runs through me.

“Come here,” I snarl at Lily, grabbing her arm and pressing my hand on the wounds, blocking the blood from spreading. She looks at me in shock. I can't help myself.

“It hurts, Ethan. Let go,” she moans against my chest. Her eyes are tearing. I can't believe what I am doing.

“We must stop the bleeding. We must get out of here. It is not safe,” I say in a low voice.

“I want to go home.”

“Put your arms around my neck. I am getting you out of here. You should not be here.”

“What’s gotten into your head?”

“I am sorry, Lily. I can't explain,” I murmur.

I feel a sharp pain in my throat. My blood is boiling. I can feel my muscles tighten. My fangs are itching; I want to devour her. Her blood smells so delicious, but I can't do that. That is not me. I don't feed on humans.

“Don't let go of me,” I whisper against her ear. My eyes spot the hungry souls around her. I hold her close and lift her in my arms. She is so light and fragile. I can't wait to get her away from these monsters.

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