Page 70 of Petals and Fangs

“What? How do you know my name?”

“I know a lot of things about you, Lily Snow.”

“You really need to get going,” I say, my eyes wide, and he nods.

“I think it is about time you learn more about what has been going on around you,” he says and pulls a letter out of his coat.

“What is this?” I take the letter from his hand.

“Consider it a heart-warming letter from someone who's been watching you. I'll be seeing you, Miss Snow.” He walks backward, not taking his eyes off me.

I stare at the letter, which has been carefully written in red ink. There is also a small, bloodstained rose taped on the back.

I quickly close the door behind me and make sure it is firmly locked. I should have listened to Ethan and not opened the door to some random stranger.

I run to the bathroom and splash cold water on my face. I have never seen such a person like him before, and it makes me wonder how he knows my name.

The door knocks again but I make sure to not utter a word. I silently tiptoe towards it and place my ear on it.

“Lily? Lily, it is me, Ethan. Open the door, please.” Ethan's voice makes me shiver.

It is the sweetest and safest thing I've ever heard, yet I can't help but panic. As I quickly unlock the door and open it, I throw myself at him for a reassuring embrace.

“Ethan. Thank God.”

“What happened? Are you hurt? What is with that look on your face?” he asks as he scans me.

“No. I am not hurt. But you must see this. It's a letter from someone.”

“Someone?”

“Yes, he was just here. Didn't you see him?”

“My God, Lily. I told you to keep the doors locked,” he says, his voice full of fury.

“But you're here now. I didn't expect anyone to come here, so once there was a knock on the door, I assumed it was you, and I rushed to open the door.”

“Who was he?”

“I don't know. But I am sure that I have seen him before. His face is too familiar. He couldn’t come in.”

“Of course, he couldn’t. Lily, you can't be serious right now. I can't believe you just opened the door to this freak. Did you also invite him in? Please, say that you didn't.”

“Of course, not, Ethan. Who do you think I am, an idiot who invites random strangers into her own house?”

“God damn it, Lily. It is a good thing that you did not invite him in. You can never invite vampires in, or else they will slowly take over your place.”

“Vampire? I did not invite a vampire. No, Ethan, I would never-”

“It doesn't matter, Lily. The point is that you could have been killed. You should have just listened to me.”

“What are you talking about, Ethan? I don't get it.”

“The guy who's just been here. I showed you his profile before. That was Demetrius Daire.”

“What?” I say as I feel my heart skip a beat.

“Demetrius is a vampire who has been abusing the company's products. He is not your friend. My only guess is that he is the one behind the FDA and the serious accusations. And it's all because of his sinister nature.”

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