Page 78 of Petals and Fangs

“Lily,” a deep male voice says behind the door. The person behind the voice doesn't sound happy, but at least he responds.

“Hi! Hi, thank God,” I feel relieved.

“Lily Snow,” the voice repeats again, only sounding more sinister this time.

“Ethan, is that you?” I ask.

“Yes, Lily, it's me,” he says.

“I am trapped here, Ethan. Please, open the door.”

“No, I don't think I will,” he says.

“Why not?” I suddenly feel a wave of anxiety rushing over me.

“You are such a fool, Lily,” he says. His voice is deep, and his tone is firm. He speaks like a man used to getting his way, and it's intimidating.

It suddenly hits me that it does not sound like Ethan. It is not Ethan who is behind the door. It is someone else. It sounds like the other man, the one who had knocked on my door and almost broke in.

“Who are you?” I ask.

“You mean, what am I,” he says.

I try to reach for my phone to give Ethan a call, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I am almost going insane. I can't believe this is happening to me.

“Security?” I ask him.

“Don't worry about security, Lily. Worry about yourself,” the voice says.

“What do you want from me?” I ask.

“Nothing. Not yet anyway.”

I couldn’t even hear his footsteps walking in the hallways. He must have been walking in complete silence. He must be looking for something or someone. I feel scared for my life.

This must be the feeling everyone feels before they die. I feel like this is the end of it. Anxiety is consuming me, mind, body, and soul.

“I like how you are so obedient, Lily Snow,” he finally says again.

“Stay away from the door, you creep.”

“You knew you were supposed to leave the letter for Ethan Rothschild, and you did that so well.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I have been watching you for a while, Lily. You can be on my team, you know that?”

“Team?”

“Although I don't think my assistants can resist your charms the way I did.”

“What are you talking about? I don't know you. What assistants are you talking about?”

“Assistants who are thirsty for blood. Fine, pure, human blood such as yours.”

“Oh, God,” I swallow in fear and disgust.

“Yes, Lily. We can smell good blood, and you smell the best.”

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