Page 32 of Ghoul Kisses

For the last few weeks, I’ve been feeling a bit guilty for trying to enjoy life because of Jessie. When Jessie gave me her liver and did not survive, it left a hole in my heart. It’s not fair that I can move on with my life and forget about her. Every time I think about that day, I hear Mom’s voice in my mind, making me want to crawl into a hole and never return. The more time I spend with Eric and think about the future, the more I distance myself from him. Last night, I told him Dr. Edwards wanted me to stay late and go over the health assessment. Instead of having dinner with him, I hung out at the greenhouse reading a novel. I feel shitty for lying, but I couldn’t tell him the truth; he seems happy.

It’s the middle of October and the weather is mostly rainy and cold. Eric informs me that I can’t go out much because of the weather. Vampires prey on humans on rainy days, which sucks, because I want to go to the store and shop for myself rather than having the servants do it.

After work, Eric sends me a text message to meet him in the computer room. I change from my work clothes into a long gray sweater and black sweat pants. I don’t feel like getting all dolled up. Eric greets me at the door, and plants a kiss on the palm of my hand.

He motions me to sit on his lap. The computer room has five monitors mounted to the wall and one keyboard on the glass table. Does he really need five screens to look at the same thing?

Jack, who is in front of one of the monitors, taps on the screen. A picture of the girl from the spa pops up; her eyes are completely black. Do vampires look like this in their true form? That is the same way Pete looked when he went loco on me. Jack leans back in the chair, clasping his hand on the back of his head.

“Her name is Rachael,” Jack says. “I don’t know who she works for, but I can find out.”

“Do you know what coven she lives in?” Eric asks with concern.

My mind races to what happened at the spa. What was the name of the coven she said she was from? Think, Sarah, Think.

“It starts with an H,” I say out loud.

“What did you say?” Eric asks, raising a brow.

“When I was at the spa, she was with another vampire speaking about the box. I can’t remember what she said, but she mentioned a coven starting with an H. Hudson, I believe.”

Jack and Eric both look at me.

“Why didn’t you say anything at the time, Sarah?” Eric’s tone is laced with annoyance. The frown on his face tells me that he is furious with me. Uh oh! I was so conflicted about my feelings for Eric that it slipped my mind.

“I wasn’t thinking at the time. I’m sorry,” I answer.

“I will go pack my bag, because we are taking a trip to Austria,” Jack says as he stands up from the chair.

“Contact Mac and tell him he needs to come,” Eric orders Jack. Eric lifts me off his lap. He doesn’t say two words as we walk back to his room. He grabs a suitcase from the closet and begins folding his clothes neatly. I don’t want to be away from Eric despite me keeping my distance from him. The thought of him leaving makes my stomach churn.

“I’m going to pack too.” I murmur.

“You’re not going,” he snaps, his voice firm.

“Why not? I thought I was helping you find the book.” I don’t want to stay confined to these walls. I want to do something. As much as I like living in the mansion, it can get boring. Besides, I can use some adventure to keep my mind off of Jessie.

“Things have changed between us. I’m not going to risk you getting hurt,” he says through clenched teeth.

“What about our deal, Eric? I can help!”

“The deal is off.” He brushes his lips against my knuckles, trying to calm me down. I snatch my hand away, then turn on my heels and walk to my room. What has gotten into him? I am a big girl. I can take care of myself. And the deal shouldn’t change because we are having sex. Ugh! I throw myself on my bed and listen to the rain beat against the window. Several moments later, Eric opens the door with a duffle bag over his shoulder. I bury my face in my pillow. I hope he is not here to tell me goodbye, because he is not getting it out of me. The mattress dips, and he strokes my back. I wish he wouldn’t touch me like that; it makes me want to tear his clothes off and screw him.

“I’m about to leave. I’ll see you in a few days,” he says. I can hear him breathing heavily. Please don’t go without me. I want to say the words, but they die on my tongue. I continue to lay my head on the pillow. The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. He leans in and gives me a kiss on the forehead. My cheeks flush. Three days without lying next to him is going to kill me.

I hear the door shut, and I exhale. I should run after Eric, tell him to have a safe trip, wrap my arms around him, and run my hands through his dark hair. Instead, I let my ego get the best of me.

I don’t want to sit in my room all day, so I decide to go to the entertainment room, which is located on the third floor. Odessa lounges on the navy blue love seat watching an old black and white film. I sit next to her. Why is Eric obsessed with finding this magical book? If I want answers, Odessa will give them to me.

“Sarah, it’s good to see you,” she says cheerfully.

“What are you watching?”

“The Goal Rush,” she answers without taking her eyes off the screen.

“Why does Eric need the z-u- you- call- it book? Why is it important to him?”

She exhales, her gray eyes meet mine.

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