Page 69 of Soul Food

A few hours later, Ruth called. “Ruth,” I answered immediately.

“Ruth’s not available.” My blood ran cold when one of the vampire’s answered. The leader of the three, maybe. I still had yet to learn their names.

“What did you do to her?” I hissed through the phone.

“Hmm… I wonder.” He was fucking with me. His chuckle slid over me.

“I said the moment one of you guys brought your fangs out around her, you’d be dead.” I growled.

He chuckled in my ear some more, sending me over the edge. “You might get here in time if you come now.”

“Where are you?”

“Heading toward the studio,” he told me. “See ya.” He hung up.

“Fucking bloodsuckers,” I spat as I ported to the studio. “I should have killed them instead of signing that stupid fucking business contract.”

They weren’t inside the building. Since I owned Ruth’s soul, I could find her easily, and I found her outside. I saw the vampires first, standing next to a red car with one of the back doors open. Two stood by the opened door while one was inside with Ruth. My anger reached a new high. I couldn’t remember ever being so furious. Actually, I never recalled being an angry demon at all until setting my sights on Ruth.

One of them looked up and smiled. “He’s here.”

I switched into my human form so I could pulverize them. They had no souls otherwise I’d enjoy pulling them out until tears streamed down their faces.

Another whistled. “Oh, someone’s mad. Switching forms right out in front of the building without a care in the world.” It was dark, but he was right. I normally wasn’t so careless, but I was beyond that. I couldn’t care less if anyone saw me. I wouldn’t be in this world much longer.

Just as I grabbed one by the neck, the leader exited the vehicle. “Put Steve down and relax. She’s right here.”

Still fuming and now confused, I dropped the vampire. “I told you not to touch her. The only reason you are even alive was because I had no interest in you guys, but you fucked up and hurt something that was mine!”

“She’s fine.” He sighed. He raked his fingers through his hair as he nodded toward the back seat. “She’s passed out from drinking too much. We didn’t hurt her, but sheishurting. And I think you know that the only one hurting her is you.”

His words left me at a loss. There was nothing I could say, so I shoved him out of the way and bent down to make sure Ruth was okay. My shoulders released their tension as I took in her curled up body. She was knocked out like he said. I could smell the alcohol on her.

I stood and faced the vampires. “What was the point of this?” I asked.

The leader’s eyes gleamed in the darkness. “Wanted to see where Ruth stood in your eyes, and I’d say I’m satisfied with what I’m seeing.” He stepped closer. “Someone like Ruth dying? It’s wrong.” He frowned and shook his head. “You could have picked hundreds of others that deserved what you are going to do to her. She’s captivated so many, and you’re going to take her away from what she loves most.”

I smirked just because he was irritating me further even if his words caused a stabbing pain in my chest. “No one will ever hear her voice in a month unless it’s a recording, that I can promise you.”

He arched his eyebrow then shrugged. “So you say.”

I shifted back into my reaping form and moved over Ruth lying down and scooped her up.

“Wow, you’re braver than I thought. Aren’t you afraid she’ll wake up?” The leader observed me from behind.

“Anytime she drinks this much, she’ll be out for a while,” was all I said.

I ported with her, taking her inside her house. I tucked her in bed and placed her purse on the floor beside it so she’d think she got herself in. Thinking of the vampires, maybe they’d tell her they took her home if she asked. Either way was fine with me.

Now that she was safely home I could leave, but I didn’t. I stayed and watched her sleep. I began to realize how out of control I was. Ruth was stalked by me for years. I’d been haunting her thoughts as the demon for years, yet I couldn’t for the life of me stop.

Knowing that I was plaguing her mind as much as she was mine was what I liked.

I am in control. I am in control.

I wasneverin control.

I knew that now.

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