Page 49 of Prey

“Well, I’m glad it was keeping you distracted. We’re all done. Why don’t you take a look.”

The sound of wheels rolled across the floor, and I sat up, standing and walking back to the mirror. I tried to close off my thoughts as much as I could.

“Oh, it’s beautiful. Thank you.” I refused to read the words, too afraid he might hear. Marko would only get to see it in person and he wouldn’t know about it a moment before. Somehow, I didn’t doubt he was going to hate it and that made me even happier. This was for me. Not him.

“Good, here, let me put this on real quick. You’ll need to be sure to do the same thing, and often.”

Bruce rubbed some Vaseline over my neck and taped on a small piece of clear plastic wrap to cover it. As I followed him to the front and paid, I thrived from the soreness. Loved it even. The feeling followed me all the way through downtown, until I was walking past my church. The choir members were all inside. Their cars filled the parking lot on the side and I longed to go in there with them. The hum of their powerful voices brought tears to my eyes and even across the street from the church, I could hear one of my favorite songs pouring through the propped open front doors. Aching in my heart nearly brought me to my knees. I’d never know what it would be like to sing in there again. Never know the life I’d held for so long. It was gone now. Just like this level of the world would be, whether I lived or died. I wouldn’t be here much longer. I knew that in the depths of my soul. This place wasn’t for me.

I jogged across the street, slowing as Father Moretti exited onto the steps.

“Tessa, wait.”

My head lowered and I kept walking until I reached the sidewalk. He was already jogging my way and I didn’t want to talk to him. Yet, I felt like I needed to. Something deep within pulled at my mind and I tried to figure it out as I pulled my hair to the front to cover my neck. I couldn’t stop the guilt that ate at me. For so long, I’d tried to be such a good person. That was gone now.

“Father.” My voice was low and I couldn’t ignore the sadness it held.

“Hunter was just here asking if I’d heard from you. How are you?”

“I’m okay.”

His eyes glanced down toward my neck and I hugged my chest tighter, hoping my hair would cover it. My mouth opened and I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. The feeling of déjà vu had me blinking past the confusion. “Since I can’t go inside, will you meet out here with me tomorrow? I need …” I had no idea what I needed, but still, I spoke, as if it had been programmed for me to say. “I need some guidance. I’ve missed being here and…” Like time stopped, my hands were heavy as I reached into my purse, pulling out the dagger that rested inside. I wasn’t sure where it’d come from, but I knew it was important. So…important.

Marko.

I cut off my thoughts as best as I could, trying to disguise the panic that burst through me. This was it. This was what I was supposed to do. “Maybe if we can talk like this it will help me. I really wish I could now, but I have some errands I have to take care of. I wish you lots of blessings.” My hand trembled as I held out the dagger toward him. “Lots and lots of blessings.”

Father Moretti took the dagger, looking down at it. His mouth opened, only to close as his stare connected with mine. I fought so hard to hold in the tears, but they escaped at the realization of what I was doing. The real Tessa knew this needed to be done, but the part that loved Marko mourned for what had to take place. “Can you meet me again tomorrow? Say…four?”

“Four. I’ll be here.” He held up the dagger, nodding his head. “I accept your blessings and I’ll offer some of my own.”

Chapter 22

Marko

What the hell was Tessa up to? It was driving me crazy. God dammit, my neck was still hurting. The dull ache had me constantly rubbing my hand over the sensitive area. And I knew she was okay. Not being tortured or fed from by another vampire like I feared at the very beginning. It would have hurt her badly had she been forcefully attacked…like I’d done with her the first time.

I cut off my thoughts. I would not feel bad for taking her as I did. It hurt her, but she liked it now. And I hadn’t done it forcefully since. Not like that. She should feel lucky. Had anyone other than me fed from her, she’d probably already be dead. At least I was giving her time. Something I’d have taken back if I would have known my life depended on it. God, what the fuck was I going to do? I wasn’t ready to die. I was meant to take Julius’ position someday. I couldn’t do that as a pile of fucking dust.

My feet pounded against the concrete as I paced the length of my room. I had to come up with a plan. And I didn’t have one. There were only two options and I knew which way I was leaning toward. Death. Tessa had to die. If I bonded her to me, it would ruin everything. Not just for her, but for me. How could I focus on myself if I had to look out for someone else? I didn’t want the companionship or responsibility. Not really. But this fucking bond was trying to force itself on me. What a mistake. I should have never given her my blood. Lesson learned. After I killed her, I’d never do it again. Not to a single person.

Once again, I rubbed over my neck. Damn woman. Typical of her breed to find ways to hurt me without actually physically doing so. Maybe it was her way of getting back at me before I ended her life. Well, if this was it, she was in trouble because it wouldn’t keep her alive. Of course, it was affecting me from coming up with a plan so maybe that was her intention all along. To distract me.

My eyes shot to my door, blindly taking it in as my thoughts broke through.

If I was meant to die tomorrow and I couldn’t kill her tonight, that didn’t mean I couldn’t find a way to end her life after sunrise. She was coming back tonight to explore our city. I’d tempt her to stay with me. I’d seduce her and come morning, I’d feed…and end it.

Twisting in my stomach seemed to pull some invisible thread on my heart. Mourning. Fuck no. I would not grieve for mon chaton. I shouldn’t feel this sorrow. She wasn’t even dead yet.

An aggravated sound tore from my mouth as I headed for the door. Knocking had me coming to a stop before I could even get there. I tuned into the surroundings, cursing at Marie’s presence. Couldn’t the woman leave me at peace? Jesus. What was wrong with her?

I took the few steps, opening the door. Marie’s eyes were still slightly swollen from sleep and her hair was a mess around her. The black silk nightgown she wore left her bare feet exposed and I noticed she tapped her foot.

“What?” My agitation was thick and it had her lip pulling back in anger.

“I want to speak to you about Tessa again.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. She’ll be dead soon and it’ll be like she never existed.” Lie, my mind whispered. Nothing would be the same if Tessa was gone. I would grieve her death just as I was already doing. It very well might fucking kill me. Mentally, I knew I was so much more attached to her than I wanted to face. Maybe it was the bond and the effects would end the moment she died, but I wasn’t betting on it. God, I loved her. I fucking did. The realization was enough to leave my knees weak and me gripping the door for some form of strength.

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