Chapter 6

All I could feel was my hand tightening into a fist and then stretching out again at my side. I had used that hand to stop myself. I knew it now, that's what did it. It wasn't just that I resisted. I had a hand at her throat, so close and so strong.

Without that little push I never would've stopped myself. It was a reminder for me.

You could kill her…

That's what the hand said.

And I didn't want that. Oh God, no. I didn't want that. Not ever.

"I.. I…"

"Chloe?" Aubrey sat up. She realized something was the matter. "Chloe, what's wrong?"

"I… I can't be here. Not now."

I felt it in me, that strength as it drained. If I couldn't control myself while I was strong what on Earth would happen once I lost my will to fight my own cravings?

I could kill her…

I almost did.

I ran.

I had no choice.

There was no time to dress or find sunglasses.

If I didn't leave immediately I could be responsible for killing my best friend.

With all that in mind, I couldn't get out of her room fast enough. I burst from the door and down the stairs. In my head I swore I could still hear the sound of Aubrey's quickened heartbeat as it pulsed and pulsed and pulsed. It was like I could taste what she'd be like and it called to me, begged me.

I was suddenly so thirsty for her which is exactly why I had to just run.

She chased me and yelled. She tried to stop me but I was gone and I couldn't turn back, not right now. Turning back could mean her death.

Once outside, the heat bit at me and stung. I ran so fast but there was no shade in sight.

I just needed to make it to Jesse's, that was all. I could do it.

I tried to keep my eyes open but the sun was weakening me quickly and I was so thirsty now because of her. I thought of my hand on her skin as I ran. I thought of my hand stopping me and keeping me from drinking her deep. I felt her heart and wished I could hold it.

"Almost there," I whined to myself as I felt my feet growing lazy and my sight somewhat fading.

I counted off my steps. Three… Two… One…

And I burst through the door and crashed against the side wall to hide from the sun.

I clutched my phone in my hand and slid down the wall feeling how powerless I had become. That was stupid, it all was.

The fuck was I thinking?

And then I blacked out…

Chapter 7

For the second time in so many days I woke up in Jesse's bed. At least this time I knew why I was there. There was nothing about that experience with Aubrey that I didn't regret. Well, almost nothing. Despite it all she tasted like pure heaven. But, God was it stupid. So fucking stupid.

"What happened?"

Jesse sat in the corner just where he had been when I left. "I almost bit her." I choked on the words. I couldn't move. I was so tired and hunger burned my throat. "I could have killed her."

"I don't think we're really ready to be around anyone."

I nodded and closed my eyes again. "What should we do?"

For once he didn't shrug or dismiss my question. "While you were gone I came up with a plan."

My entire body felt like lead but I managed to wave a finger to indicate that he should go on.

"The vampire that turned us hunts at the club. That's where he got me and that's where I saw him with you. So, when it gets dark we go back there and wait for him, ambush him and then make him get us blood without hurting anyone."

I shook my head ever so slightly. "That's your grand plan?" I didn't even know what to say. It sounded kind of dangerous but there weren't many options open to us. It wasn't like we could just stroll into the hospital and steal blood. I was never really good at covert missions.

"Yeah, do you have something better to suggest? I mean this was sort of your idea if you think about it."

I groaned and did my best to roll over to the side. "No, but I still think we should be careful. Maybe we should just approach him instead of attacking him. He had to turn us for a reason, right? Vampires can't just make new vampires by biting people or everyone would be a vampire by now."

He looked away and huffed. "Fine, we do it your way."

"Okay."

I didn't want to talk anymore but I had to ask. "You didn't happen to get anymore of that soup, did you?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "No, the place closes at four and the bowl I brought you was their last batch for the day. Apparently, it isn't one of their most popular soups. Imagine that."

I couldn't help but smile. Sometimes Jesse could be kind of cute even if he was trying to win Beca over at the same time that I was. "Yep, shame. I thought it was pretty delicious. Weird feet parts and all."