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  I rolled my eyes and twisted open my beer, tossing the bottle cap over my shoulder. I chugged as I turned the corner from Main Street back onto Church. I could still hear Grayson yelling, “Don’t do anything stupid, Eva.”

  Chapter Two

  Embers

  I defiantly took a longer swig, trying to imagine what life would have been like had I never met Grayson.

  My eyes focused on a figure standing against a store front in the distance. I lit a cigarette and continued on knowing I could use it as a weapon if necessary, although it would do little to stop one of the vamps. As I got closer, I recognized the guy who had caught my eye earlier. He had chestnut brown hair, in need of trim, and deep chocolate colored eyes flanked by thick lashes. He could have stepped off of the cover of a magazine, not the typical guy hanging around on the streets in Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania. It is a small town filled with mostly farmers with Pennsylvania Dutch roots.

  I glanced subtly at him, smiling as I passed. He grinned back and pushed off the wall, trailing closely behind me. The warm alcohol sloshed in my belly, giving me liquid courage. I turned around, walking backward as I looked him over. The scruff on his face must have been at least three days old, but he wore it well, enhancing his rugged, tough exterior.

  “Help you with somethin’?” I asked with a wry smile. The alcohol coursed through my veins, lowering my inhibitions. I wanted to forget, just not with the guy who reflected his broken heart in his eyes every time I looked at him.

  “Perhaps a drink?” He asked raising an eyebrow and glancing at my beer. My eyes drifted down over his plain white T-shirt and over his dark wash jeans.

  “Afraid I already finished this one off.” I held the bottle up and shook it as I stumbled over my own feet, trying to keep myself steady. He lurched forward and wrapped his arms around my waist, catching me before I tumbled to the ground and died from humiliation.

  “Careful, sweetheart. I think you may have reached your limit.” He laughed deeply causing his hard chest to vibrate under my hand. “Let me help you.” He took my bottle and tossed it into a nearby trash can before taking my cigarette and flicking it into the street, orange embers scattering off against the asphalt. “That’s a nasty habit. Isn’t life dangerous enough? You want me to walk with you?”

  “I don’t even know you.” I pushed against his chest as he scoffed in amusement, his lips twisting up into a devilish grin that settled two deep dimples into his cheeks.

  “So get to know me.” He smiled playfully as I raked my teeth over my lower lip, wanting to leave my self-loathing behind, even if only for a night.

  “It’s still a free country, I guess.” I gestured with my head as I began to walk, the mystery guy by my side. “What’s your name?”

  “Elijah Malakai. Yours?”

  “Eva Morgan.”

  “Eva? That means life doesn’t it?”

  “Um… yeah. How did you know that?”

  “I’m more than just a pretty face,” he quipped, shaking his head before running his fingers through his short messy hair. “Where’s your place?” he asked as he glanced at the old buildings. The last thing I wanted to do was to sit in my apartment alone and who knew if I’d ever see this guy again.

  “Actually, I don’t feel like going in yet. You mind hanging out with me a little longer?”

  His eyes had traveled down my body before the corner of his mouth twitched. “Come on. I know where we can go.”

  Turning down Cherry Street, we crossed over onto the old railroad tracks, toward the creek. The smell of honeysuckle was thick in the air as he led me to an open patch of grass next to the water, surrounded by oak trees.

  “What are we doing here? It’s not safe in the woods,” I asked, not sure which blurry image of him to focus on. I laid back on the grass, staring up at the stars through the branches. He sat down beside me and put his head on the ground next to mine.

  “What are you worried about? You think the undead are just lingering in the trees, eating baby bunnies or something? They’re out there, with the people, their food. This is where I come to get away from all of that.”

  “It’s… nice. Very peaceful.” I glanced around nervously but I knew being next to a hunter was the safest place I could be, even if they did tend to be quick tempered.

  “I haven’t been to the creek for years.”

  “You can come out here anytime. Just don’t tell anyone about our spot.” He glanced over at me and winked sending the butterflies in my stomach into a frenzy.

  “It’ll be our secret.” I was grinning so big my cheeks hurt. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d let my guard down. It felt good to be an ordinary girl again.

  I rolled over to my side, propping myself up on my elbow so I could look at him.

  “How old are you?”

  “I’m twenty-two, but I feel sixty,” he joked.

  “Well, I’m only nineteen. I’m second guessing being out here alone with an old man. What if we got attacked? I can’t carry you on my back if you break a hip.”

  “Oh, I think I can protect you from the stray cows and corn mazes you may get lost in around here.” He laughed, but it was forced. We both knew that the times of small town living and leaving your door unlocked had passed us by. “So tell me, Eva,” he said my name as if it were a curse, “What did you want to be when you grew up?”

  I frowned in the darkness, not liking to think of what could have been. “I don’t know,” I shrugged, blowing off his question.

  “Oh, come on. You must have dreamed of being something when you were a little girl. A veterinarian… a princess perhaps?”

  I laughed because I was never that type of girl. “I wanted to be a figure skater.”

  He chuckled but I didn’t take offense. I knew it wasn’t the answer he was expecting.

  “I wanted to be a doctor,” his laughter faded as he cleared his throat, the past apparently as painful for him.

  “Nobel job… saving lives.”

  “Would have been,” he shrugged.

  “You’re a hunter.” It wasn’t a question but I wanted to understand how he went from wanting to save people, to killing them. They’re not people anymore I reminded myself.

  “I do what I have to do,” he said nonchalantly as he shrugged. We all did what we had to do, but most didn’t take pride in the fact we were now forced to fight, forced to kill. Regardless of the vampires animalistic behavior, they looked very much like us and killing one of them got to you, changing you forever. The line between murder and self-preservation had blurred. There was no right and wrong, only kill or be killed.

  I relaxed back onto the grass, the heaviness of the conversation fading my buzz into the background of my mind. We laid in silence for a few minutes watching the branches blow in the wind, the rustle of the leaves blending with the soft rush of water. I searched for the right words to make what he’d done okay, but my mind faltered.

  “You really shouldn’t be walking alone at night, you know. It’s not safe.” His tone was serious and I knew he probably heard Grayson yelling at me from his window. The whole damn town probably heard him.

  “Well, I’m not alone now, am I?”

  “Who said you’re safe with me?” His eyebrow had risen before he let out a quiet laugh, sending butterflies scattering in a frenzy inside of my stomach once again.

  I sucked in a ragged breath trying to contain my nerves as my heart raced from the closeness of his body. “What brings you to Seven Valleys?” I asked, searching for the conversation to break the awkward silence as my heart hammered in my chest.

  “I have a cousin who lives down Green Valley Road. I came to stay with him for the summer. Nice change of scenery.” His gaze drifted down my legs before meeting mine again.

  “Most of us from here spend our lives trying to get out of this place and you came here on purpose?” I sat up, wiping the dirt and grass from my palms as he did the same.

  “It’s not so bad. I’m here with you, aren’
t I?”

  I looked down at the ground between us, trying to hide the blush I could feel creeping over my skin even though the darkness would hide my embarrassment. Placing his fingers under my chin, he slowly lifted my face upward. Our eyes locked as he leaned in closer to me, his mouth nearly touching mine as his minty breath fanned over my face. All of the fear, the trepidation faded into the background like the soft hum of music vibrating through my soul.

  Tilting his head, he gently brushed his lips against mine causing my body to shiver. My eyes fell closed as I let my lips part, granting him access to deepen our kiss. His hand slid to the back of my head, his fingers becoming entangled in my hair.

  I wanted to forget everything and enjoy myself, if even for a fleeting moment. I pressed my hands against his muscular chest, sliding my fingers down over the hard ridges of his stomach as they flexed and pulled beneath my touch. His mouth broke away from mine, leaving me breathless and confused.

  “What’s wrong?” I wrapped my arms around my chest, feeling self-conscious and wondering if my breath stank or if I had drooled on him in my momentary lapse in judgment.

  “Shh,” he whispered pressing his finger to my lips. Over the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind, there was the faint echo of someone yelling. I leaned forward trying to decipher the message when I realized the voice belonged to Grayson.

  “Shit. That’s just Grayson. He must have stopped by my house and got scared I wasn’t home or something.”

  Standing up, he held out his hand for me and I slipped my fingers into his, letting him pull me effortlessly to my feet. I brushed the dirt from my bottom, upset that our time had been cut short.

  “Your boyfriend?” Elijah questioned, his eyes narrowing like it was all my idea to bring him out here to make out and now he’d end up in a fight. Grayson wasn’t that type of guy. A guilt trip was more of his style.

  “No. Just someone from my past,” I stammered, not wanting to go into the details of my failing love life with a virtual stranger. “I should go before he wakes up the entire town,” I said. “Thanks for... everything,” I added, trying to suppress my smile, my lips still tingling from his kiss.

  “My pleasure.” He grinned as I walked by him and into the clearing.

  “I’m here,” I yelled as Grayson’s head snapped in my direction and smiled with relief. I forced myself to smile back, although I wasn’t very happy about the interruption.

  “Where have you been?” he asked as he approached me.

  “Around.” I looked down at my shoes, not wanting to look him in the eye. “I needed to clear my head.”

  “Next time you wanna get wasted and wander off, maybe you could give someone a heads up.” His voice was filled with irritation, but I knew it was out of concern.

  “Didn’t think I had to,” I shot back with a glare and walked passed him toward the tracks. He trailed behind me without saying a word. As we made our way onto Cherry Street, behind the local store, he quickened his step to get by my side.

  “Not everything in my life is your concern, ya know. We broke up a long time ago,” I said coldly as the thought of those other girls crossed my mind. He pushed out a hard breath and grabbed my arm, forcing me to look at him.

  “I know you’re mad about Marcus, and at me… and the whole fucking world for that matter, but you can’t cut yourself off from everyone.” He turned and stalked off angrily. I trudged after him, shouting at his back with fire in my veins.

  “Who said I’m alone? Who told you I don’t have someone? You’re not the only one who can move on, you know.” It was a low blow. Deep down we both knew our relationship had failed because I couldn’t cope with losing my brother, but it didn’t make this any easier. He swung around and glared at me. I immediately regretted what I had said.

  “Well, then I hope he doesn’t mind putting up with your shit because I’m done,” He walked away from me again, and this time, I didn’t follow. I sank down wrapping my arms around my knees and let the tears flow down my cheeks, exhausted and overwhelmed. I wiped them away with my arm and stood up to head home. A hand grabbed my shoulder and I swung around, gasping. The thought of my gun I had forgotten at home crossed my mind and I silently cursed myself for being so stupid.

  “Oh, Elijah. I didn’t hear you coming,” I startled as I stood back up. I hated showing anyone how vulnerable I truly was. He took his hand and gently wiped my cheek with the pad of his thumb. I looked down at my feet, embarrassed that he may have overheard the argument.

  “Did that guy hurt you?” His eyes narrowed and the muscles of his angular jaw worked beneath his stubbled flesh. I could feel the difference between him and a pacifist like Grayson and an involuntary shiver racked my spine.

  “No, no, I’ve done all this to myself,” I responded, my voice loaded with self-pity.

  The corner of his mouth raised slightly in amusement, “It’s not the end of the world,” he cooed as he leaned in and kissed my cheek where my tears had been. His words were so absurd because we had been on the precipice of the end for a few years now and it was only a matter of time before humanity was lost. But he was right that my childish spat with a former boyfriend meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. None of it really mattered anymore. Rules and morals were things for people who were afraid to face tomorrow with a guilty conscience. Tomorrow was no longer promised.

  I turned to meet his lips, pressing my mouth against his. My arms wrapped around his strong back, as his muscles flexed under my fingers, responding to my touch. Pushing the length of my body against him.

  “So, I guess this is what you meant by not being alone. Perfect,” Grayson’s voice called from behind us. I turned, seeing his face filled with sadness before he threw his hands in the air and turned to leave again. I pushed back from Elijah, but his grip tightened on my waist.

  “I should go after him.”

  His hold on me didn’t relax.

  “Don’t. He’ll be okay,” he said searching my eyes with his. “Live a little.” His eyebrow rose, challenging me.

  Chasing Grayson would only lead him on further. The goal was to get him to stay away, not hurt him.

  Staring into my eyes, he tucked a strand of my long brown hair behind my ear. I could feel the electricity pulse between us in time with the thumping of my heart.

  “And I thought I would hate it here,” He said with a mischievous grin that made my stomach flutter.

  “Come home with me,” I whispered nervously, still emboldened by the liquor. He fought a smile as he swung me up into his arms causing me to giggle loudly in the empty parking lot. My laughter echoing down the street.

  “You don’t have to ask me twice. Where to?” he asked, holding me as if I was weightless. And for once, I felt it too, like my burdens had been lifted from my chest and I could finally breathe easy.

  “Church Street, the brick house with the big porch.”

  ***

  After climbing up two stories worth of steps, Elijah paused, “We don’t have to do this.”

  I smiled up at him, uncertain if he was sincere. “Just come in. Hang out for a bit.”

  He turned the knob and pushed through as he kissed me passionately. He walked down the hallway and sat me gently on the couch in the living room.

  “You missed the door to the bedroom,” I joked, my face feeling like it was on fire with humiliation.

  “I thought we were going to hang out.”

  I sighed heavily as I sank back against the cushions. “Just my luck. I bring home the one guy in town who doesn’t want to hook up. How embarrassing.” I pressed my palms against my face hoping when I pulled them away I’d be alone, awaken from a nightmare.

  “Eva, I didn’t say I didn’t want to. Trust me, there is nothing I want more right now but not while you’ve been drinking.” He pulled my hands from my face as his eyebrow rose as his lips curved into a smile, deep dimples settling into his cheeks. Just great. A killer with a conscious.

  Chapter THREE

/>   Leap of Faith

  I woke around three in the morning from the steady thumping in my head. I rubbed my face with my hands and looked beside me at Elijah. His eyes were open and he had a smile on his face. Our limbs were tangled together on the couch as he held me against his bare, muscular chest.

  “Hello, beautiful,” he whispered as he pressed his lips to my forehead.

  “You didn’t sleep?”

  “A little but I work nights. Hazard of the job.”

  I pushed myself up on the couch, rubbing my face again as my head pulsed beneath my temples.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, sitting up beside me and tucking my hair behind my ear.

  “Hangover,” I replied with a guilty smile, my tongue feeling thick in my dry mouth.

  “I’ll get you something.” He slid his body from beneath mine.

  “It’s in the bathroom, above the sink,” I called after him and pulled a pillow under my head. He returned quickly with aspirin and a glass of water.

  “Thanks.” I sat up, popping the aspirin into my mouth and took a sip of the water as he pulled on his white T-shirt, obscuring my view of his well-toned body.

  “Leaving?” I asked trying not to sound disappointed. He smiled and bent over to kiss me on the cheek.

  “I have to get back to my cousin. I work with him when I’m in town, earn my keep. Third shift over at Sensations. He’s going to be pissed I didn’t show last night.”

  “Wait. What? You’re… a stripper?”

  He let out a loud, deep laugh as he shook his head. “No, I’m a bouncer. My cousin owns the place.” My eyes roamed over his body. He definitely could be a stripper. He looked chiseled out of stone. Greek gods would have been jealous.

  “Oh,” I mumbled feeling a little embarrassed. He bent down again kissing me on the lips with such passion my headache faded to a dull ache.

  “I’ll come back to see you… if you want.” he whispered in my ear.

  “I want…” I nodded and he turned and left the room. A few seconds later I heard the apartment door close quietly. I fell backward onto my pillow with a sigh. My headache crept back in as soon as the euphoria faded. I took a pillow and put it over my face hoping to sleep away the remnants of my hangover.