Alabaster Nights (The Josie Hawk Chronicles) by Elle J Rossi Read Free Book Online Page B

him.
    “How long has it been since you’ve fed?”
    Now why hadn’t that form of the question crossed his mind? He knew exactly how long it had been. His body wouldn’t let him forget. A chronic headache. Aching bones. Weak muscles. An internal slow burn. Five excruciating painful days. “Awhile.”
    She moved back to the window. “Why?”
    Keller stood on shaky legs. With precisely placed steps, he walked the perimeter of the bed, leaning against the mattress for support. He hoped she hadn’t noticed. Her narrowed eyes told him otherwise. At the window, he pulled the cord of the blinds, tugging until they moved past his head. He remained silent. So much to say and no way to say it without scaring her off.
    “Why haven’t you been feeding, Keller?”
    Maybe it was the softened tone of her voice. He hadn’t heard that one before. Maybe it was the fact that she’d used his first name rather than Mr. O’Leary or Irish. Though he found both to be quite endearing. Maybe it was the way they turned at the same time to study the pristine white blanket covering the world outside. Whatever it was, Keller took an unnecessary but calming breath before he spoke. “I can’t.”
    “I repeat…why?” Her voice was no more than a whisper.
    Did she suspect what he already knew? Her breath caressed his cheek. So close, but miles too far away. “Because yours is the only blood I want.”
    Part of him expected her to punch him in the mouth, knock out a fang or two. The other part expected her to laugh in his face. Josie did neither. She simply turned to stare out the window.
    “You think it holds something special?”
    She made it sound like a question, but Keller heard the weariness in her statement. She’d been down this road before. That didn’t sit well with him, or her if her tone were any indication. Keller cleared his throat. “I know it does.”
    Josie shrugged. “Well, you’re gonna have to get in line, fang boy.”
    Instantly, anger fueled by, raw, primal possession simmered in his blood. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Stand in line? Feck that. Behind who?”
    Josie flicked her gaze to his before shoving off the wall. “It means you’re just as misinformed as the rest of them.”
    Them . His suspicions were true. Josie stood front and center in the game of blood. Keller tracked her path with his ears. She padded across the worn carpet on bare feet. He heard her open the rattling refrigerator, snag what he assumed to be a water bottle since the white box contained nothing but water and two jars of jelly. The sound of her swallowing had him wetting his lips.
    “The rest of them?”
    At the window again, she pursed her lips and seemed to sort through her thoughts.
    “There are those who think my blood carries something they need. Something special . I’ve had it tested. It doesn’t. You’re wrong. They’re wrong.” She drained the rest of the bottle before chucking it toward the kitchen. “Still won’t stop them from trying to prove it for themselves. You either, I suspect. But know this, Keller O’Leary. I’ll be damned if I’m offering up a sample to you or anyone else.”
    Just the thought of someone else taking what was meant for him and him only had Keller ready to destroy. Struggling to maintain control, he spoke slowly. “I won’t take what you’re not willing to give.” He couldn’t say the same for the others. They’d have to get through him first.
    “Then you’re in the minority.”
    Yes. That was true. In this case, minority equaled one. No other was meant solely for her. He considered all he had seen and heard since getting to Nashville and narrowed down his list of suspects. Warlocks had been watching her that night in the bar. Demons had attacked and hurt her, called for her blood. Keller had dealt with demons on more than one occasion and knew the spawn could be controlled, and it didn’t take much to do it. Demons had very weak minds. “The warlocks?”
    Her lips parted.