Bag of Blood - Vampire Mystery Romance by J.O. Osbourne Read Free Book Online Page B

baby is dead." Everybody's eyes shot to her face at her sharp tone; she was practically on fire, her fury was so tangible. "My teenage, cheerleading, horseback riding daughter is dead and there is nothing in the world that can bring her back."
    Even her husband's face was squinting in confusion and alarm; clearly, this was not the planned speech.
    "And you can say what you want about the Lord's plan and it being her time and whatever the hell you want, but that is complete and utter bullshit. My baby is still lying in that box with her eyes bugging out of her head because some monster tried to squeeze her head off."
    The minister began to stand from his chair, but she stopped him by pointing a manicured finger sharply in his direction as if it were a dagger.
    "Sit!" she boomed powerfully. He sat. A child in the audience, looking no older than four years old and no doubt a cousin of some sort began wailing in alarm; her mother gathered the girl up in her arms, rocking her back and forth.
    "And now he's out killing other people's babies. Don't pretend you don't know. He could be here right now! That girl on the news, Valarie Johnson? Yeah, he killed her, too. And you all know; it's a fucking vampire. We never should have let them in our world; we should have killed them the moment those abominations were born! We-!"
    Her brother, Rebekah's uncle, hastened to his sisters side, wrapping his arms around her and trying to steer her away while whispering into her ear.
    "Don't "calm down, Rose," me, Steven!" she screamed, raving now, into the microphone. "There's a killer out there. None of your babies are safe. Not at school, not at parties with their friends, nowhere. If we don't do something, this is death to all of your daughters."
    Her brother lifted the shouting woman off her feet, carrying her from the room. Her words were reduced to mere howls as she pounded her small fists into his chest before dissolving completely and crying into his shirt. "My baby, my baby…" was all that could be heard as he exited the room with her in his arms, her husband and several other family members hastening to follow after them.
    There was absolute silence in the building for several long moments, before loud whispering broke out through the room like the rustling of a forest's leaves; every person turning to those sitting beside them and gasping about what had happened.
    Finally, appearing lost, the minister stood.
    "Brothers and sisters, in light of these events I invite you to return to your homes. Family members are invited to stay for the personal wake; all others I leave with a blessing."
    Lena hadn't realized that she was sitting on the edge of her seat, gripping her dress hem so tight her knuckles were turning white, until Elliot placed his hand over hers.
    "You're shaking," he remarked. It was true; she was.
    Slowly, she released her dress, her sweaty hands having crimped where she had held it in an odd, ruffled pattern. The two stared at the hem for a moment, before Elliot slipped an arm over her shoulders, a worried look on his face, as though concerned Lena might take a bite out of his arm for his audacity. She didn't, but merely looked at him, a dull expression in her normally bright eyes.
    "Come on," he stood, dragging her to her feet. "Lets get you home. Did you drive yourself here?"
    "No," she mumbled. "I don't have a car. Robert dropped me off. He didn't want to come in; said funerals made him feel sick." She laughed dryly. "Guess I see what he meant."
    With a hand on her back, he steered her to the exit of the church, where the majority of the funeral's guests were also swarming.
    "I'll drive you home," he told her, but remained silent as they made their way outside. Lena shivered as the frosty air hit her skin; November had barely started, but you could feel it; winter was but a few days away.
    Taking her to a nondescript, beige car, he held the door open for her and waited until she had buckled herself in before getting in