Devour by Andrea Heltsley Read Free Book Online Page A

replies with a wink and a grin.
    I fe el more at ease now. Maybe I’ll draw some male attention. No doubt Jane will be anxiously waiting for me when we get to the ball. I love her and I’ll need her strength to get through this. I’m not shy around guys. Hell, we hunt them every week. This is different though. These are vampire guys. We mate for life and our courtships are very serious.
    I’ m saved from my thoughts as we pull up to Havershams, the Gregorias’ upscale bar on the east side of town. We’re meeting them and the Lucia’s here. A tickle of excitement bubbles through me at the prospect of seeing Cody. The opposite thought crosses my mind at the mere idea of seeing Thayer. Ugh.
    We step out of the limo and I straighten my dress. I take a deep breath and lock up the last of my fleeting thoughts of Chase. I will not let him taint what is supposed to be one of the best nights of my life.
    My heels click on the cobblestone in front of the bar as we make our way inside. Dad holds the door open for Mom and me. As soon as we step in, I see they’re all already waiting for us. Suddenly, I’m feeling very vulnerable in this dress.
    It’ s clear that my dress is the right choice though. The minute Cody and Thayer turn towards me, the conversation ceases and their mouths drop open. I can feel them soaking up every detail of my dress. They can see the way the silk settles on my curves and how it caresses my ample cleavage. The silk clings to me in a way that leaves little to the imagination.
    My cheeks grow pink under the scrutiny and I force a smile. The spell is finally broken. Cody comes up to me first.
    “God Callie, you look gorgeous tonight. That dress is… well there aren’t words for how that dress looks on you.” He lifts my hand and places a gentle kiss on it. I feel like a princess.
    Then Thayer steps up. Instead of a polite hello, he pulls me into a warm hug. Okay, this is beyond strange for him. When he finally breaks away, he holds my arms and his green eyes search my violet ones.
    I’m not sure what he’s searching for, but it makes me a little uneasy. I know that I’ll be looked at like a specimen tonight so I brush off his obvious staring. This is Thayer. He’s obnoxious, not warm and caring. He’s definitely throwing me off.
    Thayer finally steps back and I greet the rest of their families. Thayer’s parents look pleased at the interaction between us and are grinning ear to ear. It feels like I’ve entered The Twilight Zone.
    Cody’s sister is noticeably absent, but she still has a year before h er coming out. Next year she’ll be here in my shoes. I like Lana; she’s always been such a sweetheart. Cody’s parents wave and grin much in the way the Lucias did.
    We all have a seat at a table set just for the lot of us. Dad signals the waiter and orders for us. We all have to drink regular human blood tonight. We can’t risk the secret cocktail recipe getting out. I’m not all that particular except human blood from a donor and stored isn’t nearly as good as blood from the tap.
    “So , Callie, I hear that you plan to go to U of V. Cody here is going to be a sophomore in the fall. We’re very proud of him. He’s excelling in vampire politics and will follow in his father’s footsteps,” Mrs. Gregoria says, trying to break the ice.
    I’ m about to speak up when Mom interjects. “Our Callie is going to be studying art as a major and vampire politics as a minor. We are requiring the minor due to her standing in the community, but her art is absolutely amazing.”
    Cody looks up and smiles. “I would love to see some of your work sometime.”
    “Sure,” I reply lamely.
    “Thayer will be going in as a freshman, too. He’s going to major in economics and vampire politics as well. It sounds like you kids will have some classes together,” Mr. Lucia says.
    I look up at Thayer and see some unreadable expression on his face. He looks like he wants to devour me and it sends chills