Illusions (Night Roamers) Book Four by Kristen Middleton Read Free Book Online Page A

tried to quell the hunger of my own inner demon. My stomach was empty and I was beginning to feel agitated. I needed to feed. And soon.
    “You okay?” asked Nathan, turning down the music.
    “I’m fine,” I said, opening up the window. I suddenly felt boxed-in and restless.
    “What are you doing?” he snapped . “You’re going to let all the snow in!”
    “I need some fresh air.” With the warm air blowing and our close proximity, the scent of his humanness was making me uncomfortable. Scratch that, it was making me ravenous. But, there was no way I’d attack my own brother for blood. I’d rather hunt down an animal in the woods.
    “Why?”
    I rubbed my forehead, which was beginning to bead up with sweat. Even the cool air blowing in wasn’t helping. I needed to tell him. To warn him.
    “Nikki? What’s wrong?”
    I leaned back. “Look, I lied. I’m not doing fine.”
    “Shit, I knew it,” he said, tightening his hands on the steering wheel. “You need blood.”
    “Yeah,” I replied. “I’ve waited too long.”
    “Why did you wait in the first place?”
    “We don’t have that many packs of blood left in refrigerator. And, I’m not a hunter. I suck at it.”
    He sighed. “What do you want to do?”
    “Pull over.”
    His eyes widened. “Why? You’re not going to bite me, are you?”
    I chuckled menacingly. “Only if you don’t pull over.”
    He quickly pulled over to the side of the road.
    “Chill out. I’d never bite you, Nathan.” I removed the seatbelt. “So, look, I’m heading back to Duncan’s. Stay right here and I’ll return right after I feed.”
    “Why don’t I just turn around and drive you there?”
    “You know very well that I can fly faster than you can drive. Plus, it’s slippery and you’re running low on gas. Just let me go.”
    “ Okay, fine. You’re right,” he answered, staring outside at the large snowflakes landing on the windshield. His eyes returned to me. “Why don’t you just meet me at the cabin?”
    “No,” I said, opening the door. “It’s too dangerous for you to go there by yourself. Look, I’ll be back in less than five minutes. Why don’t you just put on a song and kick back?”
    “Fine. Just hurry,” he said , frowning. “I just hope that some snow-plow doesn’t come barreling into me, or I get towed.”
    “Just turn your hazards on.”
    “Right. With my luck, a cop will come by and I’ll be forced to tell him that I’m waiting for my blood-sucking sister to return after she chugs a liter or two of blood.”
    “ Good luck with that,” I replied, slamming the door shut. I waited as a car moved slowly past us and then I shot up into the sky.

Chapter Nine
     
    Nathan
     
    
     
     
     
    Nathan tapped his thumbs on the steering wheel with his eyes closed, as he belted out the words to Hey Brother by Avicii, when there was a loud rap on the window. Startled, he opened his eyes and found an attractive young woman standing outside without a jacket. She was rubbing her forearms and shivering.
    He rolled down his window. “Uh, hey, where’d you come from?”
    She smiled sheepishly. “ I guess you didn’t see my car back there,” she answered, pointing behind his Mustang.
    Nathan looked in to his rearview mirror and noticed her vehicle about hundred yards back, sitting at a funny angle. “Oh, damn. Are you stuck?”
    “Yes. I can’ t get any traction. I’ve tried everything, but I think I’m making it worse. Are you stuck, too?”
    “ No, I’m just… taking a break from driving.”
    She looked puzzled but then smiled in spite of herself. “Oh, well that’s great, I guess. Um, y ou wouldn’t mind helping me?”
    He grinned. “Can’t you see I’m really busy here?”
    Her smile fell. “Oh. ”
    He laughed. “No, I’m just messing with you. Don’t worry, we’ll get your car unstuck. Hold on, I’ll be right out,” he said, rolling up his window. When he got out of the car, he noticed she was just an inch shorter