IM01 - Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas Read Free Book Online Page A

new for you. I understand.” He sat down beside me on the couch and handed me the towel.
    I gave him an awkward smile and glanced into his big blue-gray eyes. I felt that strange warmth again, like a radiating wave coming from him. I looked away, taking the towel, and tried to wipe some of the blood off my body.
     “It will be hard the first few times, I know. We all go through this, and we all find our way to cope with it. The blood is intoxicating, but the guilt can be crushing, if you let it.” His voice was softer now, almost caring. “The only way to survive this is to learn how to accept it. I can help you get through this if you let me.”
    Lysander brought his hand up, lifting my chin. He forced our eyes to meet again.
    “You are an immortal now.”
    I nodded. There was nothing I could say. He was right. But the question still remained; could I kill someone?
    I noticed a faint ray of light coming from the edge of the curtain-covered window. Dawn was approaching, signifying the end of this crazy night. I welcomed the thought of sleep and hoped that when I awoke, things would return to normal.
     “The sun is coming up. We won’t be able to leave the house until tonight. Let’s get some sleep, Alyssa.”
    Lysander stood and extended his hand to help me up. I smiled and took it. My muscles were still a bit weak. I struggled to stand. Lysander gripped my hand and pulled me up, placing his other arm around my waist for support.  My stomach knotted against his touch. Butterflies buzzed around inside of me again.
    I took a shaky step toward the hallway. “Where am I sleeping?”
    “I’m afraid there is only one bed in this house,” Lysander’s voice wavered. He sounded almost embarrassed for a moment before his voice regained its normal smooth tone. “I do not entertain much. For now, we are going to have to share. I hope that is okay with you. I will arrange for more furniture soon.”
    “Okay.” I smiled awkwardly. I did not know how to take this gesture. It had been a long time since I shared a bed with a man.
    We made our way into the spacious bedroom. A king-size, iron-framed bed sat against the far wall, made up with black sheets and a few fluffy pillows. Lysander’s stark minimalist decorating theme carried to his bedroom as well. There wasn’t much at all to this room. A simple four-drawer dresser sat against the wall to my left. Next to it was a door, which I assumed was a closet, or maybe a bathroom. Other than the simple furnishings, there was nothing else. This room, like the rest of Lysander’s home, seemed to have only the bare necessities.
    Thick black drapes covered a large window and were pinned to the wall at the edges so that very little light seeped in. 
    Lysander guided me to the bed and I sat down. It was so soft. Giving into my muscle fatigue, I fell backwards and lay sprawled across the bed.
    Lysander chuckled at me. I looked up, catching him as he readied himself for sleep. He pulled off his shirt, revealing a beautifully sculpted chest. I couldn’t help but notice the definition in the corded muscles of his arms and the perfect six-pack abs. I bit my lip, accidentally drawing blood, as he slid down his pants. He stood before me in only in a pair of maroon-and-tan striped boxers.
    Heat rushed to my face.
    Wow, what a body.
    He threw a mischievous look my way as he finished changing. I again had a brief suspicion he knew what I was thinking. I turned away from him, crawling to the top of the bed and burying my head on one of the soft pillows.
    Lysander climbed into bed. We lay there, backs to one another, as the sun rose. Lysander’s curtains worked as intended, and only small rays of light came through at the edges.
    “I’m sorry about tonight,” he whispered. “It will get better.”
    I didn’t reply. I had no words.

CHAPTER 6
     
    * * * * *
     
    The comfortable state of sleep ended much sooner than I had hoped. I knew that waking up meant I would have to feed, and this