Page 93 of Eternal Craving

Fear tore a yell from him so primal that I backed away. Hating this moment, I tried to find the words to tell Sunaria that she’d made a mistake.

She came closer and whispered, “Then you admit that this gift is only for the worthy?”

I held her dark gaze for the longest time until she got the answer she wanted.

Felipe was studying us with a mad expression. “I feel strange,” he murmured.

Sunaria assisted him to his feet. “It’ll pass,” she said, her tone comforting.

He glanced at her half in terror, half in awe, and Sunaria guided him toward the window.

“Look,” she pointed outside, “see how perfect the world is now.”

Felipe’s eyes bulged and his thin lips slid into a smile. Silhouetted at the window stood my lover and her new fledgling.

My jealousy was so fierce that it burned me up from the inside, and, as though hearing my inner screams, Sunaria’s attention turned to me, her stare so shocking that it silenced them. But something about the way her mouth curled and then pouted and the glint in her eye as she arched a brow, in those gestures she gave me her permission.

I let out a long sigh.

Felipe examined his hands, fascinated with their appearance. “I am immortal.”

“That’s the good news.” I bolted forward and shoved him.

Felipe tumbled out through the window.

We both leaned over the sill and peered down to see Felipe clambering to his feet, seemingly impressed with himself that he’d survived the fall. He stared back up at us with a crooked smile.

Sunaria pulled the curtain closed and we leaped back.

Silence followed, as those perfect seconds dissolved and the air stilled with nature poised ready, just moments before the arrival of daybreak.

Felipe’s wails carried up to us.

“And that is the bad news,” I said.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Felipe’s screams followed us down the back stairs.

Sunaria laughed as I opened my arms to her, and she softened against me. I thanked her, silently showing my gratitude that she’d delivered closure. We lay in the dark corner, snuggled up together, and for the first time since I’d been turned, sleep came easily.

Upon awaking, I strolled out into the night and glanced up at the window ledge that Felipe had tumbled from. Scooping up his ashes, I let them slip between my fingers and the grey dust disbursed.

Our new life beckoned.

Sunaria’s unpredictable nature promised that eternity would not be boring and, despite my desire for independence, I found comfort in her presence.

I craved excitement and Sunaria satisfied that very need. She’d enter a room, and everyone present would turn to gaze at her. Though her demeanor reflected that of an innocuous woman, she was the worst kind of hunter, easily mingling with her prey. We passed for aristocracy, wooing guests at parties orlavish functions, finding no trouble in seducing those whom we chose to satisfy our primal needs.

It seemed to be getting easier.

I wanted it all – luxury, indulgence and the most exquisite of comforts. My dark desires manifested before me as Sunaria created a home for us, ensuring fulfillment of our every craving. She found us a large villa, deep in the countryside, and made sure that we had no curious neighbors to bother us. The Ocean View Manor could be seen from our bedroom window.

Frequent visits enabled me to steal precious time with Jacob, and evenings in his presence helped me keep a somewhat shaky grasp on my humanity. Watching him flourish gave me such pleasure. A precious reminder of another life, now quickly fading, though the memories I still selfishly guarded.

His strength gave me courage.

Chapter Thirty-Four