Meat

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Carson grabbed Edeline around the middle and pulled her back towards the wall. She clung to his arm, her gaze fixed on Spencer as the vampire paced back and forth, staring at his hands. Since meeting Spencer, Carson had mostly seen the man be cheerful and charming, only hints of the killer lurking beneath his skin. As much as he hated to admit it, the turn Spencer had taken since tasting Edeline's blood was scaring him.

Manoeuvring Edeline behind him, Carson blocked her from view with own body. Vince shifted his weight and wrung his hands.

Spencer's face twisted, a manic grin spreading across his lips. He spun in a circle, his gaze darting from Carson to Vince and back again. When he spotted Edeline peeking out from behind Carson's shoulder, his eyes narrowed.

"Selflish little girl," he sneered. "Keeping all the toys to yourself."

He prowled forwards, stopping just out of Carson's reach. Cocking his head to the side, he rubbed his thumb against the corner of his lip and licked the last drop from his skin.

"Someone should teach you to share."

"Spencer, calm down," Vince said, stepping forwards. "We still need her, remember?"

Spinning on his heel, Spencer had rounded on Vince before any of them could blink. He was as sure-footed as ever, stalking across the room.

"You don't get it," he said, his voice a breathy snarl. "This is the most incredible thing I've ever felt. One taste of that and I can hear... I can hear everything."

He took Vince's face in his hands, turning his head this way and that. He peered into the teen's ears and gazed into his eyes.

"She's right, you know. She was right about you."

"Let him go, Spencer," Carson said.

Lifting his hands in mock defeat, Spencer danced across the open space. Carson motioned Edeline back and met Spencer at the end of the beds. The vampire had no interest in him. He jumped from side to side, peering past Carson's attempts to shield the girl from him.

"How can you possibly say your gift is annoying?" he asked over Carson's shoulder. "It's wonderful. I'll never have to think about hunting again. Every move they make, I'll be there to meet them before they even realise what they've decided."

"It won't last."

Before Carson even reached out to block Spencer's path, the vampire slipped underneath his arm and tapped him on the back of the shoulder. His laugh squeaked like rubber.

Edeline was as pale as the white-washed walls behind her, hunching her shoulders and wrapping her arms around her stomach. The smell of her blood was in the air, and Carson had to breathe through his mouth to avoid the alluring scent. She watched Spencer's bouncing steps coming closer. The vampire stopped right in front of her, clasping his hands behind his back and leaning towards her. He looked like a teacher questioning a particularly scared student.

"What did you say?" he asked.

Edeline glanced at Carson, gulping. He shook his head, but it was no good. If she tried to lie, Spencer would know it. He probably already knew the answer she was about to give him.

"The gift, it won't last," she said, her voice trembling.

"How long do I have?"

"A few hours, maybe," she said. "It'll be gone and..."

Edeline squeaked as Spencer's hands tightened around her upper arms. He ducked his head to peer into her eyes. His grin didn't flicker or fade at the news.