Teeth

Chapter Twenty

The scent of blood hung heavy in the air. Knowing that he would be kept here for a few days, Spencer wished that August had been cleaner about it. The man could kill without spilling a drop and yet sprays and puddles littered the apartment when he had returned that morning. He wondered if August had done it to torment him.

His body growled in protest at not feeding. He'd tried searching the apartment for food, anything that might keep the hunger at bay, even if it wasn't useful for keeping his body going. It didn't work. The longer he stayed in the apartment, the worse the stench became, even after he'd cleaned meticulously.

She was on the bed. The blankets were flung back, she was stripped naked, and her dark hair spread over the pillow. Though he knew the consequences would be severe, if not dangerous, he had considered drinking more from her a couple of times. There would still be some left.

August's scent was not nearly as strong as hers. She'd lived here for a long time and her taste was on everything in the apartment but August was still there. Spencer had thrown a blanket over the chair August had sat in, hoping to muffle the taste in the back of his throat. He'd thrown the glass he'd used in the trash and shut the bag in a cupboard. Still the blond wouldn't leave his system, the look of disappointment and finality in his eyes haunting him.

He didn't know why he was still following his instructions. He told himself that it was self-preservation. August practically controlled the house, if he made another wrong step, he might be thrown out.

Hearing the change in breathing, Spencer pushed himself off the bathroom floor and went through to the bedroom. She sat up, drawing her knees to her chest and hunching over them.

"How long?" she asked groggily.

Spencer checked his watch.

"Thirty-six hours."

She rested her forehead against her knee and nodded into her skin. Spencer sighed. He'd gotten up for this? He'd come in here, where the scent was the worst, just to be asked how long it had been. He could have been sleeping. He could have locked her in here and checked on her the way August had done to Thomas. What did it matter how long it had been? He'd already told her before that he couldn't do anything until she remembered.

"You said it could be any time, right?"

"Different people take different amounts of time," he told her again. "I took two days. Thomas took three. It'll be when you..."

He stopped, staring at the thick material he'd used to block the windows. He scratched his cheek, chewing the inside of his lip.

"When I what?" she asked, lifting her head.

"We had this conversation after August bit you," he said quietly.

In the corner of his sight, Paige nodded and leaned further forward.

"So?"

"So... you remember me saying it."

"It was only six hours ago, of course I do."

Spencer leapt over and landed next to her on the bed. She squeaked and jerked away as he grasped her arm, pulling her towards him.

"You didn't before. We've had the conversation about how long it would take three times. You've woken up, been confused, had the conversation with me, and collapsed again." He rocked his head from side to side. "Except last time you took your clothes off because you said it was far too hot in here. But my point is this time you asked me how long it's been."

She stared at him, incredulous, and took a moment to think about it before she nodded.

"So it's time?" she asked.