Page 119 of Eternal Craving

Marcus glanced uneasily at the others. “Of course you will,” he said with sarcasm.

I stretched out.

“Is this all part of your master plan?” Marcus asked.

“So far, so good.” I ran my fingers through my matted hair and scratched my itchy scalp.

Marcus shook his head. “We’re all going to die.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s one option, yes.” I lifted my shirt collar to hide Delacroix’s fang marks, unsure if they’d faded.

Marcus leaned back. “What do they have over you?”

I moved into a more comfortable position.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t ask.” Marcus threw my jacket at me. “Here, you look like you need it back.”

I wrapped it around my shoulders.

“Where are you from?” Marcus’ tone was laden with suspicion.

“Spain.”

“Near Scotland?” Lilly said.

I laughed and then realized she wasn’t joking.

“It’s across the sea, Lilly,” Marcus frowned. “He’s a foreigner.”

Lilly stared at me. “What’s it like there?”

Examining my metal cuff, I tracked the links up and along to where it met the brick. I tugged the chain and dust sprayed as the bolts loosened. Somewhere within the house, the strains of a violin could be heard.

Marcus stared at the wall, his expression even more anxious.

With my fingers wrapped around the chain, I prepared to give it another tug.

“I work for Mr. Simons delivering groceries,” Lilly said. “One time, I went to the wrong door of the great house in Greenwich, the main one instead of the one for servants.”

With an incredulous expression, I said. “What’s your point, exactly?”

“Well, I got into trouble and Mr. Simons refused to read to me.”

“Lilly loves books,” Marcus explained. “Mr. Simons reads to her.”

“I can tell you’re a man of education, too,” Lilly said.

I gazed off and didn’t respond.

“I’m sorry,” Lilly said, sighing. “You’re worried about your friend and I’m talking about?—”

“Books are a good distraction.” I rubbed my temples.

Lilly moved closer to me. “Maybe you can read to me one day.”

I looked over at her and saw tears streaming down her face.

I put my arm around her thin shoulders. “I will, Lilly.”