Fallen Tears: A Blood Crave Novella (Blood Crave Series) Read Free Page B

remark. “Prove it to me. Let me see your fangs.” She tapped her own teeth for emphasis, needing more proof than just his ability to read her mind.
    Kaji raised his brow at her request but didn’t move a muscle.
    “Please?” Rowan clasped her fingers together as she begged him, looking across at him with a pleading tone, jutting out her lower lip. “Let me see them. I’ll just keep asking until you do. I can be annoying like that, you know,” she added with a gleam in her eye.
    Kaji still didn’t move from his position but finally spoke calmly, catching her gaze. “If I show you, you won’t ask again?”
    “I promise,” she responded immediately, nodding enthusiastically.
    Rowan didn’t take her eyes off him as she watched Kaji slowly bring his index finger up to the corner of his mouth. He pushed his upper lip upwards, exposing his teeth, allowing her to see one long pointed tooth that glinted dangerously at her.
    Rowan swallowed hard, amazed at what she was actually seeing. Okay, so he was definitely telling the truth about being a vampire. She remained staring at him as he dropped his hand back into his lap, trying to figure out how someone like him even existed.
    Like, how come no one knew vampires were real?
    Her stomach suddenly growled at the thought as she glanced down at her now empty plate that was still situated on her lap. She grimaced, hoping Kaji hadn’t heard her protesting stomach. Then a thought flashed through her mind as she remembered the conversation they had earlier before she blacked out.
    She placed the plate down next to her then sat up straight, holding her hand out to him. “Let’s make a deal.”
    “A deal?” Kaji remained seated as he glanced down at her extended hand, then back up into her face.
    “Yeah,” she said firmly. She had to seize the opportunity, like her dad always said. “You said you still had a lot to learn. So how about I teach you how to be human and in return you feed me?”
    “Teach me to be … human?” he asked with raised brows.
    “Yeah!”
    “And all I’ll have to do is feed you?” He still looked skeptical at the notion.
    “Mmm-Hmm,” she said, nodding her head vigorously. She then glanced back longingly at the empty plate again. She sat up even straighter on the couch, hand still extended as she impatiently waited for his answer, ignoring the fatigue that was starting to set into her muscles.
    “Would you take that in blood?” He appeared serious.
    “ Eww .” Rowan crinkled her nose up in disgust at his comment.
    He had to be joking.
    “I am lamia, after all.”
    “No.” She gave a little laugh at his poor joke, shaking her head. “See, Kaji. You still have a lot to learn. I mean, real food like that delicious peanut butter sandwich. Gosh, if you even supply the food I can make some great meals. I was always the cook at home.”
    She looked back at him with a frown as she thought of something else. “Kaji, can vampires eat?”
    “If we desire. But it’s really not necessary,” he said, grimacing at the thought. “I wouldn’t see the point.”
    “Great!” Rowan exclaimed, ignoring his latter statement. “Then I’ll cook for you, too. That’s a good deal, right?”
    Kaji didn’t say anything, just observed her for a moment, black eyes deep in thought. He finally broke the silence. “Shouldn’t you be with a proper family that’ll care for you?”
    All the happiness that had started to bubble up inside of Rowan instantly dissipated at his words. Shoulders slumped, she drew her hand back and looked down as she noticed a crack on the hardwood floor. She bit the inside of her cheek then breathed deeply as she glanced up into Kaji’s eyes. Somber eyes stared back at her, waiting.
    “No one wanted me.” She didn’t want to think of her time in foster care so she moved on, brushing it off as she gave a small shrug.
    “They weren’t that great of people, anyways. So I ran away. I thought it’d be better to be on my own than