The Frenzy Series (Book 2): Frantic Read Free Page B

did you already tell them, golden boy?” What was it with his nicknames for everyone?
    “No, but you can be sure that Mrs. Dillinger will notice, and her father will probably know by now. Her mother and brother already know.”
    Roman’s feet shifted and Tage’s hands lifted me once more as I was transferred between the two night-walkers. Footsteps. The tone of red—anger. “You keep your mouth shut,” Roman hissed.
    “Or what?” challenged Saul.
    “Or I’ll tear your mother’s throat out. Your father’s, too.”
    I could hear Saul swallow slowly, as if he were trying to hide the motion from Roman. Roman was intimidating, even to me when I wasn’t manic. So internally, I swallowed too, but then something kicked in. It felt like the lock that had been holding my lips closed had become disengaged. I parted my lips and found my voice, albeit weak. “Touch Saul or his family and I will end you, Roman.”
    “You couldn’t,” he argued, staring down at me with emotionless eyes. I blinked in the bright sunshine, confused by the light. It should be nearly dark by now. Why was it still so bright?
    “Try me,” I grunted, trying to push myself up, trying to get Tage to set me down, to let me go. Saul walked over, completely un-phased by the two massive night-walkers flanking me.
    “Why are you covered in blood?” Saul asked softly.
    “I overfed. Lesson learned.” The lie came so easily.
    He scrubbed his hands over his handsome face. I was really going to miss that face. Something inside me broke all over again. It felt distinctly like my heart.
    “Don’t look at me like that, Porsch. I told you I’d fix this,” he said, stepping toward me as Tage set my feet back on the dark soil.
    “And I told you it couldn’t be fixed. I’m sorry, Saul,” I sniffed. “I don’t want to see you again.” It was the hardest truth I’d ever spoken—a lie to both of us, but what needed to be done to keep him safe, to keep him away from me.
    “That’s not true. You’re just afraid, but we can work through this. I love you.”
    I shook my head in denial and swiped crimson tears from my cheeks. “I can’t love you. I can’t love anyone now.” Turning to leave him, I stumbled, fell to my knees and began vomiting all over again.
    When I regained control, I looked up to see Saul standing a few feet away. Tage was helping me back up while Roman stood between me and the human. My thighs and calves shook violently. He was protecting Saul from me because my stomach was almost empty and I needed to feed again. I was just too sick to do it. I was too weak.
    But I want it.
    Saul’s mouth was parted and his fingers were intertwined, clasped onto the back of his head. “Tell me what I can do,” he said.
    Roman answered, “Keep this a secret for as long as you can. The Elders know what Frenzy is. They’ll come for her.”
    “You’ll have to stop them,” Saul said.
    Roman shook his head. “We have to maintain the treaty.”
    “Screw the treaty!” Saul roared. “She isn’t dying —teach her how to control it!” He pointed at Tage. “You—you’re new, aren’t you? When you bit Porschia during the rotation, you didn’t numb her. You didn’t, because you didn’t know you could. Teach her. Please.”
    Tage stiffened, but nodded.
    Roman’s eyes zeroed in on Tage suspiciously. “What’s he talking about? How long ago did you turn?”
     

     
    Tage helped me walk away from Saul. We followed Roman to a large Victorian home, one that fit in well with the others in the Colony, but was slightly bigger and better maintained. Dara was waiting for us on the porch.
    “Where have you been? It’s time for the evening rotation,” she said. Glancing behind Roman to me and Tage, she gasped. “What’s she doing here?” She sniffed the air.
    “She turned,” Roman answered matter-of-factly.
    Dara’s mouth gaped open, but she covered it with her delicate hands. I hated those hands. Those hands had touched Saul. My Saul.