I raised my eyebrows. “Travelers? Does that mean you’ll be leaving soon?”
“Mm… yeah, probably. We don’t like to stay in one place for too long.”
Thank God.
“Why are you leaving this time, to avoid suspicion?”
She smiled wickedly. “Let’s just say my brethren get bored with their menus very easily.”
I shuddered. “That sounds so cold and heartless. We aren’t animals.”
“Sorry, it’s just the way it is. The guys like a little variety and when things get stagnant, they just want to pick up and leave. I’m just along for the ride. I couldn’t care less if we stayed or left. Food doesn’t taste any different here than it does in another state.”
“You’re nothing but coldblooded murderers,” I said, gripping the arms of the chair. I couldn’t believe how impassive she was when talking about murder.
“Call us what you want. Just like you, we eat to live. It’s not our fault that humans possess the nutrients we need to survive. Like I told you once before, survival of the fittest.”
“But it’s insane! How about getting blood from a blood bank or something? Or farming your own animals?”
She grinned. “Why do all the work in farming when our preferred animals can raise and feed themselves?”
I stood up and raised my knife, pointing it towards her. “Okay, what the hell do you really want with my brother?”
Celeste smiled at the way my hand shook, wielding the weapon. “I like him. He’s cute, funny, and has a wonderful…scent.”
I was now in such a rage that I could barely speak. “Get the hell out of my house,” I demanded.
“Oh, hell, I’m just giving you shit,” she giggled, clapping her hands. “Holy, shit, you should see your face!”
I stared at her incredulously. “Oh, you seriously think this is funny?”
“A little,” she answered, brushing away a piece of lint from her short, black skirt. “Listen, your family has nothing to fear from me or my father. The other boys, well, I can’t really speak for them. But I like Nathan and my father obviously adores your mother, so just chill out, Nikki.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t trust you, Caleb, or any of your so-called ‘Roamers.’ Obviously, one of them is responsible for killing those girls.”
“No, I don’t think so. In fact, I have my own suspicions.”
“What would that be?”
She leaned forward and murmured. “It’s possible that Ethan is back.”
That threw me off guard. I stared at her in shock.
“Did you hear me?” she asked.
“You think it was Ethan?” I whispered, touching my throat.
Celeste smiled. “Ah…so that excites you.”
I scowled. “I’m not excited about Ethan in the least. He almost killed me before he left.”
She waved her hand. “Oh, if Ethan wanted to kill you, he would have.”
The possibility that Ethan had returned to Shore Lake stirred up emotions I didn’t want to visit – ever again. I swallowed. “So, um why do you think Ethan might be involved?”
She looked at me like I was an idiot. “Revenge, of course. I mean, Caleb shot him. He’s probably pissed as all hell and trying to create problems for my father now.”
“But to kill those girls just to get back at your dad? Ethan told me he wasn’t a murderer.”
She looked at me incredulously. “And you trust him? I thought you didn’t trust any Roamers?”
I ignored her question. “You know him better than I do. Would he lie to me?” I asked warily.
She raised an eyebrow. “You’re really asking me?”
I sighed. “I don’t really know who or what to believe anymore.”
She stood up and walked over to the fireplace mantle. She picked up a photo of my brother and me. “If I were you,” she said, putting the photo back and turning to me. “I wouldn’t trust anyone, either; especially Ethan.”
Chapter Four
Celeste left right after Nathan brought out the pizza.
“Are you sure you can’t stay? I won’t be able to eat all of this by myself,” he said, trying to give her one of his puppy-dog looks.
He was so pathetic.
“It’s getting too late,” she said, grabbing her coat.
“Yeah, won’t daddy be worried about you?” I asked sarcastically.
She smiled. “Well, he certainly knows I can handle myself. Plus, I promised him I’d bring back a late night snack on the way home.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but from the look on her face, I knew she’d said it to get me fired up again. I decided to let it go.
“Okay,” said Nathan, licking pizza from his fingers. He walked over to her and gave her a friendly hug. “I wish you’d let me drive you home.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, flashing him one of her blindingly white smiles.
“Okay, but I still feel funny about this. If anything happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.”
She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and batted her eyelashes. “Oh, Nathan, you’re so sweet.”