Free H.U.M.A.N.S (The Veiled World Book 1) by Susan Reid Page B

as hunger began to churn in the pit of my stomach.
    What the…
    No, no, no!
    This can’t be happening…I have to still be dreaming!
    I turned away from the mirror with a hand cupped over my mouth, trying to catch my breath and having to steady myself by gripping onto the sink.
    Twinkie was growling at me again.
    “Shut up, Twinkie!” I spat.
    Dread began to percolate the contents of what was left in my stomach.
    I dove over to the toilet, quickly lifted the lid, and threw up.
    I was confused, afraid, and in denial all at the same time.
    Was this the change that Gage was talking about?
    We can’t be turned! This is not something that happens nor has it ever happened!
    A hunter is not supposed to turn into a Nocturna. We can’t! By physical and metaphysical laws it was simply not possible!
    How the hell was I supposed to face my brother, my friends, and all the other members of the bar who had become our family and explain this?
    What was going to happen to me now?
    Would I crave their blood?
    I didn’t, at least not that I was aware of anyway. My hunger was actually for food. The smell of bacon, migas, chorizo, corn tortillas, and waffles floated up into my apartment from the kitchen downstairs. The chirping of the children’s laughter filtered into my apartment clearly like chimes. The magic and puppet show was already underway.
    After miserably emptying my stomach, I showered and freshened up, still in a daze and unaccepting of what was happening to me right now. I had to try to figure out a way to avoid everyone until my teeth went back to normal…whenever that would be.
    In the meantime, I needed to go see Gage now. I couldn’t wait until 7 p.m. Why didn’t he leave a phone number? He already knew this would be coming and I needed answers and explanations now. I would have been furious about him thieving an almost full bottle of Brandy but he did leave an extra hundred dollar bill behind.
    The last thing I wanted to hear was a knock on my door this early. I was in no mood for any kind of company and I didn’t care who it was or what they wanted.
    I planned to just ignore whoever it was but the knocking came again and Marq’s voice came through from the other side.
    “Open up, Sunshine. I’ve got breakfast.”
    Great, of all people.
    I could pretend to still be asleep but that wouldn’t make the dilemma go away.
    I took my time, finally having no other option but to keep my mouth closed with my hand poised casually over it as if I were trying to hide a cold sore or something.
    I opened the door.
    Marq was holding a tray of fresh eggs, bacon, toast, and tea. He was fully dressed in a pair of long, red board shorts and shirt that enhanced all the curves of his trim yet fit physique, thankfully.
    “Sleeping in again?” He asked, stepping inside and leaning down to kiss me.
    I turned away, taking in a deep whiff.
    He smelled normal to me, fresh and dew clean.
    “Do I offend?” He smiled, lifting and arm and turning towards his shoulder to inhale his armpit.
    “No.” I shook my head, “Lean down for a moment though.” I beckoned him with my index finger. He did and I leaned in towards his throat.
    Pressing my mouth and nose against his skin, I took in a deep inhalation of his scent.
    No desire for his blood at all.
    Unless the hunger hadn’t developed yet, this was a good thing.
    He moaned seductively, biting his bottom lip with a grin. “Already frisky, huh? Don’t start something you might make an excuse to keep from finishing.” Marq grinned devilishly as he placed the tray on the sofa table behind the couch.
    “I wouldn’t do that but I really can’t this morning. I’ve got some things I’ve got to do.” I replied curtly, avoiding his eyes and taking a slice of bacon.
    He moved in behind me, his arms snaking around my waist to pull me up against him so that I could feel his arousal.
    “Plenty of time. It’s still early out.” He said leaning down to tenderly nibble on my neck.
    “I know