Free Elysium by Sylah Sloan Page A

Satisfied no one was in there, I lightly pushed the doors open and peeked inside. Sure enough, the place was empty.
    I walked in and headed to the fridge, pulled the door open and looked at its contents. It was packed with food, everything which would satisfy a football player’s appetite, but nothing sparking my interest. My stomach growled again, and I reached for a pack of ham, tearing it open and stuffing pieces into my mouth. I had no idea what was getting into me. I didn’t like pork, but there I stood, shoving pieces into my mouth and chewing quickly. Even after consuming all that ham, my stomach still cramped and twisted. I was about to give up and suck up the pain, when the double doors flew open and Cadeon walked in. I looked at him with wide eyes, feeling embarrassed immediately. I saw his eyes go down to the counter in front of me, a small smile playing at his lips as he took in the empty containers and ripped wrappers in front of me.
    “Hungry?”
    I quickly looked down, all of my evidence of how I had “pigged” out there for everyone to see. I cleared my throat and prayed the blushing stopped. I looked up, startled that Cadeon was mere feet from me, a strange look covering his features as he watched me. His hand reached out, as if he meant to touch my face, but he quickly shook his head and clenched his hand. I could see his tightly clenched jaw and wondered what had just happened. I grabbed hold of my stomach as a particularly uncomfortable cramp settled in.
    “Are you all right?”
    His voice was filled with concern, and I looked into his eyes, eyes so green I felt lost in their depths. I straightened up as the pain edged away and took a step back. His scent enveloped me, taking hold of all of my senses and amplifying them. He smelled so clean—whatever cologne he wore played havoc on my body. “I’m fine, well, I don’t really know.” He looked at me, another smile threatening to come through as he once again looked at the containers and wrappers.
    “Can’t satisfy your appetite, huh?”
    I shook my head, embarrassed once again that he had caught me gorging myself. It was then my eyes traveled to his neck, to where his pulse beat rapidly under his skin. My teeth suddenly ached so bad, it was almost as painful as my cramping stomach. My hunger spiked, my whole body seeing that rhythmic pulse beat steadily, as my mouth watered. My heart started to speed up, my respiration quickening as I breathed in deeply. I was actually able to smell his blood as his heart pumped it through his body. I was confused and scared at what I was feeling, unsure of what was happening to me. I took several steps back, frightened about what was happening to me. I didn’t like wanting to drink blood.
    “When was the last time you had blood?”
    My eyes shot to his face, but my hunger only seemed to grow as I stared at him. Was this the side effect of being a vampire and needing blood? It was an awful feeling, a feeling that took control over me and made me helpless to the hunger.
    “Was it through the IV in the clinic?”
    I nodded. When did he really think I had blood any other time? I clenched my fists together as my stomach cramped again.
    “Come on.”
    He grabbed my arm, practically dragging me with him as he headed into the foyer and out the front doors. “Where are we going?” The air was cold as it hit me, but my body felt like it was on fire, my blood boiling under my skin. We walked down the cobblestone pathway leading to the clinic, walking briskly though the main doors and past the receptionist without saying a word. I turned and looked at her, my eyes going to her exposed neck and my mouth watering. I clenched my jaw, desperately trying to stop the hunger threatening to take control.
    Cadeon looked back at me several times, and finally ushered me into an empty room. Several industrial sized refrigerators stood side by side, and I watched as Cadeon went to one and opened it. I leaned against the wall, my