Shiver (Night Roamers) (4 page)

She looked at me with amusement. “My…my…my…
I see someone’s a little paranoid.”

I glared at her. “Paranoid? Everyone in town should be paranoid. Those girls murdered Friday night should have been paranoid.”

She ran a hand through her long red hair and sighed. “I assure you, Nikki, I had nothing to do with that.”

I snorted.
“Oh, well, if you say so.”

We stared at each other for a few seconds and then she frowned. “What is your problem
anyway?”

“You are my problem, you
and your entire band of bloodthirsty monsters.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “You’re so melodramatic.”

“Nikki, there isn’t anyone up there,” interrupted Nathan, as he walked back down the steps. “It was probably a bat or even an owl. We live near the woods, remember?”

I knew it was pointless arguing with him, so I went into the kitchen and grabbed a butcher knife.

“What in the hell are you going to do with that?” he asked as I hurried back into the great room.

“Protect myself, what else?”

He shook his head and turned to Celeste. “See what I mean?”

“
Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?” I snapped.

She licked her lips.
“Oh, he was just telling me that …”

“That you’re delusional,”
smirked Nathan.

I scowled at him. “That’s not funny.”

“Jesus, I was just kidding. You’re no fun at all these days,” he sighed. “Listen, I’m going to throw in a pizza, would either of you like some?”

Both of us declined
.

“Okay,
suit yourselves. I’ll be right back, Celeste. Make yourself at home,” he said, heading towards the kitchen.

I turned to her. 
“What’s wrong, don’t enjoy your food cooked?”

She smiled. “Of course I
do. I’m just not in the mood for… pizza.”

The way she look
ed at me gave me the chills. I sat down in the club chair across the room and studied her, trying to decide what she wanted with my brother. With her long, red hair, perfect complexion, and soft curves, I could certainly understand why he was attracted to her, but what was she doing with him? What did she really want?

“So,
” I said, changing the subject. “If you weren’t responsible for those girls the other night, who do you think was?”

She sighed and sat down in the
leather sectional. “Truthfully, I don’t really know.”

I raised my eyebrows.
“What, there’s a rogue vampire in your midst?”

She shrugged and then studied her nails, which were long and painted blood
-red.

Go figure.

“Great, a crazy rogue vampire,” I huffed.

She rolled her eyes
. “Vampire, such a droll term for us; we prefer to be called ‘Roamers’ or even ‘Travelers.’”

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 m
y 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.

Cel
este 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 po
ssibility 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.”

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.”

I wanted to
throw up. The monster was flirting with my brother like she was a typical teenaged girl. I truly hated her just as much as my brother was truly smitten.

“
Maybe we can hang out again next weekend?” he asked.

She pushed her hair behind her ears and nodded.
“Yeah. I was thinking about checking out that new club, Nightshade.”

“Don’t you have to be twenty-one to get in?” I asked.

She smiled. “Yeah, but I can get you in. I know how to bribe the bouncers. In fact, I know a couple of them.”

I’ll bet.

“That sounds awesome,” smiled Nathan.

“You should come, too,” said Celeste
, turning back towards me. “I’m sure it will be a blast.”

“I have plans,” I answered, quickly
.

“Right,” said Nathan. “You’re coming, too
, Twerp. You need to get out more. You’re turning into a paranoid old lady and you’re not even out of high school. Plus, I’m sure Duncan will be tagging along.”

I snorted.
“I doubt Duncan will go if he finds out I’m going.”

“I doubt that,” said Celeste, opening the front door. “
I think Duncan has a thing for you.”

“Maybe once, but no
t anymore,” I muttered as Nathan walked her outside. He probably hated me and I didn’t blame him one bit.

***

We didn’t see our mother until almost nine o’clock Sunday night. She was paler than ever and looked so thin, her clothing practically hung off of her.

“Mom,” scowled Nathan
as she removed her long, brown coat. “You don’t look well. Isn’t that sheriff feeding you?”

She removed her sunglasses and laughed. “He’s actually a wonderful cook. I just haven’t been very hungry lately.”

“Jeez, I wonder why…” I mumbled.

“What was that
, Nikki?” she asked.

I cleared my throat.
“Nothing. How are your eyes doing?” I answered.

She sighed
. “Still very sensitive.”

Nathan shook his head as
she walked by him towards the steps. “Mom, you’re skin and bones. I’m making you a sandwich,” said Nathan. “Maybe two.”