Ravenous (Book 1, The Ravening Series)

by Erica Stevens

  ***

  I didn't know what time it was when I woke up. All I knew was everyone else in the room was sound asleep, and I had to get out of here. My head throbbed dully but the nausea had subsided and I felt much better than I had before passing out.

  I breathed a sigh of relief when I found the switch for the door and pushed it open. I stumbled out and managed to catch myself before I crashed into something. I turned back to the people within the room. Abby was curled against Aiden; she looked even younger and far more vulnerable in her sleep. Jenna was in a ball; her head rested on one of the old blankets that had been draped over a crate. Cade was the farthest away, sitting with his back against the wall and his chin on his chest. Bret was close to where I'd been sleeping, I think he had been even closer to me, but had rolled away in his sleep.

  I took one last look at them before I slid the door carefully closed. I crept up the stairs, being far stealthier than I had ever thought I could be. But then again, there was a lot I'd done this day I hadn't thought I ever would, or could, do. I had never dreamed I would fire a gun, let alone help to kill something with it.

  Opening the door a sliver, I stuck my eye against the crack as I strained to see anything. My ears strained as I searched for noise. I felt brave enough, and secure enough, to open the door a little further before slipping completely out of the cellar. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, another day had risen; at least the world hadn't completely frozen overnight.

  The first thing I looked for was the bathroom, which I found in a small room behind the counter. I was horrified by the blood streaking my face. My blue eyes were shadowed by dark circles; my long blonde hair was a tangled mess and I thought I might have to cut it off. There was a bruise forming on one side of my face, it took up most of my cheek. The freckles speckling my face appeared to have disappeared beneath the bruise so I was only half-freckled now. It was a disconcerting effect, but one I found fascinating.

  Beneath the bruise was a jagged slice about three inches in length. I touched it tenderly, wincing as pain lanced through the area where the creature had struck me. It was ugly looking but it wouldn't leave a scar and it was far better than the alternative. Even with the bruise I wasn't completely hideous, I wasn't stunning or perfectly manicured like Jenna, but I wasn't awful either. My features weren't elfin like Abby's but they were proportioned well enough for my face.

  If I was better at placing my feet, I probably wouldn't feel as awkward as I always did. My mother had always assured me I would grow into my body, but it hadn't happened yet.

  I turned the water on, and to the best of my ability, scrubbed the blood from my face and arms before ducking my head to wash as much of the blood out of my hair as I could. The water ran red and the sink was a mess by the time I was done. My lip curled as I washed the blood splatters from the basin.

  I felt marginally better afterwards, but not much. I yearned for the backpacks full of toothpaste and clothes we’d abandoned at my house. I would have killed for a hairbrush and conditioner as I worked to remove the tangles with my fingers. It took awhile, and I ripped out a lot of hair in the process, but I finally managed to get most of it unknotted.

  I made my way to the front of the store. The blinds were still drawn, but the sun crept in around the edges of them. I inhaled deeply, taking a moment to enjoy its soothing warmth, and reassuring presence. The world continued to turn and some form of life would go on, even if it wasn't human.

  My hand trembled as I pulled one of the slats on the blinds down. I cautiously peered out at the unnaturally still street. Even creepier were the things left behind. Bicycles, papers, coffee cups, wallets, purses, and even shoes were scattered about the street, with other possessions, like discarded causalities of war. There were no bodies out there though, there were no people left at all.

  I shuddered as I stared at the desolate scene. It almost seemed as if it might be safe to go outside again. I knew it wasn't. I may not be able to see them right now, but they were out there. Somewhere. But we couldn't stay here forever either. We would eventually have to move, they would find us if we didn't.

  Or maybe they wouldn't...

  "Bethany." I jumped at the harsh whisper. Releasing the blind I turned as Cade stepped out of the cellar. His eyes narrowed in displeasure, his full lips compressed into a severe line. The blood that had coated him last night was gone, and now that I thought of it, I realized they had all been cleaner than me. "What are you doing?"

  "All of the people are gone."

  "If you don't take better care of yourself you'll be gone too," he muttered so quietly I almost didn't catch it all.

  "I've been taking care of myself for awhile now," I retorted, trying not to lose my patience. I'd thought he was different from Bret, that he had a little more confidence in me. Apparently I was wrong.

  His midnight eyes raked me as his black eyebrows furrowed. Then, his face relaxed and a small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth as he moved toward me. It was so rare to see him smile that I'd forgotten how sweet and melting it could be. Stretching behind me, he pulled the blind apart to peer outside. My heart kicked up a beat; I could feel the blood rushing through my ears. His arm was near my head, the heat of his body pressed against me as he took a step closer.

  His gaze came back to me as he released the blind. I stared up at him, hoping he wouldn't kiss me again and praying he would. "I know you can take care of yourself, but wandering around alone isn't safe. For anyone."

  I swallowed heavily and managed a nod. "I didn't want to be in the room."

  "I know."

  It unnerved me just how much he seemed to understand me. "Where did you get the guns?"

  Those raven colored eyes gleamed beautifully in the dim illumination as they focused on me again. "I've been collecting them for awhile now."

  I swallowed heavily as I nodded slowly. I'd hated driving in cars after my father was killed; it had been torture for me. Cade's parents had been killed in a home invasion; it seemed he had been trying to make sure nothing like that ever happened again. I'd dealt with my aversion to cars by exposing myself to short rides that had gradually extended over time. I'd never grown completely comfortable with them, but at least I was able to stay in them for a half an hour or so now. Cade had dealt with the aftermath of his trauma by stockpiling guns.

  "How did you get them?"

  His mouth quirked. "You can get anything you want if you have enough money, and know the right people."

  "And you know the right people?" I retorted.

  "Yes. Or at least I did."

  Of course he did. That's who he was after all. Rumors of dangerous and illegal activities ran rampant about him; apparently at least some of them had been true.

  "But the aliens..." I started.

  "Can't take what they can't find."

  "That's why you had to go back to your house?"

  "Yes."

  I didn't know what to say to him or what to do. I was out of words and he was so tantalizingly close to me. My fingers twitched, I ached to rest them against his solid chest and feel the muscles I knew ran under his shirt. My skin tingled with the anticipation of the possibility of his kiss, but Bret's words echoed in my ears. He loved me, and Cade was a puzzle I didn't understand.

  Then Cade was closer to me, over me. He was all I could see or think about as his eyes filled my vision. His hand was on my cheek, in my wet hair as it slid around to the back of my head. My mouth parted involuntarily. My head was telling me this was a bad idea, that this was wrong. My heart didn't care. All I craved was to feel his lips against mine again. His scent engulfed me. It was more pungent than it had been yesterday, his natural odor more potent and his cologne not as strong, but it was still alluring. I swayed toward him as his fingers caressed the back of my head. His lips were just a breath away, so tantalizingly close...