"Do I really have to sit in the backseat? I get car sick," I grumble, but the vampire and Jessie ignore me.

I huff, crossing my arms. "So, where did you two meet? Silent convent?"

Xavier rolls his eyes. "We met in the 1800s. She is..." He glances at Jessie before looking back at the road. "She’s dead, but alive. Not like a vampire."

This world confuses me.

"You can just drop me off at my university," I mutter.

Jessie sighs. "We’re trying to help you."

I scoff. "Help me? How is this helping?"

Jessie exchanges a look with Xavier before shaking her head. "Az—Xavier, you were right. She is exhausting."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, well, at least I don’t look like I just walked out of the morgue."

Xavier’s red eyes snap to mine in the mirror. "You could show some respect. We’re not asking you to like us, but I did save you."

I place a hand over my heart mockingly. "Of course, your highness, I shall do as you ask."

To my surprise, he actually nods. "Thank you."

I blink at him. "You’re insufferable."

Silence stretches for five long minutes before I groan. "I know you two are dead, but I’m not. I need food."

They both ignore me.

I narrow my eyes at Xavier’s reflection and smirk. "Xavier."

No response.

"Xaaavieeerrr," I sing, dragging out his name.

Still nothing.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Grinning, I keep going, louder each time.

"Xavvviii—"

"WHAT?!" he snaps, eyes flashing in the mirror.

I smirk. "Humans. Need. Food."

His jaw clenches. "Wait."

I kick his chair, and he tries to reach around to stop me but can’t. I laugh, and to my surprise, he lets out a chuckle.

"Isabella, please—five minutes. Let me get us out of this town first."

I smile at the unexpected playfulness in his tone.

True to his word, five minutes later, we pull up to a diner. As we step inside and find a table, Xavier gestures toward the menu.

"Order whatever you like," he says.

I glance through the options while Jessie stifles a yawn.

"When we get back in the car, I’ll sit in the back. I’m tired," she murmurs.

I close the menu and nod. "I know what I want."

Xavier signals a waitress over. She walks up, looking like she’s had a long night.

"My friend here is ready to order," he says.

She gives me a tired look. "And what will you be having?"

"A double bacon and egg cheeseburger with fries—extra everything—and a bottle of Sprite," I say with a smile. "Thanks."

She hums in acknowledgment, then turns to Xavier. "And for you?"

"I’ll have a bloody milkshake. Extra blood. A+."

She nods, not even fazed, and looks at Jessie.

"I’m fine, thank you," Jessie replies.

With that, the waitress scribbles down our order and walks away.

I lean back in my chair, raising an eyebrow at Xavier. "A bloody milkshake? Real subtle."

He smirks. "What? It’s a classic."

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.

Xavier tilts his head slightly. "I could say the same for you—big, greasy burger?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "One, I didn’t eat yesterday, so I’m allowed. And two… how hard would I have to punch you for it to actually hurt?"

He chuckles, the corners of his lips curling up in amusement. "Very, very hard."

I scoff. "Of course."

"But that’s just because I have hard skin," he adds with a wink.

A strange feeling stirs in my stomach, and I quickly look away, rolling my eyes as I silently beg for the food to hurry up.

Ten minutes later, our food still isn’t here. Xavier shifts in his seat, his expression darkening. "Something is wrong."

Jessie nods in agreement.

"But I’m hungry," I whine.

They both just stare at me in disbelief.

"Whatever, let’s go." I stand up, but as we head for the door, I find it locked. My stomach twists. "This can’t be happening."

Xavier steps forward and breaks the lock off with ease. We hurry outside, and as we walk to the car, a shiver runs down my spine. I can feel someone watching us.

"Can you feel that? It’s like—"

"We are being watched," Xavier cuts in, his voice sharp. "Hurry up. Get in the car. Now. We aren’t safe here."

We rush inside, and Xavier peels out of the parking lot. My heart pounds as I glance out the window. Something moves—fast—through the trees beside the car.

"Xavier—"

"Yeah, I see it."

It starts to get closer and closer and I scream “XAVIER”

Just like that, the car swerves.

Darkness takes over, and the last thing I hear is whispering in the void.