First Bite (Darkwood Manor Series) by Khelsey Jackson Page B

He has jet black hair, and bright green eyes. Those beautiful eyes are surrounded by thick black eyelashes. He looks up at me and smiles, and I quickly look away from his captivating green eyes.
    My heart feels like it may beat out of my chest.
    “This is my daughter Victoria Eden.” My mother turns to me and narrows her eyes for a second.
    I take a deep breath, and regret it. It’s like I can taste his sweet but tangy scent in the back of my throat. I look back up and meet his green eyes. He smells amazing, like the finest chocolate in the world. “Hi,” I whisper, and he grins.
    “Hello, Victoria. I am Jason Kaye.” He offers me his hand, and I back away from him. I can feel my heart racing, and my blood feels like its boiling. What the hell is going on? I glance at my mother and her eyes get large.
    “I am so sorry that my daughter is being rude,” my mother says, as she moves between us. I wonder if she knows I have an urge, because I haven’t been getting my fill of blood. My blood lust has become increasingly harder to control, and this seems to be one of those times. Drinking him dry, while feeling his last breath of life is all I can picture.
    As I am stuck in my inner turmoil, a man walks up.
    “Hello Victoria. I am Mr. Martin. I’m the dean here. Welcome to Darkwood,” he says and motions towards the mansion. “Grab her bags and put them in her room,” Mr. Martin says as I grab the one bag I don’t want them to touch.
    “Thank you Mr. Martin. I am happy to be here,” I lie and smile at him.
    “I’m happy you’re here.” He smiles and nods at my mother. “I’ll let you say your good byes,” he says, and walks away.
    After they are alone my mom turns to me, and narrows her eyes. “Try and stay away from Jason. I saw you lose control of your blood lust when you caught his scent,” she says, and pinches the bridge of her nose. “When you get to your room, and you know for sure you’re alone, drink a bag so it’ll help with the cravings.”
    I try not to breathe knowing his scent is still lingering. “Mom, what’s going on?”
    “His blood is calling to you.” she answers, and I close my eyes. I don’t want to cry, and have to explain why I cry blood. “I need to go. I’ll call you when I can.” She leans in and kisses my cheek, and I wrap my arms around her.
    I haven’t hugged her like this since I was a child. “I'm scared,” I whisper to her.
    She holds me tighter to her, and runs her hand down my back. “I know, but you are strong enough to stay away from him. I love you my sweet daughter.”
    “I love you too mom,” I say, and she moves away from me.
    Watching her drive away, I realize I have never felt so alone. I turn around and stare at the mansion. It's beautiful in a creepy way. I walk up to the front door and open it. Mr. Martin is waiting for me.
    “Ah there you are,” he says, and pushes his thick, gold glasses up his thin nose. His brown hair is slicked back showing an older but handsome face; well defined cheekbones, and a dimple in his chin catch my eye. He looks to be about my mom’s age. “I have to tell you the rules of Darkwood. First of all, no boys allowed in your room. That is something I will not put up with. You have to be in your room with lights off by ten, and classes start at eight A.M. Three strikes, and then you will be asked to leave. Do you understand?”
    I nod, and he smiles. “I understand.”
    “Great follow me to your room,” he says, and as I walk in, I stop and stare.
    The walls are painted a deep red, and it reminds me of the blood bags I am holding. The trimming on the door and window frames are an eggshell white. There is a large painting on the wall above the fire place of a bright green woodland landscape. This place may look scary outside, but it is breath taking inside.
    “Victoria?” I look up at Mr. Martin and he smiles. “Follow me,” he says again. I nod.
    We walk up the stairs and I see all of the girls staring at