Chapter 221

Stella A deep, grinding ache in my gut pulled me out of sleep. It had been over two days since I'd last touched a blood bag. The metallic aftertaste was long gone, replaced by this thick, sweet-spicy hangover I knew I'd remember forever. I made a face, pushed myself up from the mattress, and swung my legs over the side. My limbs felt like they weren't even mine. I checked the clock. Nine. Business Basics kicked off at nine-thirty. I sighed. I shucked off the pajamas, shrugged the tank top to the floor, and wriggled out of the shorts. The shower was next. I turned the water ice-cold and let it hit me straight in the face, hoping it would shock me awake and clear the fog. No such luck. The hunger was too deep, too complete. Water couldn't touch it. After the shower, I pulled on the first things I grabbed: black jeans and a comfortable, oversized black hoodie. I left my hair to air-dry. The cold didn't bother me. My body temperature always ran a few degrees below a human's. Finally, I shu