Page 20 of Blood Bond

Amelia doesn’t care. She runs a finger under her eye, revealing a streak of red. She extends her bloodied hand towards Donovan. "Look at this. You stand in the sunlight, unfazed, while I fall apart over this girl …"

"We do this for all of us, even Marcus," Donovan says.

"Even Marcus?" Amelia scoffs. "Do you think he's suffering for you? No, he's comfortably asleep while I'm here with you, as requested."

"You'll get your reward," Donovan assures, stepping back towards the window. Sunlight streams in, bathing the table in a warm glow. He boldly places his hand in the sunlight, an act that should have seared his flesh but mysteriously doesn't.

Amelia stares at Donovan, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. The tantalising promise of a life in the sunlight, of reclaiming the experiences she lost in her human life, is the sole reason she aids him.

"Bring me Jonathan," Donovan commands, directing his order to the vampire guard by the door. This guard, a female vampire, appears to have been in her forties at the time of her turning. Her dark hair is laced with streaks of grey, and her face bears delicate lines, remnants of the ageing process she once underwent.

"Sire," the guard nods respectfully, casting a fleeting glance at Amelia before exiting.

"See," Donovan remarks, "She knows her place."

Amelia's lip curls in disdain. "If you think I'll ever bow to you like that, you're sorely mistaken. The only one bowing here will be you." With a defiant gesture, she steps forward, allowing the fabric of her dress to part along the split, revealing her long, bare leg. Her hand glides teasingly down her thigh.

Donovan turns away from her seductive display, uninterested.

"You used to be fun," Amelia taunts.

He nods, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "I used to be many things."

Jonathan strides into the room, accompanied by the vampire guard. He walks with his own volition, stopping before Donovan with a presence that radiates power and dignity. He stands as an equal to Donovan, a status Donovan himself had bestowed upon him.

Humans are so effortlessly manipulated.

"What is it that couldn't wait? I was in the middle of an important meeting," Jonathan inquires with a hint of irritation.

"Your lawmaking?" Donovan asks, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"Some of it, yes." Jonathan's role is crucial — crafting laws for the humans. It's part of their alliance, vampires and humans together, striving for equality and ensuring atrocities like Alitora never arise again.

"I need a woman," Donovan states plainly, almost disinterested. .

Jonathan gestures towards the vampire guard by the door. "There's one right there."

"No, I need a human woman."

The look of confusion and realisation that crosses Jonathan's face nearly sends Donovan into laughter. He can only imagine what Jonathan thinks he needs a woman for. But in truth, Donovan doesn't yearn for such things. Amelia satisfies his needs when she's not acting entitled. And then there's Payton, the one who Donovan believes will fulfil every desire he harbours.

"Why do you need a woman? You said ..."

"It's not for me," Donovan says. "Amelia is on the brink of bleeding all over your exquisite furnishings. I'd prefer she didn't turn into a puddle of blood on your floor. She needs to feed."

"Feeding, but I?—"

"You're blubbering," Donovan cuts in sharply. "Choose someone whose absence won't cause too much trouble. We wouldn't want to disrupt those precious laws you're drafting."

Jonathan might have protested or said something more, but Amelia's piercing gaze silences him.

"I don’t want a woman," Amelia says firmly.

"You get too distracted by any men," Donovan retorts. "You need to feed, so you'll accept whoever Jonathan provides. And if he fails to deliver, feel free to feed on him instead." His smile is predatory as he heads towards the door.

"And where are you going?" she asks.

"To consult an old friend. If Nico doesn't have the whereabouts of Payton, perhaps Crevan will."

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