Page 91 of Craving Her Vampire

“I’m sure Liam is grateful,” I tease.

“Probably,” she laughs. “I adored them both. We lived in a small house but it had a big yard. My mom thought it was small. I didn’t judge the size. I remember feeling so loved. We played games, went on walks, and cooked outside all the time. Dad was tall, but his face is blurry. Mom was beautiful and so pure. Carter killed my dad,” she whispers as if it’s just sinking in. I grab her hand and hold it between mine. “He told me while I had my claws at his neck, but I remember Mom being so sad. He would come over, and I didn’t like him. He made me uncomfortable, and Dad didn’t get along with him. Mom was always tense, so I suppose I picked up on her energy.

“I woke up one day, and I wasn’t in my bedroom. I couldn’t remember what happened or how I got there. It felt like days passed, and I lost something. The woman I saw in Turner’s office was my mom. Carter took me, and she forced her way in to take me back. She had already lost Dad and was screaming at Turner.As I stood in the doorway, Turner threatened us both and told me not to move, or he would kill her. Everything is still murky. My grandparent's faces are blurry, and I wouldn’t have realized who they represent if Carter hadn’t told me about them. I can’t recall every minute, and my head hurts when I try to put all the memories into the right sequence.”

“Don’t force it. Some things may be too painful,” I say gruffly. “You were young and probably won’t get all the moments back. You can make new memories with them, better ones.”

“That will be nice.” She licks her lips. “My mom is our hero. She fought for us. Can you imagine the agony she has been in? She sacrificed herself so we could live. She knew being in the pack house together would be better than with Carter. She tried to protect us.”

“She is your mother. She would have done anything for you.”

“I wish she wouldn’t have had to.”

“Me, too.” I squeeze her hand. “I killed the men at Lace’s store,” I say.

“Oh, good. How are the other shifters?”

“We have found places for them. All we can do is give them the resources to move on.” I play with her fingers while watching her face.

“Were you scared?” she asks.

“Terrified, even though I knew you could handle it,” I reply.

“I had my doubts when I saw the castle.”

“I don’t blame you.”

“Knowing you were coming eased the fear. For a second, seeing them brought into the basement, I was scared. But then I felt your body close to mine, which gave me courage. I’m glad I did it, though. I believe it happened so I can remember.”

“If you say so.” I pull her hand to my mouth. “If I lost you…” I press a kiss on her fingers.

“You didn’t. Everything was under my control, but I was grateful to see Sally in the basement. I freaked out when I saw all the chains,” she admits, and I drop her hand to my knee.

“I don’t want you ever to feel fear,” I grumble.

“You can’t control that,” she says.

“I can,” I disagree, and she smiles.

“Have you turned someone into a vampire before?” she asks.

“Yes,” I answer cautiously. I’ve only done it once, and none of my friends know about her. She was dying, and accepted the gift of vampire life. We keep in touch with texts, but we aren’t close.

“Tell me again how it works? Is it similar to shifters?”

“The concept is the same,” I start, alert and hopeful. “Shifters don’t have to take blood necessarily. The bite alone is what ties them together. Vampires secrete their venom in their mate in several places. The person being turned has to be willing and drink the vampire's blood. In either case, it usually happens while they are together sexually.”

“How long does it take?” She pushes the covers down to her hip.

“It varies with every person. Your body won’t have as much of a shock as a human’s, so it could take less time. Once my venom starts to take effect, it will be as if you are asleep.” I glide my fingers down her arm.

“What will happen when I wake?”

“You will be hungry for my blood. There are no guarantees with the effects.”

“You heard me?” she asks, and I don’t pretend not to understand.

“Yes.”

---