Page 24 of Taste of Death

On top of all that, I didn’t want to impregnate some woman who was a stranger to me, and the Crown estate could rot into a pile of rubble for all I truly cared.

But… what else was I doing with my life?

I was the last of a disgraced, fallen bloodline, spending my waking hours poring over a century’s worth of collected data and notes. Yes, I was trying to find a cure, or at least the root cause of what befell my clan. But after years upon years of running into dead ends, I was tired.

And I was lonely.

What was I even trying to prove anymore, and to whom? My kin were all dead or mindless monsters with a bottomless hunger for live flesh. Even if I did find a cure and reverted them back to their original states, would they be grateful? Would they even care? Would the monster in my basement embrace me? Or would everyone be just as dismissive toward me as they had been before?

Baros would never expect me to love or commit to his daughter, and likely, neither would she. But I knew I could treat her well, better than her father easily, and provide her with everything she needed. At the very least, we could live harmoniously. Maybe something like love or affection could grow over time.

And if she did become pregnant, I would love that child fiercely, and with absolute certainty. Male or female didn’t matter; I would adore the little vampire I helped to create.

My own family had not been loving. I was a second son, an afterthought to my older half-brother, who was my father’s heir. The two of them made it clear that I would never measure up, least of all because I was quiet and bookish, unlike the proud, brash warriors that made up our clan. Only my mother showed me any semblance of love, and she was taken by Rathka’s Curse while I was a juvenile.

Having a child might be my only chance to wholeheartedly love someone, and to have someone love me in return.

Inessa held out a delicate, pale wrist toward me. “Will you take my blood? And see if my taste is to your,” she paused, lowering her lashes demurely, “your satisfaction.”

I didn’t really want to, but my hands were tied. Like with the darakt, to refuse would be considered a slight against Carpe Noctem. And if I was actually going to make a child with this woman, even if there was no relationship between us, I would have to touch her at some point.

Turning toward her, I slid to the end of the couch until her arm was in my reach. “It would be my honor.” I glanced at Baros. “With your father’s permission, of course.”

“Please, proceed.” Baros waved a hand at us before turning to Mazor, their heads bent in conversation.

Inessa shifted toward me, her eyes downcast as if in deference. Visually, she was attractive enough, but the silent, obedient females were never my type.

If I were able to choose a long-term partner, I’d want an equal, along with a friendship that was also passionate. Someone to talk to about anything that came to mind without fear or judgment. Someone who could challenge me and stimulate my mind just as much as they would accept all of my idiosyncrasies.

But with the constant shadow of Rathka’s Curse hanging over my head, I wasn’t exactly swimming in prospects. Still, I could certainly do worse than Inessa of Carpe Noctem.

Leaning over her wrist, I murmured in Vampiric,“My gratitude for the gift of your blood.”

My lips skimmed over her pulse, finding the ideal spot to drink from before I let my fangs sink in.

I had no expectations of how Inessa’s blood would taste. Among fellow vampires, the flavor was as unique and varied as the individuals. And yet when hers hit my tongue, I came away feeling almost disappointed. There was nothingwrongwith her blood, but it tasted rather… bland. Almost as flavorless as a human’s.

I drank just under a handful of swallows, as much as would be considered polite, then unlatched my fangs. Then, just to be extra polite, I lingered over her wrist, closing the puncture marks with small swipes of my tongue.

A soft smile was the only change in Inessa’s expression when I lifted away.

“Did my blood satisfy you, Novak?”

I forced my lips into a returned smile. “Very much. Again, I’m grateful.”

She brought her hands to her lap, eyes lifting slowly under heavy lashes. “Then I look forward to our union, and the future we will create.”

Her blood settled uncomfortably in my stomach, like a bad wine.

“As do I.”

Chapter 8

Amy

Finding Novak’s house was much easier the second time around, although I couldn’t fully explain how I got there. It wasn’t like I knew my way around any better than the first time. I wondered if it was his blood somehow leading me back to that delicious source for another taste.

I wasn’t especially hungry, but the prospect of tasting Novak’s blood again was partially what spurred me to slip out of the Blood ‘til Dawn compound that night. The other parts, such as his beautiful home, the simple, easy conversation, and the pressingneedto get away, were just as significant. But going out for blood was a convenient excuse if I needed one.

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