Page 78 of Toward Immortal Ruin

“Thank you for being here.”

Eden and Aidan gave each other a nod, unspoken understanding and respect passing between them. Then she clasped Nero’s hand and walked everyone back toward the living room.

The carpet was still sporting the blood spots from where he had arrived unconscious. Cleaning was at the very bottom of his priority list. To his frayed nerves, it still appeared as an omen.

Everyone took their seats and turned expectantly to Nina. “Eden, I want to make sure you know the extent of whatwe’re about to attempt today. How much do you know about vampires?”

“Only what folklore and paranormal literature have detailed, which I gather is fairly inaccurate.”

“More or less,” Nina responded. “If …whenwe succeed, you will be a juvenile. As soon as the sun crosses the horizon, you’ll literally fall asleep where you stand. There is no resistance against that at first, and you will be vulnerable to the sun’s rays. You will need to be aware of that at all times and seek shelter before sunrise. Juveniles always think they’re the exception.”

“Experience with that, have you?” Nero asked, his tone bearing a hint of amusement.

“Let’s just say that Blair learned that the hard way,” Nina chuckled. “Over time, you’ll be able to walk in the sunlight and remain awake for longer stretches of time.

“Fledglings are blood progeny of their sires, and that’s what you’ll be to me. As the source of all vampires, my blood and my direct offspring are more powerful than most. That doesn’t mean invincible. Like everyone you’ve met recently, you’ll be immortal. But you’ll require blood to survive.”

Straightening in her seat, she continued, solemnly. “It is the immutable reality of becoming a vampire. When you’re young, you’ll require it often, but as the years progress, the need reduces.”

“And what happens if I don’t get blood when I need it?”

“Without it, it’ll become a point of fixation. A vampire starved of blood will crave little else,” Nina warned. “Fortunately, vampires seldom get to that point. Several years ago, the vampire council passed a law banning us from using suggestion on humans to feed. These days, our race uses bagged blood as primary source of food.”

Eden swallowed, hesitating on her next question. Through their bond, Nero could feel her uncertainty, but before she could put words to it, Nina spoke once more.

“Of course, in a relationship with two willing partners, the law doesn’t apply,” Nina explained after reading the room. “Raeth and werewolf blood doesn’t have an adverse effect on vampires. Elementals, on the other hand, are a bit of a different story. If a vampire were to take blood from an Elemental, they’d receive their abilities in turn. Done maliciously, it could warrant a death penalty.”

Eden sat back. “I could understand how that could be a problem.”

“Let’s just say there’s precedent there, too.” Nina gave her a tight smile. “Do you have any questions so far?”

“It’s hard to say—my interest before this was academic, and now, my entire outlook has changed,” she said. “It’s difficult to separate my study from reality, and to realize that what I read in books may or may not be accurate. Before this, my life was measured in decades, and now, it might be centuries. It’s difficult to wrap my head around.”

“Time passes differently for us,” Aidan said. “It’s the same thing that happens to humans as they age. As a child, summer is endless, and it feels like the days go on and on. As an adult, they pass more quickly, and you realize just how finite time can be.”

Aidan’s soft voice was tinged with memory, and Nero couldn’t help but feel the weariness of the other man’s soul. The wolves in theCitizens’holding cells had come close to breaking his friend.

“Do you understand the ramifications of the decision you’re consenting to, Eden?”

Nero’s stomach leapt into his throat.

His mate didn’t waste time. “Yes. I want to move forward with it. That is, if you’ll have me.”

“Nero wasn’t the only one who’s been anticipating your arrival, Eden.” Nina’s kind words made his chest constrict with affection for the woman who’d been his friend for centuries. “I’m happy to attempt your change. I have to remind you that we’ve never tried this before and we don’t know how the process will affect you. You will be the first person bitten by wolf and then changed into a vampire.”

Nina grimaced with regret. “Your departing wolf might take a part of you with her. That’s why Aidan is here, to guide her through as peacefully as we can manage. Nero and Aidan have asked Luna for her presence to spare you as much pain as possible.”

A loaded look passed between the two women before Eden said, “You’re unsure how successful this undertaking can be. And can’t ensure it won’t be agonizing for me, even if it works.”

Nina nodded.

“There is one more thing,” Nina said. “Vampires are barren. Once bitten, a fledgling cannot have children. It’s an important difference that I needed to make sure you knew. There are Raeths with a fertility gift, but being given that option is rare.”

As Eden digested the information, so did Nero. He’d been preparing himself for the eventuality, as Raeth fertility was notoriously low. Knowing his mate now—and how it might affect her—was an entirely different realization. The bond between them tightened, and he glanced over at his mate.

Her smile was sad, but there was no hesitation. He knew she had already resigned herself to never having children once she’d received the terminal cancer diagnosis. He gave her a supportive nod.

When she turned back to Nina, determination filled her eyes. “I’m ready.”

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