Page 63 of Sundowners
I glanced up at him. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
He shook his head and smoothed my hair down. “You won’t, son. Besides, you’ve given me more peace than any human on this planet.” He began to hum and gently pressed my head back down to his wrist. I released plenty of pheromone this time and took three more long pulls, sensing that this time he was receiving as much healing energy as he was giving me.
This was truly a gift. I would never regret that I’d made this choice with my life, and I knew I’d helped countless people, relieved their suffering, and only took what I needed from them in order to survive. I hadn’t hurt anyone.
I grew livid thinking those men were out there, taking what didn’t belong to them, torturing their fellow humans and misusing the gift we’d been given.
I would end their reign of terror. One way or another.
“Thank you, Creed.” Mr. Fletcher let his head rest against the back of the couch. “And forget what I asked you to do awhile back. This life of mine is too precious. I’m going to live it ’til the end, come what may.”
I leaned back next to him, my body thrumming with his healing blood, recharging my cells, giving me that essence that kept me strong, made me what I am, allowed me to do what I must.
“What changed your mind?” I asked, curious.
“I realized I was just tired and maybe feeling a little sorry for myself. I owe it to myself and my family to be around as long as I’m meant to be. My granddaughter came to see me, and we had a real nice talk. She told me that knowing what I’ve been through and survived in my life gives her strength and motivation in her own life. Kickin’ around this life is the least I can do for a smart kid like her.”
“You’ve got your purpose, huh? Your marching orders?”
“Yes, sir,” he said. “Thank you, Creed. You’ve kept me going when I didn’t think I had any reason.”
He held out his hand, and I shook it.
“Same here. Need some help getting to bed?”
“No, thanks,” he said, pushing himself up from the loveseat with more ease than usual. “I’m floating a bit. I think I might write for a while before trying to sleep.”
He usually went right to sleep after I fed from him. I felt a little less guilty about taking extra, seeing him bounce back so well tonight.
“Thank you, Mr. Fletcher. I’m sorry—”
“Don’t apologize, Creed. You need, I’m here.”
I bowed to him and headed for the door as he sat at his desk, humming a little tune. I cursed as I reached for the door handle and realized I hadn’t locked it behind me. I was so out of sorts…I was never careless like that. I couldn’t afford to be. Thankfully, no one had come in.
I stepped into the hall and ran smack into Roman.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, a little out of breath.
“Creed, what is going on? And don’t you dare send me away with some bullshit answer—”
I grabbed him by the hand and pulled him into a darkened corridor with a set of rooms that weren’t currently being used. I had half a mind—and a buildup of energy urging me on—to pull him into my arms and kiss him until we were both breathless, but his posture was stiff and definitely not inviting.
“I’m sorry, Roman. Is your grandmother resting?”
“She is, but what the fuckwasall that? Were you…was that what you meant? Were you healing her?”
I nodded slowly, trying to gauge his reaction.“Are you angry?”
“No!” he said, and he reached for me finally, placing his hands on my shoulders and guiding me back to the wall, out of the light from the hallway. “I wasworried. It took so much out of you. But you’re…you’re okay now. What… I’m so confused, Creed.”
I rested my head on his shoulder and he moved closer, wrapping his arms around me.
“I know. I’m sorry. I have things to tell you, and I’m torn because I don’t know what will happen—”
“Then don’t tell me yet. Just fucking kiss me. I’m going out of my mind right now; I was so worried.”
I gazed into his dark eyes and took in his worry and his fear. I ate it all up, and then I kissed him with all the pent-up energy I had from the Exchange.
