Page 110 of Pretty Little Prey
“We cannot risk you going into bloodlust during the party.”
“It’smyengagement party. If I want to eat someone who attends, that’s my right to do so,” she joked.
Her joke bounced right off his fitted dark gray suit, leaving him unaffected. “It is said that bloodlust can overtake vampires, changing their personality and leading them to make choices they would never do on their own,” he said.
He thinks I’m a monster. “I wouldn’t hurt anyone,” she snapped at him. She stood from her chair, so he didn’t tower over her by so much.He still towers over me by over a foot. “Blood stains would ruin my pretty dress.” They had put her in a silky dark burgundy gown. The deep, rich color made her pale skin glow like moonlight.
Conrad sneered, “You make jokes about such a serious matter?”
“What do you want me to do, Conrad?”
“Feed.”
“Not thirsty.”
His eyes narrowed angrily. “You’re lying.”
“You don’t know that. You’re not a fox shifter.”
He stared her down.
“Fine, I’m a bit hungry, okay? A little peckish.”
He nodded, appearing solemn. “You will drink from me.”
She gasped out, “What?”
“You must drink from me,” Conrad told her as her eyes grew into wide saucers of shock. Her gaze fell to the constant pulse in his throat. “Our king cannot be seen with bite marks on his neck,” Conrad explained hastily. “The people will think he has been overthrown. Brainwashed by a pretty vampire.”
Her white-blond eyebrows rose. “So, you want me to feed from you instead? To protect his image?”
“Not just his. Until you are changed back, it is dangerous to remind our people—including the ones currently in this castle—what you are.”
Her jaw ticked. “A parasite?”
“I did not say that.”
“But you’re thinking it,” she said, shaking her head. “You clearly cannot stomach the idea of my bite. So, why offer?”
“To protect him. And the kingdom.”
She rolled her eyes. “So righteous.”
“I do what I must. For him.”
What hemust?She tried—and failed—not to take offense. “I don’t know if you know this, but vampire bites aren’t some horribly painful act. It actually, um, it feels good.” She cleared her throat.
His glower darkened. “I know the drugging effect the bite has.”
“Have you ever felt it?” she asked, studying him with curiosity sparkling in those blue gemstone eyes.
His stern expression and unwavering, steady gaze did not correlate with the quickening of his heartbeat, which she could hear perfectly with him so close.Thump, thump. He appeared utterly calm and indifferent, yet his heart raced.
She added, “You know it can cause some—um, it can lead to—”
“Can we just get it over with?” Conrad asked sharply, his cold tone spearing through her.
Asshole. “I’ve met grilled cheeses and blood bags way nicer than you,” she remarked.
