Page 41 of Caller of Crows
Altair didn't move.
He simply held Sven, his face nuzzled against his shoulder.
Sven's stomach churned.
Should he really be cuddling with this vampire?
"Rest," Altair whispered.
Sven didn't protest, didn't reply.
He didn't think he could speak anyway.
Instead, he closed his eyes, letting the vampire's steady presence calm him, ground him.
Tomorrow, he'd figure out what was wrong with his brain.
For now, he was happy just to stay here, in Altair's arms.
Just for a little while longer.
ChapterThirteen
Altair held the mortal until his breathing evened out and his heartbeat slowed, a sign that his body had finally relaxed. Only then did Altair lift him and carry him to the bed, laying him down on the mattress and pulling the covers over him.
Sven looked so soft and peaceful like this, his features relaxed, his hair falling in his face. Altair was reluctant to leave. He wanted nothing more than to lie down next to the mortal and hold him, to press his lips against his skin and mark him, claim him.
But if he did that…
Altair shook his head at himself.
This mortal was turning out to be just as addictive as his blood.
Altair knew why, too.
Sven was brave and stubborn and beautiful.
He was perfect for Altair.
Tempting and challenging at the same time.
The problem was that Sven wanted to be something he was not. A vampire. A bloodthirsty creature who fed on the lives of others. It would destroy who Sven was, and Altair wasn't going to let that happen. He wasn't going to be manipulated into turning Sven, no matter how much the mortal begged or seduced him.
Altair knew better.
And he'd already sacrificed too much to keep this mortal safe from the horrors of his world.
Sighing, he extricated himself from Sven and went to pick up the phone the mortal had so carelessly discarded earlier. The device was blinking with a notification, a message from Sven's neighbor, Cale. Altair glanced at it. "I think you should come home. The doctor just came and I think we might be taking your mom to the hospital. Call me when you can."
Altair frowned.
Sven would hate it if his mother was taken to the hospital, especially now. If he found out Altair had kept this from him, there was no telling what he would do.
He considered waking the mortal and letting him read the message but discarded the idea. Sven would either want to go home or beg to be turned even harder, and Altair could not grant him either of those wishes.
He'd have to keep an eye on this situation himself.
Tapping on the phone, he texted back, pretending to be Sven. "Can't call right now. Which hospital are you taking her to?"
