Page 47 of Mortal Blood
“See you around, pet.”
And raking his eyes over me one last time, he turned and left. I watched for a long moment, then pivoted on my heel and made for the vampire quarters. Suddenly, facing the humans didn’t seem nearly so terrifying.
…Which didn’t stop me hesitating when I reached the feeding den. I hadn’t been in here outside of my horrific daily lessons since I’d discovered what I was. Because walking in here as a human under Thaden’s protection? That had been terrifying. But walking in here as a dhampirwithoutthat protection? That was a whole new level.
But whether the vamps liked it or not—hell, whetherIliked it or not—Iwashalf vampire, and that meant I had a right to be here. I notched my chin and pushed my way through the doors.
The breath rushed out of me in a relieved huff. It was empty. I guess all the vamps were busy perpetrating Dracula myths. It was about time I had a little luck around here. Without breaking my stride, I made straight for the plain wooden door set into the far wall, knocked once, and then opened it.
A stunning, leggy blonde, halfway to the door, blinked in surprise.
“You’re…not who I was expecting,” she said, then pasted a polite smile on her face. “If you require a feeder—”
“Hi, Melody,” I said. “Um, I really don’t, thanks.”
“No. I thought not. So what does bring you here?” Her tone was placid and deferential, the way she had no doubt been trained to address vampire, but there was no hiding the curiosity under it. Of course, like everyone else here, she knew I wasn’t a vampire. Not exactly.
“I was hoping we might talk. Us, and the others.”
“I’m sure some of them would be open to that,” she agreed, stepping aside and gesturing me down the hallway with her arm, the picture of acquiescence.
I shook my head. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“I don’t know what you mean, I’m sure,” she said softly.
“Act the way you do with the vampires.”
“You mean theothervampires?”
I snorted. “Yeah, let’s not pretend you think I’m anything other than I am. I’m probably the only creature here with a lower status than all of you, as far as the vamps are concerned.”
“Yes, you do seem to have made some waves,” she agreed as we started down the hallway, her half a step behind but still managing to steer the way effortlessly.
“You didn’t answer my question,” I said, my forehead crinkling as I played back her words.
“I’m aware.”
I caught the mischievous glint in her eyes and allowed myself a small smile. I suspected I could learn a thing or two from Melody.
“You’re very convincing,” I told her conspiratorially.
“Not all of us view Darkveil the way you do,” she said. “Some of us quite enjoy being here.”
“Ah. Yes.” I thought back to our conversation last time we’d met. “How are your, um…”
“My three vampiric lovers?” I nodded, and for just a moment her smile turned dreamy. “Exquisite.”
Then the mischievous glint was back as she looked me up and down. “Ready to expand your horizons yet? Or perhaps you have already? We hear a surprising amount in here.”
I barked a harsh laugh. “Not as much as you think, clearly. Thaden wants nothing to do with me.” I flushed. “Not that I’m unhappy with Cole, obviously.”
“You don’t have to explain to me, of all people.”
“Huh. No, guess not. Still, it’s irrelevant, because I’m pretty sure Thaden would kill me if he thought he could get away with it.”
She gave me a sideways look. “Perhaps you’re the one who doesn’t know as much as they think.”
“Trust me. Thaden can barely stand to be in the same room as me.”
