Page 16 of From the Shadows
“Yes, you did, and you’ve been doing penance for it every day of your incredibly long life. Do you wanna know what was supposed to happen? What I read says a decent vampire doesn’t turn you without permission. He explains what’s going to happen. He helps you to findwillingdonors, who will provide you with the blood you need to take care of that initial hunger as your body is drawing onthe nearly nonexistent stores it lost when you died. A good vampire doesn’t walk away from anyone he’s sired.”
“So what am I supposed to do? Huh? I keep hearing about how smart you are, so why don’t you tell me?”
“We find you volunteers, or we get you hooked up with a blood bank. After the initial hunger, a pint a day is usually enough to keep most vampires going strong.” Shay thought a moment. “If you’ve been doing without for this long, you’ll probably need more. Now I admit, a blood bank donation won’t taste as hot or fresh, but?—”
“It’s blood!” Diego growled. He stalked toward Shay, his eyes gleaming. “I fucking need your blood, Shay.”
With only a moment to think about it, Shay decided to take a gamble. He pulled his shirt neck down and tilted his head. “Okay, take it.”
Chapter 5
Saliva pooledin Diego’s mouth. Even from that small bit of blood he’d tasted as it was sliding over his tongue, he knew Shay’s would be amazing. He could still taste the tease of musky fluid as it trickled down his throat. And the fact that he was giving it freely? That was—wait. It didn’t matter if Shay said Diego could drink from him. That wasn’t the point. He hadn’t killed anyone in hundreds of years—at least not when he wasn’t on the job—and no matter how hungry he was, he wouldn’t do it to Shay. Not in his home.
He jerked back. “No, I won’t,” he grunted. “I will not hurt anyone!”
Shay smiled at him. “I didn’t think you would. You’re a good person, Diego. A little bit of an asshole, but who isn’t? Keep in mind, though. You’reourasshole.”
Diego bared a fang and huffed out an annoyed breath. He could still feel the pulse of the blood as it thrummed through him, but listening to Shay’s voice seemed to calm the bloodlust. He was still horrifically thirsty, but he no longer wanted Shay.
“Do you trust me?”
Did he?Couldhe? He had three hundred years of issues toaddress. Maybe it should start with the guy who’d been there for Jerm. “I think so.”
“Stay here, okay? Don’t leave.” He moved toward the door. “Give me an hour, and then you can decide what to do. Promise me, Diego.”
One look in his soulful eyes, and Diego gave a sharp nod. The door closed, and Diego was left alone. He’d almost done it. Without a second thought, he was ready to take every drop of Shay’s blood into his own body. His stomach clenched, but Diego wasn’t sure if it was because of guilt or hunger.
A timid knock jerked Diego from his musings. “Yes?”
“D?”
Jeremy had come back! “Come in, Jerm.”
The door flew open, and before Diego could say anything, he was holding a sobbing boy in his arms. “I’m sorry, D. I didn’t mean it. I’m so sorry!”
Diego brushed a hand over Jeremy’s hair. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not upset, I promise.”
Jeremy’s head tilted upward, as he stared into Diego’s face, probably trying to determine if what he said was true.
“I’m not upset,” he reiterated.
Thin arms tightened even more, and Jeremy buried his face in Diego’s stomach. “I love you, D! I’m sorry for what I said. Please don’t leave me!”
Today, for the first time in hundreds of years, Diego had opened up to someone about what he’d done in the past. Not only was Shay not horrified, he was sympathetic. So many fears drained away when he’d done that, which let Diego know he could, maybe, open up a little. At least with his family.
He leaned down and kissed Jeremy’s hair. “Love you too, Jerm.”
Jeremy’s head snapped up, his eyes wide and shiny. “You… you do?”
His expression was one of hope and longing, and Diego realized he’d cut himself off from everyone in an effort not to hurt anyone, but in truth he was hurting them all.
“I do. You’re my kid, aren’t you?”
“Yes!” Jeremy cried, squeezing Diego’s neck hard. “I’m your kid.”
A niggle in the back of Diego’s head made him wonder, if the blood of paranormals was something vampires could tolerate, would he have killed Jeremy? Drained him as he’d done humans before? He looked down and found Jeremy smiling up at him, his eyes shiny. No, he decided. He would never hurt Jeremy. He’d give his life for the kid. His kid. He wrapped his arms around the slender body and squeezed, grinning when Jeremy squeaked.
They sat on the couch together and proceeded to flick through the channels. Occasionally they’d stop on something, but it didn’t hold their interest long enough to stick with it. What Diego noted was that Jeremy was plastered to his side, his head resting on Diego’s bicep. He’d done that. He’d scared the kid.
