Page 31 of Undying
The second bag is gone almost as fast as the first.
When her eyes lock on mine, she licks her lips, and damn if my cock doesn’t jump. Logically, I know I should be afraid. I’m food, and she now has a taste for me.
She can scent me in the air.
She takes a step toward me, and it’s all I can do not to offer her my throat, the craving to feel her fangs in me nearly irresistible. I reluctantly curb the impulse, needing to prove my point before the men can interrupt. “Are you feeling sick?”
My question has her pausing, and bloodlust slowly fades from her eyes as her hunger eases. She licks her lips, as if searching for one last taste of me, something that has my cock actually leaking, then shakes her head. “No…I…” She closes her eyes and blows out a heavy breath. “I’m better.”
I watch as she beats back her cravings, barely resisting the urge to leap at me and drink me dry, and I’m impressed by her phenomenal control.
I couldn’t have done it.
And I’m man enough to admit that I’m a little disappointed as well.
“Though you may be strong, you’re not indestructible. You’ll need our help if you want to have any hope of navigating your new reality,” I warn her, desperately hoping she listens to me as I plead our case. “Whether you want to admit it or not, you need us if you want to survive. Not only for our blood, but our knowledge as well.”
Even before I finish speaking, she’s moving, her shape just a blur. She’s so fast, I can barely track her, and I find myself pinned to the wall by my throat. I hold up my hand when the others would’ve charged to my rescue, silently begging them to wait. I almost expect to find my throat ripped out, but she’s careful not to draw blood, her touch like a caress as her thumb strokes my pulse in an almost threatening manner.
“No one does anything for free.” Her voice is a throaty purr, and I have to curl my hands into fists to resist the urge to grab for her…or palm my cock. “What do you want in return for yourhelp?”
I’m unable to resist the need to answer, her voice threaded with the command, but I demand payment before I give her what she wants most. “My name is Milo. Please tell me your name before we continue.”
Her brows furrow, confusion clouding her expression. “But you already know it.”
“When dealing with vampires, knowing a name is different than being granted permission to use it. We follow certain ancient customs…telling me your name fosters a certain intimacy. It’s like giving me consent to get to know you better—a first step toward friendship and a possible future alliance.”
She purses her lips, distrust shading her eyes, like she’s reluctant to pursue anything with me. It smarts, but I don’t relent. I fear if she doesn’t accept, I’ll never get a second chance, and that’s not acceptable. “Please.”
“Jolie.” Her voice is a rasp, and the name sings in my soul.
Though it’s a small victory, the warmth of it feels like coming home.
“We’ll help you because it’s our duty. Female vampires are rare and should be treasured.” When she doesn’t look convinced, I continue to push forward, regardless. “I’ll personally help because I was like you once and turned against my will. I wouldn’t have survived on my own. You deserve the same chance.”
Her eyes soften a fraction, but I don’t stop. “The wolves will assist as well, just for the fact that you killed Dafoe. They owe you a debt and will help to repay you for something they were unable to do themselves.”
I know she’s listening when her eyes shift toward Stanton, then narrow on the bastard. She thinks he will be the hard sell, but I know what buttons to press. “Stanton won’t have a choice. He’s a guardian. It’s his job to prevent a war between the vampire houses. Not only are you a rare female vampire, you are also the new master of Dafoe House.” I lean in to her touch, unable to be near her and not want her. “You are beautiful. Powerful in your own right. It’s an irresistible combination. It’s our job to help you complete your transition and keep you safe while you take up your new position.”
She blinks up at me in confusion, her beautiful face haunted. “And if I want to have nothing to do with Dafoe and his evil legacy?”
I hesitate to tell her the truth, terrified it will drive a wedge between us before she even gets to know me. As I stare down at the fragile trust in her dark brown eyes, I take a leap of faith and tell her everything, praying that it doesn’t crush her under the weight.
“Then don’t. Take his empire and tear it down to the ground. Build it into something better.” I hesitantly reach up and curl my hand around her wrist to keep her from pulling away, breathing a sigh of relief when she allows it. “You don’t have to do it alone. We can teach you how to survive in a world of predators.”
I release her wrist and quickly cup the back of her neck, leaning down to press my forehead against hers. “Fate brought you to us for a reason. There has only ever been one other female master. I think you were born to become the next vampire queen. You are a turning point for vampires—you will either save us from ourselves, or doom us to a future of darkness.
“You have one month to get your house in order before anyone can challenge you for leadership. In that time, we’ll train you to become the biggest, baddest monster of us all. No one will dare touch you ever again. And hopefully, we’ll be able to figure out how to stop the coming war in the process.”
* * *
JOLIE
Holy fucking shit!
No pressure or anything.
Though I desperately wish I could say the men were out of their fucking minds—with an extra side of batshit crazy—I can’t deny the ring of truth in his words.
