Page 48 of Blood Lust

“I told you I was good. I thought I could handle it, and I think if I hadn’t caught his scent, everything would have been fine.” She’s doing better now. She can at least talk about it without sending a knee-buckling wave of shame pouring through our bond.

I agree with Charlee.

She took responsibility for Wren and let her down.

If something worse had happened– if I had somehow lost Wren, I don’t think I would ever be able to forgive her.

Fortunately, everything has turned out fine, and I’ve made my peace.

We haven’t felt comfortable trying with another human so quickly after Spencer. Now that a week has passed, Wren has her memory, and she drinks from blood bags every day; I want to take her out. We will go to a club in Callery to show her how we hunt humans, and there will be a more prominent vampire presence to help offset everything.

Charlee has ever so kindly volunteered to do Wren’s hair and makeup and select her outfit for this evening. Rolando will come with us, and with the two of them, we should be able to clean up any messes if Wren makes one.

“I still don’t like it,” she says, sitting in a chair as Charlee works on her face. “What if I freak out in front of a bunch of people and eat someone?”

“Then Oz and Rolando will lock down the room, and we will compel everyone to forget.” Charlee sounds aloof, like this was your average night-out contingency plan. She is definitely my favorite sister. I am leaning against the door frame, watching the magic happen.

Of course, I always think Wren looks beautiful just as she is. Though even I have to admit Charlee is an artist when it comes to makeup—using light and shadows to enhance the sharpness of her cheekbones and jawline, adding shimmer in strategic places so it catches the light and the eye. It makes me think of how I can always do a formal wedding with Wren and invite the rest of the coven. A long time has passed since we were all in one place. It could be a family reunion of sorts.

Wren is in my thoughts. “I think that could be an interesting idea,” she said aloud. My eyes widen, and I cringe away from Charlee. “A fancy wedding and your whole family?”

Charlee rounds on me. “You’re thinking of a huge wedding, and you didn’t want me to know!” Fuck, here we go.

“I am the best party planner, and I am making Wren look like a goddess as it is. Can you just imagine what I could do with her in a white wedding gown?” I can very well imagine it, which is what got me into this mess. I see Wren smirk at me as Charlee removes curlers from her hair. She got me in trouble on purpose. Fire fuels me as my eyes meet hers. She will pay for this later.

Promise? She whispers across my mind.

Suggestion weighs heavily on the word, and I don’t block all the ways she wants me to punish her as she imagines them.

“Charlee, of course, you can plan it. We just hadn’t discussed it yet, that's all.” She huffs and puffs a bit longer, feigning how hurt she is about this whole thing.

Wren reaches over to Charlee, “Oh please, won’t you plan the whole thing with me? Maid of honor, all that good stuff?” She’s good. She’s getting herself out of trouble and giving Charlee her wish all in one go.

Sticking her tongue out at me, she tells Wren, “Absolutely I will. It’s been at least a century since we’ve had a wedding in this coven, and I planned the last one. Everyone had a marvelous time.” This is true, but it was also the twenties, and the bride wasn’t a missing person who is presumed dead.

“Finished,” bursts my sister, wearing a satisfied smile. “Just the dress left, and you’re all set, my dear.” Charlee helps Wren step into a red satin dress that is definitely made to draw attention to the wearer. Clinging to the curves of her body, the hem stops well above the knee, flaring outward, hinting at a peek of what is underneath. The neckline provides an excellent view of her now amplified cleavage. It cut straight across, the built-in bra pulling her breasts close and keeping them there.

Wren looks good enough to eat.

Later. She purrs across my mind.

Charlee excuses herself to finish changing into her outfit for the evening. I hear Rolando go out the front to get the car ready, and I watch Wren study herself in the mirror. I can tell this isn’t exactly her style when wearing a dress, but she does look amazing. I slip my hands onto her hips, sliding them around to rest on her stomach. I lower my mouth to her neck and kiss it gently, just once. “You look fantastic, little bird,” I tell her. “You will have no trouble at all luring a tasty morsel.”

“I’m nervous.” Rightfully so. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t suggest a public feeding, but this particular establishment would have many other vampires if things get out of hand. While humans may be in danger, they won’t be the largest population. If something does go wrong, it is the best place for it to happen.

“I truly think a lot of what happened was a combination of events—not having your memories and not merging with your new consciousness. Having your first human feeding go wrong, then the following human being, someone who abused you, followed by the return of your memories,” In my opinion, all of these events absolve her of any guilt. “I’m sure most vampires in that situation would likely have lost control.”

“I just don’t like that there’s a part of me that’s like a separate entity. She can fight me for control and doesn’t seem to have any moral compass.” I know what she means. Each of us came face to face with a more primal version of ourselves during the change. Theoretically, it’s supposed to be what gives us all of our vampiric instincts and ensures that we survive after we’ve turned. But Wren is right. They don’t feel remorse, and they don’t care about what they do at all as long as it gets done.

Our ultimate selfishness.

Which is why the merge is so essential. We are meant to embrace it during the change. During my transformation it didn’t feel like a choice to me. Speaking with Charlee, Rolando, and everyone in our household, they all say the same thing. We met our worst selves and embraced them with love and light.

Wren hadn’t been herself during the change. It’s the only explanation for it.

“You also know about the bond now. I can help you, bring you back if you slip.” I pull back, slipping my hand into hers. “I will keep you safe, even from yourself,” I vow to her. If I could have her live just on blood bags for the rest of time, I would. Wren nods, takes one last look at herself, and sighs.

“Let’s do this.”

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