Page 30 of Thicker than Blood

“But I saw what’s inside your heart, and your heart wants to rebel. You want to know what it would be like to do whatever you want to. Am I right?”

“Is there any point in this conversation?”

“There’s a point in everything I say.” In a flash, he’s on his knees in front of me, spreading my legs to settle between them. “You can have that freedom here. With me.”

I gaze into his eyes, no longer glowing, but still just as intense. This is so dangerous I should get far, far away, but he’s my best shot at fixing this. “I have to get back to the lab and figure out what went wrong. Will you still help me?”

A smile teases his lips. “It would be a pleasure. You’re even lovelier under my thrall, and your kiss is sweet as honey.”

“You can’t let me go that far again. This is research only.”

“How am I to stop it?” His tone is filled with feigned innocence and amusement. “Besides, I have no motivation to prevent anything you wish to give me. As you previously noted, I suppose that’s one of the potential pitfalls in your research.”

I clear my throat, pushing his chest to put some space between us. “I’ll get back to you.”

Elias chuckles, rising smoothly to his feet. “I like you less when you’re fully in control, but to be clear, I still like you.”

I don’t know what to say, so I get to my feet and gather my things. Before I make it out the front door, Elias blocks my path, gazing down at me with an expression that makes my stomach flutter in a good way.

“You have my entire attention, Geordi, and you should know something about that.”

“What?”

“Once I’m enchanted, and I am, I can be rather… persistent.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

I push past him and outside where I inhale the cold air, getting my feet under me again. This opportunity is too good to pass up, so I’ll just have to find a way to keep the lines between us clearly marked. I’ve avoided breaking the rules this long, and I’m not about to become a plaything for Elias.

I’ll just state my boundaries clearly and directly, and I’m sure he’ll respect them.

Sure. And Dracula was a vegan.

CHAPTER 10

Elias

Less than an hour later, I find myself completely bored. Even with the debauchery occurring around me in Paradiso, my attention drifts to the lovely mortal I was so close to truly tasting. The tiny droplets of blood I was allowed were the sweetest, and now I’m craving more.

Heavy steps draw my attention to my left, and when the owner of them comes into view, I smile.

“Lucius. How are you?”

My friend, the vampire Lucius, nods as he settles into the chair beside me. He rubs my shoulder and ends with a quick squeeze.

“I’m well, but how are you? Obviously, there’s been some trouble.”

“Yes. Is that why you’re here?”

“Of course. Do you think I’d not touch base at a time like this?”

“I appreciate it. Have you heard anything about who’s behind it?”

Lucius shakes his head, his green eyes flickering with anger as he glances around before leaning close to me. “No, but I havemy suspicions. Remember the vampire who was banished from the theater in Florence?”

“Italy. Yes, but that was…” I gesture vaguely.

“Over a decade ago. His banishment ended right around the time of the first war.”

---