Page 79 of Thicker than Blood

Save me.

“Darling, I’m here. Open your pretty eyes for me.”

Elias. My chest flutters from the sound of his voice. There’s no pain, and as warmth floods back into me, I drag my eyes open to see my beautiful vampire hovering over me.

“Hello,” he says. His eyes pulse softly. “How do you feel?”

I reach up and pat my hand against my chest. “You healed me?”

“Of course.” Elias brushes his thumb across my cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything, did you? Am I still mortal?”

Elias chuckles. “Sadly for me, yes. You’re in a temporary state of immortality until the effects of my blood wear off.”

“What?”

“I used my blood on your wound to heal it.”

“How did that work? It had to be the other vampire’s blood.”

“You’d have to tell me how it worked. It was an impulsive choice, but when I saw what he did to you, I would’ve done anything, even turned you without your consent. You are too precious to lose.”

“But…” I shake my head. “It shouldn’t work,” I repeat. “It should be the vampire who caused the wound.”

“First of all, I had no intention of allowing any part of Tristan to touch you ever again.”

“Tristan. That’s who attacked me?”

“Yes.” He lifts my hand to his lips and dots little kisses along my fingers. “How do you feel?”

I glance down at my bare chest. All the blood is gone and so is my ripped shirt. I take a deep breath then exhale slowly. “Good. I’m confused, but I feel fine.”

Elias nods. “I think it’s time you learned something about yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“My theory is that there’s something inside of you. Something supernatural in nature. In your blood. That’s why the vaccine doesn’t work. That’s why we’re so connected. That’s why my blood heals you. Perhaps it’s even why you’re so drawn to vampires. A little bit of you is one.”

His words stir up long repressed memories and accusations I haven’t recalled in years. “That’s not possible. You can’t be part vampire. You either are or are not one.”

“Not true, my sweet. Have you not heard of dhampirs? Children born of a mortal and a vampire?”

I shake my head. “Yes, but I’m not that. It’s impossible.”

Elias puts his hand over my chest, rubbing in a slow circle. “You cannot lie to me, remember? I’m aware of your thoughts and the turmoil you feel. What are you hiding? You can tell me. You can tell me anything.”

“I’m not hiding anything.”

He reaches up and rubs my temples. “Perhaps you’ve buried your secret. Try to remember.”

I shake my head, but flashes of a difficult past push forward until shame tugs at my gut and heats my body. “I… It’s just a rumor.”

“We’re all alone here, darling. Jagger and Enyo are upstairs. Benicio is guarding our intruder and Ronald. You’re safe to share your secrets.”

Bile rises in my throat and my stomach turns sour. I try to fight the memories, but as sweat dots my skin, the whispered words of family scandals swirl in my brain, and my lips move without my consent. “My dad…” I pause as the memory of his face steals my words for a few seconds. “Oh fuck.”

Elias rubs my hand. “Take your time.”

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