Page 16 of Thicker than Blood

“Unfortunately, more blood will be shed. Vampires do not share your desire to avoid it. They will do whatever is necessary to get what they want.”

“I know, but I can try. Maybe if they saw that not all mortals want them eradicated that would help.”

Smiling, I lean back in my chair and cross my legs. “I appreciate your perspective, however, it seems this particular group isn’t interested in peaceful coexistence. They want domination. They want to rule the mortal world and use it as a playground. They want to return to the old ways.”

“The old ways?”

I nod. “Before we were discovered we enjoyed the darkness of night, prowling and stalking unsuspecting mortals. We feasted on their blood and flesh, gorging ourselves until we could take no more.”

Geordi squirms in his chair as a soft whimper slips from his lips.Oh, interesting.

“We killed indiscriminately, choosing our victims based on nothing more than a feral instinct to feed. We watched from the shadows as law enforcement tried in vain to solve their murdersor disappearances, all the while blending in with the rest of you, hiding in plain sight.”

Geordi is breathing harder now, his scent swirling around me like a decadent summer breeze of flowers and rich earth.

“But then it all changed. Those girls thought the world should know what they saw and exposed us. You of course know what happened after that.”

“Yeah.”

“The treaty…” I pause as sounds from the lower level reach me. What’s happening?

“The treaty?”

“Right. The treaty took away nearly all of our rights to exist in the ways that are most natural for us. No compulsion, no murders, no sex.”

Geordi swallows hard enough for me to hear it.

“We are slaves to your comfort,” I continue. “We comply because it serves us well to do so. Sadly, we can’t undo the knowledge of our existence, so we find ways to work around it. I’ve benefited from the change, but not all of us have. That’s what you’re dealing with, Geordi. A slave revolt, if you will.”

He’s silent for a few beats, simply holding my gaze, until he seems to form his thoughts into a sentence. “Is there anything we can do?”

“Of course. That’s why you have me.”

He twists his lips then sinks his teeth into the bottom one. Gods, he’s tempting.

“Why do you want to help? I mean, I know you have a stake in it, but you’re going against your own kind, and I know that’s not normal for vampires.”

“It’s very refreshing to interact with a mortal who understands me so deeply.”

He tucks a lock of hair behind his ear.

“The truth is… Shall I tell you?”

“Please.”

I move swiftly, settling next to him. His gasp stirs my desire once more. How I would love to spend days coaxing more pretty sounds from him.

“The truth is, sweet mortal, that I am offended. I’ve been betrayed, and I won’t sit back and allow it. If you want to eradicate a vampire uprising, you need vampires on your side, and that’s what you have.”

Geordi’s body heat hits like a wave as he shifts a tiny bit closer to me. The sound of his blood pulsing through his veins makes my mouth water and my fangs threaten to drop.

“Your pupils are dilated.”

“Are they?” I tilt my head. “So are yours.”

“It… it means you’re aroused.”

“I know what it means.”

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