Page 26 of Thicker than Blood

Elias focuses his gaze on me, his eyes pulsing like a strobe light. The air around me becomes thick and hazy, like a fog blowing in from nowhere. I sway, quickly losing my free will, but it feels fucking amazing.

“Offer me your neck, Geordi.”

I feel myself losing my grasp, and I’m helpless to prevent it as I tug my shirt collar down, exposing my neck to Elias. He leans in, rubbing his nose against my skin and inhaling.

Is he going to bite me? If he chooses to, there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. It’s almost like an out-of-body experience, where I can see it happening but I’m powerless to stop it.

Instead of sharp teeth, Elias drags his tongue up my neck before nuzzling me. A vibrant wave of heat spreads through me as his teeth graze my earlobe, making my cock swell instantly. Wowwwww.

Elias pulls back, cupping my chin with his hand. He blinks several times, and as he does, the fog around me clears and I feel more grounded and settled in my body again.

“How was that?”

“You…” I shake my head as a shiver rolls over me. “You didn’t feed.”

“No. I prefer consent. Besides, I wanted you to feel that you can trust me for your experiment.” He leans in as if he’s going tokiss me but stops short. “Though I did take a tiny, harmless taste of your flesh. You have a very tempting neck.”

Another shiver rolls down my back. “Thank you, I guess. It was odd. I felt disconnected.”

He nods. “But you must have something in you that keeps you slightly guarded. Most mortals turn into mindless zombies, completely controlled by the vampire in charge. You kept some of yourself intact. I felt the resistance.”

Interesting. I grab my notebook and scrawl a comment in the margin. I’ll have to research that more later.

“Are you ready for step two?” Elias asks.

“I am. Just be sure to save me if something goes wrong and I can’t save myself. Yellow bottle. Pour it down my throat.”

“You got it.”

I can’t believe I’m trusting Elias with my life without any witnesses or friends to help me. I should’ve invited Enyo.

“Have no fear, Geordi. I have no ill will or intentions toward you.”

“How did you know what I was thinking?”

“I’ve had your blood on my tongue. The connection will linger for a few hours before it fades.”

“No one’s ever told me that before.” I scrawl that nugget in my notes too.

“We must be able to keep some of our secrets, no?”

I scowl but nod. “Yeah, okay.” Glancing at the syringe, I exhale slowly. “Let’s do this.”

CHAPTER 9

Geordie

Elias watches me as I wrap the rubber strap around my arm just above my elbow. Blood engorges my veins, and when I venture a glance at the vampire, he’s nearly vibrating with something—hunger, desire, excitement? Whatever emotion he’s feeling, it’s palpable.

I lift the syringe from the table and draw the vaccine into it from the small jar with my experimental compound in it. My hands are slightly shaking, and I’m honestly not sure if it’s from my nerves or Elias’s interest in the process.

With a second syringe, I pierce my vein and draw blood, aware of the body heat Elias is emitting. I empty the blood into another jar, then add the vaccine to it, shaking it slightly to mix it, before refilling the syringe with the combined mixture. My research showed that mixing it first will have the desired effect. Or at least, that’s what I believe.

Blowing out a breath, I set my shoulders then stick the needle into my waiting vein. The liquid stings like hell, and I cringe and grit my teeth to avoid cursing.

“Does it hurt?”

I nod as my eyes water. “I can feel it spreading through me.”

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