Page 15 of Take Her to the Grave

"I think it’s possible. It would explain why you write about our kind with such understanding and why the transformation is happening so quickly. And why you're able to call shadows already, without being turned."

I turn in his arms to face him. "Then why wait? If I'm already part of your world in some way, why not complete the transformation?"

His smile shows fangs. "Because anticipation makes the surrender sweeter. Because I want you mad with wanting it before I give you what you crave." His hand slides into my hair, gripping firmly. "Because when I finally taste your blood and give you mine in return, I want you to be completely mine. Body, mind, soul, and shadow. No regrets."

A soft whimper escapes me as he rolls his thumb over the back of my head. "And until then?"

"Until then..." His head dips to my throat, lips brushing my pulse point. "Until then, we wait. We explore just how dark you can become while still technically human. You sort out your feelings, and when you’re ready…," his low voice trails off, filled with a lustful hunger.

The scrape of fangs against my skin makes me gasp. "Please..."

"Please what?" His voice is dark and silky. "Please stop? Please continue? What do youreallywant, little ghost?"

"You know what I want,” I admit, embarrassed to say what I’m actually thinking.

"Say it." The command rumbles through me. "Out loud. No more hiding behind implications and metaphors. Tell me exactly what you want, Elena."

I close my eyes, letting truth spill from my lips like blood. "I want you to bite me. Totasteme. To show me what it feels like to be wanted by you."

His low growl vibrates against my throat as he peppers kisses along my skin. "And if I tell you it will hurt? That I don’t know if I’ll be able to control myself enough to be gentle with you?"

"I don't want you to be gentle," I whisper. "I want you to have your way with me."

For a moment, he goes completely still. Then, with movements almost too fast to follow, he spins me around and pulls me back against his chest, grinding his rock hard erection into my ass. I can’t control the moan that escapes my lips as I realize how big he is. One hand grips my hair, turning my head to spread my throat wider for him. The other arm bands around my waist, holding me immobile.

"Just a taste of what’s to come," he murmurs in my ear.

Instead of answering, I let my head fall further to the side – the ultimate gesture of submission. His growl of approval is the last thing I hear before his fangs pierce my skin.

Pain blooms sharp and sweet, but it's quickly overwhelmed by something else. Something that feels like liquid fire in my veins, like lightning in my blood. I cry out, but not in protest. This is what I've been writing about all along, I realize. This perfect moment of surrender, of giving yourself completely to the monster you've chosen.

I feel him drinking, taking my essence into himself, and it's the most intimate thing I've ever experienced. Through the connection of blood, I catch glimpses of him – centuries of darkness and power, of hunting through endless nights. His memories flow into me as my blood flows into him, showing me what I'm becoming. What we'll be together.

Just when my vision starts to dim, he pulls back. I whimper at the loss, but then his wrist is at my mouth, skin already parted and welling with dark blood.

"Drink," he commands. "Just a taste. Just enough to link our connection and heal you."

The first drop hits my tongue and my world explodes. His blood tastes like power itself – ancient and dark and addictive.I drink deeply, desperately, understanding for the first time what true hunger feels like.

Finally, he pulls his wrist away. I slump back against him, dizzy with blood loss and power. The room spins, shadows dancing at the edges of my vision.

"Beautiful," he murmurs, turning me to face him. His eyes are glowing with supernatural light, my blood staining his lips crimson. "Do you understand now? What you're becoming? What we'll be together when I fully turn you? This was only the first bite. I have so much more for you, but you’re not ready.”

I nod, too overwhelmed for words. Everything feels different – sharper, clearer, somehow more real. The shadows in the room pulse. The night beyond my windows calls to me, begging me to immerse myself in it.

"Rest now," he says, lifting me easily and carrying me to the leather couch in my office. "The blood exchange will change you further. Accelerate your transformation." His bloody fangs hang over his lips as he speaks."When you wake, you'll be one step closer to becoming what you were born to be."

"Stay," I manage to whisper as exhaustion pulls at me.

"Always." He settles beside me, pulling me against his chest. I can feel his erection grinding against my ass, buthis words soothe me. "Sleep, little ghost. Dream of shadow and blood. When you wake..." His voice follows me down into darkness. "When you wake, we'll begin your true descent."

As consciousness fades, I feel the shadows gathering around us like a protective cocoon. My last thought before sleep takes me is that I'm not falling into darkness anymore.

I'm finally coming home to it.

Chapter Seven

THE HUNTER’S MOON

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