Page 26 of Greer's Change

“Do you know what this is?” I ask Novak. He still hasn’t moved from his spot, but based on the look on his face, I’d bet good money that he does.

He frowns, nodding. “I might.”

I barely have the chance to put down the garbage can before Novak squats down in front of Greer. He shoves the can to the side, which, in my estimation, might be a mistake.

Seiran runs his hand over Greer’s forehead as he cradles her back to his chest. He murmurs something in her ear, but it’s too low for even me to hear.

“Look at me,” Novak says in the voice that signals his compulsion. Her eyes pop open, staring directly into his.

Gods be damned.

Her eyes are bloodshot, and she looks terrible. The black blood stained around her mouth isn’t helping anything.

“Who is your maker?” Novak asks.

Her body contorts as she writhes against Seiran’s chest. I’ve known the incubus for a long fucking time, and I’ve never seen him look so panic-stricken. He holds her in place, wrapping his arm around her middle from behind.

Novak repeats the question, and the energy in the room practically vibrates with his power. He’s the ancient kind of old, and only one generation removed from the primordial vampires that were around before written records were even kept.

Greer wails, and I find my fists clenching at my sides to keep myself from trying to remove Novak’s head. Her body begins to tremble and blood drips from her clenched eyes. She leans forward, and Novak barely manages to shove the trash can into place before she vomits again.

I siphon to the supply closet, grabbing several washcloths and towels before returning to Novak’s office.

There’s no way I’m gone for more than thirty seconds, but when I get back, he’s holding her face in his hands, and they’re stained in Seiran’s black blood.

“Let’s try again. When you were turned, did your maker feed you human blood?” Novak asks.

Her head shakes. “I don’t know. I can’t remember any of it.”

Novak doesn’t need to breathe, but his shoulders bounce as he exhales. “Have you fed from a human since you were turned?”

“The night here…outside the club,” she chokes out.

My stomach churns with a strange feeling.

Novak wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t important. And despite my physical appearance mimicking a human, my blood structure doesn’t change.

“That wasn’t actually a human,” I admit, rocking back on my heels.

Seiran’s mouth falls open. “You mimicked?”

I shrug, glancing away from his prying stare. “You left the two of us without souls to our own devices. What did you expect to happen?”

I’m not sure incubi have souls, either, but he does have a conscience, and that’s more than can be said for myself.

A lot has changed around here since he left. No one should trust me or Novak to be upstanding citizens without the voice of reason around to ground us.

This really is all his fault, the more I think about it.

“None of that. Stay focused.” Novak pats her cheek when her eyes fall shut. “Anyone else?”

“Not that I can remember,” she says in a weak voice that makes my stomach churn even more violently. “And I’ve been so hungry, it’s been hard, but I fed from Seiran?—”

“Neither would facilitate the final step of your transformation.” Novak gently rests her head back against Seiran’s chest and stands.

This is something I can help with. “I can grab a human or two from the club and be back?—”

“No,” Novak says, cutting me off. “That won’t work. Not now.”

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