Page 71 of The Tenor's Shadow

“Oh.” Anthony ran his fingers along his stomach. “But how am I okay? How long has it been? Where are we?”

“We’re in London, in the coven house in Knightsbridge. It was the safest place. The fight was three days ago.”

“Three days! Shouldn’t I be in a hospital?”

Freddie gazed deep into Anthony’s eyes, and Anthony’s breath caught. Freddie was so vulnerable, and Anthony hated what he saw in his face. Fear.

“You’d be in hospital if you were still human. But you’re not.”

“What?”

“Gabriela was vicious. You lost so much blood. You would have died.” Freddie paused, as if finding the courage to continue. “I had to turn you.”

Anthony stared at his mate, trying to process his words. He was a vampire now? He didn’t feel any different. He was still himself, although a version of himself who’d been run over by an eighteen-wheeler.

Freddie shifted back and forth, as if the silence was making him uncomfortable. He spoke with a nervous desperation.

“I’m so sorry, Anthony. We never discussed it. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to be turned, but I had to save you. I couldn’t lose you, not when I’d finally found you—”

Anthony lifted himself up and kissed Freddie, ignoring the pain. It was clumsy, their positions awkward, but it didn’t matter. Anthony put all of his feelings for Freddie into that kiss: his gratitude, his admiration, and his love.

Freddie wrapped his arms around Anthony’s back and guided him down to the mattress again. He pulled away.

“Anthony—”

“Freddie, you saved my life. Why would you ever think I wouldn’t want this? I get to stay by your side for hundreds of years. It’s the greatest gift.”

“Yes, but you’ll have to drink blood…”

“I don’t have to kill humans, do I?”

“Vampires haven’t done that in over a century. And if they do, we stop them.”

“Then I’ll be fine. More than fine. I’ll have an incredible life. A life with you.”

A tear trailed down Freddie’s cheek. Had he been so terrified that Anthony would reject him? Anthony vowed Freddie would never have to feel that way again.

Freddie kissed him on the forehead. Anthony yawned, unable to help himself.

“Rest, my sweet. Your body is recovering from the transformation. I had to drain your blood and replace it with mine. Your abilities are still developing.”

Anthony nodded and closed his eyes. A gentle lub-dub reached his ears. Was that…was that Freddie’s heartbeat? The beginning of his enhanced supernatural senses?

The sweet, steady beat of his mate’s heart lulled him to perfect sleep.

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