Page 55 of Crimson Bond

The number of bites didn’t really matter since the one Reece gave him sealed the deal.

“You should know you were on the verge of death when Reece bit you—he was the guy who was with me that day in the clinic when I had to leave. He was trying to save your life,” I added.

Shane held up both hands. “Hey, it worked. Tell him thanks for me.”

“Sure. I will. Of course.”

Now came the hard part—making sure Shane understood what it all meant. His eyes were lilac-colored, the tell-tale sign of vampirism. But I didn’t know if he felt any different.

“So...” I began.

Shane jumped in and prevented me from having to say it. “So... I guess I got a little makeover while I was sleeping, huh?”

“You look amazing,” Marjorie reassured him as she reached for his hand again.

He did indeed look good. In addition to the lilac eyes, Shane seemed to have grown overnight. His shoulders looked wider, his arms were thicker and more muscular. His skin was completely clear.

“Don’t worry. If you... well, if this is going to be your new life, I’ll make sure there are people to guide you through the adjustment period,” I said.

He pulled Marjorie closer. “Someone’s already volunteered on a full-time basis.” The two of them beamed at each other and shared a brief kiss.

“Good. That’s great.” I meant it. It was incredible to see Shane this happy. Thank God Reece hadn’t let him die.

“Iwasgoing to suggest another option for you, but I don’t know, you seem so okay with this that maybe I shouldn’t even mention it.”

“What option?Twofull-time mentors?” he said. “You’re welcome to join Team Help-Shane-Get-Up-To-Speed.”

Marjorie didn’t look quite as open to that possibility. Her brow wrinkled and she glanced between me and Shane furtively. Of course, she had no way of knowing I was deeply in love with someone else and felt only friendship toward the love of her life.

“Actually, I was going to tell you it’s possible there’s a cure,” I said. “My friend Larkin brought it here with her. You could have it—if you want to reverse the process.”

Shane was already shaking his head no before I finished making the offer. “I’msogood with the way things are. I told you before I even knew Marjorie was here that I’d be okay with turning, remember? Now, I can’t think of anything better than spending forever with this girl. No offense—though I don’t think you were ever actually interested in me that way.”

I gave him an apologetic smile. “Not really. No offense.”

We all laughed.

“Therewasa time when I thought we might make a good couple,” he said. “That was before I saw you with that bodyguard of yours, and I realized nothing and no one could come between the two of you.”

Only my fear and sense of inadequacy.

Shane smiled at Marjorie. “I recognized it because I’ve felt that way before—about this beautiful person right here. I made the mistake of letting her go and not fighting for us with every breath in my body. When you’ve got love—therealthing—you shouldn’t let it go for anything.”

An image of Reece popped into my mind. His shirtless body stretched across my bed, the sheets bunched around his waist. The pure love in his eyes when he looked at me.

Everything I do—everything I’ve done since I came here was about the chance to be with you.

Reece and Ihadthe real thing. He’d fought for me every step of the way, and I was going to fight for him. I wouldn’t let anything stand in our way—not my fear and not the rules of the Crimson Court. Whether or not Larkin’s formula worked, there were going to be some big changes around here.

Hooking my thumb over my shoulder, I took a step toward the door. “I should get going, and I’m sure you two still have a lot of catching up to do. Let me know if you need anything.”

When I stepped out into the hallway, I almost bumped into Dr. Coppa.

“Oh, Abbi. I was coming to talk to you. Imogen’s showing signs of coming out of it. She’ll wake soon. I thought you’d want to know.”

My knees went wobbly, and I had to brace one hand against the wall. Dr. Coppa’s eyes said what his words had not.I thought you’d want to know in case you want to get a head start.

But I wouldn’t be running from this. I had to face what I’d done head-on. I had publicly challenged the queen’s authority. I hadprivatelycaused Reece to break his Bloodbound vows. And I had very possibly ended Imogen’s vampire existence.

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