Page 43 of Accidental Vampire

“You pay them! Like, like… like prostitutes?”

Shaw came over and put a hand on the small of my back to lead me over to the wall, like he was personally offended and had to right this wrong.

“This is Sugar,” he gestured to the tall kid, “and Misty. That over there is Lamonte.” He pointed to a guy lounging on a couch in the back. “No one is a prisoner. Yes, we drink from them. We have a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“Bites with benefits.” The guy in the back said.

“Oh yeah, what the hell do they get out of this?” Turning on Shaw, I put my hands on my hips.

“Health insurance.” Sugar said flatly.

“Health insurance?”

He just shrugged. Since I lost my job, I lost my health insurance, so I could see where he was coming from but, still.

“Personally, I’m here for the fantastic food and free rent. Richard is an amazing cook.” Misty beamed at Richard.

“Don’t forget the sex, that’s a big perk.” Zinnia called out, to barks of laughter.

“Honey,” Misty came up to the bars, curling long manicure coffin nails around one, “this really isn’t as shocking as you make it out to be. You need mortal blood to survive. We,” she gestured behind her, “all have different reasons to fall in with these lunatics. And we take care of each other. We are all here by choice and consent. And we are free to go at anytime.”

I couldn’t be sure but I thought I heard a very soft, barely a whispered “except for you”. That could have just been my own jumbled thoughts.

“But doesn’t it hurt?” I asked.

“Only if you do it wrong.” Sugar said brightly.

“Here, I’ll show you.” Misty stuck her arm through the bars right in Lachlan’s face. He recoiled a step. “Go on,” she shook her wrist. “Have a snack.”

Lachlan looked from me to Shaw and back again. He seemed unsure. Not unsure of biting this woman, but unsure of me watching, maybe?

“C’mon, Lachlan. Everyone says you’re a good bite.” Misty wiggled her wrist.

With one last look at me, Lachlan took her wrist delicately, holding it like a ripe peach he was afraid to bruise.

“Wrists are a challenge,” Misty winked at me, “lots of nerve endings. I’m pretty sure he can manage it. You probably want to avoid it.” She pointed a nail at me and winked.

I didn’t want to be fascinated by it. We were talking about drinking blood. I should be repulsed, right? I took a step closer. Lachlan held her wrist like it was a precious thing, he put his mouth to her and his eyes slid shut. I braced for a scream, for the pain she must be feeling. Misty gasped, and a shiver took her. Her head lolled back. Just as a knee buckled, Lachlan snaked a hand through the bars, holding her up.

Fire raced through my blood, pulling on the beginning of an ache in the pit of my stomach. I licked my lips and took a step towards them. Shaw caught mewith a hand on my waist, making himself an immovable wall between me and them. Panting, I looked up into his eyes. They searched me with no judgment, with an understanding that seared my soul. There was a moan, from me or from Misty, I wasn’t sure. His thumb made small soothing circles on my side. I tore my eyes away from him and stepped back.

A moment later, Lachlan withdrew his mouth, and shifted his grip on her wrist, almost like he was applying pressure to the wound. He held her firm, tenderly, while she got her bearings.

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph.” Misty slurred.

I scanned the room, everyone seemed to be awed into a hush.

“Damn.” Richard seemed impressed.

Lachlan held Misty up as she swayed and regained herself. He reached through the bars to move a lock of hair out of her face. Great. Not only was Lachlan impossibly handsome, he was a sex and blood god, too. I glanced at Shaw, maybe to confirm that everything was OK. I fidgeted and turned away. I wasn’t a prude, but some things shouldn’t be shared in public.

“You’ll work up to biting real people one day like a big girl.” Aurora patted my arm like I was the dull crayon in the box.

You could always count on Aurora to spoil the mood.

THIRTY

LACHLAN

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