Page 105 of Bitten

“Hopefully,” Caelian whispered.

“If that doesn’t work, I’ll tell him I won’t be with him without you,” Ralnur said, chuckling.

Caelian smiled, but it faded. “I want him to want me. Nor would I deny you a mate.”

Ralnur turned Caelian’s chin, forcing him to face the warlock. “He will always want you. And he has crimes of his own to atone for when it comes to you. I think you forget he abducted you. Bound you bleeding to a bed. And left you there.”

“He wasn’t himself.”

“No,” Ralnur said. “He doesn’t simply get to wipe all that away and still hold you accountable for your sin. That’s not how this works.” Ralnur pressed his lips to Caelian’s. “And I will make sure he knows that, too.”

“I forgive him the things he did,” Caelian whispered. “They were my fault, not his.”

“I can forgive them, too,” Ralnur whispered. “But you can’t take all the blame. The bloodlust was the villain here.”

Caelian smiled up at Ralnur. The warlock’s memories swirled within his mind. He saw little pieces of the man—a good, kind man—and his heart clenched with joy. “I love this… seeing you as I now do.”

He snuggled closer, finding a bit of contentment in the chaos. But he also saw the fear Ralnur had about his impending doom.

But then, was Ralnur vampire, truly?

I need to do some research.

Caelian pressed a kiss to Ralnur’s lips before smiling. “I have something I need to take care of…”

“Must you go?” Ralnur asked.

“I must. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

* * * *

Hours later…

Most dhampir have a deep aversion to the vampire and there are many notes in the histories of the creatures being vampire hunters; even though they share many traits. Dhampir are physically strong, have keen senses, and have an innate skill of persuasion, perhaps even sharper than that of the vampire.

Dhampirs do not seem to require blood to survive, but will feed on the blood of their mates if able. Their fangs appear to emerge once they’ve found their mate(s). Dhampirs have two to three mates. Mates can also feed from the dhampir in some cases, but if they do, will require regular feedings for the rest of their lives from their dhampir mate. Known cases have listed the mates’ eyes turning red after being fed, showing their blood-bond to the dhampir.

Other blood will sustain a mate in the event of their dhampir dying, but it will not truly give them all they require, not as their mate’s blood has.

Dhampirs are able to reproduce only with their mates; and capable of impregnating either sex, as they produce both eggs and sperm in their ejaculate; similar to animal shapeshifters. Children of the dhampir are not fully dhampir, but a hybrid of the dhampir and the host parent.

Because dhampirs are able to walk in the sun and can tolerate food and drink, they are incredibly hard to spot. Because of this, they may not be quite as rare as considered.

(Sometimes spelled dhampyre, dhamphir, or dhampyr)

First attributed in written histories in the Year of the Witch 8632.

Caelian sat back, considering the implications of what he read. If Ralnur fed off a dhampir, his eyes would turn red. Once Kane fed him, Ralnur desired the blood of his mate—not others. Caelian searched Ralnur’s blood memories and saw the warlock’s dislike of the blood he’d been forced to feed with.

“Finding all you need?”

Caelian turned to see his grandfather watching him through his thick glasses. “Are there other volumes I should look at about the dhampir breed?”

“I gave you all I had in the archive,” the old man said. “All I knew to give you.”

Caelian eyed the old man. “Why did you help? I thought you hated me.”

Hoefsra ambled closer. “I don’t hate you, boy. I love you.”

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