Page 20 of Daring Her Vampires
“I can,” I whisper.
“I’m happy for you,” he says, and I blink. “Our family is loud and intrusive.” He keeps his focus on me, but is speaking to my mates. “I didn’t understand them when I found my mate. I do now. We protect the family and the bond of fated mates. Your problems are ours. Sally is our center, our heart.” I gasp and blink rapidly to clear the tears. “She takes care of everyone. It’s her turn to be taken care of. If for any reason you hurt her, the family will interfere more than usual. She deserves her forever.” He smiles softly, and it’s so beautiful. “She can wear and do whatever the fuck she wants.” He looks around the room. “I understand we just want to protect her, but she’s strong and knows what she is doing. Get over it.” Looking back at us, he says, “Be happy, rabbit.”
“Thank you, vampire,” I whisper. He nods and walks back to Marie. The room is blurry as I look around and recognize how lucky I am. They don’t realize what they mean to me.
“Are we going to eat?” River asks.
“Wolf, you’ve been eating since we got here,” Bash sighs, and all is as it should be.
“I’m still hungry,” he pouts.
“Why are you standing in the doorway?” Allie chirps behind us. She squeezes beside Luca. Her gorgeous, curvy body is covered from neck to toe in a long green dress. “Holy fuck. Now this is a party. Everyone is stunning. Sister-in-law, you didn’t tell me there was more delicious eye candy in the family.” She puts her hand on her hip, and I laugh. “Are they our family now too?”
“Yes. Yes, they are,” I confirm as I step forward. “Everyone, this is Atlas and Luca. They are mine. Allie is their sister.” I put my hands on my hips. “It’s sweet that you all are so concerned about my dress, but I can wear what I want. Saphira, please control your fire. I have a gallon of hairspray in my hair, and I don’t want it to go up in flames. River, hon, just eat more. Cash, thank you for the compliment. I am delicious, but now my mates are the only ones who get to talk to me like that.” I grin. “Spankings are always an acceptable topic of conversation. Boyfriends.” I twirl around. “Thank you for the restraint. I need a drink and wouldn’t be opposed to making out in the corner.” Allie laughs, long and loud, and I know we are going to be best friends. Atlas shakes his head but smiles. Luca’s lips twitch, and he affectionately hooks one of my necklaces and tugs.
I’ve never been so happy.
Chapter Five
Luca
Istudy the shifters and vampires interacting as if it’s not a big deal. They are affectionate, loving, and respectful. I’ve landed in a world I don’t understand. Making friends isn’t on my list of priorities, yet I have nothing against shifters. I don’t care that Sally is a rabbit; the kind of animal doesn’t matter to me, just that she is mine. After the vampire Bash broke the tension, and Sally declared her stance, everyone relaxed. Atlas did as instructed and ordered Sally a drink, fighting the eager hands of the wolf to hand her a plate full of food. Sally sat at the end of the couch, pulling me beside her. Atlas stood beside her, speaking with the vampire, Rowen. The noise is irritating my ears, and I want to escape.
“Luca, eat,” Sally says, leaning into my side. She offers her plate.
“I’m not hungry,” I lie easily. Vampires can eat food, but what I really crave is her blood. Her delicious scent is alluring and tempting me to take a bite. I can still taste her lollipop and skin on my tongue. I don’t want to be here.
“You need to eat something,” she says, sliding the paper plate to my lap. “Please.” I look down and reluctantly pick up half of a sandwich. “Are you alright?” she whispers, leaning closer.
“Yes.”
She laughs lightly.
“Don’t lie,” she says.
“I’m…” I swallow the bite and turn my head. “Uncomfortable.” She squeezes my leg once and leaves her hand on my knee. Grinding my teeth, I tilt my head and press my cheek against hers, sliding my arm behind her. “Your blood is calling to my demon,” I whisper in her ear, hopefully low enough in the loud room that everyone doesn’t hear. “I don’t want to lose control.” We usually drink from a blood bag; the days of drinking from humans are over. It leads to complications and usually death.
“Oh,” she breathes shakily. “How often do you have to feed?”
“Not often.” As we age, we drink blood less and less, but we still need it. We both fed this morning, so we should be good for a few days. With Sally around, our cravings have increased. Hunger is swirling in my body.
“To drink from me for nourishment won’t turn me,” she says, and I hiss.
“Careful,” I warn roughly. “I won’t turn your offer down once given.” I pull away and stare into her eyes.
“Hey, Sally.” She turns to face Allie, and I tune out their conversation.
Allie knows my thoughts and interrupts me on purpose. She protects us and knew I was too close to Sally’s pretty neck. Iexhale and try to calm my urges. Atlas looks over, but I don’t meet his eyes. He’s tense and pretending not to be. Since we were young, he has also protected me, declaring he is my older brother and that it was his job. I haven’t been a kid for a very long time, but I don’t like admitting that I needed him to stand in front of me several times.
When I was human, my life was filled with pain. I was scrawny and quiet. Making friends was difficult, so I kept to myself. Kids are cruel, and they bullied me relentlessly. I came home beaten up more days than not. Atlas has always been bigger and stronger. I tried to hide it from him, but it came to a point that I couldn’t anymore. I confessed everything after they broke my arm because I talked to a pretty girl one of the guys liked. Atlas didn’t take it well. He got in trouble for breaking the bully’s nose. Allie went wild on the girl who sneered at me as I lay on the ground clutching my arm.
I suppose that’s why I have a short temper now. Being a vampire increased my strength, and working out regularly helped me build muscle, but sometimes I still revert to being the shy kid. I don’t tolerate the abuse of the weak. When I get quiet, it's not from weakness but rage. Everyone around me should be terrified if I stay silent. It means I am trying to control my instinct to kill.
I have plenty of blood on my hands. When I was turned, I couldn’t stop my urges, and drank plenty of humans dry. It’s intoxicating, having so much power after years of being weak. I didn’t want to control it. We didn’t have anyone to instruct us on how to be a vampire. I woke up with an incredible thirst, and the first human I saw, I drained dry.
“They mean well.” I tilt my head to the snake sitting beside me. I dealt with a snake once, and I never want to again. Heath is a commanding presence and holds his cane tightly in his fist. “You don’t like me,” he states.
“No.” I narrow my eyes.
