Page 88 of Hot Blooded
My face heats as I blush. He sees right through me. “Yes,” I say pointedly. No reason to lie anymore. Knowing Alastair, he’s already made up his mind about whether to change me or not.
“Good girl. I just had to know how committed you were. My brother has been told he may not change another human, or he will face life in prison, whatever that even means to mortals.”
I take a breath to steady myself. “So, you will change me? Then I can go home to him?”
“Tressa. I believe you are good for Reign. He doesn’t take pleasure in life like I do. But you convinced him to deal with the pain he carried from Daniella, the bonfire was an excellent idea, by the way, so thank you for that. And because you made him enjoy the little things in life again, quite honestly I can’t thank you enough.” He meets my eyes, showing his gratitude. “I want all of that for him. He needed it. He was pulling away from me, becoming a recluse. We can’t have that. Reign is, well he’s basically awesome. He was just tired of living as a bachelor after so many years. Now, he doesn’t have to live that way. And since he’s all I have in this world, I’m thankful for your role in his life.” Alastair cracks a smile. “And if that means I have to turn you, then damnit, that’s what we’ll do.”
My heart soars with hope. “And the preparations? What else do we need to do?”
“We need to get your affairs in order. There is one of two ways to handle this, because there is no statute of limitation on the crime of transition. First way, we fake your death, and you never see any mortals you knew from your old life.”
I shake my head at the idea. What about my sister? I could never do that. “And the second way?”
“The second way? Well, the second way takes more time.”
More time isn’t what I was anticipating, but I’m willing to hear him out.
“How much more time?
“A couple of years most likely.”
What on earth? A couple of years? I almost dread asking this next question, but of course I have to know. “What’s the second way, Alastair?”
“We move to Switzerland,” he says with confidence. “There is no law against transition there. You give up your citizenship. Your mortal family and friends can visit us anytime they like. We’ll face no repercussions for your immortality.”
I frown at both options. Switzerland? “You really think Reign will move?” I ask.
He nods. “Reign is going to blow a gasket about the whole idea. But I am confident that prior to actually murdering me, he will thank me.”
I shift my weight, eyeing him. “How can you be so sure?”
He shrugs. “He loves international travel, and more importantly, he loves you.”
His words soothe me, even if I’m unsure of this entire, crazy plan.
“Why are you so good to him?” I ask. “Because you always seem like a prick.”
Alastair laughs at that. “Because dear Tressa. I owe Reign my life. He is my maker.”
Chapter 46
Reign
“If he ignores my call again, I’m going over there to kill him,” I growl and slam my phone on the table.
Mrs. Potts shudders.
“Sorry,” I apologize.
Mrs. Potts frowns and casts a worried look my way. “How about I bring that nice girl over? The one you like so much. Anabel, is it?” she offers.
Anabel? I have no idea who she’s talking about. Each donor has been barely tolerable. I suppose I do need to eat though…
I tug at my hair, messing up what started out today as neatly styled. “Fine, tomorrow though.” I groan. I have been pretty neglectful lately, going longer and longer without feeding. I promised myself I wouldn’t anymore, but that was exclusive to being around Tressa. Still though, it’s a foolish risk, with all these human staff around my house. But I can make it one more day. Even Mrs. Potts isn’t smelling good, yet.
I dial Alastair again and it goes straight to voicemail. “That’s it,” I snap, standing from the table. “I’m going over there.”
Hopping in the Jaguar, I race the short distance to his estate, zooming fast down the long paved driveway.
