Page 45 of Obsessed in Blood
“Before we do that, I need to know something.” Devon decided not to wait until Cressa was physically home to get an answer regarding Colantha’s hold over them in a construct. “What if someone like me doesn’t want to be part of your dream? Is there a way for me to remove myself, assuming I’m aware enough to know I’m in a construct?”
She considered his question, tapping a bright-red fingernail on the table. “It depends on the strength of the dreamwalker and the one who doesn’t want to be there. The construct is based on a psychic link. If someone has a strong mind and will, they can pull themselves out. The stronger the dreamwalker, the stronger the will must be.”
“When you first arrived at the manor and you pulled us into a construct, you mentioned someone had a strong enough will to pull themselves free.” Lyra pushed her cup aside and placed her arms on the table as she bent forward. “You were talking about Simone.”
Colantha nodded. “Why did you think it was her I was thinking of?”
“Because she meditates daily,” I answered.
“Ah. I thought so.” Colantha sipped her cappuccino, licking the foam off her upper lip. “If she had moved into a meditative state, she would have found herself back in Devon’s office.” She chuckled. “I wonder what Frederick and Jamison would have made of that.”
“Is it just the meditation or the fact she’s vampire?” Devon asked.
Colantha narrowed her eyes as she considered the question. “Being vampire has its advantages. Your mind is more focused, so meditation comes easier. Your intelligence also plays a role.” She glanced at Ginger. “For a human, it can be more difficult, but not impossible.” When Ginger frowned and stared down at her cup, Colantha reached out and patted her arm. “Don’t fret. There are exercises you can do to strengthen your mind. You have the ability; it simply needs to be awakened.”
Ginger’s shoulders relaxed, and then she laughed when our cups vanished to be replaced by mugs of hot chocolate complete with melting marshmallows. She wasted no time in sipping hers, and as Colantha had done earlier, used her tongue to wipe away a sticky marshmallow mustache. “I guess I have one more item to add to my training schedule.”
Lyra poked at the marshmallow before sinking it under the chocolate with her spoon. Then she stirred and stirred until it had completely blended with the chocolate, then she took a long sip and closed her eyes.
Colantha turned her steely focus on Devon, who hadn’t moved and appeared to be assimilating everything he’d heard. “Aren’t you going to drink, vampire? I understand chocolate soothes the beast.”
I was surprised when Devon copied Lyra’s actions, stirring the marshmallows into the chocolate before taking a long drink. What happened at Devon and Colantha’s first meeting? They appeared to be on friendly terms, a common ground, yet there was a play for control going on, and I suspected Colantha was enjoying it, while it irritated Devon.
“Perhaps we should get down to business then.” Devon glanced at those around the table before resting his gaze on me. “Can you find a way off the island?”
I thought about all the information I’d been collecting, though I hadn’t known why at the time. Even through the mesmerizing, Lorenzo couldn’t block my true nature. “Lorenzo’s security is pretty tight, but I think I found a way.”
ChapterSixteen
I stirred under the blanket,warm from the comfort of friends, the memory of being in Devon’s strong arms, and the taste of his passionate kiss before Colantha ended the construct.
“What were you dreaming?”
I froze, then bracing myself, popped my eyes open. Lorenzo sat on the edge of my bed, staring down at me. Did he know?Stay calm.He couldn’t possibly know. It took a moment to transition from the construct to reality, especially when I hadn’t been prepared for it. Not to mention all I’d learned while there.
“Or was it a nightmare?”
My breath rushed out, and I dropped my gaze. He didn’t know, but what the hell was he doing in my room while I slept?
“I can’t remember.” I rubbed my eyes.
He touched my cheek, and it took every ounce of determination not to flinch or turn away. I desperately wanted to back away. I preferred racing away, but not with this vampire. This one had to be cajoled and tempered, confident in his hold over me.
“Dreams are like that, Cressa. One moment so vivid—” He snapped his fingers. “The next minute gone.”
I nodded. But I did remember the dream. I remembered it all. The scent of the roses, the feel of the grass between my toes, having coffee with Ginger, my chat with Lyra, then the heat of Devon’s touch on my skin, and the gentle scrape of his fangs on my neck after a passionate kiss.
“Why are you here?” My tone was soft and full of wonder. I tried not to gag.
“I happened to be passing by your room when I heard you scream. Perhaps it was a nightmare after all.” And for the first time, I caught his lie.
It was there in his coal-black gaze. He laid a hand over mine and now came the time, sooner than I’d planned, to test Colantha’s theory. Could he mesmerize me again?
It was a risk, but everyone had agreed I had to test it. They would give me thirty-six hours, and if I wasn’t at the designated spot by then, they’d pull me into another construct to find out what went wrong.
He caught my gaze, and his vampiric spell worked its way over me—through me. “Kiss me, Cressa.”
He didn’t move, waiting for me to come to him. A test.
