Page 19 of Shift in the Blood
Rather convenient, but it made sense. “What do you get out of this?”
“Vampires get bored.”
“What? Why?”
“Don’t you get bored at times?”
“I don’t know. I’ve spent the last five years just trying to survive. I’d take boring, honestly.”
“While I have also had to work to survive, I don’t believe it’s the same as you’ve experienced. We are, if we’re inclined, able to amass resources, and things and eventually that loses its thrill.”
“Oh. Then you decided to amass people?” I couldn’t stop the sarcasm.
“Basically, yes.” Didier wasn’t offended by my snark. “People are interesting, and unpredictable, even as much of human behavior is the same.”
“You say human like you’re not human.”
“I’m not anymore. I was once. Now I’m different.”
“More?”
“Different.” He repeated the word firmly. “We’re a selfish race of beings. I have no doubt patronage began as a way to combat boredom. Now there are many who use it to lift up humans who might not have a chance otherwise. There’s a lot of talent in this world. Perhaps you have to live several lifetimes to finally see it.” He stopped.
For all his fine words, I sensed loneliness, and sadness. Why? When he had it all? Long life, money, comfort. Maybe getting everything you wanted wasn’t the pinnacle so many thought it was?
Onto something that I needed to know before I agreed to anything with a vampire. “How do you eat?” I had to ask it. I had to.
“I used to hunt.” His fangs flashed.
A shiver made its way from my neck down my spine.
I wasn’t just scared. I was enticed.
It was the Edward principal. The sexy, smexy vampire who could save all.
The fact that I recognized that in myselfdidscare me.
“But now, feeding is more of a…donor situation.”
I didn’t get it right away, and then I did.
“Just feeding?” Oh, god. I hated that I asked such a thing, but it came out before I could stop it. Clapping my hand over my mouth wouldn’t help matters, so I waited for his answer.
“Most of the time.” His eyes looked hot.
How in the hell was that possible?
“If there is anything other than feeding, it is completely consensual.”
I was going to die just by listening to him. So much feeling in simple words that were undoing me, bit by bit.
This might be the shortest patronage ever. I’d die by unrequited lust.
Didier looked away toward the window, crossing his arms.
“Then let’s agree.” I took the necklace, momentarily forgotten, over my head. It was a solid piece. I’d thought it would feel like putting on handcuffs, but instead, I felt a weight lifted from me.
The sharing of my responsibility? He knew about Carina, knew that she was important. He’d agreed to protect her as well as me.
