Page 38 of Across the Sapphire Sea
“Thanks,” said Remy, taking the other for himself and Laurence.
“Thank you.” Ash took one of the beasts under his sway. “Elias?”
Elias joined Ash and ran a hand down the deer’s fuzzy winter coat. The amount they’d take, even together, would not hurt the animals. When they were done, the reindeer would be released from the compulsion and freed to rejoin their herd.
Drinking from an animal was never pleasant. They stank, their fur stuck to your lips, their blood tasted bland compared to a human’s. Despite all that, in many ways, Elias preferred it.
At least there would be no argument with Valeri over a reindeer.
* * *
Four Years Ago
A terrible thirst woke Elias from slumber. Distressed, he called out to Valeri for help. He wasn’t sure he used actual words, but Valeri appeared at his side and offered his wrist.
Elias bit without hesitation, in a blind need so desperate he could do nothing else. The blood hit his throat, and he couldn’t swallow fast enough. Gulp after gulp, anything to quench the insufferable thirst.
Valeri petted him with his free hand until Elias came back to his senses. He had Valeri’s arm clenched in tight fingers so hard it must hurt, but Valeri didn’t complain. Elias loosened his hold and continued to drink. He began to think more clearly.
He was a vampire now and would be dependent on the blood of others for the rest of his life. The sobering thought, as he guzzled blood straight from Valeri’s vein, frightened him. What had he done? The feeling wasn’t regret, exactly, but the question loomed large in his mind.
“That’s enough for now.” Valeri’s voice broke through the haze of feeding and the impending panic threatening to take hold. “Finish and heal the wounds.”
Elias did as he was told, and though his thirst had slaked, the desire for more remained.
Valeri had sat next to him on the bed, and at some point, Elias had practically crawled into his lap. He didn’t remember doing that, only the blood. But Valeri’s arms felt good around him. He leaned into the touch, considering how to voice his fears.
“We must leave here tonight.” Valeri pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin behind his ear, then nuzzled into his hair.
“Leave? But why?”
“The villages nearby don’t have populations large enough to support a fledgling vampire. You’ll need to feed every night. We must go to Rovaniemi where the dead will not be noticed.”
“The dead!” Elias gripped Valeri’s shoulders and squeezed. “I don’t want to kill anyone. I’ll only take a little, like you did from that farmer last night.”
Valeri shook his head. “You won’t have that kind of control right away. The will to stop feeding before the death of your meal comes with time.”
“But you said—” Elias racked his mind. He’d thought to make sure Valeri didn’t have to kill to feed, and he’d assumed he wouldn’t have to either, but he’d never actually asked.
“I said, ‘I enjoy killing.’ Or did you mishear? Perhaps you wanted to.”
“Perhaps I did.” He searched Valeri’s eyes. “I don’t want to kill anyone. You must help me. Please.”
Valeri softened. “Of course I will help you.” He kissed Elias on the mouth. “Pack your things. We’ll take the horses and go south to Rovaniemi. I’ve another house in the city, and there are rumors I want to look into.”
“Rumors?”
“I’ll tell you later. The journey will take all night. Come along.”
Elias got up from bed, washed, and dressed. Packing took only a minute because there was nothing to pack but the clothes Valeri had given him. He looked around their cozy cave-like dwelling. He liked this place. He’d thought they’d be staying and was sorry to leave the comfortable rooms behind.
“Will we come back?”
Valeri gave a shrug, unconcerned. “Maybe? I don’t know.”
“What about your things?” There was far more in the home than the horses could take with them.
“They’re just things. We can get more.”
