Page 66 of Beyond the Ruby River
Temaj pressed on, “He’s terribly young still. It’s unfair to expect him to understand the commitment of vampire to fledgling. But it’s also unfair of him to ask it of me. And most especially, of you.”
“My death will break his heart,” Mahu admitted sadly. “Will you be there for him then? When it happens?”
“I will.” Temaj’s solemn tone brought Mahu some comfort.
“He isn’t feeding. Not enough.”
“I can help with that too, for now, but he must learn to take better care of himself.”
“Of that, we’re in perfect agreement. His sister Niya has mentioned the brothel. I’ve asked him to go, but he refuses despite my assurances that it’s okay. I never asked him for his exclusivity, but he’s given it nonetheless. I’m worried for him.”
“As he worries for you. Perhaps…” Temaj trailed off, his gaze focused not on Mahu, but past him. “Earlier I had an idea. I’ve already told Daka. You may not like it.”
“Let’s hear it.” Mahu was willing to consider anything that might free Daka from his self-made prison.
“I need to feed as well. What do you know of vampires, Mahu?”
“Very little. You can only come out at night. You drink blood,” Mahu struggled to say the words without wincing. “You’re immortal, like Daka.”
“A decent beginning. You got the first two right, but we’re not quite immortal in the way incubi are immortal. There are ways to kill us, and ways we may take our own lives. But the blood? You’re correct about that.”
Mahu’s instinct was to cringe, but he tamped it down. “And you’re…hungry?”
“I am. I could take Daka with me to the brothel to feed and insist he feed as well. But if you came with us, if you were the one to insist, perhaps that would help him move on from feeding exclusively from you.”
The idea had merit, and Mahu longed to accept, but he had to face reality. He’d never make it all the way to town and back. Not anymore. He was too weak. “I haven’t the strength. Walking from this bed to the front door leaves me winded.”
Temaj leaned forward. “I could help with that too.”
Mahu didn’t see how. Unless Temaj planned to carry him all the way, it was impossible. Mahu’s body was too far gone. “How?”
“A small infusion of my blood would do the trick. You’d experience a temporary revival of your senses…your strength. The rejuvenation should last long enough for an outing.” Temaj held up a cautionary finger, perfectly manicured and gleaming. “But a word of warning, the effects will wear off in an hour or two, and you’ll be back to where you started, which may feel even worse after the short reprieve.”
Mahu took that in. “Your blood?”
“Yes. A swallow. Perhaps two.”
Mahu’s eyes widened as his eyebrows flew high. “You want me to drink it?”
“I don’t want you to do anything, Mahu,” said Temaj, sounding slightly put-off. “Rather, I’ve made you an offer. ‘No’ is a perfectly acceptable answer, and I’ll trouble you no further.”
Mahu forced himself calm. “Apologies, I didn’t mean to offend. It’s a bit shocking.”
“Forgiven, and I should have realized that. It’s been a long time since my first experience drinking blood. Do you want it? It’s up to you.”
Considering the prospect carefully, Mahu longed to take a deep breath, but his chest would no longer allow it.
One night’s reprieve? One last walk through the city he loved? One chance to help Daka accept himself and his body’s needs? It was a good plan Temaj had come up with and showed he wanted the best for Daka, the same as Mahu. And all Mahu would have to do was stomach a mouthful of blood.
Given that, how could he say no?
“Yes,” said Mahu with more force than he’d realized he was still capable of. “I want it.”
“Very well.”
A tremor rocked Mahu’s spine. Nerves. “When?”
“Shall we say tomorrow evening? I’ll hunt alone tonight, you and Daka can talk things over, and I’ll return tomorrow at sundown?”
