Page 4 of Bite of Passage
Impossible.
She stood to get closer to the screen.
He didn’t lose his grip on Petra.The camera angle changed while Skarde glanced around and…
He stared straight at her, squinted, and said, “Pain has its place.Who’re you?”
Not freaking possible.
“Are you speaking to me?”She pointed at herself.She was losing her mind.Tequila was the devil.
Gold star award to the show for making it so personal.Thiswas powerful.
“What?”Petra’s face scrunched up.“Did the blade pierce your brain?You know who I am.”
He glanced down at Petra as if he’d forgotten about her and pushed away from her.“Why would I want to bed a witch who stabbed me?”
She pouted her lips and ran a finger along his neckline, reining him back in.“I simply wanted to get your attention in a unique way.”
He glanced Gemma’s way and mouthed, “Who are you?”
Gemma’s breath caught.A dizzy, almost whirly sensation set up inside her head.
“You’re askingme?”She pointed at herself again.“You’re actually speaking to me?”She took another gulp of water.
He nodded.
She jumped, dropped the water bottle, and spewed water down her scrub top.
Her efforts to swipe water off the top spread the liquid and made her nipples more prominent.She glanced up to find his gaze had locked onto her chest, not Petra’s.
Val’s spell was making her hallucinate a conversation with a fictional vampire.Not bad for junior level magic.
His eyes jerked up to meet hers.Heart pounding in this surreal moment that had to be in her head, she said, “I haven’t been watching long, but I’m Team Skarde.I swear.You need that wound looked at.If I were there, I’d help you.”
Petra moistened her lips.“Obviously, your reputation for being durable is true.I like that.How fast will you heal?”
Gemma moved closer to the TV.“I’m Gemma.”Her voice wavered.“I wish this were real.How neat would it be if you could really see me?”She shook her head.“My boobs are a lot bigger than that witch’s.In fact, they’re a lot bigger than that of any of those skinny women cast on the show.”I’m talking to a fictional vampire about my boobs, she thought.I’d never do this in real life.
A hint of a smile teased the corners of his mouth.
“Did you mean that thing about pain?”Gemma asked.“I’m not sure I’d be into… I’ve never tried it, but… what the hell am I saying?You and I will never end up naked together.”
Skarde’s whole facade shifted.This was fake Skarde now, the one from previous episodes who was on a mission to seduce.This Skarde was as terrifying as he was dreamy.“You want to know pain, Petra?Does it make you wet thinking about it?”His perusal dropped down the witch’s body.“Shall we meet later?There are too many people around.I’d like to prove my durability.”
“Midnight.The garden.”She ducked away from him, smoothed out her dress, and walked off.
He retrieved the knife and slid it into his pocket.Smart guy not to let her keep his blood.
“Never say never.”He stared right at Gemma through the TV.A wicked smile—a genuine, non-fake one—curled his lips.
Her heart bashed against her ribs as her whole body flashed hot.
He whispered, “Gemma.”
ChapterThree
The insanely hotfictional vampire had spoken her name.The episode ended.
