Page 85 of Blood and Bonbons

As the panic slowly faded, I started to think more rationally. It’d been stupid for Vena and me to go there alone. If not for Cross–

“How did you know where we were?” I asked.

“I always know where you are,” he said. “But I knew you needed me when you bled.”

That had to sink in for a moment before I twisted in my seat to look at him.

“How far away were you?” I asked.

“Across town. I was acquiring more appropriate clothing.” His eyes turned dark as he stared at Vena. “The clothes you provided were not helping me blend.”

She cleared her throat guiltily and opened her mouth. Probably to say something snarky. I cut her off.

“You smelled me bleed from all the way across town?”

“No. I sensed you bleed,” Cross clarified.

“You can sense me bleed? Why?”

“Vampires are proprietary. Once we acquire a human, that human is ours.”

“Acquire? I’m acquired?” I asked, feeling the panic rising again.

“I’ve tasted your blood twice, Everly. We are linked on a very intimate level. You are not owned; you are protected.”

That helped me feel a little better. As did the soft smile he gave me.

“I won’t allow anyone else to feed from those I feed on,” he assured me. “Sensing when you bleed is like an alarm.”

“Or like a dinner bell,” Vena said under her breath.

I shot her a warning look.

“Well, it came in handy,” I said, preferring to focus on the positive. “Thank you for coming. And I'm sorry about the clothes. The old ones and the new ones. I’m not sure that much blood will come out.”

“Don’t bother yourself over it. I’ll find more.”

“Speaking of clothes, how did you get the suit without money?” Vena asked.

“I can procure anything when people are willing to give.”

That “willing to give” thing kept coming up. After the blood alarm comment, I didn’t want to dwell on it, though.

“You can take a shower at our place,” I said. “We’ll figure out new clothes for you unless you have more.”

“I only accepted what I’m wearing. I will have to acquire more once I have money.”

There was that word again. I wasn’t sure I liked it anymore.

“I’m sure Vena will happily lend you some of her brother’s clothes, which will blend. At least until you can get your own.”

“Or he can wear your fuzzy pink robe while finding something on his own.”

Cross leaned forward toward Vena…within biting range. “Have you forgotten what I did to save you?”

Vena glanced at me but then returned her eyes to the road. “Shower first, and we’ll deal with clothes later. Your bloody face is already attracting attention.” She flipped half a peace sign to the gawking couple in the car next to us.

“Maybe you should lie down,” I said.

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