Page 47 of Blood Lust

“I’m nervous.” Rightfully so. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t suggest a public feeding, but this particular establishment would have many other vampires if things get out of hand. While humans may be in danger, they won’t be the largest population. If somethingdoesgo wrong, it is the best place for it to happen.

“I truly think a lot of what happened was a combination of events—not having your memories and not merging with your new consciousness. Having your first human feeding go wrong, then the following human being, someone who abused you, followed by the return of your memories,” In my opinion, all of these events absolve her of any guilt. “I’m sure most vampires in that situation would likely have lost control.”

“I just don’t like that there’s a part of me that’s like a separate entity. She can fight me for control and doesn’t seem to have any moral compass.” I know what she means. Each of us came face to face with a more primal version of ourselves during the change. Theoretically, it’s supposed to be what gives us all of our vampiric instincts and ensures that we survive after we’ve turned. But Wren is right. They don’t feel remorse, and they don’t care about what they do at all as long as it gets done.

Our ultimate selfishness.

Which is why the merge is so essential. We are meant to embrace it during the change. During my transformation it didn’t feel like a choice to me. Speaking with Charlee, Rolando, and everyone in our household, they all say the same thing. We met our worst selves and embraced them with love and light.

Wren hadn’t been herself during the change. It’s the only explanation for it.

“You also know about the bond now. I can help you, bring you back if you slip.” I pull back, slipping my hand into hers. “I will keep you safe, even from yourself,” I vow to her. If I could have her live just on blood bags for the rest of time, I would. Wren nods, takes one last look at herself, and sighs.

“Let’s do this.”

***

Seeing the surprise on Wren’s face as we pull up to Obsidian is amusing. Of all the places we could be going to tonight, I don’t think a dance club is exactly what she pictured. Our coven owns it, managed and run by vampires for vampires. Humans get in, drink, have a good time, and if one of us wants their blood, we compel them off to the side and take it. The other humans will either be too drunk or enthralled with another vampire looking to do the same thing to them, to take notice of what is happening.

One particularly observant human picked up on it once.

That was an exciting night.

Fortunately, that many vampires meant they were compelled within seconds to remain calm and forget they ever noticed anything.

Wren places her hand in mine as I help her from the car. Vampires are always VIPs, so we bypass the velvet rope that holds off the humans. Now that four more vampires had arrived, they’d let a few more in. Having a bouncer isn’t to keep the Fire Marshall happy. It is to keep us from being overwhelmed with options. He opens the door, and I lead Wren to her hunting ground.

All vampires can compel humans. According to Charlee, Wren has that under control already. I can still sense her unease about the whole thing, and I find myself deeply wishing I could allow her to feed from me for the rest of eternity. Vampire blood will keep her strong, but it will never fully satisfy the thirst.

The hall inside the door is dark, the sound of music up ahead the only directional indication. Humans will have difficulty seeing, but Wren and I can see the pocket doors tucked into the walls. There is more to this building than we let humans know, other supernatural species need a safe place, and we provide them with it.

When the hallway ends, all I can smell is sweat and blood.

The music is loud and thumping, bodies move in time with the beat, and the bartender keeps the liquor coming. But I’m not looking at any of it. I am watching Wren. She takes it all in. The shock and awe from leaving our quiet little mountain getaway and coming here has rendered her speechless.

“Come dance with me,” I pull her onto the dance floor amid the humans and vampires and press her body to mine. I am behind her, my hands snaking around her waist as we move in rhythm. The lights flash around us, a strobing effect making it look like the crowd is moving in slow motion. All I can smell is her shampoo.

Fucking honeysuckle.

Good gods, she smells like sunshine in the spring. And she is all mine.

Mine.

I can hardly believe the way things have turned out in just three weeks. From a random meeting in the store, a whisper across my mind, her cry for help, to finally finding my mate.

The idea that she wouldn’t feel the same draw to me as I did her ate at me while I watched her change. Usually, one of us would form a bond with our humanbeforeturning them. They would want to become like us, if only so they could remain at our sides for eternity.

But she does feel it.

She felt it all along and hadn’t known what to call it or what to do with it.

My fault.

I may have been foolish to miss time with my little bird, but I held to my principles, and she had understood them. She understandsme. Some things were carved deep in my soul centuries ago that will never change. Family, chivalry, and honor mean more to me than anything else, and have for so long. I won’t and can’t just give that up for selfish reasons.

So many what-ifs had raced through my mind at the time. Yet, Wren has willingly given herself to me, has she not? She craves me the way I desire her. It is like we have always known each other. Our souls dance when we take each other’s blood and form our minds into one. I worship her entirely. Her soul, her essence, her mind, her body… Oh, her body.

This last week I took it upon myself to explore every inch of Wren’s skin and then some. I knew exactly where to touch to make her squirm or squeal. I’ve tasted her from head to toe, and she bares it all for me. Good God, I could spend the rest of time between her thighs, and it still wouldn’t be enough.

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