Page 23 of The Mistress, the Monster and the Marquess

Sil raised an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”

Benedict was of two minds about what to do. He didn’t want to tell Sil what he suspected but this may be the only time he might be able to ask an impartial person of such vast knowledge the question. “I saw both of their memories while they fed.”

A whistle left Sil’s throat as he appeared to be having trouble breathing. “Antony’s also?”

Benedict shrugged, trying for nonchalance, though he was desperate to hear what the ancient vampire thought. “Lina dismissed it, but his memories are getting stronger.” He stopped then, not wanting to share with anyone how strongly he felt about the two vampires who had only recently entered his life. He was still struggling with coming to grips with the intensity of it all, himself.

“Antony has been lonely for a very long time.”

Benedict nodded but waited for Sil to continue.

“You will only see the memories of a vampire you have a blood bond with. Lina feeding at the same time could not influence such a thing.”

Benedict’s shoulders dropped in relief. He had thought himself mad.

The old vampire got up to leave, evidently done with their conversation.

But Benedict wasn’t ready for him to leave yet. “Sil, may I ask you a question?”

Turning back, Sil nodded.

“I do not want to become a vampire yet, and I also do not wish for Lina or Antony to feed on others,” he said, feeling strangely possessive.

Sil turned fully now, his green eyes burning into Benedict’s. “That was not a question.”

Benedict nodded, that was true. “I don’t need to be turned, do I? If I am, they can no longer feed on me, can they?” Benedict was astounded by how casual he was being. Literally talking life and death, soul mates, and blood feeding. What had happened to his boring existence as a ton gentleman? It might as well have flown out the window!

“If you are not turned, you will die as all humans do and you will leave two very passionate, grieving immortals behind,” said Sil.

The picture Sil painted was a grim one. Yet, he had years to decide what he wanted to do. Decades really. “And the sustenance they need?” he pressed.

Sil began walking, pulling back the curtains so that he could go out the window, on the third floor. “Vampires may feed off each other for a short time, but they will need a human in short order.”

Benedict nodded, exactly what he had thought. “Thank you, Sil.”

The vampire nodded once and was gone.

“SIL, I NEED HELP.” Antony moved toward Lina’s maker, an Original vampire. He would answer Antony’s questions, surely.

“I know why you are here, Antony. There is no need to explain, my child.”

His lungs burning, Antony gasped and collapsed into a chair to Sil’s right. “How could you know what I seek, Sil?”

The ancient, but eternal youthful vampire smiled.. “I visited Benedict tonight and he spoke to me of you.”

Antony’s shock and pleasure overwhelmed him in an instant. He sat speechless for several moments, questions clouding his mind. “What did he say?” he asked anxiously, unable to hide his desire.

Sil smiled wider this time, his fangs extending slowly in remembered pleasure. “That he believes you are also his blood bonded mate.”

A tight band squeezed around Antony’s chest and for a moment he found it hard to breathe. “Is it even possible? I want it to be, but... Sil, help me. Can it be true?” Antony begged. He needed help. He felt completely lost. This was all unfamiliar territory for him, despite his age and experience as a vampire.

Sil raised his hand and stroked Antony’s cheek, his touch cold and strange.

“You don’t need my help, young one. I have witnessed your pain, watched your beautiful soul suffer because of your loss. It is time to let go.”

Antony felt a tear well up in his eye, his first in a century. The pain in his body, so long buried, was swelling and overflowing the box where he’d hidden the blackness that stained his soul for so long. “But I can’t just let Malcolm go.”

“You won’t be. He will be in your heart and memories forever. But you cannot continue like this—merely existing. If the fates in all their wisdom have designed another mate for you, you should not turn your back. Not again.”

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