Part 27 (1/2)
”Not particularly.” He clasped one of her hands. ”This life, Bella, is wondrous. You should not fear it. The idea of drinking blood may repulse you now, but trust that it will quickly become second nature. You will be gifted with immortality, so you may live with your mate as long as he lives.”
”But he has only a few centuries left.”
”And don't you want to spend that time with him?”
”I do. If he'll have me.”
”Give him a chance to adjust. Severo has been wounded.”
She nodded. Vampires had stolen his family. That was a wound she doubted anyone-even mortal-could get over. ”Do you have enemies? What about werewolves?”
”I grew up during the height of the war between the vampires and witches. My mother actually killed my father once. But he rose from the ashes as a phoenix and then managed to fall in love with her.”
”That sounds weird, yet wickedly romantic.”
”I imagine it was. So no, I've never been prejudiced or hated any particular species or breed. I have the blood of both witches and vampires in my veins. And you will have that gift, as well. You will be a rarity among vampires, Bella. Very strong.”
”I like the idea of being strong. And I don't ever want to call another species my enemy, either. h.e.l.l, a species? You can't imagine how my life has changed these past few months.”
”I can't, actually.” He smiled. ”I was born this way, so humanity is a curiosity to me.”
”But you're humane.”
”We all are, so long as we don't succ.u.mb to the darkness that threatens us with every sip of blood we take. We vampires are called the Dark, but it's only a label. It's nothing we have to embrace. Witches are the Light. Though I have my doubts about that one at those times when my wife is angry with me.”
His smile s.h.i.+ed from his lips as he looked aside.
”So what do we do?”
”You need to drink my blood.” He tugged his sweater off and held up his wrist. But Bella didn't notice his wrist, because the hard pecs and washboard abs distracted her.”I thought you said we didn't have to get naked?”
”Oh, sorry. I didn't want to ruin the sweater. I can put it back on.”
”No. It's fine. Just show me what to do.”
”I'll bite into my wrist and then you drink. Simple as that. But don't pause, because I heal quickly.”
”H-how much?”
”You'll know. Ready?”
”Wait.” She gripped his wrist, holding it over her lap.
This is your last chance to run away from it all, Bella, she told herself. You can end it. Not have to face drinking blood for a freaking eternity.
NO.
She wanted to live. With Severo. And she'd be d.a.m.ned if she was going to allow him to use the longtooth defense to weaken their love. She was in it for the long haul. The werewolf was going to have to accept her.
”I'm ready.”
Crimson blood bubbled on Ivan's wrist like candy beads. It didn't smell awful; in fact, it smelled delicious. Bella didn't pause. She took his arm and pressed her lips over his bloodied flesh.
The vampire moaned, but not out of pain. It stirred Bella from her intent sucking. G.o.d, this tasted good. It filled the aching hunger that had been clawing at her for days.
”More,” she murmured.
He'd told her the swoon would affect the victim, but it took hold of her, as well. Bella dropped Ivan's wrist. Thrusting her head back, she smiled and drew up her knees as she twisted on the leather chaise.
She was sated.
”Rest,” Ivan whispered near her ear. He put a blanket over her. ”Your teeth should come in quickly. We'll take the next step then.”
Bella closed her eyes to dreams of Severo taking her in the pool, his strong arms holding her against the cement wall, his hips b.u.mping hers as he thrust deeply into her.
She slept, or maybe it was a reverie of sorts. Either way, Bella came to clarity with a p.r.i.c.k at her lip. She touched her mouth. The spot of liquid wasn't saliva.
”Oh, h.e.l.l.”
From around the corner Ivan popped his head. ”Ah, your fangs have descended. How do you feel?”
Like she had a bad toothache. ”Not sure.”
”Come look in the mirror,” he suggested. ”It'll help you to acclimate.” Bella followed Ivan down the hallway. The bathroom was another all-white, blinding splendor of modern-day privilege.
He hung back at the door as she approached the mirror. Dark circles had formed beneath her eyes. Her skin looked faded, in need of a tan. What a wreck, she thought. But there, glinting in her mouth, were sharp fangs.
”How am I going to do this?” she said with an open mouth, not wanting to bite herself.
”You can will them down when you need them. Most often when the hunger strikes, they will descend automatically. You might cut yourself a time or two until you become accustomed to them. They're pretty.”
She shot him a look over her shoulder. ”Pretty? You think?”
She bent toward the mirror and touched the fangs. They were small, about twice as long as a normal tooth. And pinpoint sharp.
Severo would not like this.
And yet he sported fangs that were much the same in his werewolf form.
Bella sighed and leaned against the counter to face Ivan. ”I'm losing him, you know. You and he both say he can accept me, but he's fooling himself.”
”I wouldn't be too sure about that, Belladonna. Sure, Severo's hatred for the vampire goes back many decades. But it is a focused hatred, which he has allowed to expand for reasons that have no tie to the original hate. There is no reason he cannot love you exactly as he has.”
”You talk a good game, Ivan. Your wife is a lucky lady.”
”I'm the lucky one. So how do you feel?”
”The same. Still have that strange ache below my lungs.”