Part 27 (2/2)

”You need to drink more. Then the change will be complete, and you can learn to stalk a human victim.”

”Peachy. So I'm no longer human?”

”You, Belladonna, are now a vampire.”

He p.r.o.nounced it with such grandeur, as if bestowing an honor.

Oh h.e.l.l, what would Seth think of her now? Or her mother? Probably she could keep this secret from her mother. They were distant at best.

”So let's get on with it,” Bella said. ”Shall I do the other wrist?”

He rubbed his neck and raised his brows.

”Ah. The neck. Suppose I need to learn the routine, eh?”

He nodded. ”It would be best. You know the difference between the carotid and the jugular?”

”Nope.”

”Then let's get you up to pace, because I don't want you biting into any arteries.”

”On the bed?” Bella gripped her throat.

The fangs already felt natural. And after a quick lesson on discerning veins from arteries, she was ready for this. But Ivan stood before his king-size bed, covered with rich emerald damask, as if it was the most natural thing to expect her to climb on with him.

”Do you prefer the chaise?” The narrow chaise longue in front of the window was covered with pillows. ”The bed's going to be more comfortable.”

She climbed on the bed, needing a lift from Ivan because it was so high.

Not wanting to wait awkwardly for the right moment or signal, she pushed him against the pillows and dove toward his neck.

Canines to skin. The act felt natural. Her sharp teeth easily penetrated his flesh. Blood pooled in her mouth.

Ivan didn't flinch, and she thought to ask him if it was all right, but then put that worry aside. Of course it was all right.

Then again, nothing would ever again be right.

Das.h.i.+ng her tongue over the bite mark, she licked up his slowly flowing blood. She would need to suck to make it come out easily. The first bite was more delicious than the one in the living room.

The more blood she drew from him, the headier the taste. Bella lifted his shoulder and head to bring him closer to her.

He made a noise of satisfaction. His hand palmed her back-not stroking, nothing overt-but she took it as a sign to continue.

Closing her eyes, she drank until she thought she could drink no more.

And when Ivan let out a moan and tilted his head, his body shuddered against hers. The swoon. An o.r.g.a.s.m.

What he must feel, knowing his wife was off in another country while a stranger was literally getting him off. Bella realized Ivan had sacrificed much to help Severo and her.

Drawing away from her, he pushed up to sitting position. ”Did you lick the wound?”

”Yes. But I don't need to for you, do I?”

”No, but you should get used to it. How did that feel?”

”Great. You, uh...”

”It felt awesome.” He slid off the bed and offered her a hand. ”Let's go talk semantics.”

Good. He was keeping this businesslike. And while she'd much prefer to loll in bed and slip into a heady reverie now that her soul had been fed with blood, she followed him out to the living room.

He stood in the entry to a mansion east of the city. Elvira's limo had driven here an hour earlier. Severo had hung back under an elm tree, watching as a crew of vampires followed her inside. Four of them. He recognized one who had chased Bella that fateful night of their first encounter. He hadn't seen his face, but the longtooth's foul scent lived in his brain.

He snarled. His teeth descended as the wolf fought for release. There was no need to completely release the werewolf. He didn't need that strength. But he'd go halfway. Enough to ensure swift and final death.

The foyer was empty, and the front door had been left unlocked. Careless vampires. Loud rock music blared from somewhere beyond the doors at the end of the vast foyer. One vampiress and four s...o...b..ring minions? He could imagine what sort of debauched play went on in there.

Something stirred in his periphery. As soon as the vampire sighted the werewolf standing in the entry-stripped to the waist and half s.h.i.+fted, with long, muscular arms and taloned claws-he charged Severo.

Severo swiped the air. His talons cut through the flesh and bone at the neck, removing the vampire's skull in one leathery tear.

Severo tossed the head. The vampire ashed, all except the head.

The music stopped, and two male vampires sped toward him. He made quick work of them, not moving from his position.

Letting out a howl that had been birthed deep in his chest, Severo stomped forward, scenting the final longtooth. This one cowered behind a marble column. Severo grabbed him by the head and swung him across the floor. The vampire slid through two piles of b.l.o.o.d.y ash and landed at the front door with a crack of bone.

Severo pounced, landing with his forepaws upon the vampire's chest. He beat down once, forcefully with fisted talons, penetrating the vampire's rib cage and slicing through pulsing heart muscle. He ripped out the beating organ and tossed it behind him.

The vampire gnashed his fangs before Severo ripped off his head and threw it to the wall, not a foot from another staring head.

Huffing and heaving, Severo stretched tall, shedding the werewolf and resuming were form. Since he'd only half s.h.i.+fted, he still wore his leather pants. He shook off the blood from his hands.

The scent of another vampire made him bring his head upright, his ears p.r.i.c.king.

Stilettos crossed the marble floor, one heel slightly worn and creating a louder tone upon landing. Severo swung to face her, arms arced out at his sides. He breathed with triumph. A bittersweet win.

Elvira regarded her fallen comrades with a bored sigh. The still-pulsing heart elicited a small sneer from the vampiress. ”Does this mean we're even?”

Severo snorted and punched his fist loudly into his opposite palm. ”As even as the two of us will ever be.”

”I can accept that.”

As could he. He had no intention of harming the one individual who had been responsible for his remaining unmarked while in captivity. But he would never forgive Evie her indiscretions toward Bella.

”My bags are packed.” She pouted. She couldn't s.h.i.+ft her dark-shadowed eyes away from the heart, not five feet to her left. ”I think Berlin will be lovely for a time.”

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