Part 10 (1/2)

Eli nodded. ”We think so.”

”Why did Hank want me?”

”Well, Heelian blood, your blood, makes vampires even stronger than they already are... temporarily. Hank must have found out about you later on and decided to come back for you. You were his only chance to stand up against Lucian.”

”Why would Lucian risk another vampire becoming stronger than him? Why send me out?”

”Because Lucian has your father ... Lucian is using him as his very own power station. Your father is older than you and a full blood, therefore he's stronger than you, much stronger. If someone kills you and takes your blood, it doesn't matter, they still won't be as strong as Lucian.”

The new information swirled around my mind. I clenched my jaw as I tried to fight off a thumping headache.

”Why can't Lucian just send-” I paused and thought about my father's name. What was it? I don't think Mum ever mentioned it, nor did I ever think to ask.

”Mithras,” Eli added.

Mithras? I wonder where that name originated from. A warm feeling surged in my cheeks and I nodded at Eli. It's embarra.s.sing not knowing what your parent's name is.

”Aleksandrov told me that Mithras is addicted to vampire bites. He's delusional, much like the woman you saw when you first arrived here. He wouldn't be much help.”

The woman's face flooded my memory. I remember her rocking and humming to herself. She had begged me to bite her, and when I did, she moaned in ecstasy.

I was bitten by a vampire once. It was a horribly painful experience and not something I ever want to go through again. I shuddered at the thought of vampire fangs being anywhere near my skin.

”Hey, it's okay.” Eli's voice pulled me from my thoughts. His smooth thumb wiped a tear away from my cheek. I had no idea I was crying until the room started to blur.

”I'm sorry; I don't know why I'm crying.” I sniffled.

”It's not your fault.”

”It is... almost every bad thing that has ever happened in your life was because of me or by one of my relatives.”

Two large, warm hands wrapped around my face, forcing my gaze from the floor. I met his eyes. Even in the dim light of the floor lamp they reflected such a nice green color.

”None of this is your fault.” He tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear and I bit my bottom lip out of nervousness.

I always feel out of control when I'm around Eli. I hate being out of control. Slowly, I pushed my face closer to his; he didn't pull away. His eyes rested on my lips as I released the bottom one from my teeth. He ran his thumb along them before pressing his own lips against mine. Eli's soft lips seemed to fit perfectly onto mine, making my heart race and the b.u.t.terflies in my stomach flutter uncontrollably. Eli was so gentle, so cautious.

The intensity of our kiss increased as our breathing became ragged. Only Eli could make me feel like this. I inhaled sharply as he pulled me on top of him so my legs straddled his thighs. The cool skin of his hands ran under my s.h.i.+rt and jacket, feeling the contour of my body, skin on skin, leaving my skin tingling in its wake. I ran my fingers through his short, soft hair as he trailed his kisses from my lips to the base of my neck and along my collar bone.

”Eli?” I panted.

”Hmm?” he mumbled, applying more kisses to my throat.

”I-I've never done this before.” My cheeks burned with embarra.s.sment as I squeezed my eyes shut; hoping it would make me feel less embarra.s.sed. The kisses slowed as they came back up my neck and to a stop, his hands still holding firmly onto my waist.

”I know.” He smiled. ”I can tell.”

I flushed. ”How?”

”I feel your body tense when I touch it. It's a foreign feeling and your body is confused.”

I exhaled in embarra.s.sment and slid off him, back to where I was previously sitting. My skin still tingled from his touch and my lips were already having withdrawal symptoms from his kisses.

”I want to do this with you,” I muttered. I love you, my subconscious added, but the three words fell silently into the back of my mind. I was ready to say them but I doubt Eli was ready to hear them. He took my hand in his, caressing it with his thumb.

”No, you don't, not like this. Your first time should be with someone you can be with, someone who is allowed to spoil you and make you happy before making such a leap.”

Eli brought my hand to his lips and kissed it softly. I closed my eyes; the kiss seemed too private to watch. He wants me to be with someone who is allowed to spoil me and make me happy. Little does he know that someone else could buy me the world, the stars, and the moon, but it still wouldn't make me as happy as he did just being in his presence.

”I should go,” I whispered, opening my eyes and meeting his.

”That's a wise decision.” He smiled, his eyes alive with a cheeky gleam.

I smiled. It was nice to see him perk up, seeing him so down was depressing. Reluctantly I dragged myself off the couch; his body heat was working like a magnet against me, trying to pull me closer.

d.a.m.n you, hormones.

The walk to the front door seemed too short. I didn't want to leave, even though it was best.

”So I'll see you tomorrow,” I said, stepping out onto the cute porch.

”Sure, and breakfast is at eight.”

I headed down the steps and onto the driveway.

”Sleep well,” he called.

I waved my hand behind me in acknowledgment.

I entered the lobby of the girls' dorm. I wasn't in the mood for sneaking, I was just going to walk right up to Mrs Ploit and tell her that I snuck out.

”I was with Mr Aleksandrov, my uncle.”

My head flicked up and Mila was standing in front of Mrs Ploit. Perfect. Maybe I could get out of this without incurring a detention.

”Mila!” I called. ”You kept walking; I had to tie my shoelace.”

I tried hard not to giggle, her face was priceless. She had no idea what I was going on about.

”Ruby? I have your signature here from earlier this evening. When Mr De Luca brought you back?”

Oops. I forgot about that.

”Yes but then I went back out; I was expected for dinner at Mr Aleksandrov's home. I must have forgotten to sign out. Why you didn't remind me when I walked past?”

”I mustn't have noticed. I've been feeling a little off lately.” She adjusted the reading gla.s.ses on her face.”

Mila faked a smile at Mrs Ploit but it didn't reach her eyes. Mila was either angry I'd snuck out again, worried about what the higher power wanted with me, or was curious what I was up to. We signed in and headed toward our room.