Page 31 of Bite The Power That Feeds

A burst of quiet anger erupted through him, but he didn’t scold me. “I didn’t love her the way I love you. Didn’t feel the jealousy that I feel right now. The idea of you feeding on a man…I don’t like it.”

“I can feed on a woman.” The whole thing was despicable to me. Whether they were male or female, I wouldn’t enjoy it.

He watched me. “Trust me…you’ll want a man.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s intimate. Once their blood hits your tongue, it’s more than just a feed. It’s…a moment. It’s like kissing. You wouldn’t want to kiss a woman, but a man.”

“I’d kiss a woman.”

“Once the elements of their blood hit you—” He stopped once he realized what I’d said, and a distinct rush of arousal scorched his veins. “What did you just say?”

“I’m not attracted to women, but I’m not repulsed by the idea like you are with a man.”

He gave a subtle nod as he continued to stare. “Can I watch?”

“Watch me feed?” I asked in surprise.

“Yes.” The tense conversation suddenly became far less strained. His despair had faded like mist over the ocean once the sun popped out of the clouds. He straightened in the chair, secured his arms over his chest.

“Didn’t realize you were into that.”

“Every man is into that, sweetheart.”

“Then will you feed from a man—”

“No.”

“So, I’ll make the sacrifice, but you won’t—”

“You offered. I didn’t ask. And you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”

All this talk made me hungrier, made me hungry for something that repulsed me. But the natural urges of my body took over. “A woman is fine.”

“Then let’s go.” He rose from the chair, far more invigorated than he’d been moments ago. When I didn’t rise, he stared down at me. “It took me a long time to accept my new life. A long time to accept this eternal darkness and everything that comes with it. But it’ll get easier…and easier.”

* * *

One of the elves led Viper and Kingsnake away, taking them to their respective tree houses to feed on the women who’d volunteered themselves. I was relieved I didn’t have to see what she looked like. Didn’t have to see the desire flash across her eyes when she looked at my fiancé. She must have seen him when he first came to Evanguard and jumped at the chance to be alone with him. As much as I despised the darkness they possessed, vampires were sexy.

“Larisa?”

I turned to Cobra beside me, who’d offered to wait with me while Kingsnake was away.

“Don’t let it bother you.”

“Easier said than done…” I looked away again, watching the light come through the canopy at the top of the trees.

“It’s just a meal. Nothing more.”

I knew Kingsnake hadn’t fed yet. His mind was devoid of emotions at the moment. With my heightened abilities, I could feel him over greater distances, and while that was a blessing in battle, it was a curse now. “Now that he can’t feed from me, I’m afraid he’ll want me less…and less. That someone else will come along with exquisite blood, and that’ll be the end.” I told Cobra the outright truth when I couldn’t share a sliver of it with Kingsnake.

“As long as you have those same tits and ass, he’ll never want you less.”

My eyebrows cocked.

“Don’t tell him I said that.” He grinned. “He’ll break my arm.”