Page 70 of Bullets and Blood

Nix had been marked many times before.A tattoo was clear for three months on a blooded vampire, after that it faded to an illegible smudge.Nix released Lance’s hand and put his arm out.

She drew the heart in pen and repeated the shape on Lance’s arm.“Same needle, boys, or too soon?”

Word travelled fast.

Lance smiled.“It’s fine.”

Nix glanced at him.Did he realize the implications?

Ann’s niece lifted an eyebrow at him, and Nix nodded.Guess they were a recognized couple.

She inked the outline of a red heart on the inside of Nix’s wrist and then filled it in with the bright red ink of the Reids.His skin heated.Every time it was redone, he’d have to swear to Ann Reid that he was still loyal.The last part of his skin was colored.She gave it a wipe and then turned to Lance.

Nix flexed his wrist, studying his new mark.

New ink.New start.New life.