Page 88 of Burn Falls

“How can she be compelled and I can’t?”

Draven shrugged. “Don’t know. I haven’t been around many vampires. Maybe another vampire knows, but we don’t. Athan has made some calls to a few vamps that he’s met over the years, but no one has heard of humans not being able to be compelled.”

“What did you tell her?”

“Just that you’re a beautiful person inside and out and she needs to be a loving mother.”

“I don’t think she didn’t love me before. I think she just expected a lot from me.”

“Because you’re the oldest?”

“I guess.” I shrugged. “My sister is skinny, and all I hear from my mother is about my weight and how no man will love me for being fat. She wants grandkids, and Betha and Alastair are still in college.”

Draven grabbed my hand and laced our fingers. “You’re more than just what’s on the outside, sweets. And while Betha may be skinnier, she doesn’t hold a candle to the woman you’ve become. Your mother will now realize that too, and when you’re ready, you can have kids.”

“But you compelled her to think that. She doesn’t truly believe it.”

“I compelled her to be nice. I didn’t specify about what.”

“Oh.” I thought for a moment. “Can vampires have children?”

Draven looked over at me with a tight smile and a shake of his head. “No.”

That night, we did make it to Tatogga. We ended up renting a cabin for the night, and as Draven and I lay in bed waiting for the sun to go down, I couldn’t help but wonder what it must have been like the night he was turned.

“I’ve really enjoyed spending these last two days together,” I said, trailing my finger along Draven’s chest as I propped my head in my hand.

“Me too, sweets. Me too.”

“It’s still surreal to think of you as a vampire though.”

He grinned. “I can imagine.”

“How many people have you turned?”

“None.”

“Oh, right. You mentioned that the night I found out, but why haven’t you? Isn’t that what vampires do?”

“I’ve vowed to never turn a human.”

“What if they want to be turned?”

Draven sat up and leaned against the headboard. “Are you asking me to turn you?”

I shook my head slightly. “No, not at all. I’m just curious.”

“Humans may think they want to be turned, but wouldyouwant to give up daylight and the taste of food?”

I’d already thought about that. “I think I’d only want to be turned if that meant I could spend eternity with my one true love.”

“So, love is better than daylight and the taste of food?”

I sat up and turned toward him, sitting cross-legged. “Of course it is. I wouldn’t want to be immortal and lonely.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I was falling in love with him. Or maybe I was in love with him? I knew I didn’t want whatever we had to end.

“Most of us don’t have the luxury of getting to choose to turn or not.”