Page 14 of Chosen, Eternally
“ I t’s really quite simple,” I say, the heel of my favorite boots pressing down a little harder on the vamp’s neck. “You either tell me who’s been providing you with the guns, or we end this right here, right now.”
“Cate, love,” James interrupts my interrogation. “I don’t mean to question your methods or anything?—”
“Then don’t,” I retort with a raised brow.
He ignores me. “But don’t you think it might be a bit difficult for the guy to reply when you’re crushing his windpipe?”
I look down at the vampire who, were he not dead already, would probably already be due to suffocation. With a sigh, I release a little pressure—just enough so he can respond.
“Noah Cooke!” The vampire stutters. “Noah Cooke is the one who put us in touch with the arms dealer.”
“The mayoral candidate?” I gasp. “That fucker !”
“Please. I told you the truth. Please let me go so I can get the hell out of here before they find out I told you. They’ll kill me if?—”
“Don’t worry. They’re not gonna kill you, because I am.”
It doesn’t take more than a second before I use a Fireball spell to burn him alive.
“That was…” James trails off.
Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, I walk over slowly to him. “I’m so sorry. Did that scare you? He was just never going to stop, and I couldn’t risk him?—”
“Hot. It was hot.” James wraps me in his arms under the crescent moon, and, as he so often does, kisses me right on the jugular.
My entire body shivers at his fangs’ closeness. It would just take him biting me a bit, a slight release of his venom, and?—
“Did you just—Did you just moan from a hug ?” He laughs.
I want to die of embarrassment.
“Not exactly,” I say, pushing him away. “Was just… thinking about something.”
It’s been almost two weeks since we last talked about the possibility of me turning. He’s given me space, and I appreciate it more than he knows. In that time, I’ve done more research on the matter as we’ve uncovered more and more secrets The Society and some accomplice vampires have volunteered.
“…Something?”
“About the possibility of me turning. You know, once it’s done, it’s done. We can’t go back. You won’t be able to get rid of me.”
He takes hold of one of my hips with one arm, cups my face with the other. “Is that what you’re concerned about? That we’ll have gone through this big change only for me to change my mind?”
“Maybe? Or at least it’s one of the concerns.”
James nods, always so understanding. “It’s a big deal, of course. I’m not trying to downplay it, love. And while I would love for you to join me on this odd journey, I’m not going to try to convince you.”
I sink into his arms, inhale the sweet scent of him. “That’s just the thing, though. I don’t need you to convince me. I already know I want to.”
He gasps and pulls away. “Really?”
I bite my lower lip to keep from smiling too hard, but it’s useless.
“Really. I just… need to get my affairs in order, first. People to kill, evil politicians to stop. In the meantime, we can look for the vampires who chose to be good—there are bound to be some still around, underground. But just so you know, I’m yours.
And I know you’re mine. And I can’t wait for you to turn me. ”