Page 3 of Crimson Everlasting (The Crimson Vampire Coven #18)

He was manly in an old world sense, strong, solid, and mannerly, all the things that could make Emry’s heart patter. He stood well over six feet. Emry wasn't sure how much, since he was just over five feet; everyone seemed tall to him.

He stumbled over a root at one point, and Trent reached out and took his hand to steady him.

He would say that the contact was electric, but that word was too ordinary for such an exceptional man like Trent.

The contact was astonishing and left him swaying slightly under the effect.

That was more on track with the feelings rushing through Emrys.

Trent walked him to his car, which was parked half a mile from the site. He did this without asking, just fell into step with him, and continued their easy exchange. “Would it be too forward of me to invite you to dinner this evening?” Emry’s asked.

“Not forward at all," Trent said with a smile.

“Actually, I was trying to come up with the right words to ask you the same question.” He stated this with a cock of his head and a half smile that melted things within Emrys.

The reserve and distance he always held so fast were melting away under the heat, and this man was holding the flame.

“I’m staying at the Riverside Hotel, and I'm told they have a marvelous restaurant in-house."

“They do, how about I meet you there?"

“Does seven o’clock work for you?”

“Perfectly.”

Trent was having a hard time keeping his feelings in check and the pure excitement off his face.

He was assailed by a rush of familiarity as soon as Emrys had spoken to him at the creek, and the moment they touched, he knew exactly who this man was.

He was the new owner of the two hundred acres; he was human, and he was Trent’s chosen, his Fated bond.

Emrys Tarquin was twenty-five years old according to the research, and inherited the land from his cousin John Murphy, who was in real estate in New York prior to his death by natural causes.

It all seemed straightforward, but Trent got a sense that things were not exactly as they appeared.

He couldn’t put his finger on what it was that he suspected, but his intuition was telling him to pay attention.

Paying attention to Emrys would not be difficult. He walked him to his car and they discussed the land, the home he was envisioning building there, and his plans for the future. He was treating the land like a steward and not like a possession, which was admirable.

Trent was struggling with the best way to ask him out or get his number when Emrys asked him to dinner.

Emrys was feeling the attraction as well.

The date was set for seven o’clock at the Riverside Restaurant, and Trent was already feeling the excitement of seeing Emrys again, building in his core.

The pull was fierce, and by the hungry look in Emry's eyes, he was also feeling it.

"It was very nice meeting you, Trent." He said as Trent held his door, and Emrys effortlessly slid into the seat with his eyes never leaving Trent’s face.

"I'm glad our paths crossed today, and I'm looking forward to dinner," Trent responded.

They said their goodbyes, and Trent watched him pull out and onto the road.

He stepped forward in order to watch until he was out of sight.

He had it bad, so damn bad. He stood there for a few more minutes just looking down the road in the direction that Emrys had disappeared.

He pulled out his phone, called Anders and Shane, and asked them to meet him at the car.

The property owner had been on-site and was not inclined to sell.

He also intimated that they were on private property.

The agent who had given them permission no longer worked for him, making it clear that he had no authority to grant permission. They packed up and headed out.

Once back at the mansion, he met with Tobias in his office. "Sit down," Tobias instructed. "So, the sale is a no-go?" He asked, but his tone indicated he already knew the answer.

"He's building an elaborate home, a very lovely design, near the creek on the rise. He's serious about moving in. He's a young man, but comes off as mature and settled. He’ll be a good neighbor.” Trent couldn’t help the light feeling he had in his heart when he spoke of Emrys. Tobias kept staring at him and not speaking; he was obviously expecting there to be more. Trent hesitated for just a moment and then added. “He’s my chosen, Emrys Tarquin is my Fated bond.”

“I knew there was more to it.” Tobias laughed.

“You were too accepting and so complimentary of a man you just met and knew for less than an hour.” He continued to laugh and came over to stand next to Trent.

“I’m certain he will be a good neighbor.

" This time, Trent laughed along and let the happiness he was feeling fill the room.

“Excellent neighbor.” He responded. “We have a date for dinner tonight.”

“Good work.” Tobias clapped him on the shoulder. "Take a few days off and pursue your love, but keep me posted. I love a good romance."

“Will do.” Trent had a lot to think about and plans to make.

Master Alexander Stone and his chosen Quinn sat in the outer room along with Quinn’s father, Harkin, and waited for the doctors to tell them what was wrong with their son.

Cullen had joined them a few minutes ago, and they all held their breath as their lead doctor, Dr. Rashad, entered from the examination room.

They all stood as he came toward them. Alexander held Quinn to his side, supporting and comforting him as they waited.

Fergus had been unconscious since his arrival home.

His grandfather had flown him home in hopes of the vampire doctors finding a diagnosis and treatment, but the dire look on the doctor's face did not bode well.

“He remains unconscious, and the cause appears to be an issue with his blood. At sixteen, vampires go through a change; it’s subtle and amounts to nothing other than the blood type shifts a bit at that age and becomes richer and more highly charged.

” The Doctor was trying to explain, but his approach seemed hesitant, like he wasn't sure what he was saying.

It did not fill anyone with confidence, but there was plenty of fear and dread to go around.

"What are you saying, doctor? What does he need to get better?" Harkin exploded as he was too on edge to remain quiet.

“His parentage and his blood type are working against him during this time of change. Whereas in any other vampire youth it would happen naturally and without incident, young Fergus is suffering, and his body is shutting down. He needs a transfusion.” That seemed easy enough; transfusions were done every day.

“Give him a transfusion, whatever he needs.” Alexander barked. Everyone was running thin on patience.

"He needs human blood." The doctor again became hesitant. There was bad news coming, and no one wanted to hear it.

“We can get that; it’s not a problem.” Alexander turned to Cullen. “Find us a volunteer." He said, and just as Cullen was about to leave, the doctor stopped him.

"It must be pure; it must possess elements that were only present in human blood prior to the twentieth century. Current donors would not be a match for what Fergus needs.”

It was Cullen who finally made sense of the nonsensical.

“Fergus needs a blood transfusion from a human that was born before the year 1900, so you need someone well over one hundred and twenty-five years of age. I am assuming that humans who were bitten and bonded by a vampire or a shifter do not qualify due to the changes that occur in their blood during the bond.”

"Correct, the element is a purity marker that no longer exists due to industrial changes to the environment and chemical alterations in consumables. Over the years, it suppressed and changed aspects of human blood.” The doctor continued to tiptoe around comments and explanations.

“People born before 1900, if there was one still alive, would still possess the element of purity that is required. It’s a cleansing agent that Fergus requires, and I don't know any other source.

" The doctor's hesitation was now understandable.

He regretted having to tell these parents there was very little hope that their son was going to survive.

Everyone stood there, stunned, and Quinn began to cry.