Page 82 of Desired for Her Blood

“You put your trust in me,” he says. “Youalldid. I claimed that I could make you a vampire and I failed.”

“But…you said it might take more than one attempt.”

He nods. “But each attempt will carry more risk, and the length of time you were unconscious, and the way that I revived you—by burning your body. That is not how a transformation should occur.”

“But I’m okay.”

He shakes his head. “Risking your life, without enough information to predict the outcome. It was foolhardy. I almost killed you.”

“But you didn’t.” Leaning one shoulder against the stone, I inhale deeply, marveling at how my lungs expand more fully, like they’ve doubled their capacity for air, or maybe their ability to oxygenate my blood.

“I feel different,” I tell him. “I’ve definitely changed. Maybe next time it will work.”

He looks down toward me. Then he dashes away and back, quickly bringing the blanket.

And…I saw the entire thing. Even though it took place in the blink of an eye and the cave is very dark, I saw his every movement as he went to retrieve the blanket.

He holds the blanket toward me. “You must be cold.”

I push away from the wall, and he slips the blanket over my shoulders. It’s comforting and warm, but…

“I wasn’t all that cold.” My eyes open wider. “See? That’s what I’m saying. Ihavechanged. Are you sure I’m not a vampire?” It’s not like I’ve got a ravenous craving for blood or anything—the only thing I had a ravenous craving for when I woke was sex—but… “I don’t know how it feels to be a vampire.”

His back straightens and I see his teacher mode returning, and as stiff as that version of Zuben can be, I’m glad to see some semblance of the man I’m used to.

“I cannot explain every aspect of how it feels to be a vampire,” he says. “It has been centuries since I have known a life any different, but if the transition had succeeded you would know, and I would see it.”

“See it how?”

“In your enhanced appearance.”

I wince. “What about my appearance?”

“You are as beautiful as ever.” He brushes my cheek quickly with the backs of his fingers. “But if the transition had worked, you would…you would glow in a way that only other vampires can see. And you would have become even more beautiful than you already are—although it is hard to imagine improvements on such perfection.”

Blush heats my cheeks. Zuben claims that he doesn’t have feelings for me, but he certainly views me through glasses tinted with…withsomethingbeyond reality.

“Still…” I shake my head. “Like I said, I do feeldifferentnow. Stronger.”

A spark lights in his eyes. “Stronger. That is most interesting. We should investigate these changes, which you are experiencing. Test your new capabilities.”

“What are you talking about?” Ryker saunters toward us, water sluicing off his muscled body and his cock swinging from side to side.

I have to remind myself to lift my gaze.

Zuben crosses his arms over his chest. “Ember’s newfound capabilities.”

“I think the bear man and I did a mighty fine job of testing her impressive capabilities.” Ryker winks.

The blush on my cheeks deepens and I can’t suppress a smile as I shake my head at the grinning Ryker.

Zuben clears his throat. “She claims that she feels stronger.”

“Her pussy sure is.” Ryker slides his arm around me and squeezes my breast. “Your cunt nearly choked my cock to death.”

I play slap his hand. “Be serious, Ryker.”

“Actually—“ Zuben nods “—that is an interesting observation. You felt a difference while you were inside her?” His face is sparking with fascination, and as embarrassing as the topic might be, I’m glad to see Zuben lift out of his funk.