Page 39 of Origins of Eternity

“Iro and Arwen are getting close, and I’d like to keep an eye on them, but I can’t all the time because Iro will know I’m there. She can smell me if I get too close. She knowsallmy scents. Anyway, she doesn’t even know I’m in the city. You told me you work with Arwenandyou’re her best friend.”

“You can’t hurt Arwen,” Zara told her.

“I don’twantto hurt Arwen,” she said, not promising that she wouldn’t. “I want you to be with Arwen, and I want my love back. Simple math, really. Once I have Iro back, you can turn Arwen if you want or let her live out her life as a human and watch her die one day after you’ve had a long life together.”

“You’re assuming Arwen would want that.”

“I think you can convince her. I know she’s under Iro’s spell right now, but Iro and I are bound. We have been since she turned. Nothing will break us apart.”

“You’re apartnow.”

Cassia glared down at her and said, “Be careful, Zara. I want to turn you, not kill you.”

Zara swallowed and said nothing as Cassia pressed down on her chest a little harder.

“We’re apart because Iro likes to take little breaks from time to time, and I let her. We get back together, though, and we always will.”

“And you’ll leave Arwen alone?”

“Of course. I don’t want to kill her,” she partially lied. “I mean, if I did, Iro would be terribly angry, and I’d have to wait another century for her to calm down. I don’t mess with the women she beds while we’re apart. She doesn’t mess with the onesIdo. That’s how it works.”

“I don’t…”

“Zara, you have two choices, really. One is that you let me turn you, and you live a long, immortal life and never feel real pain again. The other is that you don’t, and the smart thing for me to do would be to kill you, but you’re too close to this annoying Arwen, so Iro would know, and I’d be in the same spot as before, waiting at least a full century for her to cool down. So, I’d have to let you go, but I wouldnotbe happy about it, Zara. I’d be forced to keep an eye on you for the few months you have left, and I have friends who would do the same. If you step out of line and tell your friend about me, or even Iro, I’d have to take action, which would not be pleasant. If I turn you, on the other hand, I can make it quick. I won’t drain you. Your blood will taste terrible anyway. It’ll be a quick drink for you, and then, a neck snap.”

“Neck snap?”

“Yes. You have to die to be reborn, dear,” she replied. “Now, what will it be?”

“You expect me to decide this right now?” Zara asked.

“Well, you don’t exactly have much time, do you?” Cassia ran a fingertip down between Zara’s legs. “I have the best idea. What if I’m making you come, you drink, and then, a neck snapright when you’re in the throes of passion? Fuck. That would be hot.” She slipped a finger inside Zara, whose body seemed to welcome her. “Oh, there’s a good girl,” she added when Zara’s legs opened to her. “You want this, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Zara said. “I’m tired. I don’t want to die.”

“And you will keep a little eye on them for me?” Cassia asked. “Let me know how things are progressing?”

She slipped a second finger inside.

“Yes,” Zara said with her eyes closed. “If this is real, if you can do this, then just do it. I’m done. I’m ready.”

“That is excellent news,” Cassia replied and climbed on top of Zara, pressing in deeper. “Wait until you have vampire sex, Zara. It’s so much better than human sex. You can come an infinite number of times and never get tired, never get sore after.”

“Oh, fuck,” Zara let out.

“Yes, like that,” Cassia said before she leaned down to lick Zara’s neck. “Now, I have to bite you because your blood needs to mix with mine, but I won’t drain you.”

“Okay.”

“It will only hurt for a second, darling. Just think about how good my fingers feel inside you.”

She bit down more gently than she normally would.

“Ouch!” Zara exclaimed.

Cassia giggled as she licked at the blood that didn’t taste delicious or sweet and then leaned back while she still fucked Zara. She bit her own wrist and let their blood mix before she held her wrist to Zara’s mouth.

“Open up for me, sweetheart.”