Page 64 of This Blood that Bonds Us

“Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.” Presley motioned to the other one, and I flanked him.

“I don’t know. I could probably drive. Where are my keys?” the one next to me said, his large fingers fumbling in his jacket.

“Nonsense. We can take you home.”

I hated being bait.

Something in my brain wouldn’t let me talk to people I was going to bite. The guilt got to me. I’d feel sorry for them and let them leave or it ended like last time when I practically took a chunk out of a guy’s neck. It was easier to let Presley take the lead.

The pulse next to me was so achingly close. I was afraid to drink human blood again, but the voice was quieter than ever, and having Kimberly donate to me occasionally was working. Still, how long could we do that for? Was it even sustainable?

I needed to test my theory. Maybe drinking Kimberly’s blood helped, and I could go back to my somewhat shitty normal.

There was only one way to know.

Presley led them to an empty parking lot covered in snow. I couldn’t even find the sidewalk. Everything in Alaska was empty and barren. In California, there were people everywhere and it was normal for people to walk places.

“Which one’s yours?” the tall one said.

“Sorry, dude. This is probably gonna hurt in the morning.” Presley pushed the taller one in my direction while he went for the shorter one.

I pulled him by the collar, not giving myself any time to think any harder on it, and sank my teeth into his neck.

The blood hit my throat, and I pushed him off with the remaining strength and sanity I had. Because The Thing in my head practically grabbed me from behind and pushed itself into my body.

I couldn’t feel my hands.

It wouldn’t let me move my feet.

I was drowning again and didn’t know if I’d be able to find my way back to the surface ever again.

You’re mine.

Twenty-Six

Kimberly

I shivered as I entered the shower. The water was warm, but the heater was never enough to thaw the chill in the bathroom. The glass shower door and the white tiles lining the floor were always cold. I huddled under the water, reciting my new list ofthings to do. A full moon was coming, and I’d been anticipating it all week, clawing at the chance to place my hand on that dagger again.

I wet my hair, and the door clicked open, then I turned in time to see Aaron opening the shower door.

“Aaron? Did tonight go okay?”

He pressed his chest into mine and pushed me back while shutting the door.

“What are you—”

“Kim.” His voice was drenched with longing. The whites of his eyes were tinged like black ink. “I found you.”

“You need blood,” I said breathlessly.

His trembling hands vibrated my arms. “I need you.”

I nodded and wrapped my hands in his hair, pulling him toward my neck. That’s all the invitation he needed to sink his teeth into my skin. After a few seconds, his lips were on mine. It was forceful but not too hard. Every second that passed, he took a little more. His tongue explored the inside of my mouth, and his hands tangled in my hair. He was kissing me like he hadn’t seen me in weeks or like he thought I might die.

“Aaron.” I could barely get his name out. The combination of the water running off his body and the ecstasy of his touch left me speechless.

He reeled back, with his irises overtaken in darkness. “Sorry, is this okay?”