Page 31 of Those That Are Lost (Hidden Vampires #2)

AURORA

S tanding by the fire is not an option, it's a necessity, after the snowball fight ends. The heat from the flames dry my overcoat as I keep sneaking glances over at Ty.

The kiss still lingers on my lips and will forever be etched in my brain.

I knew kissing him again would shatter the final walls I’ve built to protect myself.

I did it anyway, tired of ignoring how every beat of my heart is for him.

The fear of losing him, of losing myself again, is still a bitter taste on my tongue but I can’t keep making the pair of us miserable by holding up impenetrable shields.

I’d been about to tell him as much when we’d been found by the wolves and dragged back into the snowball fight.

Claiming victory, Joey had pulled his team into celebrating. I stood with his mates for a while, warming through and drinking some hot wine. Altair and Neo chuckled as they stared on, utter adoration in their eyes as they promised their third that they would indeed uphold their bargain.

Millie works her way over, handing out burgers from the tray in her hands as she does .

“I’m guessing you don’t want one?” she asks me as Altair grabs one.

“No, thanks,” I reply.

“You really never eat food?”

“I’ve tried it, but it’s not pleasant.” My face scrunches at the thought. “I’ll stick to blood.”

“Oh, sorry. We totally should have offered you some blood. Have you drunk this evening?” Neo asks me.

“I wasn’t trying to get you to offer,” I say quickly, hoping they didn’t think I was.

“We didn’t think you were demanding,” Altair responds, swallowing a mouthful of his burger and offering a bite to his mate. “Do you want any?” He asks, holding out his free hand to me in offering, extending his wrist to expose the veins.

“You sure?”

“I wouldn’t offer otherwise.” He reassures me with a smile and I feel my fangs extend. I am hungry.

Pulling up his sleeve slightly, I dip my head to press my mouth to his skin and pierce it quickly with my canines, aiming for the largest vein.

Retracting my teeth, blood immediately hits my tongue.

Altair’s taste is potent. It's rich like dark chocolate but strong like raw garlic. I can taste the sweetness of the wine he’s been drinking too.

I take two long pulls before pressing the flat of my tongue to the twin puncture wounds in his wrist. I feel the skin knit with my saliva as I let go.

Straightening, I feel the rush of the energy as it hits my stomach. It warms me far more than the wine and leaves a little buzz under my skin.

“Thanks,” I tell him. The fact that we’re leaving jumps to the front of my mind. Blood isn’t going to come so easily for much longer. We will be back to stealing it from unconsenting recipients before long. That sits heavy in my stomach as my mood sours.

It’s been so freeing, being here.

Before my melancholy can take hold, Henry strides up to our little group.

“How’s it going, Rory?” He puts his arm around my shoulders and nods to the rest of the group, who have all grabbed more burgers off the tray Millie has placed on the stone pit surrounding the bonfire. “I heard you managed to best our resident shadow wielder in a snowball fight?”

I break out into a small laugh. “Yes, I managed a couple of good shots. He got me back though, and their team won overall.”

“That one you hit him with to start with was priceless,” Ash says, joining us as well.

“Wish I’d seen it. The fucker never let us strike him during combat training. He didn’t even have his magic back then but was impossible to hit.” Henry laughs.

“He was just as competitive growing up,” Ash adds.

I soak up every word as he retells us a story of when they were kids and played tag, and of how Ty sulked if he was out first.

We end up all swapping stories of growing up and our favourite childhood memories.

Somehow the conversation moves on to food and we reminisce about our favourite snacks.

Henry and I, having grown up as a human and demi-Fae, regale in telling the wolves about the sweets we loved.

With this island being so remote the food is in good supply but they certainly don’t have the variety like I did, and mine is limited to Henry’s, who grew up on the mainland.

“I have a question.” Millie gives me an apprehensive look when the conversation lulls.

“What is it?” I gesture for her to continue .

“Well, you don’t eat food anymore, but do you ever drink each other’s blood?”

At the unexpected question, I shoot a look at Henry. He’s no longer got his arm around me but is still at my side. How much can we tell the wolves? How much is allowed to be public knowledge these days I have no idea. Henry saves me by answering.

“Short answer, yes. Long answer, it’s complicated.

” I think he’s going to leave it at that but the wolves around us all look intrigued.

“Vampires bond through sharing blood under certain… circumstances but, we can also drink it for sustenance or pleasure. Vampire blood isn’t a sustainable source of nutrition.

It’s potent though, as it's the concentrated minerals of whatever we’ve ingested that day. ”

“Have you both tried it?” It’s Ash asking the question this time.

I shake my head as Henry says. “Yes.” Giving me a shocked look, he asks, “You haven’t?”

“Well, I kind of bit Ty once, but I was…” I glance around the group not wanting to give them this admission.

“It was the night I got my fangs. I don’t remember the taste and only had a drop.

” I had a full mouthful but I was fully feral for my best friend's blood at the time.

A pang twangs through my chest as I think of Bree.

“Aren’t you curious?” Millie tilts her head, it's such a dog-like gesture I almost giggle. Even after weeks with the wolves, when their mannerisms cross over with their beasts it's truly endearing. “I would be too curious to not at least try it.”

What she says does peak my interest. The vampire in me stirs at the thought of blood more potent. My gaze darts around the gathering and lands on Ty, he’s talking once more to Eetu, the pair of them laughing at something I can’t catch over the noise of everyone else and the giant fire.

“You can try me if you’re interested.” Henry holds up his wrist, bending it so a sliver of skin is exposed between his glove and his cuff.

I jump like he’s brandished a knife at me.

“Oooo, go on. I want to know if you prefer Henry over any of my brothers.” Millie claps her hands in front of her chest. Her excitement is weird but then again, the younger wolves have been interested in us since we arrived.

“I don’t know,” I say hesitantly. Whilst the vampire snarls, something churns in my stomach, warning me against this.

“There’s no harm, Rory,” Henry pushes, removing his glove now to show more of his wrist. He’s practically waiving his veins under my fangs.

“Fine.” I squirm as four sets of eyes all look at me. If it’ll get them to stop making me the centre of attention, I’ll do it so we can move on. One quick bite.

I take Henry’s outstretched arm and bring it to my lips. My fangs have already descended with the promise of another drink.

Piercing his skin is tougher than I thought, it gives a slight resistance but I don’t have to push particularly hard to puncture it.

Sinking my fangs in deep, I get the first hit of sweetness.

I really don’t remember how Ty tasted but this hits my tongue like syrup.

It’s slightly thicker and leaves a potent aftertaste.

I take a second pull before pulling away, and swill the liquid around my mouth, savouring the sugary flavour, before I swallow.

Forgetting I hadn’t closed the wound, I quickly dip my head and lick the puncture marks.

“So?” Henry’s eyes give a twinkle. “How’d I taste?”

“Not bad.” I feign nonchalance.

“Pppfffttt, you liked it.” He knocks me gently with his elbow before checking the bite has sealed and replacing his glove. A smile cracks across my face.

“Fine, I liked it. It’s like a dessert, completely unnecessary but definitely required.” That causes the group to erupt in laughter.

“You’d agree to that.” Neo ribs his mate. “This one sulks if we’ve run out of after dinner treats.” Altair pouts as the rest of us continue chuckling.

“I think someone else wants dessert too.” Ash crooks his bottle before taking a sip.

My gaze automatically goes to where he pointed.

Standing stock still, several metres from us but not with another group any longer, is Ty.

His face is the unreadable look I’ve learnt to be a mix of anger and hurt.

I see his right hand clench into a fist at his side and then he’s turning away from us and stalking off towards the main house.

“You might be in trouble,” Altair says and my gaze swings to him to see which one of us he is addressing. Already swimming with a guilt I don’t quite understand, I’m surprised when Altair is raising an eyebrow at Henry and not me.

The group goes silent and only me and Neo look perplexed. I swear if Ash had his tail right now it would be between his legs. Even Henry looks contrite.

“Anyone want to explain what’s going on?” I ask, torn between figuring out why the atmosphere just sobered so quickly and wanting to go after Ty and see if he’s okay. No one answers me. “Ash? Henry?”

“I think Ty saw you drink from me,” Henry finally says.

“And?” I’m growing irritated now.

“And have you noticed how you’ve not bitten a single unmated wolf whilst you’ve been here, let alone an unmated vampire?” Altair gently explains. “I think Ty just wanted to kill his best friend.”

“That’s not…” True dies in my throat as I run names through my head. I remember each wolf I’ve bitten since we arrived. Oh my god. He’s correct. I’ve not bitten a single unmated wolf the entire time. Was that Ty’s doing?

“Why?” I ask aloud but my mind is already at the answer. Because he’s possessive and you’re his.