Page 36 of Transfiguration
“Gabe and Seiran are going to stop by. Maybe you can try Gabe’s blood? He’s pretty powerful.” Sam’s jealousy surged. He hated Luca having anyone other than him, but that would have to change, wouldn’t it? They’d have to findcibos. Sam had a handful of one-offciboshe fed on from time to time. None were the bond he had with Luca, or even the delight and flavor. Strange how he’d become a connoisseur of blood, preferring certain blood types and age ranges. He never fed on any of them when Luca was around. The dhampir had a very territorial streak. Would that get worse or better when he transitioned?
Sam’s phone pinged. Gabe and Seiran were on the way.
“Will Con hate me?” Luca whispered.
“No, never,” Sam promised. “You know he adores you.”
Luca turned his face away, hiding the tears that came readily. His face was aging, lines forming in skin that had been young and taut forever. Sam wondered if that was normal, but there wasn’t really anyone to ask. He didn’t point it out to Luca, fearing how the man would react.
“I love you,” Sam said, tracing Luca’s eyebrows with his fingertips. “Con loves you. You can take that with you into any change, right?”
Luca turned back to give Sam a tight smile. “I love you, too. So much.”
Sam leaned in close to press his forehead to Luca’s and kissed him lightly on the lips.
“If I didn’t feel like I had glass for joints, I’d be all over you right now,” Luca said.
Sam didn’t comment, and wove his fingers through Luca’s hair, savoring their kiss. They stayed like that until Sam’s phone pinged with a notice that Gabe and Seiran were on their way up. “Gabe is here.”
Luca closed his eyes, trying to hide his fear and pain.
“It will be okay,” Sam said, pulling away to head to the door. “Just rest. We’ll be up in a few.” He headed down to the loft and the door to wait. Gabe’s expression was careful, Seiran’s sad. They walked into the loft and Seiran pulled Sam into a fierce hug.
“What the hell, Ronnie,” Sam grumbled, but didn’t pull free. He didn’t get hugs much from anyone other than his guys.
“I’m sorry this is happening to you guys.”
Gabe shut the door, waiting. Seiran held Sam for a minute, finally relaxing his grip, and Sam pulled away, trying to maintain his cool. He fooled no one, not even himself.
“Will you attack me if I feed him from the vein?” Gabe asked Sam.
Sam had to fight the instinctive movement. He really wanted to attack, but he had years of working on control. “No. I can handle it. You think it might help?”
“Power of earth magic and death magic,” Seiran said. “Gabe has been drinking pretty regularly from me.”
If it helped, could Sam handle it being a regular thing? He let out a long breath to steady himself. Whatever was best for Luca, he would do it. No matter how much it hurt. “Okay.” He led them up to the loft where Luca hadn’t moved. He looked older and Sam could tell from his stiff movements that everything hurt. Would he die from sudden aging? That sounded unpleasant.
Gabe went around the bed and sat on the edge closest to Luca. “Hey,” he said. He gently touched Luca’s cheek. He shoved up his sleeve to bare the fleshy inner part of his arm. It hurt less to bite there but would bleed more. “Can you bite, or do you need help?”
Luca gulped, frowning. His fangs had always been smaller than Sam’s. He turned his head and latched on, teeth sinking in. Sam studied Luca’s face, wondering if Gabe tasted good still, or if it was bad because he was a vampire. Vampire blood tasted awful to other vampires. That was how Sam knew. His sample from Luca earlier had been that same thick and oily consistency of another vampire. Not pleasant, nor the nutrients Sam needed.
Gabe didn’t pull away as Luca drank. It wasn’t a simple mouthful like he had tried earlier, but full gulping. Sam gasped as he watched the aging fade from Luca’s features. It was working. Would this really buy them time?
Luca pulled away, gasping for breath as he’d been gorging on Gabe’s blood. The wound closed, a tingle of magic filling the small space in waves. Sam glanced back to find Seiran in Father Earth form, eyes glowing with the turning of the earth. They were really pulling out all the stops for them, weren’t they? Sam wrapped his arms around Luca, who blinked at him in wonder.
“How do you feel?” Seiran asked as the waves of power faded and he returned to looking normal. Gabe rolled his sleeve back down.
“Better. So much better,” Luca said. “Thank you.” Luca hugged Sam hard. His breathing was heavy and pulse fast.
“We brought cake for you,” Seiran said, holding up a cooler bag. “I’ll go put this in the fridge.” He glanced Sam’s way, something in his gaze, and Sam nodded. He watched Seiran and Gabe head downstairs before pulling Luca up.
“Maybe get showered and dressed? Con and Bella should be home soon.” Sam had to get ready for media shit. Would Luca be okay for the evening with Con? “How do you feel?”
“Good. Better. Even better than after I had my dad’s blood.”
“You just had blood from Father Earth and the most powerful necromancer on the planet. I’d say that’s some pretty heavy magic.” Sam wondered how long it would last.
Luca nodded. “Let me jump in the shower, and I’ll meet you downstairs.”