Page 168 of Vampires of Eden

“No—Well… yes? I don’t want to be surprised.” It’s just how I feel.

Daniel’s expression softens as he sighs. “You still don’t trust me.”

“I do.”

“You don’t.” He steps toward the stairs, pulling me by the hand. “But it’s okay, because you will.”

CHAPTER 40

Daniel

As I guide Alexander up the stairs and toward my bedroom, his hand tightly clasped in mine, I remind myself that this isn’t about me. Not entirely, anyway.

“I’ll tell you before I feed,” I say, glancing over my shoulder. “I won’t surprise you. I promise.”

“Thank you,” he says quietly.

In truth, I think I’ve asked a lot from this man. I’ve asked him to throw away his traditional ideals surrounding relationships to pursue an unknown path with me. I’ve asked him to give me consent to feed from his body.

Even now, as I physically lead him by the hand and into my private space, I realize that all along, he’s consented to follow me emotionally. Even though I’ve given him none of the expected assurances that he’s accustomed to. No formal contracts. No dowry, announcements or solemn promises. My eyes don’t even alight—the most primal and basic sign of a vampire’s true and profound affection.

He’s come so far for me. Showing me over and over again that he wants this. That he sincerely and deeply longs for me. For us.

I want to give him what he needs. Alexander may not evenrecognize it within himself, but I can see and sense it so strongly that it’s becoming painful.

I’m ready to do this with him. It’s time.

Consequences be damned.

Before I open the door to my room, I let go of his hand and turn to face him. “May I make a small request?”

“Sure?”

“Will you turn your phone off for a while? At least until tomorrow morning. Can we please have the night together without any interruptions? Just this once.”

It’s important.

He nods, casually slipping his phone from his back pocket. “I’ll text Raph and let him know.” I watch quietly as he taps his phone. He holds the device low so that the screen is tilted and within my view. He sends the message. Almost immediately, another message pops up.

[What!?]

[Why??]

Alexander rolls his eyes, closes the app and switches his phone off. “Done.” He glances up and must read something in my face because his eyebrows lift in concern. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is perfect.” I lean forward and place a soft kiss on his mouth. “Thank you for doing that.”

“I can shut it off anytime. I just have to remember.”

I smile, then turn and push my door open. The air in the room is warm and sweet from the dewy rain earlier in the day, and the scene is exactly as I left it before I went down to let him inside.

Behind me, Alexander inhales a sharp breath. “Oh wow…”

The only light in the room is from that of the setting sun and the subtle glow of tea lights that I’ve placed all around the room in colorful glass containers. Like fireflies that I’ve painstakingly captured and sealed in jars, each one glimmers in shades of ruby, emerald, amber and violet. Indigo and crystal. All different sizes linethe shelf above my bed—and there are more tucked between the potted plants on my window sills and beside the spines of my humble library.

My hope is that it’s enchanting. Magical, like an apothecary of light and color. This is the feeling Alexander gives me. Hope, wonder and healing. As if this heavy burden of life is lighter and much more palatable when I’m with him.

“This is beautiful,” he says, taking everything in. “Am I about to be sacrificed in some kind of mystic ritual?”