He stated gently, “Don’t be nervous.” Damn nose. “You won’t hurt me.”

“I know that,” I muttered, staring at his mocha skin where his pulse throbbed. “But, I only ever did this with Dominic before. I don’t know what…vibes to send you.”

He chuckled, getting my point. “At first, it might take a few pulls to change your approach, but that won’t bother Jack or Pearl because they’re mated. I don’t mind being your trial run. Just focus on it, and work through your kinks.”

“Alright,” I mumbled, trying to figure out how to do this without turning him on. “Well, here goes my first bite of someone not my mate.”

I didn’t strike like Ezra had done with Pearl. I wasn’t that used to doing this without harming my donor, plus, I was a little rusty. Instead, I gently placed my mouth against his neck, and felt his pulse with my tongue, and then I let my fangs slice into his throat. He didn’t gasp or flinch like Dominic had always done, and I tentatively took my first pull.

My heavy groan followed.

Dear God, he was delicious. After bagged blood, it was like having fine dining instead of fast food. His flavor…Oh my God. Another pull. His blood was laced with dark spice. And power. I knew instantly that he was more powerful than Dominic had been. It was there in the spark of his blood but, through the haze, I realized I hadn’t done anything to make it comfortable for him.

I paused in drinking — doing so was really freaking hard — and pushed my Vampire power, shoving emotion through his blood but, like a bad habit, not even recognizing what I was pushing on him.

Even as I began pulling again, drinking his scrumptious blood, he groaned low, his hands slamming on my hips, and his voice was deep as he whispered, “Something else.” Instinctively, I sent another wave, and his grip tightened. “Sweetheart, try to think of something else.”

Moaning, my mind clouded with his taste, I couldn’t understand why he wanted me to think of anything else but his blood, so I sent another wave more forcefully, trying to get him to stop moving.

“Jesus H.,” he groaned, his Vampire riding his tone as his fingers dug into my hips.

It was what “popped” up under me that made reality sluggishly set in.

Ezra.

Best friend.

Not…

Shit.

I pulled again, and sent a wave of serenity. Peace. Not pleasure, like I had been.

He panted, mumbling, “Better. Much better.” His body started relaxing under me, and his arms wrapped around me lightly. “Try to focus on what that feels like. Send it again. Harder. Remember it. Make it natural.”

I took a slow pull, focusing as much as I could, trying to do as ordered. It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be switching emotions. After more focus, I ultimately got it.

He whispered, “Good.” Completely peaceful.

Listening to his heart, I pulled back fifteen seconds later, gently swiping my tongue over the wound. Watched it instantly disappear. If I needed any further indication he was more powerful than Dominic had been, it was right there with his healed skin. Dominic had been a really fast healer, but that was just insane.

I leaned back enough to look him in the eyes. His lids were drooping, but from below them I could see his spring green orbs traveling over my face. He appeared all kinds of relaxed, with his lips slightly lifted at one corner. Reflexively, I listened to his heart, double-checking I hadn’t taken too much. It was strong and steady, barely slower than normal. He was good. Tired, but good.

“There you are.” He lifted a lazy hand, running the hot pads of his fingers over my cheek slowly, sloppily, before his hand flopped on the bed. “It makes sense now.” His eyes closed, and he went slack. Asleep.

What the hell did he mean by that?

“He’s not dead, is he?” Jack asked quickly, sounding half-serious.

“No,” I whispered, taking Jack’s hand and pressing his fingers to Ezra’s throat, to his steady pulse. “Just sleeping. Give him a minute.”

“What happened there at the beginning?” Pearl asked.

I climbed off his sleeping form, flipping my hair out of my face to see, and told them honestly, “It was hard not to send the same vibes I always sent Dominic. It took a second for me to break the bloodlust’s hold, and send him peaceful thoughts…” I trailed off when I saw the looks they wore. Their expressions were of shock, and I quickly sputtered, “I think I got the hang of it there at the end. I won’t send you guys—”

“No, that’s not what all this,” Pearl interrupted, shaking her head and waving a hand in front of her stunned face, “is about.” She paused, cocking her head. “My God! I can’t believe the difference drinking from someone live does!” She pointed to my bathroom. “Go look at yourself. You look like…”

“How she did when Dominic was alive,” Jack finished, staring in fascination.

Racing to the bathroom, I gawked at myself in the mirror. I hadn’t looked like a zombie before, but in comparison to now, I probably had. My cheeks were currently flushed. My blue eyes sparkled. My lips were red instead of pink. I just flat out looked healthier. “Wow.”

Jack had followed me, and nodded. “Yeah. Wow.”

Instantly, I pulled out my toothbrush as I stared at myself, mechanically going through the process of brushing my teeth, and mumbled around a mouthful of toothpaste, “I even feel warmer. It’s actually kind of hot in here.” I hadn’t realized the difference it made drinking from the source. After Dominic had died most things had become dull, so I hadn’t noticed the physical effects his death had taken on my body.

Jack pointed to me, his brown eyes big. “That explains why you were always so cold!”

I pointed back to him with my toothbrush, grinning bubbles. “I bet you’re right.” All of this made sense for what Ezra meant as he had stared at me before falling asleep. He had understood because he lived the life of a Vampire. I, on the other hand, only knew the basics.

I spat and wiped my mouth, heading back out to my bedroom.

Pearl was covering Ezra with a blanket. “Can you wake him up? We need to finish this conversation.” She shook his shoulder. His eyes stayed closed. “He’s seriously out.”

My eyebrows came together at his lethargy…and I suddenly remembered he hadn’t had a lot of blood today. Plus, he had skipped his blood yesterday. “Fuck.” I went to his side, instantly biting my wrist and placing it against his mouth. His heartbeat was slower, still in the range of normal, but his blood sugar had to be too low for this sort of reaction to happen.




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