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“Eat the muffin,” he reminded her and put the paper bag into her lap.
“I’m really not hungry.”
“I need you strong so I can feed so I can ensure I’m strong enough to protect you and so you are strong. I can’t afford to skip meals when someone wants you. If you weren’t weakened because I’d almost drained you the day before and because I hadn’t fed that day, it might’ve ended differently. If you were strong when Liam got to you then you might’ve been still fighting him off when Sam got there instead of being bloody and violated.”
Well, that certainly didn’t make her feel any hungrier but she picked the muffin up and forced it down.
~~~Adrian’s was, indeed, a compound. As they approached a tall stone fence with black iron gates, she took in what looked like a resort with a large fieldstone mansion and a few smaller buildings.
Tristan explained that it was, in essence, the main hospital branch in North America for vampires. A vampire hospital, vampire rehab resort slash retreat, and a research facility where experts in vampire medicine resided, did surgeries, research, and helped vampires with medical problems.
Tristan told her this as they approached, saying that Adrian was a respected elder, a good friend of Tristan’s grandfather, and a doctor, even back in his human life. He was just out of medical school when he was turned but then he used his medical background from when he was human to help vampires with medical issues. He’d honed those skills considerably after being turned.
He explained that yes, most vampires had healing abilities but there were illnesses that were unique to them, illnesses that took longer to recover from, depending on the health and background of the vampire, as well as the need for counselling, addiction therapy, and help with other problems. Adrian’s had a full staff with other vampire medical staff members with varying specialties, with everything from hypnotherapy to food poisoning when a vamp consumed from an unhealthy human. He said he also did research as well as offered solutions to many vamp problems. Sometimes herbal, sometimes other solutions, even surgery. Tristan didn’t elaborate any further than that and Kyla was too overwhelmed to care all that much. There was so much on her mind as they approached the gates.
He told her he’d give her more information after they met with Adrian but reiterated that he might not be able to talk openly inside the compound buildings with her for a little while after meeting Adrian.
Once they were inside the gated compound, which was manned with two gate guards, they drove up to the front circular driveway of the large grey fieldstone mansion, and there was a man standing outside, dressed business casual in tan cargos and a khaki button down shirt. Tristan passed her a pair of sunglasses and she put them on. The look he gave her was all business, reminding her how important it was to pretend. They certainly didn’t need any more threats.
“Wait for me,” he told her.
She braced herself as best as she could, hoping it would be enough, and he got out of the car, shook the man’s hand, and then he rounded the car and opened Kyla’s door, reaching for her hand. Another casually-dressed man took Tristan’s keys and got into the car to drive it away.
Kyla met the gaze of the man, feeling like his eyes pierced hers straight through the sunglasses. He was very attractive. She quickly looked past him, straight ahead, unsure if anyone else was around, so trying to appear blank. Kyla thought he resembled James Franco a little, dark kind of curly hair, vividly bright green eyes. They were also like those Lite Brite or LED bulbs, like Tristan’s but a sparkling emerald green rather than icy blue. He was tall and fit and looked to be in his mid to late thirties, maybe.
“Kyla,” the man greeted softly, a magnetic smile on his face, “I’m Adrian.”
“Hi Adrian,” she answered, quietly.
“Tristan, let’s get you and your lovely pet here inside. Follow me to my office.” The vamp had a huge smile on his face.
The foyer had a large chandelier overhead, dripping with ruby-colored stones. There were orchids and roses in vases all around. The furnishings were sumptuous. Walls and floors were white marble, clean, palace-like. Tristan held her hand and they followed Adrian down a long hallway toward a set of large dark wooden double doors.
Just before they hit that set of doors another door opened in the hallway and two women stepped out in front of them.
“Trissssstan!” one of them cooed as she approached. She was a tall brunette with striking features. She was dressed in an ivory pantsuit, killer ivory high heels, and was dripping with diamonds at her ears, throat, fingers, and wrists. The woman beside her was a blonde bombshell dressed in black. She eyed Kyla up and down, with scrutiny, her eyes landing on the necklace Kyla wore.
