Sarah and Ethan stayed here last night, and plan to for the foreseeable future, they want to be here in case there is any news, so my loft seems the perfect place to turn her. I lead them into the guest room, already prepared for vampire guests with a large comfortable bed, ensuite bath, luxurious linens, and most importantly, no windows.
Not only will this transform Sarah into a predator of the night, but draining her completely will give me more power, more strength. The enhanced senses that accompany the blood of a dying heartbeat are addictive to a vampire. We don’t even discuss it with other vampires because we do not want to encourage feeding until death. I am excited, though, because I will be able to use them for the hunt that is coming.
“Sarah, what has Ethan told you about the turning process?” I question her as I lay her back onto the duvet.
She sighs. “Nothing. He has never done it to anyone and he says he doesn’t remember.”
“Don’t worry, I will explain everything. The process of turning someone can feel quite intimate and, more often than not, vampires feel bound to their sire because of it. You will have a thread of me. This process will bind us more closely together as a family.” I breathe in deeply, preparing to explain the simple process that will no doubt be awkward. “Feeding is often accompanied by sex, as you may already know.” She blushes a deep crimson, her entire face alight and I chuckle. “This process will not feel much different, and because of that, a certain amount of…arousal is not unusual, but trust that it is simply biological and nothing more. Have you ever fed from Ethan?”
“No. No blood sharing. I’m afraid of the enthrall and didn’t want to feel like I’m losing myself in him, obeying him.”
“Ok, well, I apologize since you don’t know, but the process involves you feeding from me while I feed from you. That's the intimate part of it. It is a pleasurable process. I will open my arm for you, and you will drink from me while I drink from your neck. I will continue to drink until your heart slows and eventually stops. You will continue to drink until you lose consciousness. After, you will be dead. Tomorrow, at moon-rise, you will rise as Ethan does, and be a member ofSanguine Nocturnus.You will be a member of my personal household as a sireling of mine. The only other member of my household is Jack. I haven’t turned anyone since before we came into power here.”
I pause and watch her. It’s a lot of information—life ending information. Heavy, important information. She seems to be considering everything I have shared.
“I’m ready. Tell me what to do.”
Ethan climbs onto the bed next to her and holds her hand, supporting her. I give him a nod of approval.
“Lie down on the bed, on your side, facing Ethan.” God, this is so awkward. “I am going to lie behind you, close enough to reach your neck. You will drink from me and I, you. Just like that.” I slide into the bed behind her, close but not touching her. This is awkward enough without my erection, that will be appearing soon, poking her. It’s not even sexual, it’s pleasure and adrenaline.
I extend my fangs and bite into my arm letting the blood flow freely. I put my wrist to her lips and feel her first tentative pulls against my flesh. Biting into her neck, I suck deeply and flood my body with her fresh blood. The pull of my blood out of my body, and the flow of hers back into mine, is so intimate I feel overwhelmed with emotion. I can’t wait until Elina is in my arms this way.
I watch Ethan and Sarah as they make eye contact, forcing their love through their connection, knowing this is the right choice for them. I am thrumming with energy, power flooding my veins as Sarah’s heart rate slows, her body pulling all the available blood inward in an attempt to preserve her life. Her pull against my wrist begins to fade before stopping all together.
Ethan sighs and closes his eyes, pained. I can imagine the pain he is feeling as he watches his beloved slip into unconsciousness, knowing her life will soon fade altogether.
There is very little blood flowing through her now, her heart beating so slowly, trying to force every remaining drop of blood through her body, trying to fight death.
She gives one twitch, then another
Her heart thumps. Once. Twice.
And then it stops. Everything goes still.
“It is done.”
“Thank you,” Ethan whispers as I exit the room, shutting the door behind me.
Sending a summons into my bond with Jack, I wait for him to show up. Our bond isn’t quite that literal—it’s not a magic telephone—but he will feel it. Like static in his mind. He will know I am calling to him. He doesn’t have to come, but he will. I never summon him.
I send a single word, via text?—
loft.
It isn’t even 5 minutes later and there is a knock at my door.
“Come in, Jack.”
“What’s up, brother? You called?” He has a very serious, concerned look on his face.
“Elina has been taken. It’s been 36 hours and we haven’t seen or heard a single thing that can help us locate her. I didn’t want to call in reinforcements until I knew I couldn’t handle it alone. Now, I am calling on you.”
He stops moving, surprise on his face. At that exact moment, Ethan comes into the room.
“Hey, I heard a knock-” He also freezes. In a single heartbeat Jack is crouched down in front of me, growling, low and aggressive. I lay a hand on his shoulder. He instantly straightens.
“Jack, this is Ethan. Ethan, Jack. Ethan is one of Elina’s best friends. He’s engaged to Sarah, from the bar. Sarah is in the guest room, turning.”
