Page 101 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

I reached the part where I stopped my assailant with only my words, attempting to explain something that made little sense. “I don’t know how it happened. It’s like something came over me and my voice changed.”

“And you’re certain you’ve never done anything like this before?”

“Never. There were plenty of opportunities. Like when you kidnapped me. I told you to stop but you didn’t.”

“I’m a powerful vampire.”

“Yes, but so is Vittorio.”

“Point taken.”

Despite my exhaustion, we spent the next hour talking it over. It could have been his blood, or mine, or the convergence of both. “Zola has a theory,” he admitted. “She believes you might not be fully human.”

“I’m not. I’m an amplifier.”

“To our knowledge, amplifiers are human.” When I frowned, he added, “Think of it like blood type. Amplifiers simply have a rare blood type.”

“I see. So you think it’s not just my blood type, but something else?”

“Exactly.” He tucked his white hair behind an ear. I couldn’t help but follow the motion. My fingers itched and I fought the urge to reach out and trace the pointed tip. “What that something might be, I cannot say. Perhaps only time will tell.”

“Can I try it on you?”

“I don’t think so, little flower.”

“Why not? Afraid of what might happen if I control you?” His throat bobbed, but he kept his gaze firmly fixed on the wall opposite us. “You are, aren’t you. I bet the thought terrifies you.” The smile that pulled at my lips was entirely wicked. He caught a flash of it right as I said, “Get up and walk over to the fireplace.” My voice did the same as before. It changed, turning sultry with a hint of smokiness.

Laurent jerked to his feet. He took three eager steps forward, his movements stilted, before he wrenched himself to a halt. He whirled, eyes glittering with an unreadable emotion. “That was very naughty, little flower.”

I pulled my lip between my teeth to keep from grinning. His gaze darted to my mouth, lingering. Heat coated my skin and I released my lip. “Fine. Sit down.”

He sank onto the couch before he could stop himself. Then he growled, realizing what I’d done. “It shouldn’t be possible,” he muttered, his brows knitted. “Not when I carry your blood. Not when I am more powerful than any vampire alive.”

“To be fair, you didn’t totally succumb. Vittorio was halfway across the hall before he managed to break free.” The words were meant to appease him, but inside I was preening.

When he next looked at me, his expression was open, the hunger there undeniable. Not simply a hunger for blood, but a hunger to possess. It should have frightened me, but it did the opposite. His eyes traced my features. I wanted to squirm under his assertive gaze, the way it set fire to my skin. The way he looked his fill without any hesitation.

“Tell me what happened with Zola,” I blurted, hoping to free myself from the intensity.

“Would you rather I show you?”

I frowned. “You can do that?”

“When you drink from me, you have access to my memories. It is how I get answers when I need them. I can reach inside the mind of my prey and take whatever I want.”

I reared back as if struck. “You didn’t think to tell me that before I gave you my blood?!”

“Would you have chosen differently?”

I hesitated, considering. “No.”

“I thought not.” He reached out, taking a lock of hair and rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger before dropping it. “I did not read your mind, Lily, nor sift through your thoughts. You are not my enemy and I would never betray your trust like that.”

“Oh. Okay, then.” I tried to hide the immense relief that spread through my chest.

“It can be controlled.”

“But… Did you get my memories?”