Page 141 of Volik

I purse my lips, then feel the tip of my fangs pressing into the inside of my lip and relax my mouth.

“Okay. So… portals are real.” I nod, accepting Volik’s word as truth. “And that’s like… some sort of swirly vortex that goes from one place to another?”

“More or less.” Volik gestures for me to enter the shower first, then guides me under the stream. “Druids are the only ones with the power to create portals. It is how we, Alts, travel the world. How we have been traveling the world for centuries.”

I let the warm water soak through my hair as I try to recall all the articles I’ve ever read about vampires. And not a single one comes to mind about a vampire on a plane.

Volik pulls me back out from under the stream, and I keep my eyes closed as he lathers something amazing smelling into my hair.

“How… Like, are they stationary? Or can they be made anywhere?” My mind is so close to exploding with this information that I can’t focus properly. “And is that what you call it? Making one? Or do you put it there?”

Volik chuckles, and I open my eyes.

My eyes.

Just like that, I remember the reason I was looking for a mirror.

My heart rate jumps. “Volik…” I struggle to keep my tone even. “Are my eyes…?”

His throat works on a swallow as he dips his chin.

Holy…

Volik places a hand on my shoulder and turns me toward the glass wall. Then he uses his other hand to wipe away the steam.

I hold my breath.

And I step closer.

The reflection isn’t perfect. But it’s enough.

I lean closer to the glass. And into my pure black eyes.

“Holy shit,” I whisper.

“Are you…”

My heart rate jumps again, but this time I know it’s from Volik.

“I’m not upset.” I reach for him. And he twines his fingers with mine. “I just didn’t know.” I use my other hand to wipe away more condensation. “I didn’t know this could happen.”

“I did not know either. Not for sure,” Volik whispers beside me.

Staring at myself, I slowly open my mouth.

I felt them. Already cut myself with them.

But seeing them…

I carefully tap my tongue against the tips of my fangs.

“Does this mean…” A new type of hope flares inside me, but I can’t make myself face Volik as I ask it. “Does this mean I’ll live longer? Longer than a typical human, I mean?”

The weight of this question has been sitting on my heart since we first touched.

And not for my sake, but for his.

Dooming Volik to the fate of a mortal mate, rather than someone like him…