Page 20 of Into The Light

He appeared a few moments later, his face pulled tight in concern. “What is it? Is everyone okay?” He knew I would have a hard time controlling myself with her. Poor boy thought I drank her dry.

“We are wonderful. Emilia here needs more wine to celebrate the fact she has agreed to join us.”

Mark’s cheeks swelled with his huge grin. “She’s staying? You’re staying?” He looked to her.

She smiled and nodded.

He tossed up his hands and clasped them together. “Hallefrickinlujah! We’re going to have so much fun! This calls for the good stuff! I’m going to the wine cellar. I’ll be right back!”

He hurried off down the hall, his excitement causing Emilia and I to exchange another smile.

“The good stuff? Yay! I get the good stuff!” she chimed.

I looked at her and sat back. I already had the good stuff. And I couldn’t wait to have more.

CHAPTER FOUR

Emilia

I touched my neck again. No holes, no bumps, nothing to indicate a vampire had been feeding from my vein just minutes ago. The skin didn’t even feel bruised or sore. It was as if nothing had happened.

But something did happen.

Aiden had drunk from me. I had sat on the couch while a man... a vampire, drank my blood. The immediate sensation had been intense pain, fiery and hot, as if his fangs were made of molten lava. It had seared only for a moment and then... I can’t even describe the feeling that came next. I’m not sure there is a word for it. Ecstasy? Euphoria?

No... it ran deeper than that. Different. I’d felt him pulsing with me as if our beings had somehow merged and breathed as one. Our blood had pulsed together while sensations I’d never knew existed raced through me. I’d felt the same blissful release as a full body orgasm, but somehow different... better.

Aiden stared at me now. His arctic eyes watched my every move. He seemed different now. Softer, maybe? His awkward attempts at smiling had been painful to watch. I wasn’t Suzy Sunshine but smiling at least came naturally to me. It looked like the most unnatural thing in the world to him every time he attempted it. Except the one time at Mark’s expense. That time he’d almost seemed human.

While Mark was off getting wine, Aiden and I sat alone in silence. What does one say to the man who’d just sucked on her neck? Was it good? Do I need a different diet? How’s the weather? I thought I could hear crickets if I really tried.

Aiden just sat quietly and stared, making no attempt to fill the silence between us.

So flipping beautiful.

Honestly. The vampire lore had gotten this one down pat. Vampires are mythical, otherworldly beautiful creatures. Then another thought occurred to me... he was the only one I had met. Maybe he’d looked like this even before he’d turned? Maybe other vampires were overweight with bad hair and zits. Now I wanted to know, but I didn’t want to come out and ask if he was naturally this hot or if it was a welcome side effect from vampirism. A little part of me wanted to see him without his clothes to confirm that physical perfection lay underneath them.

Okay, so a big part of me.

Continuing my silent studies I wondered what other traits I had seen in the movies were real. He had super speed. I’d seen that with my own eyes. Mind control. They’d said he could erase me, so we’ll put a check inside that box. What were the rest? Hearing? Smell? Sight? Mind reading?

Mind reading! Son of a! Did he just hear all that? Did he hear me thinking about him naked? Is he hearing me thinking this, too? Can you hear me, Aiden?

I stared at him with widened eyes waiting for him to say, “yes, I can hear you.” He continued to watch me but didn’t answer and confirm my fears. With a swallow I decided to ask.

“Can you hear my thoughts?”

He scrunched his brow. “What?”

“My mind. Can you read it? In movies some vampires can read minds. Can you do that?”

Amusement flashed across his face. “Is that the cause of the big eyes and frozen face? You’re worried I can read your mind?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “Can you?”

Aiden shook his head. “No.”

“Good.” I collapsed back, the tension releasing from my shoulders.