Page 82 of John’s Yearning

“I don’t want you to be afraid of me. I know this is not the time to ask your permission, not with everything you’re going through, and I would never act without your consent, but when this is over… when this is behind us… I will ask for permission.”

She shivered involuntarily.

John opened the door to the lounge for her, clearly not expecting an answer, and ushered her inside. The kids were running around, filling plates with food, marveling at the many choices, and looking happy and relaxed. A large number of adults, mostly women, mingled with them. Each woman seemed to have taken charge of one girl, focusing all her attention on the child, and catering to her every need.

“Who are all these women? Are they vampires?” Savannah whispered to John.

“Some of them are, but some of them are human. Most are the wives and daughters of the vampires who run Scanguards. Samson’s wife is here, Delilah.” He pointed to a beautiful woman with long dark hair and a warm smile who was handing a napkin to a little girl whose mouth was covered with chocolate. “And you met their daughter already, Isabelle. She’s a hybrid.”

“A hybrid? What is that?”

“She’s part human, part vampire.”

“Does that mean her mother is human?”

“Yes.”

Savannah ran her eyes over Delilah. She wore a casual dress with a plunging neckline, revealing her flawless neck. There were no blemishes on her skin. “You said a vampire bites his partner. But I see no marks on her neck.”

“And you won’t, though he likely drinks from her every night.” She felt John’s hand on the small of her back, gently touching her. “When we bite our partners, we seal the puncture wounds with our saliva to heal them instantly. It prevents the skin from scarring.”

Savannah felt heat radiate through her. “Oh.”

“And we don’t always drink from the neck.” She felt him move closer, so she could feel his hot breath at her ear. “There are many inviting spots.” Her nipples pebbled. “Like those.”

Suddenly he stepped away, dropping his lids as if ashamed. “I’m sorry, Savannah. I got carried away. I shouldn’t talk to you like that. It’s not the right time. Not the right place.”

She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “I owe you so much. For everything you’re doing.”

He shook his head. “Please promise me something. If and when you say yes, don’t do it because you think you owe me something. You don’t. I’m doing this as much for me as for you. I lost a child. I know what it feels like. And I don’t want you to go through it. I’m doing this because I couldn’t save my own child. You don’t owe me anything. All you owe me is a truthful answer. Whenever you’re ready for it.”

“You’re an honorable man, John. You’re more than any woman could ever hope for.”

He smiled. “Come, why don’t I introduce you to Delilah?”

As if she’d heard them, Delilah looked in their direction and waved for John and Savannah to join her.

“Delilah, this is Savannah,” John introduced them. “Savannah, this is Delilah, Samson’s wife.”

When Savannah shook Delilah’s hand, John added, “I’ve filled Savannah in on everything. She knows about us.”

Delilah smiled. “I’m glad. I hate hiding things, but sometimes it’s necessary.”

Then John looked past her and said, “I see Samson. Excuse me for a moment.” He marched away to the far end of the lounge, where Samson stood talking to Amaury. They were the only other men in the room, and were keeping to themselves, maybe so as not to frighten the young girls who seemed to feel comfortable in the company of the other women.

In another corner, the sketch artist Detective Donnelly had brought to Scanguards was sitting at a table with two girls, who were talking animatedly and making gestures to describe the man they’d seen.

“I’m sorry to hear that your daughter is still missing,” Delilah said.

Savannah sighed. “I think we have a lead. Detective Donnelly is working on it right now. But the waiting is driving me crazy.”

Delilah smiled at the little girl who sat next to her on the large sectional. “More ice cream?” she asked.

“May I?” the girl asked excitedly.

When Delilah nodded, the girl jumped up and ran to a cart that seemed to have been brought in specially and looked at the display of different ice cream flavors.

“It’s so nice of you all to do this for the kids,” Savannah said.