Page 86 of Thirst

Amari nods. “Yes.”

I let out a huge sigh of relief, but I do feel bad that so many of the girls who worked at Fantasies will all be out of a job. Hell, even me.

“There’s something else,” Amari says.

“Oh god. What?”

“The blood. I had to give you a lot of it to keep your heart from stopping. By the time I was finished, I’d given you more than I gave Shawn when I had to save him years ago. So, like him, it’s gonna change you a bit. You may have some heightened senses, and your connection to me is gonna grow.”

I tilt my head to the side. “What do you mean?”

Amari shrugs. “There's no way you could take that much blood from me and not experience a significant change. It’ll happen over time, and it’s gonna take some getting used to.”

“Is that why I'm not even sad over Shay and Von’s deaths?” I ask. “Because you killed them brutally. I would think I'd be more affected by it, but all I really feel is pride and graciousness. I'm thankful for it, even when I know I shouldn't be.”

“Yeah, that’s probably why. It’s started already. Your emotions may be different than they were before. You’ll probably be able to smell things with much greater ability, and perhaps sense things you couldn't in the past. You may even age slower. You're still human, but you got a little upgrade, and it comes with something else.”

“What?”

“Try not to freak out, but I can communicate with you without speaking a word aloud.”

I jump back, nearly falling off the couch. “What was that?” My eyes dart around the room as if I'm looking for someone other than Amari, even though I know it was his voice I just heard in my head. In fact, I knew it earlier. I heard it the moment I woke up.

“I said to try not to freak out,” Amari says, aloud this time. “It’s like I said. Your connection to me is gonna grow, and the biggest symptom of it is that we can communicate telepathically. I can sense when you're in pain or distress, and you’ll be able to sense my discomfort as well and call to me from anywhere in the world. We’re connected now. Forever.”

“Really?” I say, feeling torn between excitement and a strange version of fear.

“Really.”

Amari’s lips don't move, but I hear his response loud and clear. It’s so amazing that I laugh to myself.

“Wow. How do I speak to you?” I ask.

“Focus,” he says in my head. “Believe in your ability, and send your message without saying it out loud. You feel our connection. You can sense me listening like a person you know is eavesdropping. Just focus.”

I release a sigh and lick my lips, then I close my eyes. “Like this? Is it working?”

“Yes. Just like that.”

I open my eyes and burst out laughing. “Wow! I can't believe I can do that. That’s incredible. It’s like I'm part vampire. Oh, I think I love it.”

Amari raises a hand, signaling for me to calm down. “Okay, listen. When Shawn realized his new ability back in the day, it overwhelmed him. It makes you hunger for more like a drug. It’ll make you wanna go all the way, and you have to keep yourself from getting carried away.”

“Go all the way? I don't understand.”

“It’ll make you want to be a vampire. Introducing vampire blood into your body at that level, it sort of alters your chemistry. In fact, it could make you obsessed with it. Literally. It took time for me to convince Shawn to let go of the idea, but he eventually got used to his abilities and learned to live with them without begging me for more. He had to force himself to get over the fixation like an addict weaning off a drug. I didn't turn him, and I won't turn you, either. Ever. It’s gonna be hard, but you're gonna have to try to remember that. Okay?”

My smile fades, but only slightly. “Yeah, of course. I’ll be fine. Trust me.”

Amari nods, but it’s clear he knows something I don't.

When I get off the couch, it’s obvious that my body is stronger than before. I feel a surge of excitement in my veins and have more energy than ever. I want to go outside and just run until my legs fall off. I feel strong and powerful, and all sadness about Von and Shay’s deaths washes away. The only thing I feel now is joy about the fact that I'm free from them, and that I made a killing with my very first exhibit. I have more money now than ever before, and when I walk over to the window and look out at the lights, I'm dazzled by them. I put both hands on the glass and start to wonder if I could break it if I pushed hard enough. The thought makes me laugh, then thoughts about how much money I have makes me laugh harder. Before I know it, I'm laughing hysterically.

“Aaliyah,” Amari says, his voice snapping me out of whatever trance I was in. “You good? Come sit down.”

I look over and realize that I'm actually pushing hard against the window with both hands, and have to force myself to stop. “Oh shit.”

“It’s fine,” Amari says. “Vampire blood can make you feel … out of sorts. It’s a serious high, but that part of it will wear off. Just come sit down before you break my window.”