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She nods. ‘I have to do it eventually.’

I lead her downstairs, past the rest of the house, still half asleep. It’s silent as we walk through. The house is cool and dark, even though it’s warm and bright outside. I guide her to the basement level, which Hunter apparently designated as a private feeding area for Tara to learn. Rather thoughtful of him. He is always looking out for everyone else.

A human donor is already there waiting for us. A young man who appears to be in his early twenties, sitting calmly on the couch with a blanket over his lap. He stares vacantly ahead, a relaxed smile on his face, his heartbeat steady and strong. He looks up at Tara and smiles warmly, like this is normal. He’s been compelled to believe this is normal, anyway.

There are a lot of volunteer donors. Those who have stumbled across our kind and want to be part of our world without becoming vampires. I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to be a vampire, but that’s just me.

‘Hi,’ Tara greets him, looking nervous as she approaches, as if unsure what to do next.

‘Hey,’ he replies, leaning back on the lounge. ‘Come on over.’

Tara glances at me in surprise, and I nod, gesturing for her to take a seat.

‘Can you show me?’ she asks, fiddling with her fingers.

The man looks over at me, nodding in encouragement. ‘You’re welcome to.’

Striding over to the lounge, I drop down beside him as Tara takes a seat on the other side.

‘I’m Reed,’ he says cheerfully.

‘Tara,’ she smiles, looking a little more relaxed now, but still tense.

Reed shifts slightly on the lounge, pulling the blanket aside and tilting his head, exposing his neck. Her hands tremble slightly as she brushes her hair behind her ears. Her fangs elongate and she winces, still not quite used to the feeling of them.

He closes his eyes and hers move to his neck.

‘Watch his pulse,’ I murmur. ‘Listen to it.’

Her eyes darken impossibly more and her posture shifts.

I recognise that look. The rush of anticipation of getting what you crave. Her gaze darts to mine and I nod. I lean in toward him, reaching for his arm and pulling it to my mouth. My own fangs descend and keeping my eyes locked on hers, I bite into him. Her lips part as she watches. An explosion of warmth ignites through me at the rush of tasting human blood from the vein.

A hungry expression slides across her face as her lips ghost against his neck. She bites. Reed gasps softly, his eyelids fluttering as he releases a breathy moan. Tara drinks slowly at first, and then her fingers curl into his shirt as she drinks deeper.

Smiling against the human’s skin, I continue to drink as well, taking just what I need. Slowly, I pull back, dragging my tongue around my mouth, trying not to get too turned on at seeing her like this, taking what she needs. It’s hot as hell. My eyes track the gulp of her throat and I adjust myself in my pants, my desire for her overcoming me.

She pulls back on her own, breath shaky, lips red, pupils blown wide. Her eyes flick to Reed’s – he’s dazed but smiling – and then to me.

‘Did I do it right?’ she asks, lips blood red and perfect on her heart-shaped face.

‘Sure did,’ I grin. ‘And you stopped yourself from taking too much. Ten-point score.’

She looks down at her hands, like they belong to someone else. ‘I thought it would feel awful.’

‘And does it?’

She hesitates. ‘No. It felt … good.’

‘Mm,’ I nod in agreement.

‘Thank you, Reed,’ she says softly.

He makes an inaudible sound in response, eyes closed, looking blissfully at peace as he sinks into the lounge. Collecting her hand in mine, I pull her to her feet, unable to keep my hands off her.

‘You looked so sexy drinking his blood,’ I whisper, eyes dropping to her lips, which still have a faint tinge of blood on them.

Her eyes flicker as her lips curve into a knowing smirk. ‘Oh yeah?’