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On its heels, desire began to flow.
But it wasn’t just sexual. He couldn’t explain it. His whole being seemed to reach for her.
A powerful craving followed and his gaze fell to her throat. He remembered from two months ago, how once she’d healed him, he’d craved her blood. He still craved it like a madness he could barely control.
When he saw the fear in her eyes, he knew she felt it as well, the profound state of his need.
Her hand rose to her neck protectively.
He could smell her blood now, like the way she smelled, a sweet yet edgy scent of geranium and woman combined. His nostrils flared and his mouth filled with saliva. His grip on her hand tightened.
When he felt her pull away, he forced himself to let her go.
He lifted his gaze back to her eyes. “The poison didn’t help, but my blood-needs are off the chart right now. I apologize as I tell you this, but you’d better get a donor over here or I won’t answer for what happens next.”
~ ~ ~
Holly had never been so torn in her life. It was as though every aspect of her life had been building to this moment, to being on the hard, cobbled sidewalk of Millerell once more, of healing a difficult vampire who’d almost sailed his ship to the shores of death, then desiring beyond reason to open a vein for him.
Every particle of her being wanted to feed Rez, though she’d never fed a vampire before. She’d never wanted to, even though she was half-vampire herself. Right now, however, her heart pounded and her chest felt full.
She could smell the man as well, a dark sensual scent like eucalyptus and thyme blended together, only very much Rez. She breathed in the different layers, which seemed to work itself into her brain increasing her desire to feed him.
She’d heard her friends talk about it, she’d read dozens of blogs, and of course her own fae father fed her vampire mother.
She knew offering a vein was a spectrum of experience, from friendly sharing and the resolving of a vampire’s basic need, to wild, earthy sex. She had no doubt with Rez, if she ever succumbed, the latter category would prevail.
Rez was sex to her.
Once he was at her throat, she’d want to take him deep into her body. But she didn’t want this man.
Rez was a deserter. He’d quit the Vampire Guard when Tannisford Realm needed him most. He hadn’t even fought in the final battle against Margetta and her vast army of Invictus wraith-pairs.
She forced herself to look away from him. She glanced around the village square and saw the remnants of the mist Rez had told her about when he’d first contacted her. None of the villagers had been able to see Rez until this point. But it was clear they saw and recognized him now. Holly heard his name spoken more than once.
Whatever the case, she had to find Rez a donor.
She rose to her feet and moved past the last remnants of the mist then called out. “Mastyr Rez must have his blood-needs met. I know it’s asking a lot, but will anyone come forward to care for him in this way?” She had no idea what the response would be. She had her own reasons for disapproving of Rez’s life choices, but she wasn’t sure if he’d developed a bad reputation here in Millerell. On the other hand, he’d slain two wraith-pairs, so maybe someone would be willing to help him out.
What surprised, no, stunned her, was that four women immediately called out they’d be happy to. Each headed in Holly’s direction.
A familiar troll, however, hurried forward and all but shouted, “I’ve got this.” Her firm tone and uplifted arms stopped the other women in their tracks.
Holly recognized her immediately. Wanda was one of the trolls who worked at the Wild Boar.
The woman ran swiftly in Holly’s direction, rounded the wall then stopped as the corpses came into view. “Oh, Goddess in heaven. I wasn’t able to see them from across the street. But what were wraith-pairs doing in Millerell?”
“I don’t know.”
She moved past Holly and cried out. “Rez, what the hell happened here? You’re as pale as death.”
For a sudden moment, Holly experienced a terrible impulse to grab Wanda by the dark roots of her fake blond, curly hair and toss her a mile into the night sky. She didn’t want her anywhere near Rez.
Holly glanced at her hands which were now shaped like claws. She gasped and took a step back. She couldn’t believe she’d even thought such a thing, especially for someone donating so generously.
Despite the gore on the street and the sidewalk, Wanda sat down next to Rez, drew her long-sleeved sweater up and over her elbow, then extended her arm to him. Using both hands, he took Wanda’s arm above and below the elbow, then drew close. Wanda made swift adjustments as she positioned herself closer to Rez.
Holly watched his fangs emerge, which set her own heart pounding heavily. Rez quickly nipped the strong vein on the inside of Wanda’s elbow and began to suck.
