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When he opened his eyes, there was an open, vulnerable look at her.
“I have blood.”
The sweet offer tugged a direct line to his cock. He willed it down.
“From a pouch. I don’t drink from others unless it’s necessary. It is never a good idea to mix business with pleasure.”
The clarification had her brows furrowing, a stark contrast to her otherwise relaxed body lines and a lot of skin still bare.
“So, drinking blood is business? Or is it pleasure?” she asked.
Fucking you would be pure pleasure.
Nate looked away. He remembered his brother and all the things that he still needed to figure out and the dangers that were on her feet at the deal that she entered with him.
And he got a grip.
“It’s complicated. But we need to talk more about the things we know and how they correlate.” A pause. “And your secret, it’s safe with me. I won’t reveal it to anyone.”
Her thank you resonated like a lullaby to his ears on his way out.
He entertained a few more guests every night, filling them up with food and wine and dropping subjects as innocently as he could to see how they would react. When they were gone, Winter glided in on cue, vibrating with what she knew.
“He’s interested. There’s a yearning there, and I think he wants to ask you where you stand regarding your brother’s antics, but he’s being careful. There was a big spike of negativity when you mentioned Nicholas. That means there’s a big chance that he will stand with you.”
“We won’t know until he asks.”
“Or until you ask.”
“I will invite him for a few more visits before I decide. What about Jessa?”
The vibration lessened as she grew more subdued.
“There’s interest there, too. But it doesn’t have anything to do with your brother.”
He got what she wasn’t saying and was fascinated with what she wasn’t trying to show. But as often, Winter went through emotions in a flurry, bouncing in excitement as she told him the rest.
“But she is loyal to him and whatever his decision is. There’s a certain gratefulness there.”
“He saved her sister from ruin. Her sister’s a vampire now.” Curiosity sparked, and he could see her wheels turning. “What do you know about that?”
“Turning a human is as simple as taking that human’s blood and the vampire giving his—willingly,” she recited. “Willingness can be accomplished through compulsion on the human side. A majority of the turned ones die, so it’s only a practice done when necessary since vampires have found a way to expand their houses through procreation with other vampires.”
“It’s forbidden unless there’s a valid excuse accepted by the law,” he added.
“Like a loved one dying. Or someone who plays a huge part in Ostrov Krov.” Her hand went to her neck, rubbing a spot. So did his gaze. “The pixie never mentioned what it feels like. Does it hurt?”
“I would assume so. Turning is a private matter, but I heard a few accounts of humans going crazy from the pain.”
“Yes. And all that sudden craving for blood.” She continued massaging her neck, slow circles that were distracted…and distracting. Hunger filled his system. She sighed softly and the hunger flipped into lust, clutching him so hard that everything turned hot and heavy all at once.
“I need blood.”
Winter looked up, broody expression clearing as she noted him with worry. Belatedly, she removed her hand from her neck.
“I still have blood.”
“Not you,” he said quickly.
