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Hunting requires patience and careful planning; one must move silently, follow the prey’s movements, and time their attack perfectly.
Francis flanks me as I stalk a wild boar through the overgrown forest, both of us being careful not to rustle the fallen leaves. I stand on an exposed root, observing the animal as its tusks graze the ground.
Boar isn’t my favorite, but its life force will strengthen me, and that’s all that matters. When it lifts its snout in an alerted position, I lunge, flinging my arms around its wide belly.
It writhes in my tightened arms, squealing with a hideously loud screech. Moments later, Francis’ hands wrap around its neck, squeezing.
The boar goes limp, its cries silencing.
We waste no time. The blood will be cold soon.
My fangs elongate, oozing venom as I close in on the creature’s coarse fur. They puncture the skin with ease, sinking deep beneath its surface. My jaw tightens involuntarily, attaching to the beast. Blood, tantalizing and sweet, flows into my mouth.
God, a boar shouldn’t taste this good. My vision grows fuzzy as I cling to the animal, my teeth digging deeper and deeper anddeeper.I’m aware of Francis feeding beside me, but the physical world feels so far away that I nearly forget reality altogether. The only thing that matters is the warm heat spilling into my mouth, down my throat, heating its way into my stomach.
I gorge myself, suckling until there’s nothing left but flesh and fur. By the time I drop the boar, Francis has backed away, his elbow propped against the trunk of an old oak tree.
“You’ve been starving yourself, brother.” He frowns, disapproving.
I wipe my mouth, and the back of my hand becomes stained with crimson. “I don’t need much.”
He rolls his eyes, their irises shining in the darkness. “Yes, you do. Especially now.”
I straighten my shirt, pulling stray swine hair from the fabric. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He snickers. “Are you serious, Sam?” He steps toward me, into the light of the moon’s beam. “You have someone to protect now. Someone whomeanssomething.”
Another ping of jealousy shoots up my spine. “She means something tome, Francis.”
He lifts his arm, incredulous. “No fucking shit!” Shaking his head, he gawks at me. “And if she means something to you, then we’ll protect her. But you.” His finger stabs the air in my direction. “You’ve got to get over your fears so you can be strong for her.”
“I don’t have a fear of blood.” I scowl.
“You fear what it could do to you. What itdidto you.” He steps closer. “But that’s over now. It has to be. You drink to be strong for her. End of story.”
My teeth grind together, my hands clenching into tight balls. “What the fuck do you think I’m doing out here? I drank. I’ll continue to do so.” A heavy weight drops in my stomach. “What’s it to you, Francis? Why do you suddenly have an interest in how I protect Jane?”
For the first time all night, Francis looks truly uncomfortable. He drops his gaze, frowning at his feet. “You don’t believe in it.”
I shake my head, dumbfounded. “Inwhat?”
He shoves a hand through his curly hair. “The soulmate theory.”
My bones turn to ice. “Is this the teaching of that deranged vampire in Italy? He had a lot of theories. None of them sounded particularly compelling.”
He shrugs his shoulders, shoving his hands into his pockets. “You like her. A lot. There’s no reason for you to feel those things for a human unless she’s special.”
“Sheisspecial.”
His features flare with annoyance. “Then why wouldn’t you think it’s possible to have a perfect match, Sam? Someone who makes youfeelwhen you otherwise wouldn’t.”
“I believe in perfect compatibility. I believe there are some individuals who just click. Idon’tbelieve a fraudulent, maddened vampire who sells other vampires knowledge about mating bonds just so they can feel better about their miserable, long lives.”
Francis lets out a low, guttural hiss, his chest flaring. “The man was kind. He sold me nothing but the truth when I needed it most.” His eyes flare red before fading to their normal dark shade. “Just think about it. You don’t have to be such a prick all the time.”
I turn away, calling over my shoulder. “And you didn’t have to flirt with the only girl I’ve ever brought to meet the family.”
12
