Blood Contract(Wolf Creek Pack 8)(6)

“We must begin the process right away,” Dominic replied as he continued to stare at Daniel, ignoring Sully’s observation about his dwindling health. “I will need my strength to keep the watchers away from him.”

“You will.” Sully nodded his agreement, a slight grimace crossing his face. “Once they learn that Daniel is your match, they won’t hesitate to take him out.”

“I want the sentries doubled,” Dominic growled. He had an unfamiliar need to keep Daniel safe, something he wasn’t used to. “I am appointing you his Sàssari until I am able to protect him on my own.”

Sully visibly gulped. “Sàssari?”

Dominic started to chuckle at Sully’s shock, but it quickly turned into a cough, shaking his body with the force of it. By the time Dominic was done coughing, Sully was standing next to him, a glass of water in one hand and a handkerchief in the other.

“You’re getting worse, Dominic,” Sully said as he gently wiped the blood away from the corner of Dominic’s mouth. “We must start the bloodletting as soon as possible, or we may be too late.”

Dominic nodded. He knew Sully was right. He was growing weaker by the hour. He already couldn’t walk or sit up on his own.

Soon, he wouldn’t be able to lift his hands or turn his head. Dominic was most worried about being able to use his fangs. If he didn’t have the strength to drink blood, he’d die.

“How soon can we start?” he asked Sully. “I’m growing tired.”

“I can draw some blood for now or give you his wrist, your choice.”

“I am not so weak that I cannot drink from the source,” Dominic growled, curling back the corner of his upper lip, showing the tips of his fangs. “Give me his wrist.”



Blood Contract

21

“Are you sure, Dominic?” Sully asked. “He was pretty resistant.”

“He signed a legally binding contract, did he not?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then he is bound by the contract he signed.”

“Dominic—”

“Now!”

Sully sighed deeply. “As you wish, sire.”

Dominic tried not to seem too eager as Sully brought Daniel’s wrist to his mouth, but he would have been a fool to pretend he wasn’t. And Dominic Xavier Lucian Ruelle had never been accused of being a fool.

Dominic was surprised at how delicious Daniel’s skin tasted as he stroked his tongue across the man’s wrist. Most humans had a slight bitterness to the taste of their skin. Dominic associated it with drinking vinegar. Daniel tasted like fresh summer mint.

Ambrosia unlike anything he had ever tasted blasted across Dominic’s tongue when he sank his fangs into the soft flesh of Daniel’s wrist. Daniel’s blood was hot and succulent, sweet like dark chocolate. Dominic could feel it start infusing into his cells with every draw. He knew that the more he took, the healthier he would grow until he was once again at his former strength.

He also knew if he took too much, his blood source would die from giving too much blood. Dominic reluctantly withdrew his fangs and licked the bite wound. His saliva would heal any puncture wounds he had left, leaving Daniel’s skin rosy pink within an hour.

“Make sure he gets plenty of food and drink,” Dominic whispered out loud, his voice sounding shaky and hoarse after so long without use. “He will need the protein to replenish his system. Give him some sort of supplemental vitamins as well.”

“Yes, Dominic.” Sully walked around to the other side of the bed and lifted Daniel into his arms. “I will let him sleep until the sedative wears off then see that he eats.”



22

Stormy Glenn

Dominic nodded then laid his head back against the pillows. “See that he gets anything he needs, Sully. He is to be treated like the treasure he is.”

He felt strangely bereft as Sully carried Daniel out of the room.

He wanted to taste more of Daniel’s blood, partly because it tasted so damn good, but also partly because he could already feel some of his strength returning. After being ill for so long, the intensity of the energy running through his system at the new infusion of fresh blood was overwhelming.

Getting old sucked.





* * * *



Danny licked his lips and tried to swallow. His mouth felt like it was filled with cotton balls or desert sand. He tried to swallow, but even that made him feel like he hadn’t had anything to drink in days.

He was dying of thirst.

He jerked back and cried out when he felt someone wrap an arm around his shoulders and lift him up into a half-sitting position.

Pillows were placed behind his back to help him sit up, for which Danny was grateful. He felt wiped out.