The witch looked thoughtful. “I suppose I could prolong her life, since she pleases you.”
It took all his self-control to keep his surprise from showing on his face. In all the weeks and months he had been here, she had never done him a kindness.
He grimaced as she reached into the voluminous pocket of her robe and withdrew her silver-bladed dagger and jewel-encrusted goblet.
She looked at him, one brow raised, until he shifted Kay to one side and shoved his right arm through the bars. He clenched his jaw as she made a long shallow gash in his forearm, felt his anger grow as his blood flowed into the goblet, although he didn’t miss the irony of a mortal taking vampire blood.
When the goblet was full, Verah wiped the blade on a scrap of cloth, then dropped the dagger into her pocket. “I’ll send someone with food and water for the girl.”
Looking perplexed, she stared at him a moment.
Gideon stared back. If she was waiting for a thank-you, it would be a hell of a long time coming.
Kay woke feeling strange and with a bad taste in her mouth. But all that was forgotten when she opened her eyes and found herself nestled in Gideon’s arms.
She glanced around, as if uncertain of her surroundings. “What happened?”
“You were hungry. I gave you something to drink.”
“Something? Like … ?” Revulsion flashed in her eyes. She had tasted his blood, but only one taste, but she no longer felt weak or dizzy. Comprehension dawned with a jolt and she shook her head in denial. “You compelled me, didn’t you?”
“You needed nourishment, and it’s all I’ve got.”
“But … you drank from me! And now you’ve given me your blood… .” She bounded out of his arms and fled to the far side of the cell. “Am I going to become a vampire now? Is that even possible? I’m a werewolf !”
“Calm down, Kiya. You’re no different than you were before.”
“How can that be?”
“I’d have to drain you to the point of death and then give you my blood to turn you. And like you said, you’re a werewolf. It probably wouldn’t work anyway.”
Slightly mollified, she slid down on the floor across from him, her back propped against the bars. He had given her his blood. No wonder she had a bad taste in her mouth.
At least she wasn’t hungry anymore.
Was he? How often did he have to feed?
“Normally, once a week or so,” he said, replying to her unspoken question.
She felt her cheeks grow warm. “Do you read all my thoughts?”
He shrugged. “Not all. Who’s Mark?” He held up his hand. “I didn’t read your mind. You said his name when you were sort of out of it.”
“He was my brother.”
“Was?”
“He’s dead, killed by a bounty hunter.”
“I’m sorry.”
Blinking back her tears, Kay buried her face in her hands. Mark had been two years her senior and she had adored him. They had been playing in the woods one night when the moon was full. Mark had been bragging that he would be able to run with the pack the following month.
“No, you won’t,” she said. “You have to be thirteen to shift, and you’re only twelve.”
“Wanna bet?” he crowed. “Watch this!”
The words had barely been spoken when he changed from human to wolf and back to human again.
“That’s fantastic,” she cried, clapping her hands. “Do it again!”
She had watched, happy for him, as he changed back and forth to amuse her. He would be Alpha someday; only Alphas could change at will. He was still in his wolf form when three men burst into the clearing.
Before Mark could shift back to human, before Kay could beg them to go away, one of the men killed her brother.
Her scream of denial alerted her father and several members of the pack, who came running.
The three hunters didn’t have a chance. She had watched in horror as they were caught and killed. And eaten, leaving no trace.
A rattle of chains told her Gideon was moving toward her. She looked up, startled to find him so close. She thought he was going to feed on her and for a moment, she hoped he would drain her dry and put her out of her misery. She was surprised when he slipped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close.
“I’m sorry about your brother,” he murmured, stroking her hair. “It’s hard to lose those you love.”
“You’ve probably lost a lot of people,” she said, sniffing.
“Yeah, but only a few I really cared about. So, you’re not married, or anything?”
“No.” She blew out a sigh. “That’s not entirely true. I’m engaged to be engaged.”