“I don’t know.” Gregory stood and started pacing.
“Do I repulse you?” Marianna asked.
“No.” He moved back to the bed and cupped her face. She closed her eyes relishing the feel of the warmth of his touch. “I love you, Marianna. I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you. None of it makes sense. My feelings and how much I want you. You would never repulse me.”
“You love me.”
Gregory nodded.
“How long have you known your true feelings about me?”
“Since the moment I took your virginity. I wanted to protect you and make you mine.”
“He wanted to share you with me,” Augustus said. “Gregory wants us all to be one big happy family.”
“I need to think,” Marianna said. She moved off the bed and was out in the garden seconds later. Augustus joined her first followed by Gregory. He stumbled out gasping for breath.
She stared up at the moon. The glowing warmth of the moon sent tingles up and down her exposed skin. “Do you feel it?” Marianna asked.
Augustus wrapped his arms around her waist. She settled against him. “I do. It’s like the sun only in darkness.”
“The glow is magnificent.”
“What are you two talking about?” Gregory asked, looking up at the sky.
Marianna sighed. “During the day you only have one sun in the sky glowing down on you. I never really thought about it. It’s dark out, but the moon feels like the sun to me. It lights up the sky like the sun. The stars are just as magical. I don’t think I’ve lost anything by becoming a vampire.”
Resting her head against Augustus’s shoulder, Marianna closed her eyes feeling full of contentment.
****
Augustus couldn’t believe her restraint. So many recently turned vampires would be going on a killing rage in their need for blood. Marianna was content to sit and look up at the stars. Gregory stood watching her. Their human friend was amazed with how the transition had turned her back to her former self. Her skin was pale, but she’d been pale before. The only difference Augustus could see was the deeper tones of red in her hair.
She looked like a true vampire beauty. Her eyes were bright as she stared up at the sky.
For the first time in years Augustus wasn’t afraid to break her. He’d never had a vampire companion before. There hadn’t been anyone he’d willingly share the rest of his life with. When the sun rose he’d have Marianna to keep him company.
He’d be able to lie down beside her without fear of hurting her.
“I’ve never known such beauty before,” Marianna said. “I never got the chance to simply admire the sky.”
“You’ve got the rest of your life to admire it,” Augustus said.
She nodded. Her fingers stroked along his arm. “This feels nice, being with the two of you. I can hear your thoughts, Gregory. Please, don’t fear for me.”
“I didn’t know you wanted to be a vampire,” Gregory said.
“I didn’t. This is amazing. I’ve never known anything like it.”
“Let’s go inside. I don’t want a human to overhear our conversation. You never know who is hiding out,” Augustus said, taking Marianna with him.
He took her into the sitting room and seated her beside him on the sofa.
Gregory followed them.
Augustus noted the other man’s distance. He wished he could read Marianna’s thoughts. Her mind was free of him to listen. Everything she thought and felt were her own.
“I know you’re both waiting for me to crack,” she said.
“You’re showing great restraint, sweetheart. If you need to feed tell me,” Augustus said. He didn’t like the thought of her starving.
“I’m not hungry. I don’t feel compelled to feed.” She shrugged. “I guess I came out wrong.”
Gregory moved in front of her, cupping her face. “There is nothing wrong about you.”
“I’m a vampire who is not craving blood, and I can’t even cry. I’m useless.”
She sat back on the sofa rubbing her hands down her thighs. Augustus didn’t know what it was like to be between her sweet thighs. He’d only gotten a taste of her. Every other touch she’d gotten from Gregory.
He watched as Gregory opened her thighs and stroked up under her shirt.
Marianna jerked. Her eyes widened as she stared down at Gregory. “What are you doing?”
The shirt she wore rode up to her waist. Augustus got a clear sight of what his friend was doing.
“I’m going to show nothing has changed. You’re still the same Marianna.”
She wasn’t wearing any panties, and her mound was covered in a light dusting of red hair.