Loving a Vampire(35)
“No. His thoughts will be his own.”
Marianna nodded. “I like that. I hated hearing his thoughts. I felt like I was invading his privacy.”
She climbed off the bed and poured some blood into a cup. “Where do you get this blood?”
“I get it from the butcher. He’s my supplier, or at least he was Gregory’s supplier.”
Augustus took the cup off her and took a drink. The blood was cold, but it was better than starving to death.
“What do we do?” she asked.
“We wait it out. Gregory’s dead. He’s turning into a vampire.”
“Can you sense it?”
Augustus shook his head.
“You’ve lived a long time without anyone around. Why?” she asked.
“Why are you asking a lot of questions?” He sat down on the sofa. Marianna sat on the cold concrete floor.
“You’re not going to go to sleep. I know you enough to know you’re waiting until Gregory is awake until you do anything. I’m not leaving you on your own. You may as well answer my questions. I’d offer you to ask me some. There’s not a lot about me. I’m boring.”
She sipped her drink, and Augustus let out a little chuckle.
“When I first turned I spent a great deal of time after watching my wife and children die turning anyone I wanted. Human women were easy to lure to my side. They wanted me, and if they satisfied me, I’d take them another night until I turned them. We’re all different as vampires. I never thirsted for blood when I was human, yet my thirst for blood is strong now.” He stopped to take a sip. “Many of the young vampires I turned I killed. They either bored me or were too dangerous to have around. Even when I was young, I wouldn’t ruin entire villages in my thirst whereas other did.”
“How did you kill them?” she asked.
“I tore their heads off and burnt them until nothing remained. A stake through the heart won’t cut it. The books believe holy water, garlic, stakes, and crosses are all it takes. They don’t even work. Garlic stinks, but I imagine that is just down to the rancid smell.”
Marianna chuckled.
“Back then human men hunted for us. We were considered a plague, which is why we’re all supposed to be careful. After some time of turning and killing them, I didn’t see a reason to keep doing it. I lost the lack of care for killing.”
He reached out for her. She went into his arms willingly. Augustus picked her up off the floor and held her in his arms.
“You took a great risk with Gregory and me.”
“I did. You’ll both be worth it. I can sense you’re both different.”
“How do we make you feel?” she asked, curious to know the answer.
“Both of you make me happy. Gregory has been my friend for the longest time whereas you, you’ve been the first woman I’ve truly desired in over three decades.”
His words pleased her. “Really, three decades?”
“Yes, and I look forward to the rest of my life with you.”
Resting her head against his chest, Marianna stared at Gregory. “I hope he wakes soon. I miss him.”
“I miss him, too.”
Chapter Thirteen
Gregory took his first deep breath as a vampire. He knew what he was as he’d been listening to Marianna and Augustus talk for some time. Opening his eyes, he stared at the ceiling. The sounds all around him were familiar and yet, different. He saw the small cracks in the ceiling showing the building’s age.
“He’s awake,” Augustus said.
Marianna moved into his line of vision. “Gregory.” She smiled, and his whole world brightened. Moving faster than he’d ever moved before, he sank his fingers into her hair and pulled her close. Slamming his lips down on hers, Gregory plunged inside, tasting her. She tasted like chocolate, addictive and sweet.
When he pulled away Marianna was breathless. Augustus stood on the side lines watching them.
He felt strong. For the past few years he’d not been feeling right, and now he felt complete. There was nothing holding him back or fighting him. He was whole.
“How do you feel?” Augustus asked.
“I feel great. I’m whole, and I’ll be spending the rest of my life with the two of you. I’ve never known anything like this. I can hear everything, and yet, I don’t care.” Gregory laughed. His woman joined him as did Augustus.
She moved out of the way for Augustus to take her place. He stared at his closest friend. The love for Augustus was strong when he was human. Now, the feelings were deeper. “Thank you,” Gregory said.
Augustus didn’t respond with words. His friend wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in tighter. “I’m so pleased I held back.”