Replica(35)
I took several deep breaths, trying to control my raging libido, smelling my own freaking pheromones.
Ivan must have picked up on them too, because his gaze honed in on me.
“It’s the vampire blood,” Lea said, sounding irritated. “I’d let you do him to get it out of your system faster, but I suspect you would hate me for it later. I’ve heard it would be the best sex of your life, so it would ruin you forever.”
“I’d be willing to give it a go,” Ivan said with a wicked grin.
“I’ll give you a pillow to hump instead,” Lea grumbled.
Antonio soon had us on our way. The small window separating the front and back was cracked open. His smell seeped through, making me want to dive into the front seat, so I reached behind me to shut it. I gripped the leather beneath me as I took several deep breaths through my nose and out my mouth.
“I want to know more about the supernatural world,” I said, after a minute.
“What brings this up?” Lea asked, her dark eyes penetrating mine.
“I’ve been thrown into the middle of this shit, so I want to understand what I’m facing. Like what vampire blood does to me.”
“Besides its healing powers, vampire blood increases your senses, makes you more sensitive. The reason you’re so horny is you can smell him, much more so than usual.” Her mouth quirked up into a sardonic grin. “And I must say he smells quite good.”
“Hey!” Ivan protested.
“How long will it take before I’m back to normal?” I asked, my face burning with embarrassment. I’d have to be dying before I ever consented to drink vampire blood again.
Lea paused, but Ivan answered for her. “It depends on how much you drank. I would guess you had enough to last two to three hours.”
“Great,” I mumbled. “Just fucking great.”
“Does werewolf blood have the same effect? Or any at all?”
Lea laughed, but it wasn’t friendly. “No.”
“How the hell would I know?” I asked hatefully. “It wasn’t like I asked for any of this.”
“Are you sure about that?” she asked, her gaze penetrating mine.
“It would take a bite for our magic to have an effect on you,” Ivan said, sounding guarded. “That saliva that entered your bloodstream would do it. But it would make you one of us.” He paused. “You’re right. You do need to understand the supernatural world. Lea should have told you more by now.”
“Shut up, wolf.” She didn’t bother to spare him a glance. “We haven’t exactly had time.”
He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his thighs. “There are three species of supernatural creatures. Two are made and one is born.”
“The made are vampires and werewolves,” I said. “Are the ones who are born into it witches?”
“Yes,” Lea said, shooting Ivan a glare before turning back to me. “Witches are not to be trusted.”
“Because vampires are?” I asked dryly.
Lea scowled. “None of them are to be trusted.”
“Hey,” Ivan said good-naturedly. “Speak for your own species.”
“So werewolves can be trusted?” I asked, turning my attention to him.
“Just like everything, it depends.” He sat upright and stretched his arm along the back of the seat, behind Lea, and I found it interesting she didn’t break his arm off. She definitely had it bad for him. I suspected she needed a good lay herself, but I still worried he would distract her from our task.
Right now I had other men to worry about. Particularly the mystery man sitting behind me and my reaction to him.
“So what does it depend on?” I prodded.
“Wolves are territorial. Pack creatures. Everyone has his or her place. As long as you stay in yours, you are not only safe, but protected.”
“So werewolves can trust each other as long as they follow the rules?” I asked. “What happens if you don’t follow the rules?”
“Following the rules is expected. Those who don’t are punished. The punishment fits the crime, so to speak.”
“So why did you run?” Lea asked dryly, slowly turning her head to face him. “You’re not with your pack. In fact, you’re hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Get too cold for you? Or did it get too hot?”
He kept his gaze on hers, the heat between them palpable. “Some of us aren’t born to follow.”
“So you’re a lone wolf? That makes you dangerous. You need the pack to keep you emotionally in check.”
He gave her a lazy shrug. “Maybe, maybe not. I seem to be just fine on my own.”