“Now? You want me to do this now?” I squeak.
“Aefre, I am surprised that they aren’t already here,” he says urgently.
I stare at him. “Why would you help me do this?” I ask quietly.
Catching him off guard, he pauses. “I am your sire,” he says simply and turns to the door to leave. He turns back around to add, “I will protect you with my last breath, my sweet. Whatever the reason and no matter what it takes. Besides, if there is going to be anybody I would accept to join The Council, it would be you.”
He smirks at me and I smile weakly at him as my heart races.
“Oh, and I suppose if you are the Chosen one, you will have to spend more time in Milan, with me.” He winks at me and leaves me alone to take in everything he has just said.
Not five seconds later, Cole enters. I run to him and pull him into a tight embrace. He returns the hug, burying his face into my hair.
“Are you okay?” he asks. “What did he say to you?”
“I’m fine, Cole. It's complicated. Work stuff,” I say dismissively. Pulling back, I look him in the eyes. “Are you one hundred percent sure this is what you want?” I ask him intently.
His eyes widen in surprise at my urgency. “Yes, of course, my love. Are you having second thoughts?” he asks warily.
I shake my head vehemently, “No! God, no, Cole, quite the opposite.”
He tilts his head in confusion.
“I want to do it today. I don’t want to wait,” I say quickly.
He takes a step back. “Today?”
“Please say ‘yes.’ Please say that you are ready now,” I plead, worried for his safety after CK’s words.
He runs a hand through his hair and huffs out a breath.
I wait in silence while he thinks it over.
“Have you told me everything I need to know?” he finally asks.
I nod slowly knowing that there are still things he needs to know, things I would have had to get around to explaining to him: like Devon and CK and our physical relationships, but we are out of time now. If this is as serious as CK says it is then…
“Yes,” I lie, feeling the weight of it settle on me uncomfortably. But now isn’t the time. We don’t have the time to debate this topic and if he refuses after finding out that I’m still banging my charge and my sire, he will be a goner without a doubt.
“Then, yes. I’m ready now,” he says, resolved.
I breathe out in relief and with a smile that I hope doesn’t show my deceit, I kiss him. He sweeps me off my feet, kicking the door closed. He carries me to the bed and gently lowers me onto it. I kick off my shoes as he kneels in front of me.
“Bite me one last time like this, as a human,” he whispers, his words eerily similar to Devon’s so long ago. I pull him closer, thrilling at the hunger and desire in his eyes. I drop my fangs and bite down on his neck. His blood is gushing into my mouth. I feel a throbbing between my legs as it slides down my throat. He grunts as I release him, retracting my fangs before I kiss him, making him taste his own blood in my mouth.
“I love you,” I whisper, and he whispers it back.
I open the bedroom door to find CK and Devon talking in hushed tones in the sitting room. My mouth drops open in shock. I have only ever seen them glare at each other and snarl with open, mutual hatred.
They both stop talking and lift their heads to me as I walk towards them staring suspiciously at them.
CK speaks first. “I filled him in,” he says quietly, before Cole joins me at my side.
My frown deepens as it wasn’t his place to tell my charge anything.
“Well,” Cole says. “Are you going to tell them?”
“Uh, yes, yes of course. CK, Devon. Cole and I have decided to turn him…today,” I declare.