Ambrosia (Nectar 2)

“So Adrian tells you that you’ve been played, that we’re a lab experiment, we’ve been set up to meet, and he’s got your own people working for him posing as working for you and you remained totally and completely in control? You sounded happy on the phone when you called me at the hotel. I don’t get it!”

“Not even close,” Tristan answered, “But I got myself under control quickly. I had to. Despite wanting to rip his head off he might be key to our future. I probably need him to help me not hurt you. He gave me hope about your next cycle. And about keeping you safe from Liam.”

They were quiet a minute and he broke the loaded silence, “What are you thinking about right now?”

She covered her eyes with her hands, “So many things. I don’t even know where to start.”

He rubbed her back and kissed her forehead.

She took a big breath, “My parents aren’t dead. And I have family, Tristan. Family who are vampires. This is crazy. I have vampire genes. I’m a fucking lab experiment. Do I have sisters or brothers? Why won’t he tell me? Will he tell you the truth? And I can’t believe they kept all this from you.”

“I don’t know the details yet about your parents but I know your mother was pregnant when they were brought in. I don’t know what came of that. When you went missing, Adrian wanted to continue the experiments. He reports to Claudio’s American counterpart. Claude and I need to meet. He’s likely traveling here within the next few days.”

A knock on the door interrupted them. Tristan moved to go answer it. Kyla stayed in the bedroom on her back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She could hear that the treadmill was being delivered. She then heard the door close and lock and then he was back.

She sat up in the bed and rubbed her palms over her eyes, “I don’t even know what to say, where to start with my questions. My life is in your hands. What are you planning to do with it?”

He took her face in his hands and kissed her, “Rest, okay? I have to talk to Adrian, talk to Sam, deal with a few things. The treadmill is here for you, if you need to run.”

“I don’t want you to go.”

“I won’t be long…”

“I don’t trust him. Adrian is a mad scientist. I don’t trust him. Do not leave me alone here. Let’s… let’s get out of here.”

“There’s stuff we have to deal with here first. I’m not saying we’re staying long, I don’t know yet, but I’m assessing the situation and---”

“Please, Tristan. I have a really bad feeling about this.”

“Baby,” he kissed her nose, “Try to take a nap, okay? I need to be level-headed so that’ll help me if you do. I’ll be back soon. The door is locked.”

He started to head toward the door.

“You’re going? You’re just gonna leave me here? Leave me to fester in all this…this…”

He got back beside her and pulled her close.

“Go to sleep. It’ll help us both. I’ll hold you till you’re sleeping, then I’ll be as quick as I can be. I’ll have my phone. You have yours.”

He started to rub her back. She held tight to him.

“What are we gonna do?” she asked into his chest.

“I’m thinking we run a test to see what happens when the nectar comes. That’s the only way forward.”

“Tristan…”

“No. I’m not getting you pregnant and putting you at risk. If I decide next cycle that it’s the way to go, that’s what we do. For now, this is the only thing that makes sense.”

“What if it’s a trap? No one has been honest so far about any of this. What if… and if you decide? You? You can’t unilaterally…”

“I know it could be a trap. Shh… I’m weighing it all out. I’m mulling it all over. But that’s the direction I’m leaning in.”

“Do I not have a say in what happens to me here?” She leaned back and looked at him.

“No.”

“No?” she tried to break free of his embrace. He held tighter.

“No,” he kissed her, “because you’ll pick getting pregnant and I don’t want to risk your life. And maybe I need more nectar so I’m in a better position to protect you.”

“But both options risk my life. We’d have nine months to try to see… But I’d want to get the fuck away from here. If we have a baby I don’t want him or her to be Adrian’s guinea pig.”

“Stop talking about us having a baby. You doing that makes me want to fuck you more than I already wanna fuck you. Just rest, okay. I need to go back and talk to him some more. Then when I get back, we’ll eat and go for a walk and take things from there. Okay?”