“Feeders,” he states abruptly, his eyes going cold again. “Mr. D’Arcangelo asked me to bring them to you.”

I nod and wave for them to sit. I go back to the bedroom to get Cole. He’s still flat out. “Cole, baby, wake up,” I shake him gently. He wakes at the sound of my voice and touch, turning towards me.

“Hey,” I say with a smile.

“Hey,” he croaks before clearing his throat. “Hey,” he says again.

“Get dressed. Nico has a Feeder here for you.”

He nods eagerly. I can see that he’s desperately hungry. “You go first, and I’ll stop you a

t the limit. Try to recognize the sign of it, okay?”

“Okay,” he says, while pulling on shorts and a t-shirt. He fiddles with his ring as he avoids the sunlight streaming into the room. It’s natural. It’s something that also takes getting used to, even with the protection of the Faerie Silver ring, which has been crafted and enchanted to allow us to be in the sun.

“Step into it, my love. You’ll be fine,” I coax, standing in it myself with my hand outstretched. His desire to touch me wins out over his fear. He grabs my hand and I pull him close. He flinches, but once he realizes he is protected and not going to go up in flames, he relaxes with a soft smile. I pull his head down for a quick kiss, which he deepens because he can’t help himself. Pulling away, I say, “Feed.”

He nods.

Strolling hand in hand into the sitting area the two Feeders go on alert. I lead Cole to the woman, thinking he might be more comfortable. She stands and turns around. Cole’s fangs are already down as he can smell and sense the blood pumping through her veins.

“Slowly,” I murmur, standing at his side. He grips her arms too tight, so I tap his fingers. He lets go a little bit and drops his mouth to her neck. He bites down and starts to feed. After a few seconds, I say to him, “Pull back. Slowly.” I place my hand on his waist and it distracts him enough to pull away.

“That’s good, my love,” I say quietly, trying not to startle the woman too much. He beams at my praise.

“Nico. Take her outside while I feed, please,” I say. He understands it’s for her own safety and doesn’t hesitate to remove her from Cole’s unpredictable presence.

I glide across to the man, who remains seated. I move around to the back of his chair.

“No!” Cole says suddenly.

I look up, startled. “What is it?” I ask.

“I don’t want you to feed from him,” he says, almost in pain. “Just feed from me. You said you could survive that way.”

I glance apologetically at the man to wait one minute. He shrugs. He gets paid enough for his donation to sit here all day if necessary.

“Cole, when I told you that, I had not fed from a human in many months. But when I bit you the cravings started again. The need for human blood is a strong one, my love, and when I took most of yours yesterday it awoke the bloodlust, as I haven’t been used to it. I need this. I need this to stay in control,” I explain, not expecting him to understand.

He looks pained but accepts my explanation without questions.

I move back to the man and drop my fangs. I drink deeply. I feel the headache retreat instantly. Taking my fill, I pull back and retract my fangs. Cole watches from across the room, but he’s in control and that is good.

The man beats a hasty retreat now knowing there are two potentially dangerous Vampires in the room with him. He bumps into Nico on his way out.

“Thank you, Nico,” I say gratefully.

He nods and says, “I’d better get back. Mr. D’Arcangelo said he would see you around lunchtime with news.” I nod my thanks, and he leaves in a swish of his duster coat.

“Feel better?” I ask Cole.

He nods. “Good. So do I,” I say pointedly.

He is at my side immediately, a look of concern on his face. “Are you okay?” he asks.

“I am now. The headache has gone,” I reassure him. I let him pull me into a deep hug.

Soon after that, Devon pitches up. Alone.

Tags: Eve Newton Fantasy
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