One Grave at a Time (Night Huntress 6)

But I said none of those things, partly because it was clear Ian had already given her his unedited opinion on her ill-fated scheme, and also because she looked like she was about to cry. I could count on one hand the times I'd seen my mother cry, and it wasn't something I wanted to see again, let alone cause.

"Okay," I said, taking in a deep breath to quell the part of me that still wanted to go with the shake-and-scream approach. "How long have you been attempting to live off meat package blood?"

"Since I quit the team," she mumbled. "Tate used to give me bagged plasma, but once I left, I knew that wouldn't happen anymore, so I tried to find an alternative."

My eyes bugged as I calculated the time. Bones still said nothing, his face carefully expressionless and his aura closed off like a vault. Tyler wasn't nearly as locked down in his reaction. Bitch, you are SO lucky you didn't try to eat my dog, rang across my mind.

"Okay." My voice was almost a squeak with my incredulity. "That didn't work, so, uh, who'd you try to eat?"

She said nothing, worrying her lower lip between teeth that were harmlessly flat at the moment.

"Francine got frightened by a noise and cut herself after squeezing a sage glass too hard," Ian supplied. "Your mum pounced on her and started sucking away. Would've been arousing if not for all the screaming."

"Ian," Bones drew out warningly.

He grinned. "You're right. I was aroused anyway."

I punched him in the chest without even thinking about it. My mother's bottom lip quivered.

"I didn't mean to. I just couldn't stop myself."

"Of course you couldn't. You're a vampire."

The exasperated statement came not from me, though I'd been thinking it, or from the other two vampires in the room. It came from Tyler, who climbed down the stairs even though the increased smoke made him cough.

"You know: fangs, flashy green eyes, and superspeed? All that caught your attention already?" At her scoff, he added, "So why'd you think you could opt out of the 'drinking human blood' part?"

"I refuse to tear into someone's flesh, holding them down and stealing their blood . . ." Something dark flashed across her expression before her features twisted in pain. "I won't do that again. Ever."

Her tone hardened at that last word, and I knew she was remembering her first days as a vampire when the prick who sired her threw in humans with her. It took the last of my anger from me, though a bucketload of frustration still remained.

"There's no need to harm anyone when you feed, Justina," Bones said. "But as you've discovered, you can't wish away your need for blood, and animal blood will not suffice for long."

"Maybe I just need more of it. There wasn't a lot in those meat packages," she insisted.

A mental image of my mother sneaking around at night to suck on cattle or goats crossed my mind. What if that was the real source of the Chupacabra legend, and they were actually vampires in denial like she was? Nothing would surprise me right now.

"You could drink a slaughterhouse dry, and you'd still lust over the first human you chanced upon," Ian replied pitilessly. "Be easier on our kind if we didn't need human blood, but we do, and you're no exception."

"Even if I wouldn't hurt them, I refuse to force anyone to give me their blood by ripping away their willpower," my mother said. "So unless I start stealing from blood banks, I don't see another solution."

"Drink me."

My head swung in Tyler's direction with almost the same amount of disbelief my mother showed. Tyler shrugged.

"None of her concerns apply with me because I'm offering, so she won't be ripping away my willpower, and she damn sure won't be holding me down and tearing open my anything."

"Are you sure?" I'd hate for him to feel pressured because he was the only person here with a pulse. We could make other arrangements. Lots of vampires had willing donors. A few phone calls, and we could have a donor here although that person would have to leave right away because of Kramer and his whole kill first, say hello later tendency.

"I'd rather have her drink a little from me now with someone here to control her than sit around waiting for her to lose it again." Then Tyler's stare turned pointed as he looked at my mother. "And you will lose it again. You're already looking at me like I'm a big juicy steak. Can't kick you out, either. Cat would just worry herself sick about you and every other fool near enough for you to bite."

Then he turned to Bones, folding his arms. This offer ain't free, but we'll talk price when Mama's not here, and so you know? I don't come cheap, he thought at him in a clear, concise way.

I had no qualms about paying him. That seemed a far better trade than Tyler's offering out of guilt or compulsion. The barest smile touched Bones's mouth. He nodded once, and Tyler rolled up his sleeve, holding his bare arm out.

"I didn't say I would do this," my mother argued, but her gaze welded onto the veins throbbing beneath his coffee-colored skin.

Ian snorted. "I've never heard a less convincing protest."

"You're doing this, and you're doing it now," I told her sternly. "Tyler's right. You're a danger to him and every other human until you get your hunger under control, and I know you don't want to hurt anyone by accident."

I didn't say again, but the word hung unspoken in the air. My mother tore her gaze away from Tyler's flesh to look first at me, then Bones. She squirmed.

"I can't do it with you two watching me," she finally stated.

"What?" I sputtered.

She waved an impatient hand. "It's too weird. You're my daughter, and he"-she looked at Bones, who flashed her an impudent grin-"he's too arrogant," she finished.

"No one's more arrogant than Ian," I said under my breath.

He winked at me. "Thank you, Reaper."

Bones rested his hand on my back. "Come on, Kitten, let's leave them to it. Ian, I charge you with their safety. We'll be back later."

I looked at Tyler, but instead of any concern about Bones and me leaving, his thoughts were busy contemplating things about Ian that I didn't need to hear. "Are you okay with only them?" I asked anyway.

"Fine. Shoo," he said, flicking his fingers for emphasis.

"Okay, we'll see you soon."

Bones propelled me up the stairs, his mood seeming to lighten with every step.

"I'm certain it won't be that soon," Ian called out.

I wasn't a hundred percent sure, but I thought I caught Bones muttering, "Right you are, mate."