Lurking in the Shadows (Completed)

Chapter 18

Willow

“Relax, I'm not going to hurt you, yet.” I giggle as I see his nerves as he enters my room.

“How are you so calm about this? I mean me being here, the attack, all of it?” He asks me in awe and wonder. I smile a little and it disappears as quickly as it came.

“Because I saw what my sister Mina went through. She became withdrawn, bitter, and almost hurt herself badly because of it. All because she wanted her humanity. Of course I wanted my mate to do it, but sadly it didn’t. It was some deadbeat who saw me as a snack and ran away like the coward he is. So I could become bitter and cold like my sister did or I can just make the most of it and still be me.” I grab his hand trying to calm myself. If I’m being honest with myself I’m just as nervous as he is. “Go on, ask your questions, I’m sure you’re just bursting to ask some.” I pat my bed offering him a seat. He sits down and almost bursts at the seams.

“What’s it like being an undead, I mean vampire? How long does a transformation take? What does it feel like transitioning from one to the other? Does it hurt?” He blurts out all his questions at once and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh goodness, you are full of questions. If you want the technical stuff, then you can ask dad and Jasper. As for my side of the questions. First off, I was only half undead so to speak. My mom was human when she had us girls. That was important to dad, he never told me why. How long? Um, I'd have to ask my family because I was asleep, but if I had to guess maybe a week. The transition itself is as easy as falling asleep so it doesn’t hurt, just hurts others watching you.” I think back to when I was in the hospital and how sad everyone looked as I was waking up.

“You ok? You seem lost in thought.”

“Yeah… just thought of when I was attacked. It seems so long ago and yet it feels like yesterday, if that makes sense.”

“Yeah it does.” He hugs me, and I lean into his chest. “One more question.”

“Go on.” I look up at him as he looks nervous to ask this next question. “Take your time.” He takes a deep breath trying to calm himself.

“How does it feel when you’re bitten?” I gave him another small smile realizing why he was nervous.

“If it’s from your mate or beloved, they’re the same thing, just the older generation calls it beloved for some reason. I think it sounds more romantic. From what I’ve been told it’s the most euphoric sensation and you want to keep doing it. If it’s not from your beloved, then it hurts a lot. I remember screaming in pain when I was attacked. Screaming for help and what felt like hours was only mere minutes before my sister, Nyx and her beloved came to help me. I could get him a little. I ripped his cloak so we at least have a sample of that, but with the warmer weather coming I highly doubt he’ll be wearing one next ball. Maybe we’ll be able to actually see his face this time.”

“I’ll protect you.” He wraps his arms around me defensively.

“I know you will.” I cup his cheek staring into his beautiful dreamy blue eyes that reminded me of stars on a dark night. I lean in to kiss him and he immediately kisses me. I pulled out his perfectly pulled up ponytail and let his soft black hair down to his shoulders. “Are you thirsty?” Such a common question, but in the way he meant it I knew exactly what he meant.

“I have a backup supply in the mini fridge near my side table.” I pointed it out, so he knows for next time. “But it’s not the same as feeding off of someone.” He takes off his jacket and button-down shirt and for a scientist he was well toned.

“I thought your eyes were an icy blue now they’re almost an amber.” Oh dear…

“Sorry I’ve been told they turn red when we want to feed…” I blush at him seeing me. How embarrassing… I knew I needed to soon, but does it have to be now?

“Then feed off of me.” He says it so confidently as if it’s not dangerous for me to turn him.

“Are you sure? I might not stop. It could seriously harm you.” I don’t want to lose my beloved just as quickly as I got him.

“If you need to feed, then let me be the honors of being your first.” His veins looked divine.

“Are you sure?” I ask again just to be double sure this is what he wants. “Me biting you will most likely change you and I’ll be your sire.”

“What’s a sire?” Wow he really knew nothing. I tried to take a deep breath but his scent was intoxicating.

“Someone who shows you our way of life. Someone to protect you from going rogue like my sister, Mina almost did. Sometimes it’s a parent and child, sometimes it’s mates, sometimes it’s just a random person like most of my family, but that’s another story for another time.” I stared at his arms and his neck almost drooling at the thought of his blood.

“Bite me.”

“Excuse me??” I was surprised by this. I’ve heard this as an insult in movies before, but I hadn’t heard this for myself.

“Bite me. Your eyes are fully red.” Oh, that makes sense…

“I really want to make sure this is what you want. Once I do this, it’s permanent.” I look him dead in the eyes just to make sure. I’d hate to do this, and he changes his mind.

“I’m positive. I want to fully appreciate you and your family, your way of life, and be able to love you as much as I can, so bite me.”

“Alright… hand me your wrist.” He offered his wrist and I couldn’t help myself. I bite down on him as if he’s my last meal. The high I feel is euphoric and I can see how someone could get drunk off of this. I hear his groan turn into a moan as I feed off of him.

“Keep going Lolo, I’m fine.” He tells me barely above a whisper. I keep going for a few more seconds and then I clean up his wound. I slide his sleek hair aside and bite his neck as well. He lets out a louder moan, and it turns me on as well. I could feel my venom going into him and as weird as it was, I wasn’t bothered by that fact. I’m glad it’s me changing him then some random psycho like it was to me.

“Lolo?” I giggle at the nickname.

“I thought it was cute, and I just came up with it.”

“I like it, it’s cute.” I lick his wound and kiss his cheek.

“How quickly does the transformation start?” He looks at me nervously.

“It’s not immediate, but probably will start within minutes. It’s usually the neck because the veins are closest to the heart which can take it to the rest of the bloodstream. Now lay down, I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” I gently lay him down and I cuddle with him for as long as I can before the transformation hits him. Ten minutes later I hear him squirm out of my hold and let out a scream.

“Ry, ry! It’s ok, it’s just my venom reaching your heart!” I tried to comfort him, but it was like he couldn’t hear me. “Ry, ry! It’s me Lolo!” I tried to make him look at me by holding his face, but what looked at me wasn’t the handsome man I was just cuddling. His eyes were black with a red pupil and he growled at me. I led him to the bed and ran to my door to see if anyone could help, but my hallway was empty. I was going to have to do this alone. I take a deep breath and walk back to him. He screams but I try to comfort him as best I could.

“Henry! Henry! Look at me!” He snarls at me but he looks at me. “You need to bite me now.” He’s too delirious to listen to what I’m saying. I go into my side table drawer and pull out my dagger. I hate to use it on myself, but I had to. I cut myself and let the smell of my blood fill the room. “That’s it. Smell it. I know you want it.” He’s smelling the air like a bloodhound finding something. When he finally looks at me and then my bleeding wrist, he licks it like an ice cream cone. I look back at him again and his eyes aren’t as black anymore. “That’s it. It’s working.” He bites into my wrist and I let out a moan. The high starts again and I try to move him back to my bed. I didn’t care if my bed got messed up as long as Henry was ok. He wasn’t in danger of hurting me.

“You have to stop, Henry.” He snarls at the idea. “I know it’s hard to stop, but you have to bite my neck too.” He carefully listens to what I’m saying and slowly stops. “That’s it, Ry. Lick off the wound on my wrist and bite me. I know you want to.” He slowly made his way to my neck, and it was going so agonizingly slow. “Oh, just bite me already!” He smirks at me at my request and then quickly bites my neck. I let out almost a scream but it turned into a moan. I can see why people can get high off of this feeling. He keeps his hold on me for a good 20 seconds before letting me go.

“Sleep well my love. I’ll be here when you wake.” I kiss his forehead as he falls into a satisfied sleep.