A Hunt Among Vampires (The Angel Series) (12 page)

“Amazing. How long does this process usually take?”

“How long does it take for you to feel the affects of my blood when you drink from me?” I toss back at him curiously. “I believe the angel blood attacks the disease immediately. I imagine that within a few hours their body will show no more signs of whatever was ailing them. It does not mean that they will always be healthy. The sickness will be gone, but they may still need time to regain their strength. It will not prevent future sicknesses. Most of the donors I have seen at your place look strong enough due to the vampire blood you have been giving them. Hopefully, that will aid them when they receive my blood.”

He takes a few minutes to describe their various illnesses. I perform a mental calculation and begin removing the necessary bags of blood. As I am busy, he wanders around the basement getting a better look around. Last time he was here, we were in a rush and were not here long.

“You are familiar with using all of these weapons?” He picks up a short sword and gives it an experimental swing before placing it back on the wall.

“I have been training in martial arts since I started walking. When I finally earned enough money on the streets, I continued my training. What’s funny is when I was young, my aunt had to force training down my throat. I did it because I didn’t have a choice. Now, I go out of my way to find someone to train me. As much as I fussed at my trainers when I was young, there are a couple I wish I could find to continue my training.” I grab the blood I need out of a storage bin and stack it carefully in a backpack.

Christien opens the refrigerator of blood I have in the back of the room and pulls out a bag. “Do you drink your blood cold?”

“Not unless I am really hungry. Normally I heat it in the microwave for a half minute. Not until it’s hot, just long enough to take off the chill. Heat it too much and it gets hard to drink.”

He toys with the blood in the bag for a few moments before returning it to the refrigerator. He turns and sees the small living area, complete with bed. Shuffling around the furniture, he lies on the bed on his back in a relaxing pose.

“Figures that is all you hear me say.” I laugh as he nuzzles my breasts with his face. “Stop that! I got the blood we need, let’s get going.”

He sighs. “Very well, I still would like you to indulge in my body after we cure our donors. I will allow you to take as much time as you need to indulge me fully.”

I roll my eyes playfully. “We’ll see.”

Riding back to Christien’s house seems to take longer than the ride to my house. Sunrise is less than an hour away. Christien rushes inside to make sure the young vampires are preparing for their coma-like sleep and demands his older vampires stay in their rooms. I setup an area in the kitchen with syringes, bandages and other things I will need. On his way back to the front of the house, Christien requests his donors to gather in the living room for a meeting.

Several minutes pass as everyone files into the room. Greetings and curious chatter fills the air as Christien takes my hand and guides me to the front of the room.

“Is everyone here?” He asks the now silent room.

Several people answer positively. Others nod in agreement.

“Very well, let us begin. For those of you that have not met my mate, this is Jessica. Jessica has agreed to assist me today. We have asked you all to join us here this early morning to discuss the results of Ian and Logan’s recent blood work. As you all know, both men had life threatening diseases, completely unlike the other. Several days ago, something happened during a feeding with Ian and Logan. I have erased this incident from your minds in order to protect the vampire involved. What I will tell you is that during this incident, Ian and Logan received blood from a unique vampire to replenish what they lost. Even though the vampire almost drained Ian and Logan of blood and they drank the blood of a vampire, they are not vampires. They are still very human. Also, they are completely cured of their diseases.”

We wait a few minutes as the startling revelation carries through the room. As the nattering quiets down, Christien regains everyone’s attention.

“Now that we have confirmed that the blood can cure any human disease, Jessica is eager to offer anyone who would like a cure to their disease her assistance in administering the necessary amount of blood. Anyone cured may also leave my get and rejoin human society with no ill feelings towards them.”

The room is so quiet I would be able to hear a pin if someone dropped one.

“What if we don’t want to leave your get? Could we get the cure and remain here?” A woman near the middle asks. Several murmurs of agreement follow.

“No one will be forced to leave if they choose to accept the cure to their disease. Each of you is welcome here. You are all precious to us and we will miss you if you do choose to leave.”

“With your new vampires, won’t you need more donors?” Someone else asks.

“Yes, but that is not your responsibility. You have all done enough for our get. We want to make sure you do not feel obligated to do more than what you have already done. Please understand that I do appreciate everything you have done for us. I am more than willing to offer all of you a cure in exchange for the dedication you have already demonstrated.”

I clear my throat. All eyes turn to me. “I think what Christien is trying to say is that all of you have spent more than enough time serving his get. If you want a cure so you may continue on with your life, he is offering that to you now.”

“Anyone wanting the cure should join Jessica in the kitchen. She will be administering blood to you according to your disease. Judging from Ian and Logan’s response when they received the blood, their blood was clean of their diseases within a few hours. Some will respond faster, some may take longer. We are confident that the blood will work on all of you without any side effects.”

“Any defects in your baby’s health will be healed in the womb. If your baby is already healthy, your baby will stay healthy.” I respond confidently.

“If we choose not to have the cure, what will happen to us?” A man asks.

“You are welcome to stay here as long as you like, regardless if you accept the cure or not. Again, I will ask no one to leave against their wishes.” Christien reassures everyone. “Regardless if you take the cure or not, we will remove the memory of the curative properties of this vampire’s blood from your memories, naturally for the vampire’s and everyone’s safety.”

The room nods in understanding. Christien leads me away from the group and guides me into the kitchen.

I recheck the equipment and supplies while I wait nervously for the first donor to arrive. A few minutes pass and no one enters the kitchen. Christien shrugs and opens the kitchen door to look into the living room. Several people are lingering in the room talking, but most of the people have left the room and are continuing with their morning routine.

“In all due respect Christien, we do not want it. If we receive the cure and you decide to change your mind about keeping us in your get, we will be stuck in the human world. We all have friends or family here. All of us get along with each other and enjoy our lives. None of us want to be forced to leave.”

“Really? Everyone feels the same way?” I ask incredulously. “You would rather stay as a blood donor to a bunch of vampires than live your lives in the human world?”

The man gives me a dirty look. “They are not a ‘bunch of vampires’ to us. Christien has been extremely generous and his vampires are gentle and kind. They protect us with their lives. Occasionally, they may ask for little from us. We keep ourselves busy by managing their businesses during the day, cleaning, shopping or just guarding them while they are asleep. They are family, not just a bunch of vampires.” The man storms away with a woman in tow before I can apologize for the misunderstanding.

The room is empty of people moments later. I return to the kitchen to see my equipment moved to the side as the table fills with people sitting down for breakfast.

“Has anyone changed their mind and would like me to administer the cure to them?” I call out to the room.

Several people shake their heads. The rest don’t respond at all.

Christien picks up the equipment from the table and takes the backpack filled with my blood off my shoulder. “I believe they have made their decision
ma chatte petite
.”

“You didn’t manipulate them in any way? Convince them that getting the cure would be detrimental?” I ask suspiciously.

“Not everything is a conspiracy
chatte
. You were there when we spoke to all of them. I was not controlling them. Is it that hard to believe that they would rather live without a cure than to continue their lives outside our get? Even with the promise that they will not be forced to leave, they are not willing take the risk.”

“You’ve made your point. They love it here and don’t want to leave. I get it, but that doesn’t mean they need to suffer, especially the children.” I mumble angrily.

“I do not mean to upset you. When they take their next dose of blood, I can exchange it with your blood and give them the cure without their knowledge. That way, they can stay firm in their belief and still receive treatment.” He offers quietly.

“You would willingly deceive your get?” I ask incredulously.

“Yes I will, if it would make you happy. I do not like the idea of me tricking them against their wishes, but your happiness will come first to me, always.” He admits tenderly.

“I’ll tell you what I want. I want the children to have the cure. The adults are old enough to make their own decisions. I don’t want the children to live in pain or live with any type of suffering.” I plead with him.

“Thank you for not asking me to force the adults to conform. I will see that the children are well. I agree with you in that sentiment, deception or not.”

“I’m tired, let’s go to bed.”

Christien smiles and carries me upstairs with vampire speed.

Chapter 10

The sun is setting over the horizon making the sky fill with vibrant shades of blues, reds and oranges. I wake up comfortable and refreshed. I hear water running in the bathroom. Without bothering to get dressed, I slide out of bed naked and tiptoe into the bathroom. The steam from the shower billows around me. I open the shower door and arms sweep me inside.

“You drive me insane with desire,
ma chatte sauvage
. Do you not understand what you do to me?”

“I think I am beginning to have an idea.” I moan back as his hands glide up my body from my waist to encircle my breasts. He kneads them gently, brushing his fingertips across my nipples.

“I am truly lucky to have found a beautiful mate. I will have a hard time keeping other men away from you.”

I am about to respond to his possessive comment when his hands leave my breasts to slide down my stomach to brush my engorged clit. His fingers expertly explore my body, causing my breath to catch.

“Do you like that, beauté?”

I raise my arms to curl them around his neck behind me, pulling him closer. I move my head to the side as his lips and tongue explore my neck.

“Do it!” I demand.

His fangs extend and pierce my skin. I groan in ecstasy as his arousal meets mine. He is inside me before I can protest, not that I would. Every suck of my blood he makes brings me closer to my orgasm. The triple penetration, mind, body, and blood, brings me to my peak faster than I have ever known. I scream his name as he reaches his own orgasm. He licks the puncture wounds on my neck and holds me tight as our final spasms from our releases run through us.

He finally releases me and grabs the soap and washcloth. After lathering the towel, he bathes me sensuously.

“You keep this up and we are going to run out of hot water before we get out of here.” I tease.

“Then I will have to dry you off and carry you back to bed.” Christien counters. His demeanor then becomes serious. “We must be more careful,
ma chatte petite
. I cannot continue to feed off you every time we make love. As much as we enjoy the rewards of such a union, you need time to replenish what you lose.”

“Then I shall feed on you more often.” I turn towards him and fall to my knees in front of him. Before he can object, I take him into my mouth.