Page 11 of Sold to the Dark Vampire Prince

For a second, she would have sworn Zander smiled behind the mask. Then just as quickly, he cleared his throat.

“Yes, well, if I had to guess, I would say it’s possible that point was actually brought up in discussions. I’ve heard,” he leaned back in his chair, glancing over to where Henri was still coughing, “that sometimes what’s announced is often rather scripted.”

“So, if blood addiction is caused by exposure to vampire venom, why couldn’t donors bank their blood?”

Zander nodded. “You’re talking about donations made through centers and bagged for later use.”

“Exactly.” Dani sat up. “The vampires still get the blood they need, but no one suffers the consequences.”

He smiled gently, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Would it surprise you to know that you aren’t the first to suggest this, and that there are growing numbers among our kind who feed this way? It’s seen as a more humane way of sating our biological needs. I wish more would be willing to accept it as an alternative.”

“Do you—?” She began, then quickly looked away when Zander’s eyebrows rose, heat flushing her neck at the question.

Henri, she noted, had stopped typing and was watching them with… concern? No, that couldn’t be right. Surely, she was imagining things.

The paralegal’s phone buzzed. Frowning, he rose.

“Excuse me.”

Zander cleared his throat. “It’s been three years since I last fed from someone directly, since my conscience could no longer condone the excuses I made for the side of my mind that will always have predatory instincts. That part of me will always exist, but I can choose what sort of man I want to be.”

Dani swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. She wondered if Zander could hear her heart pounding in the tiny room. “Do you think it will catch on?”

“Hard to say.” He tapped his finger against the desk. “What you have to understand, Dani, is that for us, feeding isn’t just about sating the craving for blood. There’s a biological drive built into our DNA, to capture and restrain our prey.”

Her fingers unconsciously traced her throat, and Zander looked down as if he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. “Feeding from a cold blood bag wouldn’t be the same.”

“No. And of course, feeding isn’t the only biological response that happens during a blood exchange.”

Dani felt her cheeks grow warm. Vampires in general held no attraction for her. She never allowed herself to get close to any of them. And yet, she could admit that what she felt for Zander bordered on the closest she’d ever come to a harmless crush. She knew she should stop this conversation, and yet she needed to know. “Sex always happens after feeding?”

“Not always, but… feeding is inherently an intimate act. There’s an immediate endorphin response triggered as soon as human blood is ingested, and vampire venom reaches the human bloodstream. Many choose to indulge.” He cocked his head. “Why are you asking me this?”

Now her cheeks were flaming. Despite knowing she shouldn’t, despite knowing it was dangerous, she couldn’t help but feel curious about Zander. He felt safe to her, and in other ways, entirely forbidden.

Nothing would ever happen between them. So what harm was there that sometimes she pictured his lips and fangs skimming her throat in the fleeting stolen moments when she touched herself in bed? Heat crept up her neck as she forced those images away.

“Just… curiosity, I suppose.” She swallowed, suddenly finding it a little hard to breathe.

Zander was watching her now, and as her pulse picked up, she saw the unmistakable flare of silver at the edge of his irises. Her breath caught. Was it possible? Did he want to—

There was a quiet rap at the door.

Dani inhaled sharply. Zander rubbed a hand over his face.

“Your—” Henri cleared his throat. “Apologies. Sir, you’ve just been summoned to appear down at the clerk’s office.”

“Can this wait?” Zander frowned.

“I’m afraid it’s rather urgent.”

“I should go.” Dani lurched up, accidentally knocking several files to the floor in the process. As she bent to gather them, she cursed herself for getting distracted by an attractive man and a ridiculous fantasy. Real life wasn’t a fairy tale. Vampires didn’t take human mates and Zander Hunt wasn’t the solution to her problems. She’d sworn to her father that she would find a way to keep her sisters together and safe and she intended to keep that promise, without the help of any man.

“I’ll see about getting the appeal filed with a different judge,” Zander said, following her out. “It’s a longshot, but it’s worth a try.”

“Thank you.” Dani wrapped her scarf around her face. Darkness had fallen while she was inside, and light snow flurries were swirling down. “Truly, I appreciate everything you’ve done for us. I should get home.”

“You’re taking the train back?” Zander frowned out at the snow. “The weather looks like it’s getting worse.”