Page 9 of Plug and Tame

The Night of the Revolution

Kira

The pain of Nathaniel’s bite vanished almost immediately, replaced with a warm cloudy feeling that quashed Kira’s terror and lulled her into a state of calmness. Her muscles relaxed, and she stopped resisting altogether as Nathaniel drank her blood. His lips and tongue were hot on her neck. Gradually, his grip loosened on her hair, and he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her close, holding her tenderly as if they were lovers.

All of a sudden, the words he’d spoken hit her. He was in love with her.

But he’s a vampire.

She would never have believed that Nathaniel was capable of feeling anything other than lust. But then their minds had touched, and just like the first time when he’d claimed her, a new feeling dawned over her.

Surprise.

Because unlike the first time he’d bitten her, his thoughts were not closed. Instead, the walls were down and gates wide open as he shared his emotions.

She had expected arrogance and contempt. Instead, she was overwhelmed by affection. It poured from him like sparkling light, filling the darkness that had consumed them both.

With their minds connected, she noticed other things. Alarm bells rang when she sensed his weakened physical state. Nathaniel wasn’t simply hungry. He was starving, his body on the verge of collapse as it waited for a sustenance he could not replenish.

He needs my blood.

Not wants. Not craves. He needs it like the air we breathe.

Her worry for him grew. Nathaniel’s thoughts brushed hers like a gentle caress, his gratitude washing over her as he drank.

“Thank you,” he said, the words tumbling around in her mind.

Kira licked her lips. She wasn’t about to say you’re welcome, but she no longer begrudged him for biting her, not if the true alternative would have been to let him die.

“Don’t you have some back-up plan when you run low on blood?” she asked.

“Yes. As you can see.”

Kira exhaled through her nostrils. He meant her. “You should stick to hedgehogs next time.”

He laughed, his breath warm on her neck.

She didn’t join in. Despite everything, the thought of losing Nathaniel made her seize up.

If he dies…

“No one is dying today,” he said.

“Stop reading my thoughts,” she snapped, with only a shadow of a growl.

His chest rumbled with a chuckle, and Kira almost smiled, but then the chill of the cave caused her to shiver.

“Cold?” Nathaniel asked, the gentle pull of his hand on her waist inviting her closer.

Reluctantly, Kira settled against him. If they were going to be here a while, she may as well get comfortable. Besides, the warm press of his body wasn’t so bad compared to the hard cave floor.

He fed from her in silence, the act more intimate than a kiss. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the fact that she was enjoying it, when logically, she’d been angry at him only a few minutes ago.

Suddenly, Nathaniel stopped drinking and drew his head back. His arms were still looped around her, and their minds remained connected.

“Why did you stop feeding?” she asked in confusion. She could feel the sharp pangs that raked through Nathaniel. He was still so hungry.

“I took only what I needed.”