I sat at the table. Did I want to eat one more thing? I admit I had stuffed myself all day. Mostly sweets. It had been a cold, crisp day and hot chocolate had been a delicious treat. Then there were those buns with fruit. And tarts. I did love lemon tarts. We had supped on roast beef as well. Wine with luncheon. In fact, I had eaten and drunk so much I was almost sick with it. I decided a hot bath would make me feel better and ended up soaking in the tub before I dressed in a silk night robe. I had bought a beautiful one for Maggie. I was sure she would be shocked and pleased when she opened her package later tonight. Fergus would certainly like it.
I lay back on the bed, fighting nerves when the door to Jeremiah’s room creaked open. Fergus had installed a heavy bolt on our bedchamber door before he’d left. From now on there would be two vampires sleeping the day away in this bed. If there were no problems with my turning.
“You look terrified.” Jeremiah sat on the side of the bed and picked up my hand. “And very beautiful.” He leaned down and kissed my breast through the thin silk. “Perfect.”
“I think I have gained a stone or more since you met me.” The silk was taut over my breasts and my hips.
“In all the right places.” He eased the straps down so he could see me. “You needed more flesh. The starving woman I met in that alley was much too thin. Now you are just right.” He pulled the silk down until he could toss it aside. “No need for this.”
“I spent the day in the sun as you asked me to do. I did not change my mind.” I pulled his shirt off over his head. “Will you do as you promised, Jeremiah? Will you make me vampire?”
He fell onto the bed beside me. “You are determined.”
“Yes.” That came out more weakly that I expected. I cleared my throat. “Yes, I am. Of course I’m scared. You and Fergus, even Bran, have warned me of the dangers and the future I will be facing.”
“Bran? Fergus’s cousin who works for MacDonald? Why are you having anything to do with him?” Jeremiah sat up. “MacDonald is not to know my business.”
“You remember. Bran helped me when I was attacked. We just happened to meet him today, in the market. He read my mind. Like all of you do.” I looked away. “I cannot wait until I am able to block my thoughts from vampires and shape-shifters. It is humiliating that my every thought is there for all to see.”
“That is not a good reason to lose your mortality, Gloriana.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t like this. Knowing MacDonald…” Someone pounded on the outside door. “Oh, yes. I wouldn’t be surprised if that is the man himself. He wants you. If Bran let him know what we are planning tonight, he will try to interfere.”
“You don’t answer to him.” I pulled the covers up to my neck.
Jeremiah got out of bed and arranged a plaid around his hips. “He won’t go away. I might as well get this over with.” He smiled. “With luck, this will give me an excuse to kill him.”
“Stop!” I jumped out of bed and wrapped myself in a sheet. “Please, Jeremiah.” I followed him to the door.
He stopped and leaned against it. “I smell him. It is MacDonald.” He picked up a knife from the table behind him then unlocked the door. “Come in.”
“What the devil are you doing, Campbell?” Robert strode in, his eyes blazing. He stopped when he saw me clad in nothing but a sheet. His nostrils flared. “Mistress Gloriana.” He bowed. “I see I am in time.”
“In time for a knife in the gut. What the devil are you doing, MacDonald?” Jeremiah took a warrior’s stance in front of me. “You have no business here.”
“My man Bran told me you are planning to turn Gloriana vampire this night. Is that true?” Robert drew himself up, his hand on his sword.
“What of it?” Jeremiah smiled. “She wants it. It will make her mine forever. Is that what has your plaid in a knot?”
“Greedy son of a bitch. Have you told her how it will go? Of the pain? The things she will lose?” Robert tried to move Jeremiah out of the way so he could look at me. “Gloriana, you cannot know--”
Jeremiah wasn’t budging. “I told her. She seems determined. She loves me. Imagine that.”
“You fool.” Robert paced the floor. “You could kill her.”
“He told me that, Robert.” I was touched by his worry. I placed my hand on Jeremiah’s back. “Let me talk to him.”
“Why? Have you feelings for him? Do you wish for him to be your sire?” Jeremiah wheeled around. “I have told you how I feel about your familiarity with my enemy.”
“He is not my enemy.” I tugged my sheet higher when it began to slip. “Please, Jeremiah. Let us talk. He is only showing concern for my well-being.”
“I don’t trust him.” His back was rigid.
“Well, I do. Now move out of the way.” I pushed and he finally moved. “Robert, thank you for coming.”
“Gloriana, this is unwise. You will be tied to Campbell for eternity. You have no idea what that means. The bastard will make you regret it. I have reason to know that.” Robert tried to take my hand but Jeremiah made sure there was a knife between us.
“This is my decision, Robert. If you are so concerned, mayhap you can stay for the, um, change. See to it that it goes well.” I looked at Jeremiah. “What do you think, love? Would it be all right if there was another vampire at hand? In case something goes wrong?”
“If it were anyone else I would say yes. I would like help. But MacDonald?” Jeremiah’s face was as flushed as I had ever seen it. “I cannot say this often enough, Gloriana, I don’t trust him. We have had dealings before, in the Highlands. This is not about you. Never think it. Our families are enemies for a reason. MacDonald knows it.”
“Put that aside for now, Campbell. Think about Gloriana. Have you ever turned a mortal before?” Robert was clearly agitated. “Have you?”
“No.” Jeremiah again ran his hands through his hair. Was he nervous? Scared of what was to come?
“Christ! What are you thinking? So many things can go wrong. You could fail to drain her completely. She could go mad when you give her your blood. I’ve seen it. The pain can make a mortal hurt those around him or her. If there is a weapon about they might even try to kill themselves and have done so.”
“Have you turned a mortal? Where is your vampire? If you are a sire, where is the fledgling you made?” Jeremiah practically growled it. “Or are you one of those careless types who makes vampires whenever the mood strikes them and then leaves them to run wild with no supervision or guidance?”
“No, of course I haven’t turned a mortal. Do you think I want some sniveling vampire trailing me around for eternity? Or worrying that I created a monster who is out there somewhere doing God knows what? I never wanted that responsibility weighing on me. I do have a conscience, though I’m sure you don’t believe me, Campbell.” Robert winked at me. “No offense, Gloriana. I’m sure you would be a delight to have on my coattails or in my bed forevermore.”
“Then what makes you an expert?” Jeremiah put his arm around me. “This is madness. If I do it, I surely don’t need you around as a witness.”
“But I have been a witness. Many times. My da made me stand and help when he turned my younger brothers and sisters. You know that’s how we do it in my family and in yours. We take care of our own. I am the oldest, as are you. I’m surprised you weren’t forced to stand in at the transitions. It is another reason why I have no taste for making my own fledglings. It is a brutal business.” Robert couldn’t take his eyes off of me and I wondered if I could slip into the bedchamber and put on a modest dress. “Gloriana, think carefully. This is painful and there is no turning back.”
“MacDonald is right about that. My father and mother took care of the transitions in our family. I was never privy to it. I just remember when I was turned.” Jeremiah tightened his hold on me. “Yes, both my parents were there. It took two of them to keep me down when the blood lust took hold.”
“You see? You will need me.” Robert nodded. “I know it will be
your blood alone going into her. I have no desire to bind myself to her, no matter how lovely she is.” He smiled. “But if you are determined to go through with this, Gloriana, I am here to stand as witness and as a help if you should need me.”
I couldn’t get that image out of my mind. Jeremiah’s parents had turned him and grappled with him because he’d been so crazed with blood lust. How could a mother or father do that to a child? I looked into his eyes. He wasn’t even seeing me. He was obviously remembering his transition and the “torture” as he’d described it. The pain. His father was his sire. But he wasn’t so strongly tied to his da, as he called him, that he wasn’t allowed to roam free to London and go his own way. Was I really so determined that I could ignore these warnings? I took a deep and shuddering breath. To my surprise, I realized I was.
“I think I would like for Robert to be here, Jeremiah.” I said this quietly, hopeful that this didn’t seem disloyal. “I cannot imagine that I would be too strong for you to manage, but he does have experience that you don’t have. He could be a help. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Unfortunately, I understand. His experience could be valuable.” Jeremiah nodded once. “This is your last chance, Gloriana. We don’t have to do this. Keep your mortality. I will buy you a nice house here in London. Hire a sturdy guard to keep you safe. I’ll come back in the summer and we can be together again.”
“No. I am sure of what I want. I don’t want to grow old or risk the plague while I wait here for your pleasure. I want to spend eternity with you.” I touched his face. “Please.”
Robert made a noise. “She is certainly besotted. I hope you are not going to regret this, Gloriana.” He took off his sword and set it on the table. “I am sure you want to do this in the bedchamber, Campbell. She will be more comfortable there. As comfortable as she can be.”
“Aye.” Jeremiah looked resigned. “You will watch, nothing more, unless I ask for your assistance.”
“As you wish.” Robert smiled at me. “Thank you for your trust, my dear. We will be friends forever. Unless one of us meets a stake or a sunrise.” He raised an eyebrow. “Pray God that never happens.” He followed us into the bedchamber and sniffed. “The place reeks of love play. A lusty wench, aren’t you, Gloriana? Well done, Campbell.”
“If you wish to stay, you will show some respect, MacDonald.” Jeremiah threw off his plaid and crawled into bed. “Gloriana, come here, love.” He patted the bed beside him. Then he held up the coverlet. “Under the covers, if you please.”
I climbed in, careful to keep Robert from seeing my naked body. I knew it was important to Jeremiah. I lay back with my head on the pillow. I was shaking and terrified, I couldn’t deny that. They had both kept talking about the terrible pain and, first, I had to die.
“I keep hearing about Gloriana’s wonderful blood. Would it be too much to ask for a taste before you drain her completely?” Robert pulled up a chair and sat at the side of the bed. “You know you shouldn’t drink all of her blood yourself anyway. That could make her change difficult. She will need almost pure vampire blood when she takes her first drink.”
“I’m sorry but that is true, Gloriana.” Jeremiah reached for a glass on the table beside the bed. He leaned forward and licked the vein in my neck then sliced across it with his knife. I didn’t feel it. Then he filled the glass with the blood that poured from it. “Here. It is truly something special.” He handed the glass to Robert with something almost like pride before he leaned down to lap up the blood that kept sliding down my neck. “So warm. I will miss this heat.”
“Aye.” Robert drank. “By God! I have never had such a potent drink. More, if you please.” He handed him the glass and Jeremiah let him fill it again. “Nectar of the gods, if I do say so myself. No wonder Marin raved about it.” He stood beside the bed while Jeremiah continued to drink.
I drifted in and out of awareness. The room faded and there was only Jeremiah at my throat. I touched his hair, then tried to hold onto his shoulder but my hand fell to the bed. The candles flickered and the room grew cold. Was I floating away? Why was it getting dark? I wanted to speak, to ask for more light, but the words wouldn’t come.
“Stop what you are doing. She is getting very pale.”
“Aye, the blood flow has slowed. How are you feeling, Gloriana?” Jeremiah touched my throat.
How was I feeling? The room was fading away. I tried to answer him but darkness closed in on me.
“One more glass, I think. Squeeze her vein. She must be truly empty, you know, before this can go further. Put your ear to her chest and see if you hear her heart beating. It must stop.” Robert said something else but it was as if he spoke in a faraway tunnel.
I was cold, so cold. I wanted to raise my arm and pull up the coverlet but I couldn’t manage it. Breathing became too difficult and Jeremiah’s head against my breast was unbearably heavy. I tried to tell him to get off but words wouldn’t form. My eyes closed, my lids dropping over them even though I wanted to see… I fell into a hole of nothingness, cold, dark nothingness where there was no sound or light.
Suddenly liquid splashed into my mouth, scalding it. No! It burned, hurting me. I tried to fight, but my arms were shackled, and I was weak, too weak. All I could do was shriek inside as the fluid scorched and seared its way down my throat and into my veins. My lungs flamed. I tried to choke, to gasp and take a breath, but couldn’t. Scream. No sound but a squawk of pain and panic.
More of the molten drink flowed into me. Then I realized that the fiery fluid was giving me life again. Strength I desperately needed. I grasped the source and devoured it, holding on as I sucked the intoxicating life force into my starving body. I had to have it. To live.
“She’ll kill you. We have to pull her off.”
“I had no idea she’d be this strong. Help me.”
They were trying to tear me away from what I craved. What I wanted most. I wouldn’t let go. Steely arms wrapped around me. Rough fingers pushed into my mouth and tried to pry my teeth open. No! I needed more of that sweet nectar. It was making me whole again. I was finally coming alive. They couldn’t take this away. Not yet!
“Hold her.”
“I’m trying.”
“Bastard. Don’t touch her breast.” Cursing, then I was shoved to the bed and wrapped tightly. I couldn’t move. I tried, crying out and screaming curses when I could not get free.
“It’s almost sunrise. I can feel it. Stay here. In my room. I’ll lie beside her. We’ll see what she’s like when the sun sets and she wakes.”
Noise, bed moving and arms around me, holding me. I smelled the sharp scent of a man. Jeremiah. I needed… Nothing.
Chapter Eighteen
I woke with a start. Starving. Where was I? Why couldn’t I move? Jeremiah lay next to me. His eyes were open and he stared at me.
“How do you feel?”
“Like I’ve been dragged through hell.” It was the only way I could think to describe it. I looked down and saw I was wrapped in the sheet from chin to toes. “Help me get out of this.”
“And if I do? What will you do first?” He touched my throat. “I forgot to heal you.” He leaned down and slid his tongue over my vein. “That’s better.”
“Not to me.” I inhaled. “I can smell you like I never have before. I’d like more of your blood but you need a bath.” I sniffed. “So do I.” I wiggled. “Please, Jeremiah. I hate being trapped like this.”
“New vampires are always thirsty. You cannot have more of my blood. You took too much last night.”
“Too much? Are you all right?”
“Of course.” He smiled. “You couldn’t help yourself. I understood.” He cocked his head. “We still have company. I can hear MacDonald moving around in the other room.” He reached for the edge of the sheet and began to unwind it. “I hate to admit it, but he was a help last night. It took both of us to pull you off of me.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember much of what happened after you cut my
vein.” I sighed. “Except pain.”
“I’m sorry about the pain but I warned you.” He rolled me away from him, pulling at the sheet until my arms came free.
I sat up and jerked at the sheet until I could move my legs as well. “Yes, you did. I do remember yelling. Did I curse?”
“You surprised me. I didn’t know you knew such words.” He smiled and lifted me into his lap. “You will need more blood soon and it can’t come from me. I am already weak from the amount I gave you last night to get you started.”
“Then where will it come from?” I smoothed a hand over his cheek. His beard was rough and he needed to shave.
“I would be happy to oblige the lady.” Robert MacDonald had opened the door.
“Did I forget to bolt that last night?” Jeremiah frowned.
“Apparently.” Robert strolled over to stand beside the bed. “You are still pale, Gloriana. Campbell is right. He has given as much as he can until he has fed.” He bowed and held out his arm. “Let me be of service. I am willing to let you drink from me.” He waved his hand. “Campbell, there can be nothing to bother you about Gloriana taking a sip from my wrist.”
“It would bother me to have her drink a single drop of MacDonald blood, sir.” Jeremiah set me aside, grabbed his plaid then got out of bed. “I can have a mortal in here in matter of moments.”
“In here? From the streets? For her first feeding as a vampire? Are you serious?” Robert shook his head. “A filthy, perhaps pox-ridden mortal? Or mayhap they will carry the plague in here. What will that do to your shifter and his lovely bride, I wonder, when they return?” He sat in the chair he’d left next to the bed the night before. “Are you crazed from blood loss, Campbell?”
“Jeremiah, I don’t want to try my first time with a stranger. If you cannot give me blood, let it be from Robert. Please?” I knew this was not what my lover wanted to hear but Robert’s words had made me think. I would have to find my food, if vampires called it that, from mortals from now on. Or from other vampires. I could see that Jeremiah was unusually pale. I couldn’t remember every detail but I must have required a lot of blood from him in order to be turned.
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