Toxic (Venom Series) Book Three

by Kristen Middleton

  He smiled and slid it toward me. “No.”

  “Oh,” I said, watching him fill the other. When he was finished, he threw the plastic away and then raised his glass.

  “I just drink it down?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  I took a deep breath and raised the glass to my lips. Although the idea was a little appalling to me, the scent of the blood was already making me quiver with excitement.

  “Hold on,” he said, touching my arm. “I want to ask you something.”

  “What?”

  “How do you feel about moving in here with me?”

  My eyes widened. “Here? You want me to live here, in Romania?”

  “I want you to live with me and yeah, I’d like it to be Romania, unless you want to live somewhere else.”

  “What about Melody?” I asked, feeling giddy about the idea. “How could I leave her alone?”

  He laughed.

  “What is it?”

  “You probably haven’t found out yet but Melody and Liam are now…”

  My jaw dropped. “Lovers?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Oh my God, when did that happen?”

  “The day you disappeared.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe it. He finally gave in, huh?”

  “Yes. I’m surprised she hasn’t told you yet.”

  “I think she was trying to but I ignored her,” I said. “I was too busy feeling sorry for myself.”

  “It happens.”

  “I need to talk to her. I’m just afraid I’ll…”

  “What?”

  “Blah…. want to suck her blood,” I said, trying to sound theatrical.

  He chuckled. “You’ll be fine. As long as you drink blood on a regular basis and don’t miss too many meals.”

  “Still, I’m worried about Melody. When Liam gets tired of her or if she gets tired of him, what then?”

  “As far as Liam goes, you don’t have to worry about her. In fact, he said that he’s never felt this way about anyone.

  “Really?”

  “Really, and I believe him. He follows her around everywhere. It’s kind of pathetic.”

  “Do you think it’s love?”

  “I don’t know. It’s pretty intense though. Whatever it is.”

  “What if she gets tired of him?”

  “Then that’s her problem, right?”

  I sighed.

  “If you’re that worried about your cousin, I’ll make sure that she has everything she needs. I’ll even help her find a job.”

  “You will?”

  “Of course I will. So, what do you say?”

  I smiled. “Yes, Slade, I’ll live here or Dublin or wherever it is you want to live.”

  He took my hand and kissed my fingers. “I was hoping you’d say that. Now.” He raised his glass. “Let’s do this right. A toast to new beginnings.”

  I raised my glass. “To new beginnings.”

  “To ‘forevers’”

  “To ‘forevers’.”

  “And to ‘us’.”

  “To ‘us’.”

  Staring at me, he brought the glass to his lips and began to drink.

  I took a deep breath and did the same.

  “Oh my God,” I gasped.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. It’s good. It’s really good.” I drank some more of it.

  He winked. “Fresh is the best but I can’t complain. This is a humane way of feeding.”

  “I was so worried that I’d throw up. But, this is so much better than I thought.”

  “There’s more in the refrigerator.”

  “Good.”

  Just then, an older woman stepped into the kitchen, startling me.

  “Oh, hello,” she said, smiling warmly. “My name is Mira. I’m Slade’s housekeeper.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I said, embarrassed that she’d caught me drinking blood. “I’m Chelsey.”

  As if she could read my mind, she nodded toward the glass. “It’s good, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t be afraid to enjoy it,” said Mira, studying my face. “I’ve been supplying Slade’s blood for quite a while now and it’s good to see him entertaining his guests with it.”

  I laughed nervously.

  “Chelsey is more than a guest, Mira. She’s going to be living here.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful,” she replied and then raised her hand to her mouth. “Then you won’t be needing me?”

  “Need you? You’re family. I want you here as long as you want to be here,” said Slade.

  “Oh, good,” she said, relieved. Her lip trembled. “You’re like a son to me, Slade. You know that?”

  He smiled. “You’re like an older sister to me, Mira.”

  Mira giggled. “He’s quite the flirt, isn’t he?”

  “Tell me about it. A real charmer.”

  “Hey, I never charmed you,” said Slade, looking cross. “I thought we established that already?”

  I winked. “I’m kidding. You really need to lighten up.”

  He growled playfully and then nuzzled my neck.

  “Oh my,” said Mira. “I’m going to give you two some privacy.”

  “Don’t leave on our account,” said Slade.

  “I’m not actually. I’m off to watch a television show in my room. You two have fun and if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

  “Thanks,” said Slade. “Enjoy your show.”

  “It’s a new episode. One I’ve been waiting all week for,” she replied, grabbing a bag of potato chips from the cupboard.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  She named a popular reality show, about dating, and I grinned. “Oh yeah, I’ve heard of it. Looks kind of funny.”

  “It is. Anyway, it was very nice meeting you,” I told her.

  “You, too,” she replied and then gave me an unexpected hug. “I’m so glad he has you. He’s been so lonely.”

  Slade smiled.

  I hugged her back. “Thanks.”

  Mira released me and then left us alone.

  “She’s very nice.”

  “The best. I don’t know if I could live without… either of you.”

  I grinned.

  “Come on,” he said, holding out his hand. “Bring your glass.”

  “Okay,” I said, grabbing it. Holding hands, Slade led me into his bedroom and then closed the door.

  “There’s another reason why I brought you all the way out here.”

  “What is it?”

  Setting his glass down, he grabbed an old classical guitar that was on a stand near his bed. “I wrote you a song.”

  I stared at him in surprise. “You did?”

  He nodded toward the bed. “Sit down and I’ll play it for you.”

  Excited, I did what he asked.

  Slade grabbed a pick and began to play his guitar. When he opened his mouth and began singing, my eyes filled with tears. I’d forgotten how amazingly beautiful his voice was. His words were beautiful and haunting and filled with passion. He sang of his love for me being strong, and pure and how he’d never let anything come between us.

  Girl, hold my hand

  Into the night

  Don’t be afraid

  Our love is right

  Nothing can stand between us

  Nothing can tear us apart

  Not while we’re together

  Not while you hold my heart

  After a few more verses, Slade stopped singing and smiled sheepishly. “It’s still a work in progress, but I wanted you to hear it.”

  “It’s… beautiful.”

  “I keep changing it.”

  “Why?”

  He sighed. “Because I can’t seem to find the right words to communicate just how I feel about you. About us. Nothing seems to be adequate enough.”

  “I don’t know. You seemed to have done a pretty good job, so far,” I said, wiping a couple of tears with the back of my hand.


  “Thank you, but… it’s not quite working for me right now.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, burgundy jewelry box. “But, I’m hoping this will.”

  I stared at it. “What’s that?”

  He handed it to me. “Open it.”

  I opened the lid and when I saw the ring, my jaw dropped.

  “Do you like it?”

  I stared down at it, still in shock. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered, unable to take my eyes off of the ring. “Is that an emerald?” There was a single, light green stone set in the middle of two small diamonds.

  “No, it’s green diamond and very, very rare. Like you.”

  “Oh my God,” I said, my heart pounding in my chest. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say you’ll wear it,” he said, slipping it over my finger.

  “Of course I’ll wear it,” I said, my voice shaky.

  He rubbed his thumb over my knuckles and stared into my eyes. “I know it’s too soon but I’m not making the kind of mistakes that I’ve made in the past. Not when it comes to love and you know that I love you, Chelsey. Right?”

  I smiled through my tears. “Yes. I love you, too.”

  “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I want us to spend the rest of our lives together, which you know is going to be a very, very long time, so… before you give me an answer,” he said with a grin, “you might want to take that into consideration.”

  I laughed. “Maybe you should take it into consideration, Slade. Since you know better than I, how long this would be.”

  “Honestly? Not long enough,” he said, kissing the palm of my hand. “So, what’s it going to be? Will you marry me, Chelsey?”

  “Are you kidding?” I said, throwing my arms around his neck. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you!”

  He let out a ragged breath. “Phew.”

  “Phew? Did you honestly think that I was going to say ‘no’? I mean, seriously?’

  “Forever is a very long time.”

  “It is. Are you sure you’re up for it?”

  He smiled. “I’m up for you.”

  “Sounds like a great title for a song,” I said, standing up.

  “Our song.”

  I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

  “Or not,” he said, seeing the sour look on my face.

  “No. It’s not it. I don’t feel well. I think I’m going to be sick. Where’s your bathroom?”

  “In there,” he said, pointing to a door.

  I rushed inside and just made it to the toilet.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I just threw up.”

  “I heard.”

  “Is this normal?” I asked, grabbing a tissue to wipe my mouth.

  “Sometimes,” he replied, not sounding very convincing.

  Groaning, I threw up again.

  “Let me get you some water. Maybe that will help?”

  “Sure. Anything,” I mumbled.

  He disappeared.

  I continued throwing up until my stomach was empty and there was nothing but a dull pain in my chest, from the violent heaving. Then, just as instantly as the dizziness and nausea showed up, they disappeared.

  “Here,” he said, entering the bathroom with a glass of water.

  I took it from him and drank it quickly.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, watching me.

  “I am now,” I said, smiling weakly. “In fact, I feel fine. My throat doesn’t even hurt, and it was burning a few moment ago. It’s… weird.”

  “I have to admit, it is weird.”

  I asked him to refill the glass. “I didn’t know that we could even drink water.”

  “We can and should, especially if we’re dehydrated. Did you throw up blood?”

  “Yes,” I croaked.

  “You’re very pale,” he said, touching my forehead. “And gaunt looking. I think you need more of the blood.”

  “No. I’m scared,” I said quickly, wondering if it had been the blood that had made me sick.

  He pulled me into his arms. “It’s okay. If you want to wait.”

  “I do.”

  “But, you’re going to need it. We’ll wait for a while, and try it again.”

  I nodded.

  “Why don’t you take a shower?”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll get you one of my T-shirts, so you have something to wear.”

  “Thanks.”

  He walked out of the bathroom.

  Sighing, I turned on the shower and removed my clothing

  CHELSEY’S CONDITION WORRIED me. In fact, after she drank another package of blood, later in the evening, she was violently sick again. This time, I went to Mira’s bedroom door and knocked.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, her eyes bleary from sleep.

  I explained what had happened, relieved that I had a former nurse living in the condo.

  “That’s not normal?” she asked.

  “No. I mean, I don’t think so. I’ve never heard of it happening, at least.”

  “You poor dear. Look at how frightened you are. This girl must be very special.”

  “You have no idea,” I said. At that moment, I couldn’t imagine living without Chelsey and to see her so ill, scared the hell out of me.

  “Let me get my robe on,” she said, turning away.

  When we made it back to my bedroom, Chelsey was lying in bed, looking exhausted and paler than ever.

  “What’s wrong with me?” she asked her lips dry and cracked.

  Mira sat down next to her on the bed. “Probably nothing major,” she said, placing her hand on Chelsey’s forehead. “You’re quite cool, that’s for sure. You need to feed. Have you tried giving her some of your own blood, Slade?”

  “No,” I replied, perking up. “Do you think that would help?”

  “It might. She definitely needs something or pretty soon I’m going to have to start locking my bedroom door,” laughed Mira.

  “No,” said Chelsey, looking horrified. “I’d never hurt you.”

  “I wouldn’t take it personal if you did. The hunger can creep on you. That’s what my son used to say, that is. He was a vampire, too.”

  “Here, Chelsey,” I said, dragging a sharp letter opener across my forearm, drawing blood. “Try this.”

  She didn’t even question what I was doing or put up an argument. Before I could blink, her fangs were in the wound and I had to keep from pulling away, as she sucked voraciously on my arm.

  “I need to show you how to make this more pleasurable,” I said, gritting my teeth.

  Chelsey stopped and looked up at me, her chin covered in my blood. “I’m sorry, Slade. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I’d rather be hurt than see you suffer,” I replied, noticing that her complexion was already better.

  “Here,” said Mira, handing Chelsey a towel. “If you’re finished, use it for your mouth.”

  Chelsey licked her lips and then wiped her face clean with it.

  “How do you feel now, Chelsey?” I asked, as Mira handed me a different towel for my arm.

  “I… I don’t know yet,” she answered, closing her eyes. “So far, okay, I guess.”

  “Are you tired?” asked Mira.

  “Oh yeah. Very.”

  Mira looked at me. “That’s unusual, isn’t it?”

  I nodded. “We normally don’t get tired, unless we’re malnourished. She could use more blood, obviously.”

  “Yes, well, at least she’s already much better from the small amount that you gave her.”

  “True.”

  “You’d better watch her closely,” said Mira as Chelsey’s breathing became steady.

  “I will.”

  Mira frowned. “Is she sleeping?”

  I nodded.

  “Strange. When did she become a vampire?”

  “Two days ago.”

  Her eyes widened. “Two days ago. Well, then, I guess there are other factors to consider.”

/>   “Like what?”

  “Maybe she has some kind of allergies and can only drink blood from you.”

  I sighed. “Well, if that’s the case, I’m going to have to start drinking for two.”

  Mira laughed. “You sound like a pregnant woman.”

  Suddenly, Chelsey’s eyes popped open. “Oh my God.”

  “You’re awake,” I said, smiling down at her. “At least you’re a light sleeper.”

  She looked at me, her cheeks flushed. “Slade, what if I’m pregnant?”

  I chuckled. “That’s not possible.”

  “I don’t know about that,” she said, sitting up. She grabbed my arm. “Lucian was trying to test me, to see if I was pregnant, when he was holding me hostage. The test showed up negative.”

  “See, there you go,” I replied. “You’re not.”

  “To be honest, it was too early to tell. Anyway, I also took another test. One to see if I was fertile. The test came up positive. In fact, it showed that I was very fertile.”

  “When did you take it?” asked Mira, her eyes wide.

  “Right before Lucian turned me into a vampire,” she said and then looked at me. “If I was fertile they said there was a chance that I could become pregnant. In fact, that’s why they wanted me in the first place.”

  I scowled. “That’s what we figured.”

  “They also seemed to think that there was a slight chance that you could have gotten me pregnant. I mean, we did do it a few times,” she said and then looked embarrassed when she remembered that Mira was there.

  “Even so, it would be next to impossible,” I told her.

  Chelsey’s eyes lit up. “But not totally impossible.”

  I looked at Mira. “I really doubt that she’s pregnant. Vampire sperm are stubborn little creatures. They don’t usually go after an egg.”

  “But, she’s right,” said Mira. “There’s a slight chance that she could be. The vomiting could actually be a sign of morning sickness. Are your breasts tender, dear?”

  “Not that I know of. They’ve definitely changed in the past few days, but I think it’s because I’m a vampire.”

  “It does change you physically,” I told her.

  “I suppose a vampire pregnancy would be different than any other,” said Mira, chewing on her lower lip.

  I let out a frustrated sigh. “Okay, for the sake of argument, how could we find out if she’s really pregnant?”

  “An ultrasound? I don’t think a traditional pregnancy test will be accurate.”