His kisses are soft, but I can’t relax. ‘I just… I didn’t like it. How the guard treated me.’
The kisses stop. ‘He nearly killed you.’ Anger threads his tone.
‘Oh, not that. I mean, yes that, but also…’ I think about how to put it into words. ‘The way he stripped me. And sniffed me. The way he wouldn’t talk to me, only to you. Is that how it is, for humans? Is that all we are?’ The words tumble into the blue-tinted darkness. It’s as though we’re underwater, in a silent place just for us.
Kyle is quiet for a moment. ‘It’s how most humans are treated, yes.’ His voice is flat. ‘But there can be love, between human and vampire, despite their rules!’ He sounds fiercer, his voice deepening.
‘Rules?’
Kyle is silent for a moment. ‘Emelia, what we’re doing together, this life you want to live with me, it’s frowned upon. Oh, not because of who you are, although—’ he laughs ‘—that would be a problem for me, I think. It’s because ofwhatyou are.’
I’m silent, my mouth twisting.
‘Humans and vampires… well. They can’t stop us from loving each other, but what they’ve been doing in recent years is forbidding us from creating any more vampires. Humans are too valuable, you see, as blood stock. And vampires, well, there are enough of us. So, if you were a different human, and I wanted to change you so we could be together forever—’ his voice roughens ‘—it wouldn’t be allowed. You would be killed, and I would be sent to the pits.’
‘But you can’t change me anyway.’ God, I can’t even be human correctly. ‘I didn’t realise…’
‘I don’twantto change you! You’re perfect as you are.’ He kisses my cheek, then rolls onto his side, pulling me into his arms. ‘Don’t worry about what’s going to happen next. I’ll take care of you.’
He falls silent. I stare into the blue shadows, thinking.
ChapterTwenty-Four
THE SAFE ZONE
Iwake to Kyle shaking me. ‘Hey, sleepyhead. You’ll miss the day if you don’t get up soon.’
The fog of sleep clears and I remember where I am, what’s happening. I sit up, running a hand through my hair.
‘How do you feel?’ Kyle’s hand slides along my back.
‘Fine.’ I do. Whether it’s the sleep or the bone broth or my supposed healing powers, I feel good as new. Or maybe it’s Kyle. I give him a fond glance as I wash using the jug and bowl, drying myself with the soft white towel folded on the small shelf underneath. I get dressed then go back to the bed and lie down again.
‘Having second thoughts?’
I shake my head, even though I’m scared. I’ve never been anywhere without a guard, never been anywhere during the daytime, and now I’m about to do both, in a world I have no idea how to navigate.
‘I wish you could come with me.’ I nestle into his shoulder, breathing his violet scent.
‘You know I can’t.’ He holds onto me, though, as though he doesn’t want me to go.
‘What if I slip up?’
‘You won’t. You’re too smart for that.’ He strokes my hair. ‘But if you do, tell them you’re free range, wild. That you live with me in the night.’
‘B-but Ruth knows you.’
‘She does, but she hasn’t seen me for a while. Things change.’
I say nothing.
‘Hey, Emelia. You’ll be fine. This is an adventure, remember? The start of a new life. Daylight awaits.’ He’s right. I might be scared, but there’s excitement as well. Iwantto see it. I just wish he could, too. He nips my neck and I jump. ‘I have to stay here, you know that. So go, enjoy yourself.’
‘I wish you could see the sun.’
He half smiles. ‘I remember,’ he says. ‘And I’ll be here when you get back.’ He kisses me, intense. My eyes squeeze shut as though to capture every ounce of essence, my lips on his until the last moment. Then he lies back, and his silver eyes close. There’s a knock on the door.
‘Morning, Emily. Are you ready?’
