Nadi’s stomach clenched as she recognized what Lana was pouring. Fresh blood, still warm by the look of it.
“I know my brother has been negligent in ensuring you’re properly fed,” Lana continued, her tone light but her eyes sharp. “He loves to play his games. I’m sure he makes you suck his cock before he’ll give you even a drop of blood. But newly turned vampires need consistent nourishment, especially during times of stress. And tomorrow will certainly be stressful.” Lana approached with two crystal glasses, offering one to Nadi with a smile that never reached her magenta eyes. “Tofamilysolidarity.”
The test was obvious.
Lana knew “Monica” wasn’t really “Monica.” They’d been through this before already. Now, the question she was trying to learn the answer to was—did Raziel turn a spy into a vampire?
Or was there a deeper deception at work?
If Nadi refused or couldn’t drink blood, it would expose her immediately and reveal that she wasn’t a vampire. And the only other thing she could possibly be wasfae.And if she was fae? Well…then she’d be dead immediately, wouldn’t she?
“He keeps me fed, and…mostly doesn’t require sexual favors in return.” Nadi managed to take the glass with steady hands. The metallic scent hit her immediately, making her stomach roil. She’d managed to avoid consuming straight blood since her arrival by claiming to still be adjusting to her new diet, but that excuse wouldn’t work here. She’d had it diluted into wine, which made it easier to consume.
“I had it drawn fresh this morning.” Lana settled beside her, raising her own glass. “Nothing but the finest for family, after all. I would prefer to watch you sink those pretty little fangs of yours into a throat but, you know. White carpets and all.” She gestured at her home. “You younglings can be sosloppy.”
Nadi lifted the glass to her lips, fighting every instinct that screamed against what she was about to do. The blood was warm, copper-sweet, and utterly revolting. She managed to take a small sip, the liquid coating her tongue like thick syrup. “Delicious,” she forced herself to say, swallowing with considerable effort.
Her stomach immediately began to rebel, cramping painfully.
“Isn’t it?” Lana’s smile widened. “Such a lovely vintage. Young, healthy—the donor was particularly spirited. He screamed all morning until he died. I find that fear adds such a distinctive flavor, don’t you?”
The casual cruelty in Lana’s voice made Nadi’s blood run cold. “I admit I haven’t learned the difference yet.” This time her stomach lurched violently, and she had to concentrate on breathing deeply to keep from vomiting.
Lana drained half her glass in one smooth motion. “Those of us who are born into vampirism, we don’t know another life. But to see someoneblessedwith our gift? The hunger, the enhanced senses, the way it changes your experience of the world. That is why we vampires are gods. That is what makes us so much more superior to humans and fae. We can gift you withascension.”
Nadi realized at exactly that point in time that Lana was absolutely and undoubtedlyfucking insane.
Lana leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Tell me, what has surprised you most about your new existence?”
Another test. Nadi forced herself to ignore the revolt happening in her stomach and instead on what Monica would actually say. “The sounds. I can hear conversations three rooms away. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming—all the heartbeats, all the whispered secrets. It’s like the whole world is suddenly…more.”
Lana nodded approvingly. “Excellent. Yes, the sensory enhancement can be quite disorienting. And the strength? Have you tested your new physical capabilities?”
“Some.” Nadi took another sip, her body now actively fighting to keep the blood down. “The attack on Braen. I admit I’m the one who killed him.” She smiled shyly.
Lana laughed. “Ooh, I knew it! I heard from Zabriel that someone had stabbed him several times from the back. Someone too small to be Raziel. I’m so proud of you!”
“Raziel…encourages me.” By the moons, she wanted to puke all over Lana and her white furniture.
“How fortunate for you.” Lana’s tone carried a subtle edge. “My brother can be so unpredictable with his vampiric protégés.One never knows if he’ll nurture them or destroy them on a whim. You aren’t the first, of course. You won’t be the last, unless you do something to ensure you are.”
The implication hung in the air between them. Meanwhile, the blood felt like poison in her system, and her body was doing everything it could to reject it. And with Lana questioning if she was really a vampire—all Nadi wanted to do was disappear into bats like Raziel could. And suddenly she was very sad that wasn’t part of her repertoire.
“I can see you’re still struggling with acceptance.” Lana’s sickly sweet smile would have made Nadi ill if she weren’t already well on her way. “Perhaps another glass would help? Exposure therapy, so to speak.”
“That’s very kind, but—” Nadi began, but Lana was already moving toward the sideboard.
“Nonsense. I insist.” She returned with a fresh glass, this one fuller than the first. “To your continued education.”
Nadi stared at the glass in veiled horror. There was no way she could consume more blood without her body completely rebelling. Already she could feel her control slipping, her stomach churning violently.
“Actually,” she said carefully, “I should probably pace myself. Raziel mentioned that overfeeding could be problematic for new vampires.”
“Did he?” Lana’s eyes narrowed slightly. “How curious. In my experience, young vampires typically have difficulty stopping once they start. The hunger tends to be quite overwhelming. I’m impressed you know how to stop.”
Another test. Nadi forced a weak smile. “Perhaps I’m an exception.”
“Perhaps you are.” Lana settled back into her seat, but her posture remained predatory. “Tell me about your home beforeyou came here. Your family, your home in the outer cities. And please.Drink.”
