He kisses me again. “Stay for as long as you can, Ev. Please.”
“I will.”
And I mean it. I’ll spend every day of the rest of my life doing this, if it means being with him. Even if it’s hard, even if it’s dangerous.
Even if it means Jericho drinking from me.
Because vampire or no, he is mine. He’s always been mine.
And I am his.
21
JERICHO
It’s been three days since we chased off Foxx’s vampires.
Three days of wondering what they’re planning and when we’re going to see them again. Three days of worrying that they’re lurking in the shadows.
Three days of speculating if I’ll be able to protect Evan when the time comes.
I mean, how can I, when I still don’t know what my gift is? It seems to be the only thing standing between me and defeating Foxx.
Grant reminded me yesterday that not only can it take years for a vampire’s gift to show up, but it can take severalmoreyears to learn how to master it. I don’t have that kind of time. I have days, maybe even hours before Foxx comes for me. So how am I going to keep Evan safe?
I stare out the window into the trees. Someone could be out there right now, watching. Waiting. No one has set a foot outside the house since the attack, including me. But that will have to change soon. Today, even. I need to hunt. Badly.
Evan slips an arm around my waist as he comes to stand beside me, but I pull away, not trusting myself to be near him. The ache is simply too much.
He furrows his brows. “How long has it been?”
I don’t answer.
He turns me to face him. “You haven’t had any blood since the attack, have you? Other than what you’ve taken in bed?”
I look around, hoping no one heard. I’ve cut Evan’s finger every night, sometimes two or three times, but it’s never enough. Not even close.
He huffs. “Jer, you need—”
“I know what I need!”
He flinches.
I close my eyes and draw in a breath through my nose. I’ve been so damn agitated today, and it’s no one’s fault but my own. When I sense him pulling away, I reach out to grab his hand. I hadn’t meant to snap like that. Slowly, I pull him into my arms, and he quickly reciprocates it, arms wrapped tight around my back. My cheek rests against his as we hold each other. Even with the bloodlust, Evan’s touch is soothing. Like a cool breeze on a hot day.
“You’re so warm,” he breathes, clinging to me. Funny, since he makes me feel cooler, not warmer.
And I’m surprised he noticed anyway. I’ve felt warm ever since I climbed out of bed. Almost too warm. It’s probably just another sign that I need blood. I’ve never gone this long.
When Evan pulls back to look at me, he gently traces my lips with this thumb.
“Take some,” he whispers. “It might take the edge off.”
I grind my teeth. Evan doesn’t understand. His blood is part of the problem. The more I have it, the more I crave it. It’s easily the most satisfying blood I’ve ever tasted.
“Ican’t,Evan. Not when I’m like this.”
“Then ask Forest for another bag,” he insists.
