Just like last time.
A drop or two, just enough to get a taste, so I could see for myself that his iron levels were improving.
He wouldn’t notice a thing. And he wouldn’t miss a drop or two. It wasn’t like I was drinking from him. I wasn’t being selfish, quite the contrary. Taking just a drop would be hell on my restraint, but…
I growled in frustration, the sound reverberating deep in my chest.
Should I or shouldn’t I?
There was no easy answer.
One could argue that Finn had been seen by a doctor, that he’d made a follow-up appointment, and was apparently taking his meds. But did I know all that for sure? No.
And his track record of taking care of himself wasn’t all that great.
Fucking fuck.
I was going to do it, wasn’t I?
My hand was already searching for his. I reveled in the warmth of his skin as I found it and carefully pulled it a little closer. Last time, I’d picked his ring finger, so this time I chose a different one. Tipping the pad of his middle finger against my fang was enough to pierce the skin. I carefully massaged the pad until a fat drop had formed at the wound, then quickly licked it off.
His flavor exploded in my mouth, my eyes rolling back.
He tasted so… fucking… good. His flavor was divine, and even the chemical tang of his meds didn’t turn me off in the slightest. No, it was a relief because it meant he really was taking his pills regularly. As for the iron… I waited for a second drop to form and licked it off again. This time, his taste wasn’t as overwhelming. Not any less divine, but I’d been better able to brace for it, and yep, sure enough, the metallic notes had increased.
They still weren’t where I wanted them to be, still not as distinguished and front and center as in the bagged blood I regularly drank, but not as horribly absent as last time.
I indulged and licked off a third and final drop of his blood, then licked over the wound again, making sure to seal it and let it heal.
Caressing his hair again, I let out a sigh of relief at the knowledge that he was really starting to take better care of himself.
And I’d happily help him, as myself but also as the guy who left notes at his door, for as long as I couldn’t say those things to him in person.
Finn was precious.
And I’d keep him safe. No matter the means, no matter the cost.
He was worth it.
Chapter 12
Finn
I’d aced that fucking interview.
I’d fucking aced it.
I mean sure, the principal needed the school board’s approval before officially offering me the job, but she’d told me it was a mere formality.
Here was hoping she was right. Getting that job would be amazing, not just because I’d really liked the school and the principal, but having such a big part of my stress and worries taken away like that would probably help a lot with getting my stomach back on track.
My stomach rumbled in agreement, mad I was only filling it with the blandest of foods. And to be honest, I didn’t know how long I could go on with it. I was starting to actually get nauseous upon seeing the food that was supposed to help me with my nausea and pain.
But one could eat only steamed vegetables for so many days in a row until they started to come out of one’s ears. I had maybe another week in me before I couldn’t handle steamed veggies anymore.
Shaking my head, I took a sip of the Inner Peace tea I’d rewarded myself with after finishing the interview.
Yeah, heading to the very café my stalker had also been to probably wasn’t the wisest idea, but I needed answers.
