“How so?” She cocked her head.
“It was almost like a zombie bite, like in the movies? It was green and purple. You could see her veins and broken blood vessels. I was really worried for a while, but then it finally healed, and she only had a small scar from my teeth.”
“It scarred? Interesting.” She leaned forward, her eyes alight with excitement. “What about you? When she drank from you?”
I shook my head. “That wasn’t necessarily from pleasure. She had lost a lot of blood, and I was the only resource available.”
“Did it feel good then too?” She smiled, and I cringed.
“This is really weird. It feels like you’re getting your rocks off by hearing about me doing it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Please. I like hearing about it because I’ve never heard of any vampires drinking from each other and surviving. Past the first time to fully transition, of course.”
I nodded. That was all part of the process. Your human body died, and to complete the change from human to vampire, you had to drink from another Bloodborn.
“Our blood is poisonous. That’s why we like humans so much. To answer your original question, yes. I think Scout is special. But in what ways?” She pouted her lips and tapped her chin thoughtfully.
I struggled to come up with a way to bring it up but finally decided to just bite the bullet. “Ludovica, have you heard of Magdalena, the High Priestess of Blood?”
Her eyes lit up, and she straightened her spine. “Yes. She has a colony in Mexico. What about her?”
“Is she special?”
She rocked her head from side to side. “Some people think so. I’ve heard some people say she was the reincarnation of an Aztec Goddess. She has quite a devoted following. I’ve only heard stories, though, and they’re all horrific. It keeps me from heading to see myself. Why?”
I hesitated. Did I start telling others before I told Scout? If she really is related to this once Aztec Goddess, maybe she was special. But she could also be in danger.
“I’m going to tell you something, and in return, I want your help. Scout may need our protection. All of ours,” I stressed. She nodded.
“Deal. What do you know?” She leaned in, and I found myself doing so as well.
“I think she may be related to Magdalena. Someone came to my place, claiming he was her brother, which would make Scout the High Priestess’ niece.”
“Does the brother have special powers?” she asked quickly, her eyes lighting up. I shrugged.
“How would I know? He literally just showed up looking for her. I wasn’t trying to get his whole life story. I’m not even sure it’s true.”
She scowled. “Does it sound plausible?”
I frowned. “Well, Scout has no family. She is Hispanic, and he claimed his parents fled to the United States to save her from Magdalena. Maybe?”
“Hmm,” She stood then and continued tapping her chin. “I think you’re right in trying to protect her. If he’s looking for her, there’s probably a reason for it. Maybe she’s getting weak or something. When was this?”
“Right before I left to come here.”
She blinked, and then it hit me why she was staring at me like that.
“I don’t know if he followed me.”
“Okay, well, we need to find Scout then. She may actually be in danger.”
“I know where she’s at.” I glanced at the clock by the now-broken TV. “Or where she’s going. She works at an upscale nightclub.”
“Let’s go.” She startedtowardthe door, but I stopped.
“I can’t. They kicked me out last night for not following the dress code.” I scowled.
“Oh? What were you wearing?”
