“I like it,” I said and choked down a sob.
“I’m glad.”
At that moment Lucian blew into the room like a gust of wind, and I was grateful for the distraction. “Vincent,” he said cheerily and lifted two fingers in a peace sign. “How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Two.”
“Very good. Now, follow my lead.” He traced shapes in the air, and I tracked his fingertips with my new set of eyes.
“Any sharp, stabbing pains?”
“No, but I feel like I’m blinking a lot.”
“Human eyes,” he said as if they were inferior. “They need more moisture than bloodborn ones. Did Stefan give you the eye drops.” At this Lucian turned his brilliance on Stefan.
“He wanted to do it himself.” Stefan nodded at you as if insulted.
“You’ve met then.” Lucian looked as though he were about to lay a hand on Stefan’s shoulder but at the last moment, changed his mind.
“We met before,” I said. “In prison.” I figured Lucian must know something about our history.
“Ah, yes. So, you did.” Lucian rubbed his hands together and noticed your hooded glare aimed at Stefan. “Well, I’m sure you and Henri would like some time to gaze into each other’s eyes uninterrupted. I’ll have dinner brought up.” He turned to Stefan. “Would you care to assist me in food preparation this evening?”
Stefan frowned. “Not the blood.”
“Of course not.” Lucian winked at me. “He’s a bit squeamish.”
Him and me both. I drank the blood bags because I needed the nutrition, but I couldn’t handle the idea of feeding from a live human. It reminded me too much of death and corpses.
Lucian extended his arm to guide Stefan out of the room, and I caught Lucian’s gaze lingering on the man’s throbbing jugular vein. That sight had once turned me on. Now, it turned my stomach. After the two of them had left, I asked you point blank, “Are they fucking?”
You grinned, and it was such a welcome sight. “I have no idea.” You shook your head, as puzzled as me.
“How do they look?” I opened my eyes wide and batted my eyelashes.
“Lovely.” You reached out to tuck a lock of loose hair behind my ear. I needed a haircut too.
“What color are they?” I hadn’t even thought to ask.
“Red amber in the light. I wanted them to look as much like your original ones as possible. I hope that’s all right.”
“It’s all right with me. I won’t be spending much time in front of the mirror.”
“No? Why not?”
“There’s nothing there I want to see.” The silence between us lingered, your pain and mine swirling like dust motes in the sunshine. “What will you show me first on your islands?” I said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
“The ocean, I suppose, as it is somewhat unavoidable.”
The old me would have laughed at that. You were always so literal.
“Is it prettier than the Atlantic?”
“Yes.” You nodded gravely. “How do they feel?”
I blinked a few times. “A little sore but they seem to be working.” My thoughts drifted back to Stefan’s accusing stare. “How did Stefan end up here?”
“I captured him in Cairo. I thought he was Nephilim.”
