“Yep. What else?”
I mentally ran through all my senses.Oh.“How they smell,” I pronounced. “Oh my god, Eleanor smells like food.” I shivered, not sure if I was repulsed or aroused by the realisation. She smelled utterly delicious in a way that the roast, tasty as it had been, hadn’t. My response to that had been to one of excellent fuel; what I felt for Eleanor was more of a craving for the ultimate treat.
Luc chuckled. “Get used to it. Now you’ve finally begun adjusting to the diet you should’ve been on since birth, the more you’ll recognise your need for blood.”
I wasn’t sure I relished the idea of an eternity of bloodsucking, but it sure beat feeling as crap as I’d done for years, so I’d get used to it. I’d have to.
That didn’t answer all my questions though. “Pavel doesn’t smell like vampire or human. But I don’t think he’s a vampire.”Shit, what else is out there I wasn’t aware of?
Luc opened the wine. “I’m going to take this through to the library. Want one?”
Oh, okay then. “Sure, thanks.” I cleared the table, stacking everything neatly back onto the trolley, my hospitality background unable to leave them for anyone else, then took my drink and followed Luc next door. We settled into comfortable armchairs either side of the window and I watched Luc’s strong hands as they cradled the fragile wine glass, one finger absently circling the rim. He glanced at me.
“IthinkPavel is a shadow. You’d probably call him a blood slave. He was — is — human, mostly, but over the years he’s been fed from so often, it’s changed him somewhat. I’ve never met one before, but I know they exist. He’s probably been with Dalziel for decades, maybe longer.”
“Jeez.” My skin popped out in goosebumps. “That’s creepy as fuck. Did he choose to be this way or..?” My question hung in the air as Luc considered it.
“I couldn’t say. But it’s likely he saw it as a good gig, especially if he came from a poor background. Regular food, somewhere to live, guaranteed career longevity. Plenty of folk do a lot worse than let a vamp nibble at their veins every few days.” He would have been more believable if he’d managed to contain his full body shudder. I sniggered.
“Don’t fancy being used as a vending machine yourself then?”
“Fuck. Off.” His amber eyes narrowed. “Don’t joke about that, Charley. It’s a hard limit for me to even think about it without practically throwing up in my mouth.”
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t realise.”
“No reason why you should. But now you know. Being a wolf makes it really hard to be around vamps like this. My wolf has the constant urge to take Dalziel down so he can no longer be a threat. I’m hardwired this way. My self-control is being sorely tested while we’re here.”
My shoulders sagged. “I bet you wish you’d just driven off as soon as you knew you hadn’t run me over. I’m such a pain in the arse.” I remembered Dalziel’s parting words before he’d headed off for some fresh air. “I’m…I’m sorry too about earlier, about yelling at you the way I did. It’s not an excuse, but I kind of lost the plot.”
“Yeah, you did,” he said softly. Placing the wine glass on a side table, he stood, and motioned for me to do the same. He tipped my chin down so we were eye to eye, and held my face between those strong hands, his thumbs gently caressing my cheeks. “You yelled at Dalziel, not me. I don’t need an apology, and I’m sure he’s big enough to deal with the odd tantrum. You’re coming to terms with a butt ton of new information and I’d be more surprised if you didn’t have a few wobbles. And for the record, I don’t regret being with you at all. Yes, it’s difficult, but I like you a lot, Charley. Just in case you haven’t worked that out.”
“I like you too,” I mumbled. My stomach went into free fall as I contemplated just howmuchI liked him. Luc was strong, smart, compassionate, and gorgeous — which didn’t hurt — and when he gazed at me the way he was now, the orangey rims of his irises almost obliterated by his massive pupils as he devoured me with a look that seemed to see into my very soul, well, how could I not be falling for him?
I blinked and closed my eyes so he couldn’t see the sudden depth of my feelings blazing from them like a lighthouse in a darkened sea. Aw crap, was I in love with Luc Bradshaw? That was inconvenient, to put it bluntly.
I needed to change the subject. “What did Dalziel mean when he asked Eleanor to find him a chaser?”
Luc’s mouth twisted. He ushered me to a leather couch across the room. “Let’s sit together, yeah?” I snuggled into him and he handed me my wine. “He asked her to find you some blood, but he stipulated it has to be fresh.” He waited while I processed what he’d said, and my eyes widened before nodding. “Chasers are how the vampire community refer to humans who like being fed from. Like any niche aspect of society, if you look hard enough, you’ll find someone to fulfil that need. Eleanor probably went off to Edinburgh or Glasgow to hunt in a bar or club, seeing as Dalziel was pretty specific about who she was to bring back.” He took pity at my puzzled expression. “You really were out of it by that point, weren’t you? He told her to find a motherly woman.” He seemed amused by this. “I’m quite sure Dalziel the vampire wouldn’t be upset to find me dead in a ditch at some point, but he does have good manners. Feeding can be intensely sexual. As your father he’s trying to protect you from humping some bloke’s leg and antagonising my jealous wolf.”
I stared at him. “He’s got his PA out in the dark and cold looking for a blood donor for me? I could drink the bagged stuff. I mean, bloody hell. That’s…well, that’s really nice of him.” I gulped. “But that means I’ll have to do it, right? I’d offend him if I turned this person down. Shit, I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
“You’re best off learning under the guidance of someone like Dalziel. He’s got your best interests at heart, so he’ll keep you safe.” Luc’s smile was faint, a mere echo of the way his face usually lit up. I figured this was another of those difficult times. I squeezed his hand tightly.
“Thank you, for keep explaining everything. This is so much to take in. I’ll pay attention to what Dalziel says, and try not to muck it up.”
“He won’t let you,” Luc assured me. “Besides, he’s strong enough to overpower you if you get a bit slurp-happy. He might not look it, but he’s a formidable vampire.”
“Is he really three hundred?” I found it incredible that he didn’t look more than about thirty.
Luc rolled his eyes. “Give or take a few years, yes. Looks damn good on it, doesn’t he?” There was a marked, if grudging, appreciation to his tone.
“You think he’s hot? I thought you couldn’t stand him?”
“It’s complicated. I don’t want to hate him, but my wolf does. It’s instinctual, a visceral loathing that kicks in whether I want it to or not. As for him being hot, are you seriously asking me that?” He laughed. “You have noticed you could practically be his twin, right? Apart from the fact you barely look old enough to drink.”
“Yes, obviously I noticed.” I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“That should answer your question, you dummy. Physically he’s fucking gorgeous, which is so messed up it’s giving me brain ache.” His next laugh was sharp and bitter. “He’s my wolf’s sworn enemy, and the father of the man I lo—”
