Page 105 of Her Vampire, His Ruin

“I don’t think he could help himself… We were both caught up in the moment.”

“The sex might’ve been fantastic, but he still drank your blood. He could’ve killed you.”

“But he didn’t, Henrietta. He held back that night in the car. He warned me at the club he’s dangerous, and he stopped last night before he could kill me. That has to mean something.”

“He gave you amazing orgasms. I get it. You’re attached to him because of that, but think about this. If what you’re saying is true⁠—”

“I’m not lying.”

“If what you’re saying is true,” she continues, “He could hurt you again. Maybe even finish you off for good.” Her eyes round as she stares at me. “Logan must be a vampire, too. It all makes sense now.”

“We don’t know that.”

“If Dorian is, then so is he. No wonder he hated my pet name for him. Elizabeth was right. He may as well be Satan. I knew there was a reason he wouldn’t come into my home,” she bristles, her fingers curling around the makeshift stake tighter.

“If he is a vampire like Dorian, doesn’t that speak volumes? Logan wasn’t just protecting you from your ex, but from himself, too,” I argue, not sure who I’m trying to persuade, her or myself.

“He lied to me. I don’t do well with liars.”

“He could hardly tell you the truth,” I snap.

She scowls. “Dorian told you.”

“He didn’t really have much of a choice. Besides, he was so delirious. I don’t think he meant to. He was hurting, Henrietta. He was in pain, and I left him.”

“For good bloody reason. We’re going upstairs, and I’m going to confront the monster.”

With that, she storms past me, taking the stairs two at a time. By the time I’ve plucked up the courage to follow her, she’s already pushing open the door to my walk-in wardrobe.

“Well, shit,” Henrietta mutters.

“What?” I ask, forcing myself to approach.

“He’s not here.”

“What?”

She turns to face me, her expression softening. “Edie, he’s not here. Are you certain..?”

Shoving past her, I step into the wardrobe, my heart sinking, not just because Henrietta clearly thinks I’ve made this all up, but because Dorian’s left and, unbelievably, I’m worried about him.

Chapter 24

Dorian

I run my tongue over my fangs, silently commanding them to retreat as I draw in slow, deliberate breaths. Being back in the sanctuary of my home offers me a fragile sense of control now I’ve put distance between myself and Edie.

“What the fuck happened?” Logan asks, flicking a look at Viktor. “Where were you?”

I take another sip of the blood from our private reserve, letting it seep through me and help to mend the scorched flesh on my hands and face from the brief dash to my car. Slowly, my skin returns to its normal colour, the tattoos resurfacing, dark and defiant. I feel them form, the pain a powerful reminder of the first time they appeared beneath my skin when Basilia cursed me.

“I drank Edie’s blood,” I say, draining another bitter mouthful.

“Is she alive?” Logan asks, straight to the point, as usual.

“Yes.”

“I’m assuming you didn’t turn her.”