Page 138 of Her Vampire, His Ruin

“What?” Elizabeth and Henrietta exclaim in unison.

“Perhaps you should have some of mine instead,” Edie suggests.

“What do you mean, have some of yours?” Elizabeth asks, pushing upright. She sways a little, her eyes pressing shut, and Edie takes a seat next to her, wrapping her arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders.

“A vampire’s blood has incredible healing properties,” Viktor explains.

“Okay, but what has this got to do with Edie?” she asks, rounding on her. “You said I could have some of your blood.”

Edie heaves out a sigh, then she opens her mouth and lets her fangs fall.

Henrietta’s eyes widen. “Jesus-fucking-christ.”

“No,” Elizabeth whispers, her shock rendering her speechless for a moment before she snaps her head to me, her eyes narrowing with disgust. “You did this to her? How could you?”

“No, he didn’t. I did this. I chose this,” Edie quickly says.

“You chose to be a vampire. Why?” Her voice trails off, and she shakes her head in disbelief. “I can’t even believe this is real. How is this real?”

“Believe me, I know it’s a lot to take in. Will you let me explain? Please, Beth. I love you. I won’t hurt you, and neither will Viktor. He’s a good man. He was a doctor. He saved people’s lives.”

“And what about them?” Elizabeth snaps, glaring at Logan and me.

“I don’t believe Logan will hurt you,” she replies, giving him a soft smile that makes my gut knot with jealousy. “And Dorian, he’s the man I love. He won’t hurt you, not ever.”

“He’s a vampire,” she accuses.

“He’s that too. His blood brought me back to life.”

“What do you mean, he brought you back to life?”

Edie reaches up and cups Elizabeth’s face. “Because I died,” she whispers.

Elizabeth’s expression crumples, and her shoulders drop. “You died?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, Edie...” Elizabeth’s lips wobble, and a tear drips from her lashes, slicing down her cheek. “How? What happened?”

“Heal first, then I’ll tell you everything. All of it,” Edie replies, before nicking her finger with her fang.

“I can’t drink your blood. That’s not normal.” She shakes her head, eyes wide with horror.

“Beth, nothing about this is normal. Just drink her blood,” Henrietta says, flopping into the seat next to Viktor before reaching over and downing the glass of wine she’d carried in with her earlier. She eyes Edie, then says, “Wait, does this mean you’re no longer perimenopausal?”

“I’m not human anymore, Henrietta,” Edie points out.

“Well, damn.” She cocks her head, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “If that’s what comes with the fangs, sign me up.”

“How can you be so calm about all of this, Henrietta? Your best friend, my sister, is a vampire.”

“I won’t hurt you,” Edie says. “I’d never hurt you.”

“See, all good,” Henrietta says with a shrug.

“You can’t seriously be okay with this⁠—”

“I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m done with this drama tonight,” Logan interrupts. “If I were still human, I’m sure I’d have a fucking headache by now. So, if you’re not going to take Edie’s blood, take mine.”