Page 78 of Midnight Kiss

“A handful. And each time, it’s been when they were on the verge of death. And when they’ve asked me for it. Been presented with the choice. Have you considered asking this human whether they wanted to be turned or not? It’s not entirely your choice, you know.”

“I appreciate the feedback, Patrick,” I said.

“Eh, you don’t look like you appreciate it,” he said. “But I can’t help you more than that without actually seeing the cursed book. Even then, I doubt I’d be able to help you. You’ve got to turn the victim.”

I didn’t bother arguing. I had known Patrick long enough to know it wouldn’t go anywhere. We were equally stubborn.

“If that’s all?” Patrick asked.

“That’s all. Thank you.” But I wasn’t grateful. I wasn’t grateful for the knowledge that I couldn’t save Emily without doing the unthinkable. And I wasn’t grateful for the constant knot of guilt in my stomach.

I left the Lowberry, grinding my teeth, the tension banding around my chest.

He’s right. Ask her.

But even if I did that and she said she wanted me to turn her, what then? Emily despised me. I couldn’t offer her love or care when I had nothing to give.

I got into the car and started it, leaving the bar behind.

By the time I had reached Emily’s apartment building, my mind was made up. I would offer the choice, but it would come with the explicit knowledge that I had no intention of pursuing our relationship. Because a relationship with me would lead to her death. I had too many enemies, and I had no space for love.

I kept myself invisible as I entered the building, unlocking that glass front door with a wave of my hand.

The minute I stepped inside, the smell hit me.

Vampires. Multiple.

Blood. Fear. Sweat.

Emily.

I burst up the stairs, using all the speed I possessed, and found Michael’s door shut and a new ward in place. My vampire magic was gone.

I slammed my fist against the door repeatedly. “Michael! Emily? Emily?” I turned myself visible again.

The door latch clacked. Michael appeared, pale, worn, a bloodied bandage wrapped around his naked torso.

“Where is she?” I snarled.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Mike said. “This is your fault.” But his words were watered down; the heat in them was gone. He sounded defeated. “They took her.”

I cast out a hand, desperate to grab hold of him, but the shield wall blocked me. “Who?”

“Three of them. Pale blue eyes. I took down two, but they nearly killed me in the process.”

“You let them take her?” I could barely see through my anger. “You let them?—”

“I did more than you!” Michael roared. “I protected her more than you did. You abandoned her. You endangered her. You?—”

“W-What’s going on?” Morgan, Emily’s roommate, peered into the living room from around the corner. “Is it more of them?”

“Yes.”

“I am not one of them,” I said.

“Alex?” Morgan was shaky. “You!” She pointed at me and came charging across the apartment. “You! You were the one who started all of this, you absolute asshole! Emily’s gone because of you. She?—”

“Enough.” I put up my palm. “I will accept my part in all of this, but I need information. Tell me everything that happened. I need to hear it.”