Page 46 of Fire in My Blood
“Did you ever visit them after you grew up?”
I shake my head. “No, it wouldn’t have been a good idea. I’m a supernatural and didn’t fit in their world.”
“How about my world?” Erica’s voice is soft, and she looks down at her plate.
My eyes close for a second while I contemplate what to tell her. This is exactly the type of question I hoped she wouldn’t ask me. “You weren’t supposed to know what I am, but I had to tell you so you would help me.”
I turn my head away before opening my eyes, not able to meet her gaze right now. My stomach twists into a knot as I dread her reaction. Then, I launch into the explanation that will hopefully make her understand why I don’t belong in her world, and she doesn’t belong in mine.
“In general, people are better off not knowing about the supernaturals living among them. When humans find out about us, it usually leads to one of two things. They become terrified and struggle to cope with their new reality, or they become obsessed with turning into a supernatural themselves. Both scenarios are undesirable and cause conflicts to arise.
“There are a few exceptions. There are registered blood donors for vampires who have agreed to feed the vampires in their area as well as keep them a secret. In return they receive substantial compensation. And then there are security personnel, and various staff positions that are filled by trusted human employees.”
I risk a glance at Erica. She’s studying me with a guarded expression on her face. “So, now that I know what you are, Lucas, what are you going to do?”
“Nothing,” I blurt. “I mean, you’re handling all this extremely well. I’m not going to make you forget me.”
She sits up straighter, her eyes rounding. “You can do that? Is that what you meant when you said you have a gift for persuasion?”
I silently curse my outburst. She needs to know, but this isn’t how I planned to tell her. “Yes, that’s part of it. I can also persuade people to tell me their secrets or do what I tell them, thinking it was their idea. But I try not to use it unless it’s strictly necessary.”
“Have you ever used it on me?”
I stare into her eyes and hope she’ll understand. “Once.”
She looks away, but not before I see the hurt in her eyes. “Did you make me do something against my will?”
“I’m sorry, Erica.”
She suddenly stands and hurries toward the door.
I leap out of my chair and stalk after her down the corridor. “Please, let me explain. I only did it because I couldn’t stand to see your pain, and I wanted to help you.”
Not sparing me a glance, she keeps walking. “I don’t think I want to know right now. I trusted you.” Her voice is choked with tears.
Pain stabs into my chest, making me hunch forward.What the fuck?
But I can’t worry about that. Erica is hurt, and I’m the one who caused it. I need her to understand. “I made you tell me about your assault. Your shock that I didn’t take advantage of you when you accidentally stumbled into me while I was chained made me realize that someone had hurt you. I wanted, and still want, to help you. Please, let me.”
She stops and turns around slowly before staring into my eyes. Tears stain her cheeks, and I barely contain the urge to wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly against my chest.
“Is that the only time you’ve used any of your mind tricks on me?”
I nod. “Yes, I swear to you, that’s the only time.” I plead with my eyes and hope she can find it in her heart to forgive me.
Her gaze drops to the floor, but she doesn’t walk away.
I struggle to breathe while I wait for her to make a decision about me. There’s still a pulsing pain in my chest unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
***
Erica
Tears are still running down my face unchecked, and my stomach is twisted into a tight knot.
I can’t believe Lucas betrayed me like that. He forced me to tell him something I don’t want people to know, and he took advantage of me by drinking my blood to get out of the basement. But he wants me to believe that he only forced me to tell him about my assault because he wants to help me.
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I recall the feeling I had while I told him about the attack. It was like my pain disappeared and my only goal in life was to tell Lucas what happened. I can’t remember feeling like that at any other time while I’ve been with him. Does that mean he’s telling me the truth and only used his ability on me that one time? It seems likely.