Page 58 of Deadly Cravings

“Then she’ll live as my blood-whore.” The corner of his lips tilted up. “She doesn’t know it’s in the process of happening. Thanks for that by the way.” Lying to her about the blood-whore transition time had come much easier than I’d anticipated. She could not know all our secrets. Deceptions and rumors were all that was allowed to be shared with humans. “Or even better, so she doesn’t become an addict, I’ll share my bloo?—”

I narrowed my eyes at him and he cut off.

For us, it was forbidden. There were countless perks the human would receive, but it would open us all to dangers we could not risk.

Sharing our blood was sacred.

“You’ve been stealing all of my blood bags,” I commented offhandedly. The empty package I still gripped slapped Asher on the face. “Come with me to restock since you’ve drained it all.”

He scoffed.

“Send one of my Progeny.”

“You know we cannot risk it right now.” He knew it too, but he was being difficult on purpose. “For once you’re not complaining about having to drink from a bag,” I added, hoping to getsomethingout of him. But he just stared back at me instead of saying some insipid thing as he usually did. My comment didn’t force a reaction out like it would have done to Jax.

The way he watched Catalina wasn’t lost on me. He enjoyed her... truly enjoyed her, and Asher had enjoyed no one in the centuries we’d all been together. His sly flirtations were all an act. They were all he knew from his past life as a whore. Even with Imogen he was never affectionate as he was with Catalina.

“You’ve always refused drinking from the bag. What changed?” The answer was clear, but I enjoyed his discomfort.

“Are we going to get the bags or not?” Irritation marred his tone.

I tilted my head and he turned on his heel, the muscles of his back rippling as he stalked toward the garage door located toward the end of the kitchen.

I caught up to him as he navigated downstairs to where our vehicles were housed. Fluorescent lights flickered to life, illuminating the rows of vehicles.

“I saw you too,” Asher said. Pulling open the door to the newest Mustang model. “I’ve never seen you so intrigued by a woman, Priest.”

“Don’t.” The word came out in a snapped tone, much quicker than I could stop it. I wanted to bash my foot into the side door, but refrained with a tug at my vest.

Asher became eerily still.

“Do you realize it’s too dangerous to bring a human into our fold? If anyone finds out we—” I paused mid word and slitted my eyelids at Asher. “You.Hypotheticallyown a human. She’ll be used against us. No one has the luxury to keep her. You’re placing her in danger.”

There were selfish reasons for my words. I didn’t want her to be with him. Watching him touch her so freely when I craved to do the same ate away at me.

It was too late for me not to desire her, as much as I denied it, there was so much there, but I would continue to turn my back on that. I couldn’t face it even if she tempted me unlike any other.

Yet, he got to have her.

My teeth ground as I watched him climb into the car.

No, I couldn’t have thoughts like this. I exhaled sharply, closing my eyes. I shouldn’t be lusting after anyone. It wasn’t something I’d ever needed or wanted. One woman wouldn’t tempt me. She wouldn’t make me lose my mind.

She already had Asher wound around her finger, and Jax . . . he was on his way there even if he didn’t realize it.

It would be wrong of me to want her. She was perfection and I was a monster. She didn’t need creatures like us in her life. We would bring doom to her—and her death. My intention at the beginning leaned toward breaking her neck, but everything in me recoiled at the thought now.

“I want to be back before she wakes,” Asher snapped, becoming quiet and sullen. He revved the car, and I settled into the passenger seat for the ride. He was acting more and more like Jax as the days passed.

“Are you serious about making her your blood-whore?” His only response to my question was the quirking of his lips. “Leave the girl alone, Asher.”

“No,” he said mulishly. “You’ve tasted her blood and her presence. How could you want to be away from that?”

I didn’t, but if we kept her, I may lose myself if she was near for too much longer. The descent to hell may be worth it . . .

I gritted my teeth again as Asher navigated the vehicle on the road. The fight against my instincts was a day by day thing, which was why I kept myself away from temptation and Catalina was the only temptation I’d ever had.

I ached for her to where I feared I’d choose her above all else, as well as my vows.