Page 25 of Thicker than Blood
“Like?”
I shrug. “Allergic reaction, seizures, organ shutdown. Anything.”
His brow creases. “Okay.”
I grab my notebook and flip to the pages where I’ve done my research. “Here’s how we’ll do it. Step one: You’ll use your compulsion on me so we can get a baseline.”
Elias’s face lights up. “And then?”
“Vaccine. After a few minutes, if I’m not dying or anything, you’ll try it again. We’ll keep doing it in different time increments to see how long the vaccine lasts.”
“Sounds fair.”
“Once we find the time limit, I’ll be able to finish my proposal and present it to the board. Of course, if it doesn’t work at all, I’ll be back to the drawing board.”
“How did you create this?”
“It’s all about the blood. I’ve been studying the differences between vampires and mortals for years, down to the most minute discrepancy. I think I have this figured out, but I won’t know until I can test it.”
“I’m ready when you are.”
Nodding, I twist my neck from side to side. “I’m ready.”
His expression softens even as his eyes glow and his fangs drop. “Just keep looking into my eyes, pretty mortal.”
“Pretty?”
“You are. Very.”
I’d scoff, but I don’t want to ruin my concentration, so I push the compliment away and hold his gaze. I’ve read accounts of what compulsion feels like but I’ve always wondered if they were exaggerated. Hopefully, I’m about to find out.
“Tell me about something that makes you happy,” Elias says, his voice taking on an even deeper tone. “Something not work related.”
It seems to take a second for his request to sink in and another for me to answer. “Cake.” It’s like time has slowed down.
“Cake?” He smiles, revealing more of his fangs. Very sharp fangs. “Tell me more.”
“I like the texture of it. Soft and moist.”
“Yesss.” His eyes flash. “What else?”
“It’s the best when it has cream in the center. Layered cake is my favorite.”
“Mm-hmm. What flavor?”
My stomach flutters the more I gaze into his eyes. “Red velvet with Bavarian cream filling and cream cheese frosting.”
“Sounds divine.”
I nod, aware of every ounce of tension leaving my body.
“There it is. Our connection grows. Follow your urges and whims, Geordi. You’re safe with me.”
Nodding, I reach out and touch the tip of one of his fangs with my index finger. It’s as sharp as a knife, puncturing my skin and producing a droplet of blood. Elias drops his smile, gripping my hand and squeezing my finger. We both watch my blood drip down my finger before Elias laps it up.
“Offer me your neck, mortal.”
A slight tugging in my chest tightens as my brain struggles to resist the command. “N-n-no.”