Page 27 of Thicker than Blood

He moves his hand to my thigh in a comforting gesture, which oddly does help calm my nerves somewhat.

“I didn’t expect—” I suck in a breath as my stomach cramps. “Fuck.” So much for not cursing.

“Do you feel bad? Like you need the antidote?”

“No.” I hope it subsides quickly, but that hope is dashed as my insides twist and seize. I’m close to falling apart from a mixture of pain and fear. Maybe I should rethink the antidote. What if I’m actually dying and don’t know it?

“You’ve gone pale,” Elias says, his face a mask of concern. “Are you sure?”

As a massive surge of pain grips me, I clutch his arm and dig my nails into his skin, squeezing my eyes closed. I’m about to ask for the antidote when it just stops, releasing me from its grip.

I exhale a shaky breath and bow my head. “It’s over.”

“Yes?”

I nod, clearing my throat and blinking rapidly. “Yes. Wow, that sucked.”

“It was difficult to watch. Do you need water?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to add anything to my body. Not even water.” Blowing out another breath, I drag a hand through my hair then focus on the vampire. “Try again, please.”

“So soon?”

“Yes. I need to know how quickly it works. If it works.”

“Very well. Focus on my eyes.”

Nodding, I shift toward him and gaze into his glowing blue eyes.

“Tell me about your favorite hobby or pastime.”

I search my brain but come up empty. “I don’t have hobbies.”

“Television show? Movie? Book?”

“I’ve been writing a book,” I admit, shocking myself. I’ve never told anyone, not even Enyo.

Elias smiles, humming happily. “About what?”

“Vampires.”

“Of course. In your book are we the monsters or the heroes?”

“It’s clinical.”

Elias chuckles. “Not the creative type?”

I shake my head, waiting for that amazing feeling of euphoria to hit me again, but it’s not coming. Does that mean the vaccine worked?

“What do you do for pleasure, Geordi? What turns you on?”

I scrunch my brows as I consider his question. “I’m not sure.”

“Incubi don’t. Blood orgies don’t.” He leans closer, sliding his hands up my and down my thighs. “But vampires do. Am I right?”

My body starts to warm and I find myself nodding. “Yes.”

“Why? What is it about us that intrigues you so?”