Page 83 of Havenfall Harbor
Quinn’s mouth parts a little and I get hit with a wave of that woodsy smell that is uniquely hers.
“His answer could be completely different. He’s avampire, so his receptors are geared differently.” I bring the topic back to Griff and the fact that he needs to tell her he gave her his blood and took some of hers.
By the glower he sends my way, he knows exactly what I did. Dropping his arms from the back of the couch, Griffin scoots forward a few inches on the seat and turns so he’s facing Quinn. “When we found you, you were unconscious and bleeding.”
Quinn brings her finger up to her mouth, and her eyes widen a bit. I don’t think the harshness of Griffin’s tone delivered the news very easily.
“I made the decision to give you my blood so it could heal you.” Griffin tips his head back a little, his hands curling into fists over his thighs as he waits for Quinn’s response.
She blinks at him, almost owlishly. “You healed me?” Her voice comes out just above a whisper.
Griff licks his lips. “I did, and I took a bit of blood from you in exchange.” Quinn’s brows drop, as does her gaze. I wait for a few moments for Griff to divulge more info. To explain to Quinn why he did it.
“Aren’t you going to tell her why?” I finally prompt when he stays quiet.
Griffin tilts his head as if he’s weighing the idea of what to say. “If I would have just given you my blood without an exchange, there’s a risk of you becoming a scion, addicted,” he explains.
“Really?” Quinn’s voice is soft, questioning.
“Yeah, once or twice usually isn’t a big deal, but it can get dangerous for a human after that,” I expound.
“Dangerous how?” I leave that question to Griff.
“Imagine a human craving blood as if they were a vampire, but they weren’t. It can become their sole focus, just like any other addict. They don’t eat or drink, their only goal is to get vampire blood, and frankly there aren’t many who are willing to share it without a price.”
“What’s the price?” The quizzical way Quinn inquires tells me she’s not interested because she wants more, her motivation to know the answer is driven by the pursuit of knowledge.
Griff settles back on the couch, relaxing now that he knows Quinn doesn’t seem like she’s going to freak out. “Well, money, power, lust to name a few,” he answers.
“Not the exchange of blood though?” It’s a logical question. Vampires do need blood, and supernaturals aren’t always willing to be of service, especially because they know that blood comes with ties to the recipient.
Quinn
“No,vampires rarely exchange blood with humans,” Griffin responds slowly, not meeting my eyes.
I get the feeling he’s uncomfortable. “Well, thank you,” I tell him sincerely. I’d been grateful the moment I knew he did something to help me, but my curiosity overruled the commonsense to tell him so. However, now I’m even more curious why vampires rarely exchange their blood with humans.
Griffin taps his finger on the arm of the sofa. It’s not a big move for most, but for him it seems like more. I feel like the smallest of gestures can speak a thousand words for this guarded man, vampire…whatever. He doesn’t say you’re welcome, or even make a big deal about what he did for me. I have the urge to hug him, but I sink a little further into the couch instead.
I’m not completely sure my idea of changing the topic from a relationship to finding out how they found me did much good. I think it’s possible I’d be even more willing to entertain the idea now.
There’s a heavy tension in the room I’m not sure how to alleviate, but sitting here in just a shirt isn’t helping matters. “I need to go next door, take care of some things,” I finally say after several minutes of silence.
Griffin turns his head slowly until he’s facing me, his head tilted down. “Like what?”
I motion to my body. “Firstly, I need clothes, I have laundry to do. I have to prepare my plan for next week, and I’m hungry.” I cross my arms over my chest, giving him the same glib look he’s sending my way.
“We can head over there now.” Evan stands and reaches out to help me up. I cast Griffin a glance, wondering how these two could be as different as night and day. Taking Evan’s offered hand, I rise. He doesn’t pull back to give me more room, so we end up being separated by only a few inches.
A somewhat shy smile curls my lips. If we hadn’t just talked about the possibility of dating, or whatever they want to call it, I could play it off, but his nearness seems much more purposeful now, or maybe I’m still reading too much into their actions.
I’m the first one to step away. Evan is right on my heels. When I reach for the door handle, a hand covers my own. I look over my shoulder to see Griffin near my side. “Is that really how you want to walk out into the hall?” He cocks one eyebrow at me.
I thin my lips. He’s right, I really shouldn’t walk out there like this, but other than running into Letty the one time, I’ve never even seen anyone this side of the elevator. I almost want to go out there in just his shirt to prove a point, but I drag my hand out from under his, releasing the knob and motioning for him to lead the way in the process. “By all means, check to make sure the coast is clear, I wouldn’t want anyone seeing my legs. I’ll make a note, nearly topless is okay…thighs are a no-no.”
I regret the words the moment they leave my lips, but the memory of Letty coming to his door with her tits barely covered is too fresh.
Griffin leans down so his face is close to mine. There’s a distinct twinkle in his gorgeous blue eyes. “Topless is a no-no for you out there too. Feel free to indulge all you would like in here though.” He tugs the door open and steps outside without giving me time to form a witty retort.
