Page 137 of Eternal Craving

“You had no right.”

“I’ll note it for next time.”

“Unless this material is read in context, it will make no sense,” he said.

“I found it easy to follow, grasped what you chaps are up to. Let me see how to sum up… Capture vampire, drain their blood, weaken them, and then off to Stonehenge to get your fix. Kill the vampire and?—”

“This is all conjecture.”

I bit the tip of my forefinger. His gaze followed the bloody trickle. In a flash, I leaned in and stroked my fingertip across his lips.

He pushed my hand away. A flicker of his tongue was instinctively drawn to the scarlet drop. His eyes rolled and then closed, and he leaned against the table. “That was impolite.”

Flames in the fireplace flickered. Wood in the hearth sparked and crackled.

He regained his composure. “Was that your attempt to keep me in the room?”

“It’s addictive, isn’t it? And as only the Master himself can drink it, only you know what it feels like. The older the vampire, the more potent the effect.”

He loosened his shirt collar.

“Want some more?” I asked.

“No.” He coughed. “How does your blood have that effect?” He reached back towards the desk, his fingers fumbling, and then found the sharp letter opener.

“Put it down or I’ll use it on you,” I said calmly.

He dropped it on the floor, and it landed with a clang.

I kicked it out of his reach. “See, our blood can be pretty persuasive.”

“You had a family once, yes?”

“I did. So?”

“You know what it is to love, to care for someone. When you murder, you kill someone’s loved one.”

“You’re breaking my heart.”

He glanced at the door. “How do you sleep at night, knowing that you’ve done the unthinkable?”

“I sleep by day.”

“Under this very roof, there are at least thirty Stone Lords. You’ll never leave this place alive.”

“I’m already dead. Or is that undead?”

He inched towards the door. “One word from me and I’ll bring down hell upon thee. You should be afraid.”

“From where I’m standing, you and I can both benefit from my visit. Call in your hounds and you’ll never know why. In every man’s life, there comes a defining moment – this is yours.”

He glanced at the door. “Start talking.”

I stared at him. “Creda.”

His eyes widened.

“Their plot to wipe you out is masterful.” I approached him.