Page 53 of Bleed

“They were hunted,” James’ deep voice cuts in, drawing my gaze his way. “Bonded humans don’t age, but their bodies remain mortal. If they’re killed, death severs the soul tie.” He frowns, glancing down at his and Taylor’s joined hands. “The only thing vampires thirst for more than blood is power. Those without a bond sought to level the playing field. Exterminate the bonded human, and their vampire loses the power derived from them.”

I nod slowly, digesting that. “Hence the whole secrecy thing to protect Tay.”

He jerks a nod, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

“The more we learn, the better prepared we’ll be for whatever comes next,” Elliott states. “Everything in the modern age is about spin. We need the full picture so James and Taylor can control the narrative and protect themselves if and when they’re discovered.”

“Speaking of discoveries,” James drawls, tipping his glass toward Elliott, “congratulations on the award from the National Science Board.”

Elliott immediately averts his eyes. “I haven’t received it yet.”

“You won an award?” I ask, blinking at him.

“Yes, they’re presenting it to him at a dinner next week,” James supplies, then turns back toward Elliott. “You should take Bex with you. Make a spectacle of it.”

“Spectacles aren’t really my thing,” Elliott replies dryly.

James smirks knowingly. “Perhaps not, but it’s a golden opportunity to publicize your claiming of a source. Get photographed together, do the whole song and dance…”

I roll my eyes as I drain the last of the whiskey in my glass, setting it back on the table with a dull thud. “Am I really even his source if he hasn’t bitten me yet?”

The whole table goes quiet– and that’s when I realize I said that out loud rather than just thinking it.

Taylor looks surprised, but James doesn’t. Elliott just stares me down, something loaded flickering across his expression that makes my belly do a weird little flip. Then he looks away, lowering his gaze to the untouched food on his plate.

“Do not publicize that information,” James warns, his voice low.

“Why not?” I huff, my earlier irritation resurfacing. “It’s the truth.”

“Because aside from undermining the entire purpose of this arrangement, you never publicly discuss a vampire’s feeding habits,” he replies sternly.

I roll my eyes. “Shocker, more rules of polite vampire society I don’t ascribe to.”

James’ gaze darkens. “This isn’t about manners.”

“Then what’s it about?”

He studies me for a moment over the rim of his glass, looking every bit the ancient vampire king trying– and failing– to muster patience.

“Some vampires perceive abstaining from live feedings as weakness,” he says flatly. “And perception matters. Weakness invites challenge. It would be unwise to give anyone reason to question Eli’s ability to defend his claim over you as his source.”

I spear another bite of chicken and pop it into my mouth, chewing as I consider that. “I thought you said nobody could touch me. Vampire law.”

“The only way a vampire can lose claim to their source is if another challenges them for it and wins,” James explains.

I tilt my head. “Like a fight?”

He nods grimly.

“Well don’t I have a say over who claims me?” I scoff.

“No.”

The answer comes so quickly I almost laugh.

“And why the fuck not?”

“You’re human.”