Page 74 of The Hunter’s Affection

The thought of something happening to Charlotte—

“So let one of us do it.”

He’d thought of, and dismissed, that idea as well.

“If anyone is going to turn her, it will be me.”

“But you just said you won’t do it—”

“I won’t.”

Laria rolled her eyes. “There’s the Torr I know and love. So your alternative—”

“Is to convince her to come with me, stay with me, as human as she is now.”

He had shocked his sister into silence. Not an easy feat.

“Wow.”

“Lar, she’s amazing. She tries so hard to be perfect without even realizing she doesn’t need to try. There’s a wild side to her—”

“That can keep up with you?” Laria chuckled. “Hard to believe.”

“But true. I’ve never met a woman like her.”

“Then do it. If she’s really willing to leave her life here in Stone Haven, you’d be a fool to leave her behind.”

“She is. Can you imagine—”

“No.” Laria shrugged. “Sorry to be so blunt, but no, I can’t. You’re a total pain in the ass.” At least she smiled as she said it.

“But fun,” he prodded.

“And arrogant.”

“Loyal.”

“With an extremely high opinion of yourself.”

“And of Charlotte. Trust me on this—”

“Torr . . .” She began to walk again, so he followed. “I do trust you, with my life. Despite all of your shortcomings.”

“Of which there are only a few.”

“But I can’t say I disagree with her. I’ve done it, and can tell you. It’s no fun to watch someone you care about age and die, not when you stay the same.”

Which was why he’d been hesitant to talk to his sister about this. Unlike him, she had been in relationships with humans. She’d even turned one man, who was kind of the Voldemort of their family, the one who shall not be named. Which was how he knew Laria was capable of understanding how the pain of the past could influence decisions they made now, hundreds of years later.

Some wounds ran too deep for even time to heal.

“Why don’t you come with me next door to feed—”

“No.”

Unlike Morley, they didn’t keep a storage of blood, the Derricksons preferring to feed on live humans. At least, the males in their family. Laria had always been a bit less discriminating.

“You just finished saying Charlotte makes you a better man. Prove it. Come over of your own volition—”