“I figured,” Salem murmured, his voice reminding me of a bird singing. “Give me your hand.” Gulping, I did as he asked, laying my left hand in his while chewing my bottom lip. “Are you left-handed by chance?” When I nodded, he indicated he wanted my other hand. Well, he accepted that quickly enough. Most people stared at me like I was a freak when they learned that. “Jax was too,” he added after a moment, and I sighed soundlessly. Still, I held my right hand out, and he gave me a sweet smile. Flipping it over to expose my palm, he picked up an odd-looking pen and murmured, “hold still, please.”
While I watched, biting my lip all the while, he drew what looked like a three-dimensional diamond. At first, it didn’t hurt or even feel odd, just like he was drawing with a pen. But, as he neared finishing it, my soul felt itchy, albeit not in a painful way. Just uncomfortable. Once the last lines connected, I snorted, feeling like I imagine a horse does the first time you put a bridle on them. Like, what the hell is this? I stared at it once he released my hand, noticing that it went from a deep black to an almost invisible gray. “That color is good,” Salem explained before a glance from Ryker had him leaving the room. Albeit fleeing might be a better word.
Biting my lip, I looked at our ‘host’ and asked, “are you hungry?” He quirked his brow, and I shrugged. I wouldn’t throw a fit about something he demanded one of us bear. I didn’t know what it did or what it was for, but I was sure I’d find out when I needed to. Until then, why worry about it? “You said you would drink from me, so I see no reason to shove it off just because it’s my first night here.”
Chuckling, Ryker shook his head, “it’s nice to see that time has not changed your personality one bit, little one. Always ready to take on the world, regardless of what that means for you.” Scoffing, I mentally disagreed with him, noticing that Tyger grinned. Ryker glanced between us, quirking his brow. “You listen to her?” Tyger nodded solemnly, and Ryker looked pleased. “Very well, I add Tyger, Snow, and Arctic to my list which includes Liam,” Ryker murmured, and I nodded. Okay. So, I’m allowed to let them touch me? Tyger nodded. Alrighty then. There goes getting us in trouble by giving Tyger a big hug when he pisses me off. A soft laugh had me sticking my tongue out at the shifter, who shook his head with a smile.
After a moment, Ryker pulled me to his lap, and I swallowed nervously. While I didn’t fear it, I wasn’t hot to trot for it either. Ryker brushed my hair to the side, running his nose along my throat, which made me shiver. I forced myself to continue breathing calmly when he pressed his lips to my skin, where my pulse beat the strongest. I had not realized it did that until I felt it because of the light pressure from his touch. Realizing I held my breath, I let it out as a soundless sigh. Judging by how his lips moved, Ryker smiled. Taking a deep breath, I kept my body relaxed even though a deep instinct whimpered I should run. Exhaling shakily, I tried not to focus on Ryker running his tongue along my skin, my heart pounding harder. It wasn’t from fear, but because my skin tingled like it did when Kyler and I touched.
Shuddering when I felt the sharp points of the wicked fangs I saw in his mouth, I held my breath while waiting for Ryker to bite. I know it was mere seconds, but it felt like hours before the vampire pierced my skin. Where I expected pain or at least a sharp sting, I only experienced an odd numbness at first. Until his fangs were deep within my skin, and Ryker swallowed. That gentle pull sent the tingles that once graced my skin dancing through my veins and my eyes closed while I shivered and goosebumps broke out across my skin. The next swallow caused the intensity of the tingles to increase. As did the one after that, and so on until I constantly trembled while biting my bottom lip in case any sounds tried to escape my throat.
“M’lord,” Tyger murmured after a few moments, his softly spoken words carrying the weight of his rebuke. I blinked my eyes open to find a worried frown twisting his lips, my brow furrowing while I tried to understand why he was upset. I feel fine, hell I feel fan-freaking-tastic. Perhaps a tad cold. Still, I more sensed than felt Ryker raise his head, his tongue running across my skin again a moment later. One last shiver caused my body to vibrate when the tingles from that clashed with the ones dancing in my veins. A pathetic sounding whimper fell from my parted lips, albeit the chaos in my veins finally ebbed. Dear God, was I expected to do this every day? Part of me trembled in excitement at the idea while the rest of me vehemently rebelled. Sure, I survived this time. Eventually, the chaos would tear me apart.
“My apologies, bunny, I appear to affect you more than I believed I would,” Ryker murmured contritely, and I blinked once my mind comprehended his words. “And, little one, your blood is far sweeter than I imagined. I’m afraid a lesser vampire would lose their head and drain you dry. I fear I might have had Tyger not reminded me to stave my gluttonous desires.”
After a shuddering breath,
