“But you are,” Danny said as he leaned forward and set his hand on Justin’s leg. “Sully smelled it when he rescued you, and Dominic and I can both smell it.”
Justin stopped laughing almost instantly. “You can smell it?”
Danny nodded emphatically. “Vampires have a great sense of smell.”
“Smell what?” Did he stink or something? He’d been on the road for less than a day. He couldn’t have grown smelly that fast.
“Your vampire DNA.”
Justin’s jaw dropped. “My what?”
Danny started to open his mouth, presumably to say something, but Dominic stopped him with a simple shake of his head. Now Justin was curious.
“I’m not a vampire,” he said. “I’d like to be a vampire. I think that would be pretty cool, although I’m not sure I’m into the whole bloodsucking thing, but I suppose I could drink it out of a bag or something.” Justin wasn’t sure what he was saying. All he knew was that he had to play nice with the man who had sharp teeth. Razor sharp.
When the prince moved around the end of the bed and walked over to sit on the edge of the mattress, Justin scooted back toward the headboard. He hoped it looked like he was trying to give the prince some room to sit down and not scared out of his mind to be sitting next to a vampire. He really didn’t want to piss the man off.
That would be bad.
“Justin, why do you believe you are human?”
Duh! “No fangs.” Justin lifted his upper lip and showed off his teeth. “Aren’t you supposed to have fangs if you’re a vampire?”
Dominic looked thoughtful, but thankfully, he didn’t look angry, and that was what Justin was most worried about. If the vampire got pissed, Justin knew he’d be in a world of hurt. The guy was huge.
“Justin, would you mind if I took a sample of your blood.” Dominic quickly held up his hands when Justin paled. “It’s just a sample, Justin. I won’t take more than a drop or two. I promise.”
Justin grimaced but held his hand out. Dominic was a lot bigger than him. The man could take a lot more than a drop if he really wanted to. If he just wanted a drop, and it would keep Justin’s neck bite free, Dominic could take it.
Just as long as the big dude didn’t drain him.
That would be bad.
Justin squeaked and then jerked his arm when the prince pricked the tip of Justin’s finger with a sharp fang. Justin was about to yell for the man to let him go, but just that fast the prince was done and licking a path across his skin.
“Thank you,” the prince said and then glanced over at Danny, which made Justin look at Danny.
“May I?” Danny asked, holding his palm out. “I swear not to drain you. I just want a small taste as well.”
What was he, a freaking snack bar? Were more vampires going to come into the room and want a taste of Justin? Was he going to have to drop a pint down into a damn trough? Justin really didn’t want these vampires feeding from him, but really didn’t want to tell them no.
Besides, the prince hadn’t hurt him. Justin stuck his hand out, giving Danny his index finger. “Go for it. While you’re licking the ole positive A, can you tell me if my blood sugar is low. I forgot to take my meds.”
Danny cut his eyes quickly to the prince and then took Justin’s offered finger. Justin winced when Danny pricked it with his fang and then licked at the blood. He suppressed a giggle trying to break free.
It tickled.
Danny leaned back and nodded. “You are a vampire, Justin. I can taste it in your blood.”
“As can I,” the prince replied.
Okay. This was awkward and weird. Justin wasn’t quite sure what blood the two had been drinking lately, but he was not a vampire. Maybe the two rolled a drunk and now they were a little on the inebriated side. They would have to be in order to think he was a vampire. Justin didn’t crave blood. He didn’t have to hide from the sun. He loved garlic, and he couldn’t bedazzle a beetle if he tried.
And he hadn’t tried.
These guys were nuts. But considering he was in a house full of vampires, the best thing to do was to play nice. He was really fond of his throat and didn’t want them to tear it out for arguing with them.
“Okay, thanks for letting me know. I’ll make sure I drink an eight ounce glass of the bubbly crimson every day. Can I go now?” As fast as I can run from this place?
“Why don’t you let me call Prince Zacarius and let him know that you are safe and in our care?” Dominic asked.
“Just as long as no one tries to snack on me, I can hang out until the cavalry arrives.” Justin glanced around the elaborately decorated room. He could hang out here. It wasn’t that bad, and these two men were pretty polite…for vampires.
“Justin,” Danny began as he touched Justin’s hand. “No one is going to feed from you unless you are a donor.”
Yeah, like he believed that one.
“Okay,” he said as he smiled at the two. Not only was he in a house of vampires, but it must double as a loony bin. They were nuts if they thought Justin was a vampire. He may not tan very well, but that didn’t make him a vampire. “Have you seen my bag?”
Danny pointed across the room. “That one?”
Justin nodded, and Danny got up from the bed and retrieved the bag, handing it over to Justin.
“Excuse me, gentlemen, while I make that phone call.” Dominic left Danny and Justin alone.
“Nice guy,” Justin said as he snapped his eyes around the
