down at Eva’s wrist with genuine disgust. “I’d rather have a healing potion.”
It was enough to piss Eva off. “What, my blood isn’t good enough?”
Right. I’d forgotten about that. Eva’s decision to turn vampire had irritated many of the Lamias. Some had even considered it a form of treason against their species. Nevertheless, Eva had not looked back. And Nethissis seemed to be one of those who’d disagreed with her change.
“It’s a common fact now that vampire blood has a slightly quicker effect than any of our healing potions,” I said, trying to stop a conflict before it spilled over. “Nethissis, you’re better off drinking from her and letting us keep the potions for later. Hopefully, we won’t need them—or vampire blood, for that matter—once we land. Until then, however, I would like to be at peace, knowing that the two swamp witches in charge of our transport are able to finish the job. And, frankly, by the looks of you, I’m not that confident.”
Acantha gave Nethissis a discreet nudge, while Eva kept her wrist up, scowling at her. Nethissis sighed but drank from Eva’s wrist. Her expression changed—from wary to surprised and ultimately enchanted. It tasted good, from what I could tell. Or at least, she liked it. Acantha was next, after which Eva licked her wrist, the wound closing quickly.
“Thank you,” Nethissis murmured.
“It’s not soiled, you know,” Eva said. “It gives life. And it’s an honor to have it flowing through me.”
Awkward silence settled across our group, until Fallon chuckled, seemingly as he remembered something. “Oh, man, you should’ve seen the look on my parents’ faces when I made the decision to turn. They looked as though I’d kicked them both in the stomach with a steel-pointed boot. For a week, they barely said a word to me.”
“But I don’t get the stigma of vampirism,” Varga replied, shrugging. “It’s the closest we’ll ever get to immortality. Who wouldn’t want that?”
“Think of it this way. The fae have long lifespans, anyway. And it’s deeply embedded in our cultural beliefs that everything that lives must also come to an end,” Fallon explained. “Vampirism, in the fae’s mind, is a type of cheating. Plus, there was also that concern that not all fae are compatible with vampirism. I took a great risk. It’s just something new and previously unheard of. Not everyone embraces change with arms wide open,” he added, looking at Eva. “Your people, just like mine, simply need time to adjust.”
“It would be great if they could just accept it and let us be happy,” she replied, crossing her arms. I knew where this was coming from. Unfinished business with her mother. Tamara had not been at all pleased when her daughter had turned to vampirism, that much I remembered, though she’d yet to give us all the details—Eva didn’t talk much about her mother.
“I’m sorry,” Nethissis said, eyes on the glass screen. “I don’t think any less of you for having done this, Eva. I admire you for doing it. It’s just a big step. Most of us spend our lives worried about continuing our bloodline. By becoming a vampire, you pretty much ended yours. I imagine that’s what your mother is upset about. You made this decision without considering that.”
Eva sighed deeply. “I don’t want what my mother wants. There are plenty of Lamias in our city that she could appoint as her heirs, if she decides I’m no longer a good fit, given my current inability to procreate.”
“Doesn’t the vampire cure work on you?” Varga asked.
“We’re not sure,” Eva replied. “When she turned me, Harper warned me that it might be permanent. The cure works for humans and sentries—the latter are still basically humans, which I’m afraid I am not.”
“Tell you what, let’s get ourselves out of this whole Hermessi jumble alive, and we can worry about procreation then. Whaddya think?” Herakles interjected, a grin slitting his face from ear to ear. “I mean, Ta’Zan managed to turn Derek into a day-walker. If Amal and Amane are at least half as gifted as he is, I’m pretty sure they’ll be able to take that vampirism cure and make it accessible to other species that may choose to become vampires.”
“You know, that doesn’t sound as far-fetched as one might think,” I mused, thinking about it as I spoke. “The Faulty twins are geniuses when they’re together. There’s no telling what they could accomplish. Hell, they might even be able to tweak it and make it less dangerous.”
“I