account for the sudden surge of sickness."
"Wait. Sickness?" That was news to me. Otis rested his arm over my head while he moved in to relax his forehead on my shoulder. I couldn't help but slip my arms around his waist, pulling him even closer, which didn't seem to bother him now that he was up close.
"Ya. There's an extremely high chance the humans are about to be hit with a pandemic of sorts. We don't know what caused it, and we couldn't stay much longer to find out what exactly it's doing to the humans, but those we talked to emphasized that it's a fast killer and the reason why there's a blood shortage is because our scientist worries it's going to affect vampires.”
"Do we have some older packages of blood?"
"Probably," he mumbled.
"Otis," I whispered. "Do you just not want to drink packaged blood anymore?"
He didn't reply, but I knew from the slight stiffness in his body that I hit the mark.
"Otis." I used my left hand to reach up and stroke my fingers through his short strands. "I thought you were okay with drinking from me?"
"You had to deal with the idea of losing us, revived a lost kingdom that so happens to be connected to your heritage, and have to deal with Wilfried’s shit while recovering from all the other shit that went down. You’re already overwhelmed," he explained. "What kind of ass of a boyfriend would I be to put my needs first and ask for blood when you're still trying to recover physically, emotionally, and mentally from these constant changes?"
He lifted his head then but kept close as his tired eyes locked onto mine. They were illuminated with a bright red while his lips were parted slightly.
"I've tried satisfying this urge with blood packs, Cass," he revealed and shook his head slightly. "Nothing’s working."
"Then take what you need, Otis," I growled as I moved my arms to wrap around his neck, forcing him to remain right up close to me as our lips barely touched. "Do you think I won't worry if something bad happens to you?"
I paused at the mere thought as I gave him a tender kiss. "I can't take going through losing any of you again. I don't care if it means I'm not prepared to lose you like other supernaturals. I shouldn't have to prepare for the chance of losing someone when saving them requires the simple act of drinking my blood."
I kissed him again as his body grew more relaxed.
"No matter what I'm dealing with, you guys are my pillars to get through this. Each and every one of you is important to me, and you shouldn't have to suffer when I'm right here."
He swallowed hard as his weak eyes bored into mine.
"Cass..."
"You love me, right?"
"Yes." It was an obvious reply that made me smirk before I lifted my head back and turned it slightly to the left so my neck was completely exposed.
"Then feast, my love. Better to do it now than wait. I'll be fine, I promise."
He seemed hesitant still from the corner of my eye, but I could see the trickling growth of temptation rising in the red orbs as he slowly licked his lips and inched closer to my neck.
"You better not hate me," he mumbled.
"As if I ever would, silly," I scolded and reached up to cup the back of his head with my hand and inch him even closer to my neck. The mere inhale of my scent made him groan before his tongue gently teased my flesh, which made me shiver.
"I miss you."
"I'm right here," I voiced as a reminder. "Unless you're referring to my blood vessels, then feel free to speak to them."
That made him move his attention to me, and I smirked as I saw a slight twinkle of amusement in his intense gaze.
"I was referring to you, Cassandra," he confessed.
"I miss you, too," I quietly replied, feeling a little heartbroken that we were all together and yet it still felt like we were eons apart. Too much was happening. It was like the apocalypse was upon us and we were desperately trying to keep things together while balancing our own roles and issues.
"Drink, my love. Then we'll find something that can lead us to what will get us one step closer to ending this all."
He didn't delay any longer as his lips pressed lightly against the crook in my neck, seconds before he sank those fangs of his into my