All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,313

Tony gutted me. I must have been in a coma for months for the wounds to be gone. The cut on my hip is completely healed as well. I search Theo and Alex’s faces for answers. “Tell me. How long ago was I attacked?”

“Last night, pet.” Theo reluctantly pulls his gaze from me to Alex, who looks as confused as Theo does.

But they can’t be any more confused than I am. “Last night?”

Alex takes my hand in his again, kissing my knuckles. “You were dying, Karina. We couldn’t lose you. You’ve become too precious to us. We did the only thing we could to save you. I know we did it without your permission. You didn’t really have a choice, so we understand if you’re angry with us.”

“I died?” Perhaps I didn’t survive what Tony did to me. So, if I died, why am I now alive? Or am I? Fangs. My gaze meets Theo’s.

He nods and opens his mouth. Fangs extend from under his upper lip.

I snap my gaze to Alex, and he nods, extending his fangs to show me.

Vampires?

I’m speechless.

“How do you feel?” Theo brushes my bangs from my brow.

My tongue probes my teeth, which seem back to normal. So they come and go as I need them, huh? I don’t need to breathe, since my lungs aren’t starving for air. “I feel numb.” Ah. I need breath to speak. Vocal chords can’t vibrate without air. How bizarre. “Not sure I believe what I’m seeing, but…” Everything around me is clear. I touch my face and find no glasses on my nose. I release a mirthless laugh. “I don’t know how I can deny the evidence.” But I can’t say the word. Vampire. I’m a fucking vampire.

Things begin to fall into place, though. The blood play Theo and I have shared. How quickly the slash on my side healed. They must have done something to help me. Do vampires possess the power to heal?

“You must have a million questions.” Alex rubs my thigh.

“Are you hungry?” Theo pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger.

I smirk. “Well, I have to admit, you smell absolutely scrumptious.”

Theo waggles his eyebrows, but the amusement fades to confusion again. “Are you thirsty?”

“I was, until I… God, I drank your blood.” I cover my mouth, mortified.

“I wanted you to, love. You did what you were supposed to do.”

I nod, still not quite grasping my situation, but maybe starting to come around a little.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get the chance to share this with you.” Alex bows his forehead to my hand.

“I’m sure it’s going to take a little time for this to really hit me, but…” I stroke his dark hair and he lifts hopeful eyes to me. “So far, this is a much better alternative to death. And I can’t be angry with you two. How can I? As I lay there in the desert, right before Tony stabbed…killed me…I had so many regrets, but the biggest one was that I didn’t give you two the chance to protect me. That I never got the chance to tell you both that I love you.”

Theo drags me into his lap and they both engulf me in their arms, showering me with kisses. A phone buzzes, rattling on the nightstand. With a quick kiss, Theo stands, sets me on my feet, and grabs the phone.

He taps the glass and frowns. “Lucius and Selene are back. I need to go to the club and brief them.” He kisses Alex. “Would you please explain a few things to Karina while I take care of this? Bring her up to speed?”

“Of course.” He grabs my hand. “Come along, cupcake. Let’s get you dressed. We’ll have some wine and cheese and I’ll tell you all about how you are now free to live forever with us.”

Immortality! “Forever? With you two?” I grin. “This deal is sounding better all the time.”

Alex and Theo laugh. Theo gives each of us one more kiss before he exits the bedroom. And I realize I have no idea where we are.

My little cupcake spins around. “Where are we?”

“Under Theo’s house in his lair.” I take her hand and guide her out of the bedroom into the main entryway. “That door leads to an exterior entrance, in case the house is compromised. And this door leads up into the house, which is where we’re going now.” I press my thumb to the small square of glass and enter the code Theo gave me. “We’ll be