“How bizarre,” Stephanie mumbled.
She could say that again!
“I have a theory,” Lucien declared and I stopped breathing like this would help me hear better. “Her bloodline has been absorbing vampire essence for a long time. Each respective generation taking in more than any other concubine line. I think it’s affected her line and mutated, giving her powers other mortals don’t have.”
I started breathing again.
Wow.
I was maybe mutated. Vampire powers spliced in my genes.
That was huge! And cool!
I know you’re awake, my pet.
My body jerked.
Holy heck!
Lucien was so, freaking annoying. I couldn’t even eavesdrop without him cottoning on.
“I wouldn’t share that with The Council,” Cosmo warned, tearing me away from my thoughts.
“I’ve no intention to,” Lucien replied, his voice closer, coming my way and I assessed my options.
I didn’t know if he was angry but eavesdropping was never nice. Of course, in my defense, they were standing outside the door and the door was open.
I considered throwing myself out the window but I didn’t think my mutant vampire abilities translated to not breaking my leg upon such a feat. And I hadn’t been servicing Lucien long enough to get my super-healing vampire mojo going yet so I figured I should just face the consequences.
“Lucien, we’re not done talking,” Stephanie called.
“Leah’s awake,” Lucien informed her, sounding like he was right at the door.
Silence then, “Shit, she is. I wasn’t paying attention.”
Boy, vampires hearing heartbeats and breathing really sucked sometimes.
Lucien appeared. He closed the door and walked slowly to me.
“Hey,” I said hesitantly, testing his mood. My voice was rough as sandpaper.
This was a good move on my part. His expression had been thoughtful as if trying to decide which irritating, dominating vampire punishment to mete out. Upon hearing my voice, his eyes flashed then gentled as did his face.
He threw back the covers and got in bed with me even though he was fully-clothed, wearing jeans and a tight-fitting black t-shirt.
He pulled me in his arms.
“When did you know I was awake?” I rasped.
“The minute you woke,” he informed the top of my head scarily. “Now, stop speaking.”
“I’m fine,” I argued even though I didn’t sound fine, I really was. I didn’t feel any different than normal except my throat was kind of sore.
“I’m not arguing about this.”
“But –”
Quiet, Leah. He mind-controlled me.