hisses.
My voice is barely audible as I try to explain. “It’s a very sexual act. In the moment, it feels right.”
We’re all quiet. My words hang in the air when the waiter appears with a large tray and our orders. I’m thankful for the distraction. Plates are situated in front of us, wine and tea glasses refreshed. When he’s finally gone, Elaine breaks the silence.
“So you took the next step,” she says. “What does that mean?”
Mariska quickly corrects her. “It’s different, actually. She can…” glancing around, she lowers her voice. “She can do it to him. He can even do it to her—”
“He can?” I don’t mean to sound excited. They both glare at me, and I blush, looking down again. “Sorry. It’s just… it’s a powerful experience.”
Elaine presses her lips together in a disapproving way and turns back to Mariska. “But how is that possible? Mel did it and look at her.”
“She’s not a vampire yet.” The young woman lifts a spoon of gumbo to her mouth. I fork one of my shrimp thinking about what that means.
“I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on,” Mariska continues, glancing up at me. “Drinking your blood might be a good idea. It will give him extrasensory abilities, enhanced libido, strength. It quickly flushes out of his system. It’s only temporary.”
“Sounds like their ritual before a hunt,” Elaine says, nodding. “Patrick told me about it last night. Or I saw images of it, and he explained what I was seeing.”
Something inside me quickens. A light seems to flicker on. “What ritual?”
Elaine’s just taken a bite of spicy provolone and cheese, and she nods as she tries to get it down. “It’s like a transfusion. It allows them to communicate telepathically when they’re doing jobs. They did it yesterday evening.”
“Oh my god, Elaine!” I lower my fork. “That’s what happened!”
This time Mariska looks at us confusedly. “Catch me up.”
“You mentioned a cure involving shifter blood and verbena root?”
She nods. “I have a vial of verbena serum for you here.” She digs in her purse a moment before pulling out a small glass container on a leather strap. “Wear this around your neck. It’ll protect you from your maker. Don’t spill it on yourself, though.”
Cautiously, I reach for the little vial of bright chartreuse liquid. “Thank you,” I whisper.
Elaine bounces in her seat as she continues. “Derek had shifter blood in his veins last night! You have shifter blood in you now! It’s how you were able to sleep—it’s why you’re not hearing his voice!”
Mariska’s jaw drops and she studies me a moment. “How are you feeling? Are you in pain?”
“No.” I shake my head, remembering last night, remembering the first night when I stole his blood. The foreign element, the burning I couldn’t understand. “At first, right after I did it, I felt a strange sensation. It only lasted a little while before it dispersed.”
“You were able to stand the pain?” Mariska’s head cocks to the side, and I can tell she’s calculating. “Your pain tolerance must be very high.”
“More like Derek’s not a real shifter,” Elaine says. “What you got was diluted by his blood and then further diluted by yours.”
Mariska grabs Elaine’s arm. “We need to meet with your shifter. Can you get him here now?”
“No!” I almost shout. They both glare at me, and I quickly explain. “I can’t be around him. It makes me violently ill.” Not as violently as the new one, but it’s still unbearable.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it from my clutch without thinking. I’ve been waiting all morning, and the moment I see the face, a huge grin splits my cheeks. It’s Derek. Where are you? Want to see you now.
“Wow,” Elaine mutters. “Somebody’s got it bad.”
“You’re one to talk,” I tease. “Miss Imprinted.”
“You imprinted?” Mariska looks up fast.
Elaine’s eyes cut to me. “It’s actually the other way around. Patrick imprinted on me. But I’m very happy with the arrangement.”
The girl’s shoulders drop, and she pulls away. “That’s nice for you,” she says in a voice that sounds like she means the opposite. “I mean, if you’re happy with the situation.”
Elaine is frowning at her now. “I’m very happy with it. Patrick is perfect for me.”
Mariska only nods. “He would be perfect.”
My best friend and I exchange a glance. She’s giving us a peek at her own fantasy, whether she realizes it or not. I only hope Elaine’s not offended. Mariska clearly had additional plans for our shifter besides helping me break