vetted. We want humans that can quickly acclimate to our customs and traditions.”
I frowned. “It’s not like I asked for this.”
“Yes,” Diego began. “We’ve already established that you didn’t want this. That’s the problem.” He paused his manic pacing. “I need you to start thinking of this coven as an elite country club. People are quite literally dying to get in. They want enthusiastic and devoted members, not women squeamish at the sight of blood.”
“I’m not squeamish at the sight of blood. I’m squeamish at the thought of murdering someone,” I said, realizing that my words were true. The sight of blood didn’t make me want to scream and run out of the room anymore. “And what if I don’t want to be part of a super-secret society? What if I want to be a lone wolf? OH, speaking of wolves, are there werewolves?” I asked, remembering the list of questions I jotted down earlier.
“No, what do you think this is? Twilight?” he chuckled. “But in all seriousness, you can’t be on your own, and you can’t go back to your normal life. This is your new reality—the sooner you accept it, the sooner you can start building your life here.”
I crossed my arms over my chest in an act of defiance. I wasn’t ready to give up the life I worked so damn hard for to be a part of a world I didn’t even know existed outside of pop culture.
“I will help you get through your transition, and then we will take it from there. But for now, I need you to make it through these first couple of weeks, okay? Your life depends on it.”
“Fine. What do you need me to do for brunch?”
“It won’t be like last night,” he reassured. “There won’t be any humans, only pancakes.”
“Wait. Can I eat real food?” I asked, brows raised. “Last time I tried to eat something, it was like ash on my tongue.”
Diego frowned. “Pamphlet, Drew. Read the goddamn pamphlet! Yes, you can eat real food. It won’t taste as good as you remembered when you are hungry for blood. The hungrier you are, the less appetizing the food will be. I suggest having a blood bag before brunch in the morning.”
I shrugged. “Sounds easy enough. Do you need anything else from me?”
“I need you to show up on time, don’t wear pink, and only speak when spoken to.”
“Like a child?” I said, raising my eyebrows.
“Like an obedient member of our society,” he corrected, voice stern and eyes like steel as they challenged me. I let out an exasperated huff.
“What sort of things will they talk to me about?” I asked.
“Your life before. They’ll want to find ways for you to contribute to society.”
I scoffed. “What could a secret immortal kingdom possibly want?” I asked.
“Well, for starters, the man begging you to feed from him tonight is on track to create a cure for heart disease. He graduated from college at sixteen.”
I dropped my mouth open in shock. “The man lying on our dinner table in his underwear is a legit scientist?”
“We like to acquire wealth and talent. When I said we were like an elite country club, I wasn’t joking.”
“Well, shit,” I snapped. “I need to beef up my resume. You elitist pricks.”
Diego chuckled. “Everyone is definitely puzzled by you. They’re doubting my authority right now.”
“You could just tell them the truth,” I offered with a shrug.
“And what would that be?”
I lifted my index finger and motioned him closer. Diego cocked his head to the side and walked up to the bed like a skittish cat. “You were thinking with your dick the night you turned me. You let me live cause you want to bone me. Admit it.”
He frowned and put more space between us. “I’m not an animal,” he spat.
“Okay then, if that’s not the truth, what is?” I prodded.
Diego scowled at me and didn’t answer. Instead, he stalked over to the door and opened it. Before he went through it, he turned toward me and said, “Brunch is at eleven tomorrow. Be early and dress the part. You seem to be doing fine, so you don’t need a babysitter for the evening. I have somewhere to be, you can see yourself out.”
What the fuck crawled up his ass? Was he really that against being attracted to me? I waited to hear the click of the door before crawling out of the massive bed. “Be early. Dress the part. Be seen and not heard,” I mimicked