Page 52 of Protected by the Vampire

That got their attention.

Nox’s gaze sharpened. Deacon stilled. Even Riker straightened slightly, though the smirk didn’t fully leave his face.

“That serious, huh?” Riker muttered.

I didn’t respond to that. Instead, I looked at Theo for half a second before forcing my attention back to them. “He asked me to turn him.”

Heavy silence dropped around us.

Over at the table, Razor’s gaze flicked toward us briefly before returning to Theo. I wasn’t sure if Theo had confided in his president and Razor was distracting Theo enough for me to get things off my chest.

I just wanted to hear their opinions, like I’d said.

There remained a tiny part of me that was holding back, fearing that Theo wanted to become a vampire for the wrong reason.

“What exactly did he say?” Deacon asked, his tone measured.

“That he wants to be stronger,” I replied. “That he wants to stand beside me. Protect me if it comes to it.”

Nox exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down his face. “That tracks.”

“It shouldn’t,” I snapped, receiving a brief look of shock from all of them. I quickly went on. “He’s reacting to what happened. To Patrick. To nearly dying.”

“He didn’t nearly die,” Riker cut in.

My gaze snapped to him.

Riker didn’t flinch. “He survived,” he said, sharper now. “There’s a difference.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that…” That what?

“That you’re scared,” Riker supplied.

The words hit.

And I couldn’t help but think how accurate—though annoying—they were, so I didn’t bother denying it.

“Turning him isn’t something I take lightly,” I said instead. “It’s permanent. It changes everything. What he is. What he’ll become. What he’ll lose.”

“And what he’ll gain,” Deacon added quietly.

I looked at him.

Deacon’s attention had shifted fully to his fated as he added, “It’s not just strength. It’s longevity. Connection. Power. Belonging in a world that would otherwise chew him up.”

“This shouldn’t even be a choice for him,” I said.

But it was… because of me.

“Doesn’t matter because now it is,” Deacon said. “And it really does come down to what he wants.”

That settled heavier than I liked.

Nox leaned forward slightly, forearms braced on the counter. “You think he’s making this decision out of fear.”

“Yes.”

“And if he isn’t?” Nox asked.