Page 20 of Plug and Tame

It was almost…appealing.

She shook her head quickly. “Gross. No thank you.”

“It’s natural and normal for you to drink the blood of a vampire.”

Kira sniffed. “Says who?”

“Says Barbara.”

Fucking Barbara.

“According to her, drinking the blood of a vampire will allow you to replenish your magic. The only question is, will you help us?”

“You’re giving me a choice?”

“There is nothing I wouldn’t give you, Kira. Including helping you discover your magic. All you need is vampire blood. Later, when I feel more recovered, I will happily offer you mine.”

More heat pooled inside her at his words, this time accompanied by a longing ache. She wanted that closeness with Nathaniel, but was scared of what that would mean. She sensed he was inviting her to venture into unknown territory, and she wasn’t sure she trusted him enough to take that leap.

Which was why, instead of saying ‘yes’, she made a sound of disgust. “I’m really not sure that this supposed magic I have is worth me drinking blood.”

Nathaniel’s laugh rasped in her ear. “Oh, trust me, pet, the mere taste of my blood will be worth it.”

Chapter 7

Truth and Love

Kira

After sitting in the dark for so long, the daylight blinded Kira as she left the cave with Nathaniel. Mary and Byron were sitting by the campfire, but they scrambled to their feet and rushed over to her. Mary looked as if she’d been crying, her face blotchy and as red as her fiery hair. Byron’s appearance reminded Kira of a sad, oversized puppy, his eyes searching hers pleadingly as his strong muscled frame hunched with shame.

As the couple drew near, Kira took a step back out of their reach, and they halted in their tracks.

“Kira…” Mary shook her head in dismay, causing droplets of tears to fall. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry…”

Kira hugged herself as she faced her foster parents. The former guards had never been good at expressing their feelings, so to see them break down was alarming. But their remorse was etched clear as day onto their faces, and through the pain of their betrayal, Kira was certain that they loved her.

Their unwavering love had been expressed over the years more with deeds than with words, their dedication evident in the time they took to teach her lessons, and their constant patience.

I was the centre of their world, she realised, glancing at Nathaniel.

His expression was pained, but his eyes softened as he leant close and whispered, “It’s all my fault, not theirs. Take it easy on them.”

Kira suppressed a scoff.

Not a chance.

“Byron,” Kira barked, causing the large man to startle. “We need to talk.”

Without waiting for his response, she morphed into her two wolf forms and darted down the rocky terrain into the woods below. She heard him following.

She sped up, relishing the feel of the air rippling through her fur and the soft earth beneath her paws. It was refreshing, but it was not a reprieve from the dilemma that pressed on her.

Nathaniel had given her a choice. “If you choose to walk away, I promise I will leave you alone forever.”

It was the last thing he’d said to her before they left the cave.

“After you went to so much trouble to claim me? Why?”