Page 32 of A Trial By Blood

“It’s in a thermos. Just use the cup on top.” She took a step back. “I’ll head downstairs and chat with Else. Come down when you’re ready.” Then she walked away.

I shut the door and walked to my bed, sitting on the edge. My hands trembled as I opened the bag and pulled out the thermos. The thermos with Ronan’s blood was inside.

Ronan’s blood was inside.

This was so bizarre. I took off the cup and unscrewed the lid, and the rich, spicy scent hit an all-new level. My mouth watered as it filled my senses. I wanted it, badly.

This was my life now. I was a witch who drank blood. This was insane. Like full-on bonkers. How was this my life now? But it was, and right then, my stomach twisted with hunger as the scent of Ronan’s blood called to me.

Carefully, I filled the small plastic cup and placed the thermos on my bedside table. I looked down at it. It was deep red, and yeah, to me, it looked…goddess, freaking delicious. I lifted it to my nose and sniffed again, and moaned, that’s how good it smelled.

Pressing the cup to my lips, I finally took a tentative sip. The taste, Ronan’s taste, exploded in my mouth, igniting my taste buds. I downed the cup and refilled it, a kind of frenzy taking over me. Then I downed that too. My body was warm, and my limbs were deliciously languid. But my mind, my mind, was crystal clear, and Ronan filled it. I felt him, it was like he was there with me, and I wondered if he somehow felt me as well. If his blood connected us in some way. I had no way of knowing. No one to ask.

I tried to drink the next cup slower, but it was hard, and when I took another sip, my nipples tightened, and a deep pulse started between my thighs. Arousal. That was what I was feeling. I’d never felt it in my life, not like this.

This…this was something else. And my magic, it grew, strengthening inside. I finished the thermos, and my face was hot, my belly full, and my skin was all tingly. I walked to the bathroom and took in my reflection. My cheeks were pink, and my lips were a deep crimson. And my eyes were…they were black. Mags had warned me, but it was still a shock to see myself this way.

Ronan might not be here, but he’d given me this. This gift. He was going through something, and still, he was taking care of me.

Goddess, I missed him. I wanted to see him. I wanted to know if he was okay.

I quickly showered and changed, then grabbed the empty thermos and headed downstairs to talk with Luna. She was at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and talking to Else and Mom when I walked in.

“Morning, sweetheart,” Mom said and held her hand out for the thermos. “Better?”

I glanced at Luna. “Yeah.”

“You look healthier every time you feed.” Mom cupped my cheek. “I still can’t believe it’s true. If Ronan hadn’t…” Her lips trembled. “If he hadn’t—”

“But he did, Mom. And I’m going to be just fine. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

She smiled softly. “A mother never stops worrying, sweet girl.” Then she carried the thermos to the sink to clean it for Luna.

Else stood, came around the table, took my hands, and kissed them. “I need to get to work.” Then she limped off.

Mom put the clean and dry thermos in front of Luna. “I’ll leave you two to talk. Thank you for doing this,” Mom said to Luna. “You’ll thank Ronan for me, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Luna said.

“How is he?” I asked as soon as Mom left.

Pain filled her eyes. “He’s going to be okay.”

Which meant he wasn’t okay now. “Can I see him?”

Luna looked unsure. “Look, Rose…”

“Please. I need to know he’s okay.”

Her gaze softened. “I know you’ve spent a lot of time with my brother, and I know that you care about him, a lot.” She glanced away. “You’ve definitely spent more time with him than I have.”

I frowned. How could that be?

“Has Ronan shared any of his past with you?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Whenever I’d ask him anything about himself, he’d clam up.”

“I’m sure you know at least some of my past?”