Chapter 27 #3
“How long has Beckett been infected?”
“You’ve asked two questions now. But I will answer and demand two truths of my own. I believe for at least a week, perhaps two.” He eyed me over his mug. “Are you craving blood?”
I froze. “Why do you ask?”
One of his eyebrows rose. “You’ve used your turn for questions. Now you must answer mine.”
“What’s your second question?” I needed to know so I could use my pass to the best of my ability.
He smiled, exposing far too many teeth. “That depends on your answer to this one.”
“Not today,” I said honestly. “Not for a while.”
Alric’s brow furrowed. “When?”
I chuckled at the look on his face when he realized he’d used his second question. “Once. When I was at work.”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Odd. You haven’t lost control?”
I shook my head. That day at work was a close call, but I hadn’t had any major incidents since then. I realized things could change if that pendant wasn’t suppressing all my cravings, though.
“Do you mind if I touch you for a moment?”
My eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Because I am your maker.” He frowned. “Of a sort. You were not made in the traditional way, and I did not expect for you to develop any sort of ability. My claws sliced you, not my teeth.”
For a moment, my eyes flicked to his mouth, and I wondered what it might be like to have him bite me with intention.
A slow smile slid over his lips. “I’d be happy to show you,” he said quietly. “Different vampires have different abilities. I’d love for you to experience mine.”
I blinked and glared at him. “No, thank you. You can touch me, but keep it brief, please.”
The glitter in his eyes told me he had no intention of doing as I asked. He reached for me and gently took my chin in his hands, his thumb resting on the edge of my jawline. He stroked my skin and leaned close, peering into my eyes.
“Close your eyes.” His breath fanned my cheek.
“As long as you promise not to do anything weird.” My heartbeat kicked into a gallop.
“Weird is subjective,” he said, which didn’t give me any comfort at all.
I glared at him, but Alric’s lips twitched. With a huff of annoyance, I closed my eyes.
His fingers slid over my face and settled at my temples, feeling magic, cool, and ancient against my skin.
Images flickered through my mind; images of the Prime in his youth, young and handsome, dressed in old-fashioned clothing, something that might have been a toga, smiling and carefree.
The years passed by, the images grew dark and then darker, bloodier, and more violent.
My breath came out in a wheeze. I put my hand over his, tears streaming from my eyes. “Alric,” I breathed. A woman, dark-haired and stunning, swam in my vision, smiling at him. They walked hand in hand. More years went by, and she disappeared. Grief, raw and never-ending, filled me.
Alric sucked in a shocked gasp and let go. He stumbled back from his chair and stared at me. “Wha—what was that?”
I dashed the tears away. “I have no idea! Did you do something to me?”
His eyes were wide with horror. “Alex.” His voice sounded guttural. “That’s—no.” He shook his head. “That wasn’t me.”
“Well, it sure as shit wasn’t me!”
But he stared at me like he’d seen a ghost. “What did you see?” I asked.
He tore his gaze away and sank back into his seat. “Images. Of you. When you were young, through the years.” He exhaled and picked his mug back up. “That should not be possible.” Our eyes met once more. “You saw things too.”
I nodded.
Alric’s eyes closed for a brief moment. “Did you see her?”
“Who was she?”
Alric didn’t answer for a while. He picked up a napkin and wove it between his fingers. “My wife.”
A gasp escaped me. “Alric.” I reached over and took his hand. His fingers were cool and roughened with use. Whatever and whoever he was, Alric hadn’t always been someone who let others do his work for him. “I’m so sorry.”
He pulled his hand away and tucked it onto his lap. “It was a long time ago.”
His rejection stung. I swallowed and looked down at the coffee in my mug. “She was very beautiful.”
“Yes,” he said hoarsely. “She was many things. Beautiful. Kind.” A harsh laugh escaped him. “And far too good for the likes of me.”
I glanced up. His face looked tortured. “No,” I said softly. “She loved you. She chose you, Alric. It doesn’t matter what you think about yourself. She thought you were good enough, and she married you.”
Humans, witches, and shifters were multifaceted. Why couldn’t vampires be the same? After all, they’d once been human too. Seeing Alric in that light made me realize he was capable of profound, unselfish emotion. I wasn’t sure what to think about the discovery.
He inhaled and nodded once. “There is something I need to show you.” Alric gathered up the scattered breakfast, carefully tucking everything away. “Do you have time to come to the Hive?”
I drained the rest of my coffee. “For a little while. Can Leo bring me back home?”
“Of course.”
I helped him clean everything up. When we were finished, I grabbed my purse. “Ready when you are.”