“Are they all tranced?”
“Blimey, no. They’re aware of what keeps them and why. The runaways get homeschooled, a place to live, and an allowance they save for whenever they wish to strike out on their own. For their own safety, though, most of them don’t know where they’re located or the real names of who keeps them. When they leave, what they do know is wiped from their minds. It’s happened this way for millennia, Kitten. A form of feudalism, as I told you before.”
“Feudalism?” I stopped near one of the bedrooms with the heavy breathing. “Is that what you call it?”
“This”—Bones nodded at the doorway—“is consensual. While I can’t speak for all households, as a rule it’s considered very bad form to mesmerize one’s food into shagging. If you’re a guest and you do such a thing, it’s almost cause for death. Now, if the human fancies a tumble, then who’s to criticize? It’s their choice.”
Who’s to criticize? Me. Nice, Mencheres. Provide all-you-can-eat meals, in every possible way. Do be sure to feed regularly, Bones, there’s a good lad! Asshole.
“You know better, Kitten,” Bones said with all seriousness. “It will never happen.”
I believed him, even if irrationally I still felt threatened by the easy opportunities available. “Is that why you showed me this? So I wouldn’t worry you were trying to conceal something?”
“That’s one of several reasons, yes.” Bones started to smile. “The main one is behind you, ogling your arse and about to get beaten for it.”
“Amigo,” a voice said in a wheedling tone. “I haven’t seen it for days—”
My whirling to barrel into him cut off the rest of the sentence. Juan returned my hug, crooning in Spanish.
“Mi querida, your husband’s back, que bueno.”
“Yes, I’m glad he’s here as well,” I sniffed. “And that you are, too. How do you feel?”
Juan grinned. It was his usual lecherous grin that reminded me crossing over didn’t change the essence of the person.
“I feel wonderful, and you are even more beautiful with these new eyes of mine. Look at your skin.” He fingered my cheek. “Magnifico.”
“That’s all the pawing you’re allowed, mate.”
Bones gave him a light punch, knocking him back a pace. Juan didn’t quit grinning.
“I must thank you for many things, amigo, but this most of all. You have made women even more appealing to me, ah, the scent of them. Their heartbeats. And how they taste…” He closed his eyes. “Delicioso.”
I swung my gaze to Bones in disbelief. “You’ve turned him into even worse of a pig!”
Bones shrugged. “He’s just a bit overwhelmed with all the new senses. He’ll get used to them. Or get neutered if he forgets himself and even thinks of palming your arse, do you think I’m blind?” He slapped at the hand wandering with feigned innocence near my hip. “Control, amigo. Learn it.”
“Querida.” Juan kissed my cheek, this time with respect. “I’m not ruled by my hunger and I can once again fight. He’s given me power…and I won’t squander it.”
One of the girls who were watching TV came down the hall with a flirtatious giggle, eyeing the two men. Juan went on full alert, his nose crinkling and green lights appearing in his eyes.
“Speaking of not squandering it…” He gave me a last quick kiss and followed after her, grinning.
“La rubia, por favor…wait. I am thirsty, and very susceptible to flattery…you could talk me into anything…”
“So much for fighting the good fight,” I observed dryly. “He’ll have a harem within a week.”
Bones watched Juan disappear down the hall, nuzzling the blonde’s neck in a manner that didn’t speak only of hunger. “He’s a fine bloke. He’ll learn.”
“Learn what?” At least he can’t get or pass diseases anymore, I thought. That’s one advantage turning Juan into a vampire did for womankind.
Bones put an arm around me as we headed toward the exit of this flesh feast. “He’ll learn that many women can satisfy for a short period of time, but when he falls in love, only one will sustain him forever.”
I cast him a sideways glance “Are you trying to seduce me?”
His lips curled with promise. “Absolutely.”
My fingers laced in his. Yes, there was so much wrong with our situation. Someone we trusted wanted him dead, and that was just the start of our problems. Still, life was wasted on those who didn’t live in the time they had, be they human, vampire, or ghoul. Or a freaky mixture of the two, like me.
“Good.”
TWENTY-EIGHT