“Uh-huh.” He nodded mechanically. “I wasn’t lying.”
Pearl cocked her head the other way, lowering it even more, and stared at my fangs until Ezra knocked her head out of his way with his forehead. Distractedly, she rubbed her head where he had bumped her, murmuring, “They’re kind of…” Her voice trailed off as she cocked her head the other way.
“Cute,” Ezra rumbled. “They’re pretty damn cute. They fit her.”
Pearl said, “Yes. That’s it.”
Jack nodded in agreement. “They’re tiny. Like her.”
They stared.
I closed my mouth, pursing my lips.
They scowled.
Ezra let go of one of my wrists — totally stunning me — and pinched my chin with two fingers and pushed it down, making me open my mouth again, and before my shock wore off, he grabbed my wrist again.
They stopped scowling, staring in fascination.
My sigh was heavy. Of course, they would act this way first. Who wouldn’t? “Guys, the suspense is killing me. Shot or injection is all I want to know.”
Jack ignored me, asking, “Do you drink like a full-blooded Vampire?”
I nodded. “Once a day.”
“Who do you drink off of since no-one can know?” Pearl asked. “Or do you use your powers to make them forget?” Illegally was left unsaid, but I heard it anyway.
“I only ever drank off Dominic, and he loved it, so I didn’t need to use my powers like that,” I informed them honestly.
“He knew?” Jack asked, sounding mystified.
“Of course he knew,” Ezra rumbled. “He was her mate. She would have bit him twice for their mate mark.” He paused. “Right?”
Another nod as I waited for their answer.
Pearl’s eyebrows came together even though she still stared at my fangs like the other two. “He was a Shifter. Shifters get naked a lot. How did no one see the Vamp mark?”
My lips twitched.
Ezra chuckled, vibrating on top of me. “She put it somewhere hidden.”
Pearl and Jack blinked, and then nodded studiously.
“What do you drink if…” Ezra’s nose crinkled. “Sweetheart, not bagged. That’s revolting.”
I shrugged the best I could under him. “How else am I supposed to drink without doing anything illegal? Since me being alive is illegal enough?”
His straight nose still scrunched, he ordered brusquely, “You’re not drinking that shit again. You’ll be stronger if you drink from the source, without all the processes they put the blood through. You’ll drink from me in the future.” I quit breathing under him, and his head jerked toward Pearl. “Or Pearl, if she lets you. I think Jack’s a little fang-frightened. Plus, he tastes like crap.”
Pearl nodded. “I don’t mind. Especially if it’ll make her even stronger than she is now.”
Jack muttered, “Well, hell. I’m not real big on the fangs, and have never let a Vamp drink off me before, but Pearl said it wasn’t bad. I’ll donate every third day.”
Frozen, I was sure my face was turning a horrible shade, as I hadn’t taken a breath yet.
They smirked, gazes still on my pearly fangs.
Ezra murmured, “Breathe. You should have known we weren’t going to kill you over some archaic law.”
Shaking his head, Jack muttered, “You know us better than that.”
Pearl clucked her tongue. “She was even going to shoot us to get away. Bad form, Lily. We would never kill you, so wake the hell up. We’re in this together. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”
I sucked in a huge breath, and started weeping. They were serious. Their heartbeats were normal and I smelled no deception. They loved me that damn much.
Ezra muttered, “Shit. I didn’t expect that.” He sounded rattled.
“Of course you didn’t. You’re a guy. Quit restraining her and hug her,” Pearl ordered.
“Do something!” Jack’s eyes were enormous. “She looks so pitiful.”
I didn’t even care that they were staring down at me as I sobbed. I was just so frigging happy I couldn’t control myself. As soon as Ezra let go of my wrists, I wrapped my arms around Jack and Pearl, pulling them down onto Ezra and me, where he had followed directions and enfolded me in his arms. I sputtered against their faces, “You guys are so great. I couldn’t ask for better friends. Ever.”
Jack groaned, patting the top of my head.
Ezra grunted.
Pearl hushed me gently.
Once my sobs quieted, Ezra and Jack made a few manly rumbles and pulled away while Pearl helped me sit up, then she stood as I rested against the men leaning on my headboard, and we watched her pace my room as she pointed to Jack, asking, “Got a few more minutes to talk this through?”
Jack nodded instantly. “Nikki’s eating right now.” He glanced to me. “Oblivious. She’ll stay that way.”
Thank you, I mouthed, and kissed his cheek, earning an eye roll from him.
“Okay.” She started ticking away on her fingers. “First, drinking.” She stopped pacing, asking, “Are you thirsty now?”