Lost Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans #6.5) by Kym Grosso Read Free Book Online Page B

already happened. The transition…it didn’t go well. She’s not coping. She’s having problems feeding.”
    “When did this go down?” he asked.
    “About a month ago. You have to understand, she didn’t want me to tell anyone.” Although after last night’s spectacle, the entire community would be aware of his fiancée’s newfound state. “Well, more people probably know now but the point is that she wasn’t doing well. She can’t feed.”
    “Yeah, I just heard you say that, but what the hell is that supposed to mean? I don’t know much about vamps but if she’s still alive and obviously still tellin’ people what to do, then she must be…you know…uh, drinking blood,” Anthony choked out, shaking his head in disbelief.
    “Keep your voice down,” Kade instructed. He heard Sydney’s footsteps in the hallway above him. “The drinking isn’t the problem. She’s having trouble biting.”
    “Is there something wrong with her teeth? I mean her fangs? Jesus, I can’t even believe I just said that. How can she be a vampire? You should have found some other way to save her.”
    “Don’t you think I would have? There was no other way.” Kade slammed his fist down onto the granite.
    “I’m sorry, it’s just that Sydney…look, I know she loves you but it’s not like she’s exactly crazy about all this supernatural shit. She told me she didn’t want to be turned, you know? This may be TMI, but we talked about a lot of things. She told me about your arrangement…you bite her, she drinks your blood and stays human. She never wanted to be anything other than what she was.”
    “I know. Believe me, I’m so fucking sorry…you have no idea. And now she can’t bite. Technically, she can, but she can’t do it in a way that doesn’t hurt the donor.”
    “Donor? Don’t you mean human?”
    “Same difference to Sydney. Our bite, it gives pleasure for a reason. It’s an evolved survival strategy for our species.”
    “Nice,” Anthony replied sarcastically.
    “I won’t apologize for our way.”
    “I’m sorry, man. It’s just that this is all hard to take. I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”
    “Léopold thinks it’s some kind of block. She loved it when I used to do it to her so it doesn’t make sense.”
    “Exactly, Kade. She loves it when you do it, but not her. It’s what she wanted when she was human, and now? Now, she’s not, is she?”
    “Just so you know, I’ve never heard of this happening,” Kade continued. “Sure, some people are repulsed by blood at first, but once they feed, that moral concern disappears. Last night was the first time she fed successfully.”
    “I’m confused. I thought you just said…”
    “She used a siphon donor. The blood is removed manually…drained into a glass.”
    Anthony grimaced, unable to conceal his disgust.
    “It worked,” Kade told him. “But unless she can do it the old-fashioned way, she’ll be vulnerable, unable to feed herself should the need arise. Siphon donors aren’t always available. Besides, when it comes to donors, most want the full experience, if you know what I mean.”
    “If most people are actually asking to be bitten, it must feel pretty damn good,” he laughed.
    “Yeah, it doesn’t suck,” Kade joked. “Well, I guess it does but still, we make it as pleasant as possible.”
    “So, uh, what’s the plan?” Anthony took a sip of his lukewarm coffee.
    “I’ll be frank. Until yesterday, there was no plan. I don’t want to pressure you. What I’m about to propose…you asked how you can help.” Kade paused, seeking the words that eluded him.
    “Of course.”
    “It’s just that Luca and I think that maybe if she fed from someone she knows…”
    An amused smile crossed Anthony’s face as soon as Kade spoke, but he remained silent.
    “You’re close to Sydney. If I wasn’t totally secure in our relationship, I wouldn’t suggest this, but…”
    “You want me to let her bite me?”
    “Yes, I