Chapter Twelve: Blood & Lust, or Just Bloodlust?

            "Midnight, rise and shine!" Winter's sarcastic voice floated through the door. Midnight groaned, shouting, "Shut up and go away, you annoying werewolf!" Winter opened the door, shut it behind her, and sat on the bed.

            "What's the matter, Dara? You look so pale." Winter's silver-white hair brushed over Midnight's face, tickling her nose.

            "Cut it out, or I'll cut it off. I'm just… hungry." The other ghoul stared at her.

            "When was the last time you went hunting?"

            "Yesterday.

            "Yesterday?" Winter echoed. "But you shouldn't be this hungry and weak if you fed yesterday."

            "I didn't take enough. Daimon came, drained me, almost killed me. Kai came to help, and I almost killed him. Replenished him, true, but by then I was so tired and weak. I went to find one of the assassins, killed him, released a boy from his mind grip. Used his blood, didn't take enough."

            "You're an idiot! You went after-"

            "Wolf, shut up. I was weak from Daimon, nothing else. Is Kai up yet?" She nodded. "Could you send him in?"

            "Before I do, I wanna say something."

            "Say away, girlfriend."

            "You are aware that Kai is human, right?"

            "Yeah, so?

            "Midnight, he's mortal, and you've already exchanged blood. You can't make him your life mate, because when he dies of old age, you'll die of sorrow! Gods below, Dara! As if you didn't know that?"

            "If he agrees to be my life mate, then I can convert him."

            "Don't tell me you're seriously thinking of converting him!"

            "Why not?"

            "Girl, he's mortal! I love Kai. We all do. But you can't be serious! Midnight, you're less than a millennia old! You can't possibly be considering claiming him!"

            "Winter, what would you do? If you were absolutely sure he was the one, would you let him slip through your fingers simply because he was mortal? Be honest."

            "Midnight, a vampire's life is hard. You can't force Kai to accept that. It's different, being a werewolf. I mean, you're only a ghoul for five days. Think about this, now. You are the most level-headed girl I know. I know you can't be serious!"

            "Wolf, listen! You saw what happened to Daimon. When Marina, his soul mate, became a vampire, everything was great!"

            "Yeah, and then she was killed, and Daimon went nuts! If you convert Kai, he'll live with that danger the rest of his immortal life. Is that what you want for him?" Midnight didn't answer. "Is it?"

            "No. No, I don't want him to have to go through that. But… Winter, I nearly killed him! Every moment he lives, he's in danger. Separating us wouldn't change that, and you know it. I can't not consider it." Winter sighed heavily, nodded.

            "Okay. I see your point. How many times have you exchanged blood?"

            "Once."

            "Three more times, and he's vampire. You won't be able to change him back again."

            "I know."

            "Hey. Hey, girl." Winter put an arm around her shoulder. "I know this is hard for you. Talk to Kai, see what he says. Okay?" She nodded. "I'll send him in." The older girl stood and walked out. Midnight dropped her face into her hands, so consumed with her thoughts that she didn't hear Kai knocking.

            "Dara? What is it?" Kai looked on her, a picture of utter dejection. She lifted her head, fastened her eyes on him. The next thing she did startled him greatly. She started to cry.

            "Midnight? Tell me, please. Why are you crying?"

            "I can't keep doing this."

            "What?"

            "Being in love with you. It puts you in danger." Kai sat next to her on her bed, noting how pale and tired she looked.

            "We'll get through that. We'll put a stop to Daimon." Midnight shook her head slowly.

            "You don't… understand. You shouldn't have to live like that, in constant danger."

            "Well, there's gotta be something I can do."

            "No. The only way to keep you safe is to make you a vampire, and no way am I gonna even try that!"

            "Why? I'm willing to do it if it means we stay together." Midnight looked up into his eyes, deeper than ocean. He meant what he said. He would give up his humanity for her. For her.

            "Are… are you sure?"

            "What have I got to lose?"

            "Well, nothing, but it can hurt. I don't think-" she stopped talking when he kissed her. He held her slender, elfin face in his hands, tender, gentle. His tongue traced over her lips until they parted, allowing him entrance to her mouth. She tasted like honey, cinnamon, a vortex of sweetness. He pulled away, gasping for breath.

            "I'm willing if you are. What do I do?"

            "Nothing yet, except tilt your head to one side." Kai arched an eyebrow. "Trust me." Midnight's gaze roamed over his beautiful, peaceful face, then looked closely at his throat. No bruises from their previous exchange, no mark.

            She flicked her tongue over his pulse once, then sank her teeth deep into his throat, letting the rich human blood, laced with adrenaline, flow into her. Kai's mind was whirling, trying to escape the spinning wheel of pleasure ripping through him. How could she cause such sweetness? He felt, distantly, her hands caress his bare chest, and come to rest over his heart. The sound of it thundered in Midnight's ears. Always, Kai lost himself in the ecstasy of Midnight's deadly kiss, sundered from reality, thrown recklessly into heaven.

            Sweeping her tongue over the wound, Midnight pulled back from him, looking into his eyes as he beheld her, her fangs pressing into her lower lip, her eyes mere slits of black in gold, a normal look for one who has fed well. Making a deep cut on her throat, she let Kai make the decision, let him come to her for her blood. His mouth on her skin was torture, made her want to scream so loudly the windows shattered. His hands clamped down around her shoulders, holding her still. A thin trail of red spilled from the corner of his mouth. He bit deeper, moaned while he pulled her lifeblood into his mouth. She was all richness and sweet edge, her essence, her life being given for him, so they could be together.

He sensed when to release her, and closed the wound before falling back onto the bed, gasping. Midnight laid herself down next to him, looked up when he rose up to a sitting position. Kai turned to her slowly.

"I hear your heart, beating slowly. I see your eyes, so much clearer, blue and violet like twilight. I want… I…."

"Kai, kiss me again. Please?" His mouth fastened onto hers. His tongue thrust into her mouth, hard and aggressive. He could taste his blood in her mouth, taste her. He wanted her so badly… so much. Midnight's arms wrapped around his neck, and she smiled.

"We… we shouldn't go too fast. You'll need time to adjust." She murmured against his throat. He grinned at her.

"I'm adjusted." His body brushed against hers suggestively. "Very adjusted." Just then, both of them heard the sounds of the others waking up from the compulsion sleep. Kai looked at her wistfully. "We could…"

"Uh-uh. Not until you're full fledged. And Kai? Ni lani nu, Kaiaden."

"What does that mean?"

"I love you."

"Then… ni lani nu, Dara."