Chapter 55

Nick was in my kitchenette, pouring two glasses with a healthy amount of blood. We had ridden in silence back to the hotel, and he hadn't let me simply say good day at the door. He had barged right in behind me and gone into the kitchen.

I sat at the bar, dividing the kitchenette from the large living space watching him. He was calm, not an inkling of anything that had happened in the last hour showing. It was as if I was his guest enjoying a glass of wine with him.

He sets the glass in front of me, sliding it a few inches towards me as incentive and giving me a look. I take up the glass and look down at the dark red liquid. My stomach twisted as he asks, 'What did you hear?'

I look up at him in surprise, putting my glass down, and ask, 'What do you mean?'

'In the tunnel, what did you hear?'

Lacing my hands around the bottom of the glass, I murmur, 'Its hard to explain.'

'Try me.'

Slowly I lift my eyes to his. His were determined, but not angry. I nod and say, looking down at the liquid in the glass, 'It was like a humming noise.'

'Someone humming?'

'No, more like... a hive of bees?'

Nick frowns, leaning against the countertop, staring at my glass. There was silence until he asks, 'We should have known from the god awful smell there were ghouled down there.'

I nodded, no point in disagreeing. It was obvious, ghoul always had a distinct smell. We hadn't smelled them in the mansion because of the fire and bombs acrid scent. I tip the glass back and forth before saying, 'Do you think what I heard was them?'

'Unlikely.'

'But once the sound stopped, they attacked.'

Now Nick's eyes were sharper, staring at me. He asks, after taking a sip of blood, 'They attacked after the sound stopped.'

I nod and Nick sighs saying, 'Maybe you're right.'

'About?'

Slowly his eyes lift from where they had been staring at my arm, 'The ghoul are being controlled.'

It was now likely, but a question floated to the surface of my mind and spills from my lips, 'How could I hear that noise?'

My eyes lift to Nick's shattered blues and his eyes were one mine. It wasn't a question either of us could answer. Silence stretched as we stare at each other until Nick says softly, 'Drink your blood.'

Slowly my eyes move away from his to the liquid. Just as before the smell left my stomach roiling both in hunger and disgust. I gulp down the sensation and look up at Nick again.

'Drink it, you need to recover your strength.'

Slowly I bring the glass to my lips, my hands shaking, sweat starting to pop out on my skin. Steeling myself, I take a big gulp. It burned down my throat and my stomach flips.

My eyes pop open and the next thing I knew I was flying towards the bathroom, bile already rolling up my esophagus. I could hear my glass of blood shattering as I open the door to the bathroom. I slide to a stop on my knees in front of the toilet and the contents of my stomach comes up.

Nick had called my name in surprise but I hadn't had time to response. It took a few heaves before my stomach stopped flipping. Slowly I lift my hand, which felt like lead, and flush the toilet. Resting my head on the porcelain thrones rim I hear Nick from beside me, feeling his hand on my back, 'What happened?'

My breathing came in short pants, my stomach still clenching as I just shake my head slightly. I could smell his pheremones and suddenly the gong of his heartbeat made me stiffen. I whimper pitifully, 'Not now.'

'Nina!'

Slowly I lift my head, heavy from having to exert so much force after such a heroing event and look up at him. Tears were rolling down my face, as I look at him. His face was sharp, eyes searching my face as he asks, power surging, 'What happened?'

'I can't,' I groan, feeling as if I'm about to vomit again , but finally get out, 'I can't drink blood anymore.'

My eyes where on his as they slowly widen and he asks quickly, 'Since when?!'

'Since your fight with Igor.'

'Have you tried...' but I cut him off in desperation and anger, 'Of course I have! I'm not a fool!'

We sat there staring at each other, me panting, my stomach starting to settle once again. His eyes were cold and calculating as he stares down at me. I wondered if I had just signed my death warrant.

Without a word, he stands, and leaves the bathroom. I call his name, but he doesn't respond. Oh to all that is great, was I about to be killed?

I remained there on the floor, looking down at my arm wrapped in gause. After a minute, Nick returns with a piece of glass in his hand. Fear tore at me, my body stiffening, but he says, 'I think I know how to fix this.'

That's when I notice his sleeve rolled up and suddenly he slashes the glass across his wrist, blood splattering his face at the violence he had done to himself. But the smell filled the small room - rich and lush - my pupils turn to slits as I whisper, hoarse with hunger, 'No...'

--D--

Nick stood by the window, sipping his blood once again and I sat shell shocked on the couch. Too much was hitting me all at once. I may look composed as I sat there, but my mind was reeling.

Before I had had time to protest him doing that to himself, he had rushed me. His wrist pressed to my lips. It was as if he knew I would have refused him and he hadn't allowed it. My lips still felt bruised from the impact and his hand wrapped securely around my head so I couldn't pull away. No choice at all.

I had finally surrendered and bitten down. The blood was intoxicating as Nick growled, wincing at how hard I had bitten down. The blood had been heaven to my body, the burning sensation washing away, as the heat of it overtook every fiber of my being. I remember tears, of joy, of relief, I don't know but Nick had put his forehead against mine once I had had my fill and said, 'Good girl.'

My eyes had been closed and with that proximity I thought he was going to kiss me again. However he had let go of my head, and pulled away. When I had opened my eyes, he was gone. The only thing that had said he had been there was the piece of glass, and his bloodsong singing through my veins.

I brush my lips softly before asking, 'Did I take too much?'

My body seemed to be pulsing with life and power now as I look over at him. The awkward silence lingered before he finally says, gulping the last of his blood, 'No, in fact you took very little.'

He looks over at me and the blood splatter on his cheek was a startling reminder of what he had done. Blinking, I ask, 'Why?'

'Why what?'

'Why did you do it?'

It left me so suprised. Had he been worried about me? How highly irregular for a vampire to care for another. He shrugs and says, 'You are an asset and so far have become to golden goose for this investigation.'

I just blink in surprise. His eyes were cold as usual, unblinking; but then it clicked and made sense, no point in worrying for me. He needed and wanted answers to what was happening and so far I seemed to be leading them in the right direction. I nod and say, 'Don't worry, it won't happen again.'

Now he does frown, putting the glass on a side table asking, 'What do you mean?'

'You don't have to give me your blood again,' I reply, lacing my hands in my lap, trying to be as regal and calm as possible.

Now he looked irritated as he asks, 'And how do you plan on doing that when it seems you can only drink my blood and not human blood.'

He had a point, but then a amall smile comes to my face as I say, 'If you remember, I can go months without needing blood.'

Now his face does dark, his pheremones getting stronger, as he steps towards me saying, 'Nina, you idiotic bitten...'

But before he can say more a knock sounds from the door, startling us once again.