“I was born in 1925,” John began.
“1925! I think my grandma was born that year.” Oh geez, that sounded bad. “I didn’t mean to imply…” Crap. Sarah pounded her forehead. Could she be any ruder?
He laughed. “That’s okay. It’s old. I know.”
“You don’t look old, though.”
“And I never will. In 1957, at the age of thirty-two, I was cursed. Frozen in time.”
“You didn’t want to be a vampire?”
“No, but Danielle didn’t care. The crazy vampire thought she was in love and without me even knowing they existed, took it upon herself to turn me. When she explained what she had done, I was confused, just like you are. I didn’t believe in vampires, who would? She wasn’t prepared for my questions. She wasn’t prepared for my hunger. That’s when she realized she needed help and contacted the Committee.”
“What is that?”
“Our form of government. They monitor all vampires and enforce the rules.”
“But wouldn’t you have broken a rule when you told me?”
“While the Committee prefers to be informed before I reveal myself, legally, I’m allowed to tell a prospective…well, mate, but I don’t like that term. Sounds animalistic. How about love interest?”
“Oh.” She swallowed. He thought of her as his mate? Why did that sound sexy and why did she like it so much? She pulled the blanket closer. “So what happened with this committee?”
“Danielle definitely wasn’t thinking straight, because she pretty much confessed to breaking their newest rule: no turning a mortal without getting permission. Then again, she thought she’d gotten it from me except I was under her control, so it didn’t count. She’d completely forgotten about getting the Committee’s permission.
“After they arrived and cared for me, she thought everything would be okay after that. She didn’t count on the Committee making her an example and she was sentenced to death.”
“Death? Is that how they enforce all their rules?” God, she didn’t want him to die. She’d rather go back and discuss being his mate.
“No. Telling a mortal about vampires is not punishable by death. Mainly because the mortal’s memory can be erased. Problem is, I can’t erase your memory, and I’m pretty sure no other vampire can, either.”
“You tried to erase my memory?” What else had he attempted? While she was relieved he wouldn’t be sentenced to death, what gave him the right to go digging into her mind?
“God, no! I only tried to get into your head. Remember that movie fiasco? You scared the crap out of me.”
“Why did you even try? Did you want to control me?”
“No. Never. You frowned at everything I did, I just wanted to know what I did wrong.”
“I was trying to be assertive and you kept taking charge.”
“Yeah, I got that. Later. But at the time I was doing what my mother always taught me: to be a gentleman.”
And he was, too. More than Steven ever could be. What did it say when a so-called monster was a better person? “You never manipulated my thoughts? What I feel is real?”
“I don’t know what you feel, but I swear, I’ve never controlled you and I never wanted to. I was only curious. You’ve gotta believe that. But do you understand our predicament? If you start spreading the word that vampires exist, I’m pretty sure it won’t be good for either of us.”
“Yeah, I understand.” She could never tell anyone. She wasn’t sure she wanted to. It wasn’t like anyone would believe her. “How did they kill Danielle? After seeing you survive a stabbing and a fall, I assume it can’t be an easy task.”
“We are a hardy bunch, that’s for sure, but not indestructible. The only way a vampire truly dies is from burning, whether from fire or sunlight.”
“No staking, huh?”
“No. A stake to the heart will only immobilize a vampire.”
Wow. No pile of dust? No messy goo? Not that burning wouldn’t leave a mess. “So how was Danielle burned? Did they put her out into the sun?”
“I was told they set her on fire.”
“You didn’t witness it?”
“No. Too busy learning about my new life. I didn’t find out until months later. But when I was told, I was…glad.” His voice broke at the end.
“John, there’s nothing wrong with wanting justice.”
“I know, but still…to take another life. It’s hard for me. I never believed in the death penalty, still don’t, but what she did was unforgiveable.”
As she’d always thought, he was a good man. It wasn’t an act. If she was sitting beside him, she’d probably give him a comforting hug. And then jump his bones. Another reason they were talking via the phone. “What characteristics do vampires have that I might have heard in the myth?”
“There are many different myths, but I am strong and my hearing and eyesight are superior. I feed from humans, but I don’t kill them. Thank God I don’t need much.”
“You sound like you don’t like…feeding.”
He chuffed. “It’s not my favorite activity.”
“Have you ever tried blood banks or animals?”
“Animal blood doesn’t work. Basically, I’d starve. And bagged blood loses something when it gets old. I don’t get the energy like I do from a live donor and then I require more of it. Besides, I’d rather not take blood that is allocated for humans.”
“But how can you…feed and not leave evidence behind? I would think you would leave bite marks and be discovered.”
“We have the ability to hide our presence. Our saliva can heal small wounds, so basically we leave no sign behind, no bite marks. Being able to control minds, we make sure the donor feels no pain. And of course we erase their memory. Feeding only takes a minute or so and we are discreet. If we weren’t, you’re right, we’d have been discovered by now.”
The things he could do boggled her mind. “What about some other vampire myths? Do you sleep in coffins, turn into bats, only enter houses that you’ve been previously invited into?”
John chuckled and she could hear relief behind it. “Do you think I would have fallen if I could turn into a bat?”
He had a point.
“But yeah, those are myths,” he said. “We use them to our advantage. We don’t sleep in coffins because we don’t sleep. So if I don’t have a coffin, I’m not a vampire, right? If you can see me in the mirror or take my picture, I’m not a vampire. If you see me awake during the day, I’m not a vampire. If I can enter your home without an invite, I’m not a vampire. And if I can’t turn into a bat, then I’m not a vampire.”
It made sense, except the sleep part. “You don’t sleep? At all?”
“Nope.”
“I don’t know whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing.”
“It was a little strange at first. Like living one long day that never ends. But I eventually got used to it. So, have I answered your questions? Do you understand why I did what I did? And can you forgive me? Or am I expecting too much right now?”
He needed reassurance, but how much could she give him? As badly as she wanted to be with him, could she be with someone who never aged? Someone who could hurt her with little effort? Sure, he had never lifted a finger against her, but there was always a first time, wasn’t there? Steven hadn’t hurt her until after the wedding.
“I wish you could have been truthful from the beginning, but I understand why you weren’t. We all keep secrets, don’t we? It’s part of what we are. Granted, your secrets were doozies, but I don’t hold that against you.”
“Thank you. I know it’s probably too soon, but where do we stand?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“The last thing I want to do is rush you. I love you and I’ll wait for however long it takes. If you decide it’s over, and that you never want to see me again, I’ll abide by your wishes.”
“I’ll call you soon. I promise I won’t make you wait too long.” The thought of never seeing him again hurt too much—she wanted to see him right then and there—but could she trust herself? He said he wasn’t manipulating her mind, but what if he was sending out vampire vibes he couldn’t control? If that was the case, then wouldn’t separation cause it to fade? Nothing had faded so far. If anything, she wanted him more. So what did that mean?
Was she really considering dating a vampire?