Free Winter's Touch (Immortal Touch Series) by Allie Gail

the sudden concern for my well-being? Not long ago you found it entertaining to torture me.”
    “Don’t be dramatic. Nobody’s torturing you.” He continued to watch her with an intense gaze that made her nervous. “I asked Lainie to bring you a tray. Do you think you could eat something?”
    “I think so.” She took another sip of juice. “Can I ask you something and get a straight answer?”
    “All right.”
    “What are you planning to do with me?” She braced herself, not really wanting to hear whatever response he might give her. It was unlikely to be the one she wanted.
    He didn’t answer right away. She was beginning to think he intended to resume his torment of her, when he finally spoke. “I plan on keeping you here with me, Eva. As long as I have you, it won’t be necessary to kill.”
    “But why was it necessary in the first place? You didn’t kill me.”
    “We’ll discuss that some other time.”
    “How often do you plan on...doing this?”
    “It’s required only about once a month. Though I did consume less than usual, so perhaps I’ll need you again a bit sooner. We’ll see.”
    “That’s all?”
    “That’s all.”
    “Why me?”
    “What?”
    “You came all the way to Nebraska specifically for me. You could have brought anyone here. So why me?”
    “That is also something we’ll discuss at another time.”
    Lainie appeared at that moment, cheerfully carrying a bed tray which she set before Eva. “Here we are, my bonnie lass! I told ye it wasn’t as bad as all that, didn’t I then? Old Lainie wouldn’t lie to ye.” She turned her attention to Julian. “She looks well and good. That’s a promising sign, isn’t it?”
    “Mm. Thank you, Lainie. Would you mind leaving us alone now, please?”
    “O’ course.” The woman patted Eva’s hand. “Do ye need anythin’ else, child?”
    “No, thank you.” She couldn’t help but wonder how Lainie could behave as if everything was perfectly normal. As if this sort of thing happened every day.
    Once they were alone, Julian settled himself on the edge of the bed once again. And then he did the strangest thing. He picked up her knife and fork and began to cut her steak into pieces. She watched his odd behavior, transfixed.
    He lifted the fork to her lips. “I want you to finish all your meat. It will help build up your blood.”
    She compliantly allowed him to feed her as if she were an invalid, or an ailing child. At this point, she supposed nothing should seem bizarre to her. In a matter of hours his disposition had transformed completely. He’d gone from taunting her to treating her with tender reverence. It was enough to make her consider the evil twin paradox.
    “Tell me,” he suddenly said. “Wh y were you walking home in the rain?”
    She swallowed. “ You mean when you picked me up?”
    “Yes.”
    “My car was being repaired. And it wasn’t raining when I left work.” She accepted the bite of sweet potato that was offered her. “How did you know where to find me?”
    “I was actually on my way to your house when I happened upon you, out for a stroll in the middle of a storm. You certainly have a knack for being in the wrong place at the right time.”
    “But you recognized me, and you haven’t seen me since I was a little girl.”
    “I knew straightaway it was you.” He searched her eyes. “Are you still feeling well?”
    “I feel fine. Why do you keep asking me that?”
    “I wish I had a pint of AB-negative for every time you asked why .”
    “How’d you know that was my blood type?” She was impressed, in spite of herself.
    “I can smell it.”
    “You can tell a person’s blood type by the smell? ”
    “Yes. I can also tell whether or not it’s diseased.”
    “ That must come in handy.”
    “Are you being sarcastic?” He smiled and held the fork to her lips again.
    “Maybe just a little.” She chewed the piece of steak and studied his face. His eyes were more engaging now, less cruel and