Free Lust by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page A

you
    know?”
    “I do. Drink this.” She handed
    me a clear glass filled with a
    strange blue liquid that gave off a
    mist of smoke.
    “What is it?” The blue color was
    one thing, but the smoke? Was it
    really safe to drink?
    “It’s strong. As I warned you, it
    will likely make you sick and you’ll
    feel tired.”
    “You probably should have
    waited until after I finished the
    drink to remind me of those side
    effects.”
    She shrugged. “You deserve to
    know what’s happening to you.”
    “I wish I did…”
    “Violet has a plan. I know you’re
    wary of her, and you have good
    reason, but I’d trust her.”
    “You think she’s trustworthy?”
    “Trustworthy enough, and she’s
    your only option. Besides, if the
    change truly happens she’s going to
    be the best one to help you.”
    I shivered. “I have to stop it in
    time.”
    “This should lengthen the
    window, but it won’t work miracles.
    You are still going to have to work
    fast.”
    “Is this going to knock me out?”
    I moved around the glass in my
    hand.
    “Quite possibly.”
    “If it does, will you have Owen
    come in?”
    She smiled. “Absolutely. We
    won’t let you out of our sight.”
    “Although I don’t know what
    worse could happen to me—well,
    besides Owen disappearing again.”
    “He’s not going anywhere. My
    guess is he’s pacing outside the
    door.”
    “All right. I might as well get
    this over with.” I closed my eyes
    and drank the pungent and sour
    tasting liquid. My stomach churned
    and I felt my gag reflex start, but I
    fought it down. It wouldn’t do me
    any good if I threw it up. I’d have to
    drink it again.
    I handed the empty glass to
    Mayanne and laid back against the
    pillow. “Ugh. I don’t remember the
    last one tasting quite so bad.”
    “I guess I didn’t warn you about
    the taste. That seemed minor
    compared to the other side effects.”
    My stomach churned. “It’s a one
    dose thing, right? I don’t have to
    take another?”
    “Only one. I’m afraid two would
    kill you… or at least the human part
    of you.”
    “Are Allures really immortal?” I
    opened my eyes.
    “From everything I’ve heard, but
    I’d ask Violet that question.”
    “I don’t want her to think that I
    was asking because I was ready to
    become one.” The room started
    spinning and my head pounded, so
    I closed my eyes again.
    “She knows you don’t want to,
    and if my feeling is right, she
    doesn’t want you to either. She
    cares about you in the only way an
    Allure can.”
    “You know a lot about Allures.
    More than anyone else I’ve met.”
    “I have a lot of free time. I’ve
    read a lot.” She patted my arm.
    “How are you feeling?”
    “Terrible. Beyond nauseous.”
    “It’s what I figured would
    happen.”
    “Will it get better?”
    “You’ll get used to it, and
    eventually the sensation will fade
    completely.”
    “What happens when it fades
    completely?”
    “It means you’re almost out of
    time,” her voice was nearly
    inaudible.
    “So I should embrace the
    terrible sensation?”
    “I do have one thing that might
    help. Of course it also might make
    it worse.”
    “What is it?” I asked nervously. I
    wasn’t sure I could handle another
    concoction.
    “I’ll be right back.”
    I opened my eyes. “You’re
    leaving?”
    “I’ll be less than a minute.”
    I waited anxiously, and finally
    she appeared holding something
    that appeared to be a sweatband.
    “What is that? If I didn’t know any
    better I’d think it was a motion
    sickness bracelet.”
    “It is a motion sickness
    bracelet.”
    “That’s your great idea?”
    “It could help with the nausea.”
    She put it around my wrist.
    “I really hope it works.”
    “You and me both.”
    “You worried I won’t be happy
    with your services?”
    “I want you to make it to
    wherever it is you need to go. I
    want you to stay human. Mate with
    Owen. Have the life you want.”
    “Are you sure you’ve learned
    everything from