Free Vampire Affliction by Eva Pohler

Vladimir?
    “I’ve got to warn the others,” Hector said.
    “How?”
    He grabbed his cell phone from his desk. “I’ll text every demigod I know. We can meet tomorrow at our council hall to discuss what to do.”
    Gertie hoped she’d done the right thing. The vampires wouldn’t stand a chance if the demigods and gods united forces.
    Of course she’d done the right thing. How could she question it? The vampires planned to destroy human lives. She just felt so sorry for Jeno and for all he had lost. And she really did understand why the vampires wanted change.
    When he finished his text, Hector’s phone rang. It was his mother. Gertie could hear through the phone. His mother said she was at the hospital and couldn’t talk but she would be at the meeting. She also wanted to know if he’d seen Gertie.
    “She’s with me now.”
    “Don’t let her leave. The tramps will want to destroy her once they learn what she’s done.”
    “Got it.”
    Gertie was overcome with fear. She hadn’t given any thought about what would happen to her by coming here; she’d known only that she had to come.
    Hector returned the phone to his desk and took Gertie in his arms. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you with my life.”
    “That’s what worries me. I came to warn you, but I’ve just put you in even greater danger, if what your mother says is true.”
    “She’s only speculating.”
    “I should go.”
    “That’s crazy. I don’t want you to ever leave my side again.”
    “I know you want to protect me, but…”
    “This is about more than that. You know how I feel. Please don’t leave and break my heart again.”
    “I promise to come back,” Gertie said. “I’ll be right back.”
    Hector squeezed her shoulders. “Are you kidding? I’m afraid to let you out of my sight. Let me go with you.”
    “But I need to….” She didn’t want to say it, especially after the picture he’d been drawing of her.
    “You need blood?”
    Hesitantly, she nodded.
    “Drink from me .” He leaned in, as though he would kiss her. “Take my blood.”
    “Hector, I…”
    “Please.”
    He pressed his lips to hers, and every cell in her body rejoiced. Then he bit his tongue and slipped it between her lips.
    She wasn’t sure if it was because he was a demigod or because she was falling in love with him, but the taste of his blood was rich and delicious—more so than that of any other she had tasted. She gently sucked on his tongue, but it only made her thirstier.
    As if he had read her mind, he lifted his chin to expose his neck. She kissed the soft skin where it pulsed. She licked and kissed along his throat, going crazy with the thoughts coming from his mind. He knew it wasn’t the right time, but he was fighting the desire to feel every part of her body with his hands, to touch her skin with every part of his.
    She gasped with the conflicting desires coursing through her body. She wanted to drink, but she also wanted to crash her body against his to never be separated again.
    Quenching one desire over another, she moved her hands along his back, around his waist, and up his chest to his shoulders and biceps, thoroughly enjoying the sensation of his growing desire for her.
    He pressed his lips hard against hers. She twisted her fingers through his hair, unable to stop the moan from escaping her throat. His hands cupped her bottom and lifted her off the floor. She wrapped her legs around his waist, like she had in the dream.
    “Oh, Hector,” she whispered in between kisses.
    “I love you, Gertie,” he said against her mouth. “I love you so much.”
    Dare she admit it? She’d known for a long time. “I love you, too.”
    Her mouth stretched open as her fangs extended of their own accord. She opened her eyes and flinched at the sight of Jeno watching through Hector’s window. He’d made himself invisible, but she, of course, could see him perfectly. His mind was unguarded. He wanted her to read his hurt and misery and