Free Forbidden Days (The Firsts) by C.L. Quinn Page B

me!”
    Bas was freaking a little, concerned for Park.  He almost grabbed her and pulled her away, but his new changeling was acting…normal.  Which was extremely not normal for a transition.   The process was so painful, it often drove the person to madness.  But she seemed to be doing…fine.
    “It wasn’t us.  We’re saving you.  You remember how we felt a connection this morning?  Well, that guy who took you is an enemy of ours and he took you to another vampire, who did this to you.”  Park pointed to Bernie’s horrific wounds.  Bernie looked down at her chest.  Her head jerked.
    “Well, what the hell?  That should really be hurting.”
    “No, that should really have killed you.  But I liked you.  So much.  I didn’t want you to be dead.  I didn’t think you would want to be dead.  Bernie, was I right?  You would have chosen to live, right?”
    Bernie’s eyes hurt.  The gaping wounds didn’t.  What the hell.  She looked at the beautiful girl she’d just met this morning who had her heart in her eyes as she asked the question.  She looked at the vampire who had apparently saved her life.   For what?  How would she live now?   She had no idea.  But she did know one thing.
    “I would have chosen to live.  I’m only twenty eight.  I don’t want to die yet.”
    Park grinned up at Bas, who still towered over her, protecting her from the “violent” Bernie.   “See?  I knew it.”  She turned back to Bernie.  “This was the only way.  The other vampire took you too near to death for human medicine.”
    Bernie sat back.  Her mind was reeling.  She looked around the dirty, moist basement room, then at the two people who were strangers to her, and yet not, now.  It took a few moments to even begin to process the events.  But her mind seemed remarkably clear, more than it ever had, especially for someone so near death just minutes ago.
    Bernie’s muddy blue gray eyes shot up to Bas.  He was easily the hottest man she had ever seen.
    “So,” she said slowly.  “Am I…am I a vampire now, too?”
    Both Bas and Park nodded their heads.  Bernie nodded hers then too.  “Okay.  And what does that mean?  Can I still be a waitress?”
    Bas answered his new charge.  “No.  You’ll learn a lot soon, but one thing you must know right now is that sunlight will kill you.  Ultraviolet exposure is deadly to vampires.  I doubt that’s a surprise.  Bernie, you can’t stay here.  You can’t live your human life.  We’re going to my stronghold in Canada and we’re taking you with us.  You’ll complete your transition there.  I know it’s very hard to leave your life…your family…your friends…”
    “Not really.  But not being human anymore.  That’s going to be difficult.  Isn’t it?”
    “The hardest thing you’ll ever do in your life, yes.  But there are a great many benefits.”  Bas was amazed at how well she was doing.  Right now, her internal structure was actually being attacked and altered by the vampire genome that was one hundred percent dominant.  It would override her entire physical makeup.  Her pain level should make it impossible for her to be sitting up and discussing this.  Bas couldn’t stop staring at her.
    “It’s amazing,” he commented quietly.
    Bernie watched him, her eyes sharp and too focused.  “You don’t get it? Why I’m doing so well with the change?  You said her blood was like super blood or something.   You drank from her and then you fed me.   I have her blood in me, too, now.  So I guess it really is super blood.  So, if you’re not a vampire, Park, what are you?”
    “I think I’m just human.  He doesn’t think so.”
    Bernie sat cross legged now and looked back at Bas.
    “So, what do you think she is?”
    “The mystery of the century.  I haven’t had a chance to find out yet.”
    “We’ve only known each other for two days,” Park told Bernie.
    “Seriously?  So this whole vampire