Free Dating for Demons by Serena Robar Page B

all. There are twelve of us now and we have to feed daily. Sometimes we’re lazy, we don’t like to leave the area to feed and the bloodmobile van is kind of an ingenious way to keep the girls from eating out and risking exposure but still …”
    “Ballsy,” Thomas agreed.
    “Yeah. Half-bloods just aren’t as picky as you full-bloods. Guess we’re not blood connoisseurs,” I teased him.
    He laughed at me. “Yeah, that’s it.” We looked into each other’s eyes and I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do for this man. I was in love. Big-time.
    He picked up my hand and laced his fingers through mine. “Look, about earlier …”
    “Forget it. I’m sorry,” I interrupted him, enjoying the feel of his hand in mine.
    “Things have been hectic lately and I haven’t really been able to spend enough quality time with you. I’d never want you to think that I only wanted you for one thing.”
    He was referring to my blood of course, which made me laugh because prior to Thomas, guys used to be interested in a different thing.
    I nuzzled his neck and kissed his ear. “Yeah, but my blood is pretty high-quality stuff.”
    He turned to look at me, moving his hand to hold my chin and keep me still.
    “I love you, Colby.”
    It wasn’t the first time he’d said it but it was the first time he was so focused about it. I wondered at his intensity. Dropping a quick kiss on the hand beneath my chin I replied, “Damn straight.”
    He smiled and that dimple that drove me crazy appeared and before I knew it, we were in a pretty passionate embrace. When he was done showing me exactly how much he loved me, we curled up together and Thomas fell asleep. Big shocker, right?
    Admittedly, I was feeling pretty drowsy as well, but my mind refused to slow down. It kept racing with thoughts of the Prophesy, what I’d learned about demons and my concerns for Thomas.
    “I’m always amazed how much he feels for you,” I heard a voice say next to me.
    I looked at Thomas and was surprised to find him awake. Except, it wasn’t my Thomas. His eyes were aglow with red and rimmed with black. As if lined with eyeliner, as per Johnny Depp in Pirates . His voice was different as well. It sounded synthesized. This could only be Barnaby.
    I pulled away, but he held me quick. I had, after all, fallen asleep wrapped in Thomas’s arms.
    “Oh no, don’t go. I want to smell you.” He took a deep sniff and I had to say, “Eww.”
    I still struggled but it was pointless. Thomas was strong but possessed by Barnaby, it was like being held by steel bands.
    “You’re not real. You’ll never take over Thomas completely. You might manage it in his sleep, but he’ll fight you.”
    I felt pretty stupid making that prediction because I was struggling and fighting him as well and I was hardly winning.
    He laughed harshly and squeezed tighter. “I’m giving you the world and still you fight me. We’ll rule together. You’re so ungrateful.”
    He squeezed tighter until I cried out. My ribs cracked.
    “Please,” I begged and he immediately slackened his hold.
    “You see, I’m not unreasonable, my pet. It’s almost time to fulfill the Prophesy and you can take your rightful place as my queen. Imagine how the full-bloods will fear you.” Then he nuzzled my cheek, sniffing again. Then he surprised me by licking my neck.
    “I will have you,” he promised, then savagely bit me. I gasped in pain and struggled, but he held me tighter and tighter. I couldn’t move. My body was being smothered by his.
    Suddenly the weight lifted. I sprang up in bed and a strangled cry escaped me in the dark room. I grabbed at my neck. It felt fine. No marks, no wetness from blood. I looked at Thomas next to me. He was quiet, sleeping peacefully. His face was relaxed and his hair brushed across his forehead in disarray. He looked so peaceful.
    I tentatively reached out and touched him, relieved it was only a bad dream. He mumbled something and rolled over. My eyes went