Chapter 95
Chapter 95
“The daughter of one my patients told me about it a few months ago. We were talking about the costs of end–of–life care and how the bills pile up and… all that. She was grateful for my care for her dad, so she told me about how she was managing to cover her father’s costs
with HemoMatch p>
The mention of money prickled at his subconscious. “Why did you sign up, then p>
She sighed. “I was in a similar boat with my dad. After he passed, there was so much debt and it’s been this huge hole my family’s been trying to dig our way out of p>
“I’m sorry,” Amos said, wanting to kick himself for asking. “I’m sorry for your loss p>
Chloe was quiet for a moment. “Remember what I said about grieving someone before they’re gone? I’m just glad he’s not suffering anymore p>
“What was it?” he asked gently.
“Cancer. It started in his throat, then it metastasized to his lungs and brain. He fought for a long time. For a while, we were so sure he was going to beat it.” She shook her head.
Obeying an instinct, Amos reached out and took her hand. She squeezed his fingers, leaning her head against his shoulder.
“Sorry,” she said after a moment. “I’m supposed to come over here to feed you. Not depress you p>
“Chloe, don’t apologize. You’re more than just a source of blood p>
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She let out a breath, something halfway between a laugh and sigh. “High praise from a vampire p>
“It is,” he said lightly, though he meant it with total sincerity. He nudged her shoulder gently with his. “Drink the juice p>
She slanted a slightly annoyed look at him, but she brought the bottle to her lips and tipped it back. Amos watched the motion of her throat as she swallowed, then quickly tore his gaze away when she pulled the bottle back.
“This is good.” She looked down at it, then glanced at Amos. “Do you eat? I mean, besides blood p>
“No. Not since I was turned p>
“Do you miss it p>
Another frustrating almost–memory that he couldn’t quite bring to the forefront of his mind. “No. I can’t really remember the taste of food. I don’t feel hunger for anything but blood p>
She tilted her head thoughtfully. “I think that’s what I’d miss the most, if I were a vampire p>
“Not the sun p>
“Hmm… no. My nonna’s meatballs and my abuelita’s tamales outshine the sun p>
Amos smiled, charmed by her conviction but also encouraged. The idea that she was willing to give up daylight, but still wanted to eat human food was… promising. “You have an Italian grandmother and a Mexican grandmother p>
Chloe nodded. “Mom’s side is Italian, Dad’s side is Mexican p>
Tim
No Escard
Chapter 95
Amos might not be able to enjoy food anymore, but he had a television and the internet and a reasonable awareness of cultural stereotypes. “I take it you ate well, growing up p>
Chloe laughed, the sound wrapping around Amos’s heart with a smoky little squeeze. “I definitely did. What about you? What kinds of things did you grow up eating in… eighteen… uh p>
“I was born in 1877,” Amos said, slanting her an amused glance. “And I doubt you would’ve enjoyed my childhood diet. My parents were Norwegian immigrants. I don’t remember much of it, but I recall that there was a lot of pickled fish. And potatoes p>
“Can’t really go wrong with potatoes, to be honest.” Chloe shr
as she tipped back the last of the juice. Amos watched the mo
of her throat as she swallowed, eyes darting away when she looked back at him. “Well… I guess I’ve taken up enough of your time,” she
said, moving to stand.
Amos rose with her. “Of course not. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.” Stay forever.
He walked with Chloe back to the front door, holding her bag while
she slipped her shoes back on. She took her bag with a soft “thanks p>
and reached for the door. “See you Monday, Amos. Have a nice
weekend p>
Monday, he realized with a pang, was three days away. He quickly
fixed his face with a polite smile. “See you then p>
And then Chloe slipped out and Amos stood at the door, watching through the peephole as her silhouette moved out of sight.
There were certain rules Amos had agreed to abide by when he’d signed the contract with HemoMatch. First and foremost, that he would do no harm–physical or psychological–to his assigned donor. Second, and nearly as important, was that he would not put a claim mark on his donor. To enforce both policies, donors were subject to
Chapter 95
monthly physicals. If any harm had been done to them, or if they bore an unwanted claim mark, the offending vampire would lose their donor privileges for a century and be hauled before the Council for punishment.
Amos had no problem honoring those rules. It was the third that was giving him trouble.
No hunting your donor.
It was a vampire’s nature to hunt their prey. It was even more their nature to follow and watch over a bloodmate. Neither of which applied to Chloe. But after feeding from her multiple times, feeli her climax in his arms, and then having a quiet, easy convers with her afterwards, his primal nature wanted to assign greater meaning to their relationship than he had any right to.
The urge to follow her after she left his house rivaled the intensity of the blood cravings he’d experienced as a freshly–turned vampire. Those cravings had been impossible to resist then, and this new one was just as impossible now. A few minutes after Chloe had departed, Amos slipped out after her.
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