Vampires by Diane Moat

Author:Diane Moat [Moat, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

It took four more hours before the entire Hand agreed Madison could get in the same room as Bob. During that time, Madison drank a green smoothie, ate a whole chicken, and even took a brief nap.

Meanwhile, more chains were added to Bob’s constraints. At last, everyone crankily agreed vampire and healer could see each other. The healer doubted a maximum-security prison would have stricter visitation rules.

Even in the same room, the thrumming energy from the vampire did not increase. It held steady at a weaker level than Madison remembered. The energy was not the only change in Bob.

Somehow, under all the layers of chains, Bob stood taller. Since he could not have really grown, Madison believed he stood straighter and did not stoop. Bob’s previously shiny head now had a fine layer of fuzz, like a baby bird’s pre-feathers. His skin, no longer grey, held the paleness of an egg.

His movements contradicted each other, as if his body could not figure itself out. He would hold utterly still for long seconds, then twitch and shift, both human and vampire movements warring it out for control of his muscles.

Bob did not try to escape his chains and sat still except for the involuntary spasms. He watched Madison as she entered the cellar of the nearby barn. Thomas and Lana flanked her on one side, Alex on the other. Healer and vampire spoke simultaneously.

“How do you feel?”

“Are you well?”

Madison smiled, but Bob did not change expression. His face remained blank except for a slight wrinkle frown. “I’m fine, just low on iron,” she said. “I understand you tried to help me, but I do not wish to be a vampire. Remember why you are trying to change—please do not condemn me to that fate. No matter what happens, do not try to change me.”

Bob put his head down in a half nod. “Thank you for trying. I see flashes of color and my hunger is lessened. It is not what I dreamed of, but it is an improvement. I owe you a debt.”

“Why do you think it didn’t work?”

“It did—or it tried to. A vampire conversion takes many exchanges.”

Madison spoke before Alex could repeat himself. “I am not going through that again.”

Bob’s neck jerked in a spasm, which he turned into a head shake. “No, no, of course not. I would not ask more of you. This will have to be enough. The question is, what will you do next? You can release me—I am now quite under control.”

Alex nixed that idea. “Not yet, and not with my mate still in the same room. As to what we will do next, that is no concern of yours.”

At a signal from Alex, Madison and Daniel followed him out of the room. Bob did not beg or call out to them, possibly trying to show his restraint.

Madison could smell herself and she realized she could not remember her last shower. As soon as she had the thought, she began to itch.

“I am gross and have to take a shower.

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