The whoosh of the blood flowing through the pale blue vein summoned Bennett. Suddenly, she ached to sup on it, to taste the rich, red juice, and experience the rush, the stir…the raw power. Bennett’s fangs extended in anticipation, and for a moment, she was powerless to retract them. This disease was cruel. An almost invincible opponent, for centuries she had been damned by its desire, and as shocked as she was that her beast had reared its ravenous head, it was not a beast easily tamed. Bennett homed in on her own heartbeat, and focusing on the cadence it provided, Bennett’s concentration won out. Her canines retracted, and with the urge to still sink her teeth into Ruby’s neck causing her heart to race and her mouth to water, Bennett pulled away from Ruby, scrambled out of bed, and snatched up her robe. “You need to leave.”

“What? Why?” Ruby said, sitting up. “I thought we were going to—”

“Ruby, please, just go.”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“Goddammit, Ruby,” Bennett screamed. “Get your stuff and get the fuck out of here. Now!”

***

Lisa had barely slipped the van’s transmission into park before the passenger door flew open, and Bennett climbed inside. Lisa opened her mouth to speak and shut it just as quickly, unconsciously recoiling when Bennett looked her way.

For a split second, Lisa was shocked, and a heartbeat later, she was smiling. Although she didn’t think it was possible, Bennett looked even more beautiful with blue eyes. “What’s with the full vamp?” Lisa said, trying her best not to stare. “It’s not like you to show off.”

“I’m in trouble.”

“What are you talking about? And what’s with me having to drive all the way to the gallery on a Friday night to get the van? Why couldn’t we use my car?” Lisa said, swiveling in her seat. “And better yet, why didn’t you just call Gus to drive you to wherever you need to go at this time of the night?”

“Because Gus isn’t trained in this. He wouldn’t have been safe…and neither are you,” Bennett said quietly. “Did you bring the zip ties?”

“Yeah,” Lisa said, frowning. “I grabbed them from the storeroom at the gallery. Why?”

“Because I need you to tie me up,” Bennett said, climbing between the seats to get to the storage area. “And do it now.”

Lisa’s frown flipped upside down in a second. “I think we need to know each other a little better before we get into the kinky stuff. Don’t you?”

“Damn it, Lisa. This isn’t a joke,” Bennett shouted. “I’m on the cusp of starving, and when that happens, no one is safe. Bind my wrists, call Brookhaven, make the arrangements, and get me the hell there as fast as you can.”

“What do you mean you’re starving? Bennett, I had a five-week supply delivered—”