“She’s in transition, Principe. It wasn’t my doing, but it was my blood. I’ll take her upstairs and help her with what comes next.”

“Very well. Let me know if you or Katie need anything,” Byron said.

“I will.”

Alexis carried her up to her room and opened the door with one hand. Once they got into the bedroom, Alexis let her down onto her feet.

“How do you feel?” Alexis asked her.

“Empty, like I have no energy, like there is nothing holding me up, and it hurts in here.” Katie pointed to just under her breasts. “It’s painful, and I’m so hungry.”

Alexis cupped her face and leaned her forehead on Katie’s. “I’m going to make you feel better, I promise.” Alexis pulled back and Katie saw tears rolling down her face. “Thank God you didn’t listen to me. If you hadn’t drunk my blood, you’d be dead now, and I would want to die.”

Katie wiped Alexis’s tears away with her thumb. “I’m here and I love you.”

Alexis composed herself. “I have to ask you if you’re certain you want to complete the transition. You do have a choice, remember?”

Katie took a breath and said, “I’m never leaving you, Alex.”

Alexis smiled and led her over to the bed. Alexis sat down on the end and pulled off her T-shirt, leaving herself naked from the waist up. She then patted her lap.

“Sit here.”

Katie walked closer and touched the wound on her neck.

“Don’t worry—it’ll get better once you feed.”

Alexis held out her hand. Katie took it but didn’t move. “I’m scared, Alex.”

Alexis looked at her with eyes full of love and devotion. “I’m here, and I’ll always keep you safe. Do you trust me?”

Katie had no hesitation in saying, “Yes.”

She walked forward and sat on Alexis’s lap. Alexis put her arm around her and pulled her into a deep kiss. When they broke apart, Alexis said, “I love you.”

“I love you too, but I’m frightened of hurting you,” Katie said.

“You can’t hurt me—I promise you.”

“You were my first,” Katie said. “I’d never fed a vampire before. And now you’re going to be the first one I feed on.”

“And the only one, I hope. You’re my first as well.”

“What do you mean?”

Alexis tenderly stroked the hair from Katie’s face. “I’ve never let another vampire feed from me.”

“Really?” Katie was shocked. “In all the years you’ve been alive, you’ve never—”

Alexis shook her head. “No, it all seemed too personal. It was a part of me I didn’t want to give anyone, until you.”

Katie felt tears come to her eyes. Alexis furrowed her eyebrows and smiled.

“Don’t cry, darling.”

“But that’s so sweet,” Katie said.