“You do not know the dangers, Gary. But perhaps that is a good thing. If you insist on keeping your memory, I can do no other than protect Savannah and our people. I would have no choice but to take your blood so that I could monitor you at will.”
Gary paled visibly. Slowly he put down the coffee mug, his hand trembling. “I don’t understand.”
“When I am nearby, I can read your thoughts, but I must be close. If I have taken your blood, I will always know where you are, I can track you easily to anywhere on this earth, and I will know your thoughts. If you ever betrayed us, I would know.” Gregori leaned forward, his brilliant silver eyes holding Gary’s captive. “Understand this, Gary. If I had to, I would hunt you. I would find you. And I would kill you.” There was complete conviction in his voice, in the depths of his eyes.
Gary could not look away. He felt as if that penetrating gaze could see right into his soul.
“It is something you should think about,” Gregori continued almost gently. “It has to be your decision alone. Whatever you decide, we will respect it, and we will do our best to protect you. You have my word on that.”
“You once told me the vampire was the biggest deceiver of all. How do I know you speak the truth?”
“You do not. You can only feel what is right or wrong. That is why it is necessary that you take your time before deciding. Once the decision is made, we will all have to live with it.”
“Does it hurt?” Gary asked, curious, his scientist’s brain already seeking data.
Savannah detected the slight smile in Gregori’s mind, the sudden admiration for the slightly built human who came to his feet and began to pace the length of the room.
“You do not have to feel a thing,” Gregori said quietly, his voice strictly neutral. He didn’t want to influence the human in any way.
“I guess it would be too much to ask to let Savannah bite my neck.” Gary made an attempt at humor. He was rubbing his neck, every Dracula movie he had ever seen going through his mind.
A low growl rumbling in Gregori’s throat was his answer. Savannah burst out laughing. She could sense Gary’s growing agitation. He pushed a hand through his hair. “Do I have to answer you now?”
“Before we leave this house,” Gregori replied softly.
“That really gives me a long time to think it over,” he grumbled. “So, if you remove my memories of you, I would go back to my normal life and not have a clue I was in danger. That’s kind of a convenient way to get rid of me, don’t you think?” Sarcasm dripped in his voice.
The silver eyes slashed. Gregori stirred, a menacing rippling of muscle, the predator unsheathing his claws. Savannah laid a detaining hand on his arm. Her thumb feathered lightly back and forth across his forearm. Almost at once the tension in the room eased. But those predator’s eyes remained unblinking on Gary’s face. “If I wanted you dead, Jansen, believe me, you would already be gone. Killing is easy for someone who has lived as long as I have.”
“It isn’t like I meant to offend you, Gregori,” Gary said. “This isn’t easy. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. At least I don’t think it has. We haven’t met before, have we?”
“No,” Savannah answered gravely. “We would have told you. We really are trying to be as honest as we can. This is a tremendous offer, Gary, one I didn’t think would even be considered. You have no idea what an honor it—”
“Silence, Savannah. He must make up his own mind without persuasion. It is his decision alone to make,” Gregori reprimanded.
He doesn’t comprehend the honor you have extended him, she argued. If he knew, he would be less agitated.
S’il vous plait, Savannah. Let him decide.
Gary held up a hand. “Don’t do that. I know you’re talking together. I’m nervous enough. Okay. Okay. Do it. Get it over with. Bite me in the neck. But I’m going to warn you, I’ve never done this before. It won’t be too good for you.” He attempted a wan grin.