Blood Lust by T. Lynne Tolles Page B

feed; she just has a little nibble.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Because I know. Vampires don’t feed on vampires. They can’t control another vampire’s mind like they can a human. Feeding would deplete a person, weaken them, and I’d know if she were feeding on me.”
    “But look at you, Anton. You are weakened, you look depleted of blood! Are you sure?”
    “Yes,” he answered, seeming angry.
    “Okay. I’m not trying to make you mad, Anton. I just want to help. Truly. I believe you if you say she’s not feeding on you; then there must be another explanation. Can I ask, though, in this fetish, do you have a little taste of her? Devon said that some vampires share each other’s blood, that it was a type of intimacy?”
    “No, she’d never allow it. I tried once; she just about threw me out the window.”
    “Yikes. Has she quite a temper?”
    “You have no idea.”
    “Hmmm. So is there anything I can get you? Some tea? A sandwich? Soup?”
    “No, I’m good.”
    “Really? You seem so lonely.”
    “I’ve been lonely for years, Darby.”
    “Well, how about I come back after you’ve had a rest and read to you, or play some cards or something?”
    “Why? Don’t you have anything better to do?”
    “No. Your father is scared I’ll wreck the car, having never driven in snow. Your wife has my boyfriend captive in New York for the day, maybe the night. That leaves throwing the ball incessantly to Sammy or hanging with your dad.”
    “Okay, so you don’t have anything better to do. Why didn’t you go to New York with them?”
    “What would be the point?”
    “To save your relationship.”
    “That wouldn’t save my relationship. After this conversation and the one I had with Devon last night, I’m not sure there is a relationship left. You can’t carry a torch for forty years for someone and love another someone.”
    “Somehow, I’ll bet Devon could. But then again, maybe he doesn’t deserve your love.”
    “Maybe, maybe not. I guess I’ll just have to see what happens. So, what about later?”
    “I’d like that. How about some cards? Cribbage?”
    “Perfect. I’ll check on you later. Rest up, so I can kick your butt later and not feel guilty about beating a sick guy.”
    “Funny too. Now I see why Dad likes you so much. You are an awful lot like Aunt Abby.”
     
     

Chapter 10

    While Darby let Anton get some rest, she brought her cell phone down into the library and texted Blake and Rowan. Rowan was at school so it was just Blake.
    So u R still there. Work things out with Devon?
    Not exactly. We did talk & I no all about Libby, but guess who showed up in the interim?
    Pleez tell me it wasn’t Libby.
    It was. And they R presently living it up in NYC.
    No. Y did u let him go w/o you?
    What’s the point, Blake? She was practically naked bouncing up and down in front of him telling him they should get reacquainted by his taking her to the city. She thought I was his servant and she kept calling me every name BUT Darby.
    That’s only because she’s threatened by you. The torch carrier has a new bedmate. Hard on an ego to know she’s lost her biggest groupie.
    Bed mate, HA! He hasn’t touched me since your uncle showed in CA. So I guess she wins, because I was pretty sure his eyes were going to roll out of his head and HE would start calling me Debbie.
    Who’s Debbie?
    Men are so dumb sometimes.
    Come on. I’m sure it’s not all that bad.
    U no u’ve been saying that over & over & it just keeps getting worse. Haven’t u learned NEthing u goofy string bean?
    If u r that worried about what he’ll do, Y didn’t u go?
    2 save what, Blake?
    OK now I no UR overreacting.
    U no what Blake, That’s it. I’m done w/ talking 2 u 2.
    Come on Darby, what did I do?
    She turned her phone off. Two gorgeous Bloomington morons, s he thought. No more.
    Darby went downstairs to meet Bernard and Dominic, who had decided they’d go into town and pick out a tree to be delivered. Darby tagged along