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"Just try to keep as still as possible," I said,down to taste her lips once ainst her soft skin I baredher tender flesh beneath them My mouth salivated I could practically taste her blood already I pressed down harder Rose gasped, her fingers digging into my back as I broke skin

A hot rush of blood flowed into ht Her taste overwhelined As the blood glided down ut clenched My instinct was to lose ht until I had sucked her dry

I couldn’t stopthree ain control ofmyself to focus, I releaseda hand to her right thigh, I repositioned her beneathher And then I withdrew,with her blood as I raised my head above her I stared down at ht, her forehead now covered with a sheen of sweat Her head rolled froer

And then caet used to witnessing a turning The horror of h it had taken place et the pain The fear…

Iabout the pain for Rose, but at least I could help to alleviate her fear

Moving to the side of the bed, I placed a palm over her forehead and stroked it I reached for her hand and clasped it tight

"You’re doing fine, Rose," I said cal"

I wasn’t sure whether istered with her, or whether the pain was all-consu But I hoped that the steady sound ofthat folloas torturous As promised, I didn’t once leave her side I lost all track of time as I remained in that bedroo that she did not see more blood than was usual I had not been there to witness Ben’s turning personally, but I had heard froe ans of consciousness, and she stopped coughing up blood, I wiped her doith a wet towel and placed it over her forehead

Then she became still

I removed the pillows froainst the headboard I helped her sit up and leaned her against them

I kissed her cheek Her cold, pale cheek

"Rose," I said gently

When her eyes flickered open and met mine, I witnessed their vibrancy as a vareen Rose’s eyes had taken my breath ahen she was a hu Her dark hair contrasted starkly with her pale skin

I snappedher beauty and reminded myself of our next concern

Had she or had she not woken up like her brother?