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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] had been on him the whole time. He leaned against the counter, trying to think of the best way to explain all that she had asked. Meanwhile, a frustrated Adina threw herself on the sofa. She stared at the blank television screen until she felt Jin s presence next to her. He touched her - 28 - The Alpha Promise Hayat Ali cheek softly and she leaned into the feeling in spite of herself. She reached up and took his hand. Please tell me, Jin. Jin stood a bit longer before taking a seat next to her. Sighing heavily, he said, Adina, there s so much I don t want to tell you. You know too much already. But I guess there s no harm in you knowing more. He leaned back before speaking again. I know what you ve heard about vampires, but the fact is, we let you write those idiotic ideas to keep you confused and ignorant. These are the facts: Vampires are a subspecies of humans, derived from a genetic mutation over two millennia ago. Our kind can breed, but only for a very short period of time in our lives. Vampires can live up to five hundred years, sometimes more, but most just stop living. Living forever gets old, so many vampires just end it all out of boredom. Others die because after while the blood can t sustain them. We do drink blood, but not as often as you think. We need it to stay healthy and strong. It enhances the abilities that we may or may not have, depending on the clan line. I m a product of two powerful, ancient clans. I have the ability to fly, to use thrall, and control some weaker-minded individuals. I can shape-shift, but that takes a lot of energy. I can walk in the sun if I have had blood recently, but as I get closer to five hundred, I m less able to do so. Our bodies break down, too, Adina, just differently. We do have reflections, we have animalistic eyes. No, holy water doesn t work, no, I m not afraid of crosses, and no, a stake in the heart won t kill us. The only way you can kill a vampire is to cut off his head or starve him, but that could take months. My parents had me one hundred thirty-five years ago. I am still considered very young by our standards, but old enough to rule. I already told you some of the reasons they want me dead, but one reason, the primary reason, is that as I get older, I will become more powerful. Practically invincible. That scares Tenhar because they would be weakened by my power. Their clans might start to look to me and they would lose their position. He turned to her. Adina, you can trust me. I would never feed on you, not even if you begged me. You gave me a precious gift, your blood. I can never repay you for that, but I can assure you that you will not become my midnight snack, he smirked. Okay? Adina smiled. Really? Yes, really. Okay, she said. Then her stomach growled audibly. Oh, god, I m sorry. I haven t really eaten and I bet you don t have any real food. As a matter of fact, I do. There are some canned goods in there. Take whatever you want. Obviously, we don t keep perishables here. Adina got up and went to the kitchen. After opening three cabinets, she found two cans of soup. Then she found a pot and warmed the soup. Jin, you said you are a vampire because of genetic mutation, but earlier you said you can convert humans. How do you make people vampires? Jin sighed. We would have to infuse our blood with yours. It would, in a sense, poison you and you would become a vampire. - 29 - The Alpha Promise Hayat Ali So if you bit me, I wouldn t get sick? Jin looked puzzled. I don t know, maybe, he said. All I know is that it wouldn t make you a vampire. Well, I don t think it would, but you have to understand, we haven t fed off humans for a long time. No one discusses humans in that manner because biting them is forbidden. One thing I do remember is that a human is forever linked to a vampire who has fed on them. If several feed on the same human, he might be driven mad. Adina stirred her soup. Then she asked, So can you make me sick by kissing me? Jin shook his head. I doubt that. When we bite something, an enzyme is released. That enzyme is what causes the problems. It is not released with a kiss. She nodded. Her next question made her hot. She started to ask anyway, but at the last minute, switched to the incident at Piccadilly Circle. Who was that at the train, Jin? Jin noticed her hesitation but let it go. He said, They were from a lesser tribe, the Pinu. They are sewer dwellers as far as I know. They have a shaky allegiance to my father; they can be very fickle. Do you think they know about me? Or maybe they can help you & The Pinu are self-serving and can be very dangerous. They love following the law if it hurts their enemies. If they found out that you were with me, they would insist on your death without question. They are just loyal enough to stay in my father s good graces, but they do believe in testing him. As to helping me, they won t, unless there s something to be gained. And I won t place my father in the position of owing Pinu anything& unless it is absolutely necessary. Adina found a bowl to pour the soup into. With it, she walked over to the dining room table. She sat only after Jin waved his hand in consent. She began to eat, all the while turning over the knowledge she had just acquired. There was a whole world out there, of which she and most humans were completely unaware. It was fascinating that it could be that way. A whole culture was walking unnoticed among them. It seemed impossible, yet, it had been happening. As she ate, she wondered if she could go back to the life she d had before or if she would always have to wonder who was a vampire and who wasn t. Jin joined her at the table, trying to discern if she was okay. Up until now, she had taken just about everything in stride. There were moments of panic, but they were quickly followed by calm. Her faith in him was making her dearer to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |