Bloodspell (The Cruentus Curse, #1)(76)

"So you can't live on it?"

"It's possible I suppose," he said, "but our strength depends on real, live blood. It's as much to do with the energy of the life-force as much as it does with the blood itself. I think if we existed on essentially lifeless blood, we would be more like ... zombies, I guess."

Victoria studied his white face. Her blood had almost killed him. If anything, now more than ever she knew that she couldn't control it, and she couldn't risk putting him in danger again. She knew what she had to do.

"Christian," she began, "we can't ... I can't do this." He stared at her, silent. She dared not look at him or there was no way she'd be able to say what she had to. "More than ever, now I can appreciate how dangerous this is, not just you and me, but my power over the blood. I thought I could do it, but I can't. And I can't protect you ... from me."

"You don't need to protect me."

"But I do. You don't understand what happened out there. I failed, Christian. My blood nearly killed you and I couldn't do a single thing to stop it. It was Leto who saved you, he saved us both." Her eyes met his, pleading. "I have to protect you from it. And there's only one way I can do that. We need to stop."

"Stop what exactly?"

"This. Us."

"Is that what you want?" His voice was devoid of emotion.

"Yes." Victoria was proud of the strength of her voice because her insides felt like they were shattering into a million pieces. "I'm sorry I hurt you for nothing ... thank you for trying to help me even though you knew how risky it was. I couldn't bear it if anything happened ..." Her voice broke then and she drew a strangled breath. "Please understand. Goodbye, Christian."

Christian made no move to convince her to stay, watching as she walked out of the den and out of his life. What she was doing was for the best—he would only expose her to more danger than was necessary and despite the ache inside of him, he knew that she would be better off without him. She would be safe.

As she drove away, Victoria didn't allow herself to feel anything. It was over. She felt the gentle touch on her consciousness and was grateful for the interruption.

Hi, Leto.

Are you okay?

Yes, it worked ... what you said to do.

What happened? Victoria didn't really want to talk about what had taken place, but she knew that she owed Leto an explanation.

I'll be home soon. I'll explain then.

The minute she walked in the door, Leto pounced, his expression not allowing her any stalling. In a few succinct sentences, she told him about Christian and the events leading up to the fight, leaving the fact that he was a vampire for the end. She could feel a furious hiss ripple through Leto's body. His eyes were slits.

A vampire ? Victoria, that is forbidden!

"I know, Leto." Her voice was emotionless. "It was a mistake. It's over."

And you think he's just going to let you go? Just like that? Leto was almost screaming.

"Yes."

Why, pray tell? He didn't bother to disguise his biting sarcasm. They cannot be trusted. You are a fool.

"Because I asked him to. And I am more of a fool for thinking I could control this curse than trusting a vampire, because that is what will kill me, not him!" Her voice shook as all the emotion she'd been suppressing burst free. She sank to the floor, her head in her hands, silent anguish shaking her body. I am a monster.

Victoria ...

Just leave it, Leto. It's over, and I'm tired. The only thing I need from you is your help, not your judgment. I don't have anyone else to turn to. If you can't do that, then please leave me alone.

Leto stared at her, silent and shaken.

What do you need?

I need to know everything there is to know about the blood. Victoria raised eyes that were like emerald chips to his. And I need to know how to kill it.





"GABRIEL, I TOLD you fifty times, I am not going to Cancun with you guys!" Victoria said. Gabriel made a puppy-dog face as he leaned on the table across from her.

"Well, what are you going to do then?" he asked. "Sit around here and freeze?"

"I am going to finish my project," she said with finality. Then her face softened. Gabriel had been her saving grace the last few weeks, and life had finally started to feel a little less surreal. His feelings for her hadn't changed, but little by little, she'd let herself open up to him. He was the only thing in her life that felt stable, and she clung to that like a lifeline. She wanted to give him a chance, and also to give herself a chance at a normal friendship with someone who genuinely cared about her.

"Look Gabe, I really would love to go, but I just can't this time, okay?" Gabriel's eyes narrowed, he knew that look and that voice.

"You only call me Gabe when you want something, don't think I don't know it, I've caught on to your sneaky tricks!" he said.

Victoria rolled her eyes. She absolutely did not want to go to Mexico with Gabriel and his entourage. She wanted to spend time alone with Leto doing some more training. True to his word, he'd taught her what he knew about the blood curse, and the more she'd come to understand it and how intertwined it was with her magic, the more she realized how difficult it was to control it, far less exorcise it. But everything she learned gave her more confidence that one day, maybe, she'd have a chance.