A Turn of Tides (A Shade of Vampire #13)(8)

He gave me a knowing smile.

He looked back at the other vampires, who were now looking at me with interest and had stopped shuffling their feet.

“And you really are a rogue?” Jeramiah said, raising a brow.

“Yes, I already told you.

I wouldn’t be here all alone in the middle of this forest if I wasn’t.” “Hm.” He crossed his arms over his chest, as if still deep in thought.

He turned his back on me and addressed the others in a language I’d never heard before.

I had no idea what he was saying, but the others began responding in the same language.

The discussion seemed to get more heated by the minute until eventually Jeramiah turned back to face me.

“Do you have somewhere to go?” I shook my head.

“Would you like shelter?” I looked at them, studying each of their faces one by one.

I didn’t know these vampires, but the fact was, I couldn’t stay in that submarine.

I’d already tried, but my bloodlust had forced me to shore for human blood.

And now that I was on shore, I could do with somewhere safe to stay, away from the sunlight beating into my eyes.

“That depends on where it is,” I replied.

“Somewhere safe.

Away from the sun.

Away from the threat of hunters.

Somewhere with an unlimited supply of blood.

Where you never need to worry about going thirsty.” My mouth watering, on the verge of losing control and grabbing one of those humans at his feet, I couldn’t deny the attraction of his words.

I nodded.

“At least for now.” To my surprise, he picked up the unconscious human and placed him down at my feet.

“Half-turn this human.” “What?’ “You heard me.

Half-turn him.” “Half-turn? What are you talking about?” Michael nudged Jeramiah’s shoulder.

“You can’t expect everyone to have figured this out.” Jeramiah nodded.

“Of course.

We’ve known about it so long I just assume that it’s common knowledge among vampires now… Half-turning humans means they don’t turn fully.

Newly turned vampires have the capability to do this.

We’ve tried with older vampires before, but they always end up either turning them or killing them.” My mind was reeling.

I’d never heard of “half-turning” a human.

I’d always thought that either a turning would be successful and the human would turn into a vampire, or the human would die.

“How is that even done?” “You exercise self-control and only insert a small dose of your venom.” I scoffed.

I was sure that the moment my fangs touched his skin, I’d drain him dry, the way I had with Yasmine and the other human I didn’t even recall by face.

“What use are half-vampires to you anyway? What are they?” I asked.

“They make useful, and more permanent, servants.

While they’re not as strong as us, their blood isn’t at all appealing.

It’s bitter.

They live a long time.

They’re preserved just as vampires are.

And they’re of no threat to us because they haven’t gotten far enough into their turning to have developed fangs or claws.

Nor do they consume only blood.

They can eat regular food too—so they’re not a burden to feed.” “How is it that a newly turned vampire can do this and not an older one?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Younger vampires’ venom is less strong.

It isn’t as developed and it’s less fast-acting.

That’s why I believe you might be useful to us… You can try, at least.

Worst case—you fail and kill an enemy.” I stared at the hunter he’d placed but a few feet away from me.

I had enough reason to want to kill these hunters after what they’d just done to me.

But the truth was, I didn’t hate hunters.

My grandfather had been one—hell, my own father had been one before he’d turned into a vampire.

Besides, even if this hunter did deserve it, I was trying to fight off the darkness digging my fangs into this man would only plunge me further into.

Michael scowled.

“All this explanation, Jeramiah, you’re making out that we’re desperate for him.

He’s got much more to gain by his joining us than we have.” “True,” Jeramiah said.

He looked at me seriously, studying my face.

“So, make your decision.

Try to half-turn this man, and if you succeed you can come with us.

Fail and, well, you’re in the same situation as you are now.

I can guide you how to do it.

But I need to see if you have enough self-control.” I gulped as I laid eyes on the hunter again.

I would have to be crazy to think that I could pull this off.

The moment my fangs grazed his neck, I’d be sucking out his blood.

I wouldn’t have the restraint to turn someone, let alone half-turn them.

As much as I was sure my body was going to regret this, I took a step back.

Everything about Jeramiah’s request felt wrong.

Half-turning someone so they became a slave for the rest of their lives? And I didn’t even know these vampires.