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Strachan walked out without another word.

“What the—? Is that true?” the doctor asked.

“Yes,” Catch said as he paced up and down.

“Did her uncle take the tube out? Should we call the police?” the nurse asked.

“No police,” Turner said. “You need to check on other patients.”

The nurse nodded, her face slack. “I need to check on other patients.”

The doctor eyed Catch and Turner warily. “What’s going on?”

“What’s wrong with her heart?” Catch asked.

“I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve seen this activity from her. The odd blip, but not this sustained arrhythmia.”

Turner clenched his fists.

Catch licked his lips. “Is is dangerous?”

“Yes. But we can try drugs, maybe surgery.”

“But she still might not wake,” Turner said.

“No, she might not.”

Turner felt his heart crumbling to dust.

“Could we have some time alone with her?” Turner asked. “You have other patients to see.”

“I have other patients to see,” the doctor repeated, and left.

Catch lifted his head and stared straight into Turner’s eyes. “We can’t let her die. You can save her.”

Turner shook his head. “Don’t ask me that.” He couldn’t do it. Panic rushed through him at the mere thought.

“She doesn’t need to die,” Catch said in a firm voice.

“Oh God.” Turner took her hand. “I can’t.”

“Yeah, you can.
We
can.”

“We didn’t ask her. She doesn’t know what’s involved, the implications. We can’t just take her out of the sun without knowing that’s what she’d want.”

Catch choked back his gulp. “She might never see the sun or moon if we don’t do something. Even if she continues in a coma I don’t trust her uncle. He could hire someone to kill her. What choice do we have? We going to keep coming night after night, begging her to wake, and then one day, we’ll turn up and find there’s no more hope? This way we can be together forever.”

“I don’t know how to do it. I’ve only had it done to me.” Turner sagged. “And the day after, my father— Oh Christ.”

“What’d he do?” Catch asked.

Turner dropped his head. “When I staggered home and told him what had happened, he pinned me out in the yard to wait for dawn.” The disgust on his father’s face lingered in his memory, the unfairness of it still tore at his heart.

“Oh fuck. Look, we’ll protect her, look after her. She only has that prick Strachan and his family, and I’ll rot in hell before I let them get anywhere near her.”

“But making her like us?” Turner whispered. “What if it doesn’t work and we kill her?”

Catch straightened his shoulders. “Makes no difference, does it, if she’s dying? We have to try.”

“Stop arguing and get on with it,” said a voice in the corner. “I know what you are and if you don’t want to do it to her, you could experiment on me. I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Turner shot Catch a glance.

“You know what we are?” Turner asked.

“Those two guys you took out, they fed on me and I wish they’d kept sucking. I’d give anything not to be lying here helpless, but at least I can speak. What if she’s lying there listening to you argue? Tell her you love her and save her.”

Turner felt the weight of responsibility like a lead collar around his neck. Catch might be able to help, but Turner was the pure vampire, without him it couldn’t work. He stared at Matty lying there, still and helpless, and felt a rush of affection so strong his knees quaked. Before he fell down, Turner lay next to her on the bed and Catch settled on the other side.

“I love you, princess,” Catch whispered.

“I. Love. You.” Turner choked the words out and dropped his mouth to her throat. One sniff and his head swam. One lick and his fangs dropped. One mouthful of Matty’s sweet, rich blood and his cock went rock-hard. Sheer, undiluted pleasure flooded his mouth but even in the midst of exquisite bliss, he became consumed with anxiety about when to stop and how much to let her take from him. Turner didn’t dare to think about what she’d say.

He saw that Catch’s fangs had dropped. Not something that happened often. The moment Catch began to drink from the other side of Matty’s neck, Turner’s confidence returned. This would work. She’d share their lives forever. They’d love her forever and ever and ever.

Matty could feel herself shrinking like the fictional Alice. She grew smaller and smaller as her body shriveled inside and out. It hurt but she had no voice to cry out. Even that was being drawn from her. Her body went limp as her muscles relaxed. No air in her lungs, no blood in her veins, no beat to her heart. Just enough brain power to wish for one last moment with Turner and Catch. To wish them love and happiness.

Everything ceased to be.

This is death.

Matty opened her eyes and looked down. Catch and Turner were on either side of her, trying to get her to open her mouth.
I’m dead, you idiots. Oh, and I’m flying.
She felt over her shoulder for wings but found nothing.
Damn. On my way to hell then?

There was a bright light shining through the window and the nearer Matty drew to it, the more interesting and enticing it became. It looked warm and cozy and she was feeling kind of cold and lonely.

What
is
that weird taste?

S
omething slipped down her throat, fire burning its way to her stomach, surging into every vein and artery until her body was ablaze from her scalp to her toes. Yet it didn’t hurt and the metallic taste changed to become something sweet, sour, sharp, smooth. It was everything and nothing she’d tasted before.

Liquid ecstasy.

I want more.

Matty moved away from the window and looked back. Catch had ripped the sheet he gripped so hard, his beautiful face creased with anxiety. Turner stared intently at her, his wrist pressed to her mouth. Then Catch took over and Matty watched a trickle of blood fall down her chin.

Oh, that’s what I’m drinking.

The girl on the bed held out her hand and Matty reached for her fingers. She felt them wrap around hers and pull her down, down, down.

“That’s enough,” Turner said. “Seal your wrist.”

“But isn’t she supposed to wake up?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.”

“Matty,” Catch whispered.

“We did our best,” Turner said.

She ought to open her eyes, but it was so peaceful just lying here. No worries. No concerns. No needs. Her body hers again.

Oh shit.
Actually she did have one overpowering need. She’d never felt so desperate for sex in her life.

Matty opened her eyes. “I love you guys.”

Catch gasped and pumped his fists in the air. “Matty, Matty.”

He smothered her in kisses and while he tried to keep his tongue out of her mouth, Matty wanted it in. She growled when he pulled back then smiled when Turner moved in. Only he wouldn’t kiss her properly either. She reached for his groin and sighed when she felt his erection.

“Matty, what are you doing?” Turner asked.

She fumbled with his zipper. “If you have to ask, I’m worried.”

Turner pulled away so fast, he fell off the bed. Matty groaned and turned to Catch. He laughed and jumped back.

“We’ve created a monster,” he said.

She slumped down and bit back a whimper.
Oh God, I
am
a monster.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” Catch pulled her into his arms. “Oh God, Matty. I didn’t mean it like that. I thought…you… I love you, I love you, I love you. We had to do it.”

“Do what?” she asked.

Matty watched the pair exchange desperate looks and slapped down the urge to giggle. What the hell was the matter with her?

“What is it?” she asked.

“Tell her,” Catch said.

“Why don’t you?” Turner crossed his arms.

Catch opened his mouth and then closed it.

Matty took pity on them. “You made me like you. Well, almost like you. I don’t have funny teeth.” She ran her tongue over them. “At least not yet.”

“You know what we did?” Turner asked. “You don’t hate us?”

Matty snorted. “These last seven months have been the worst in my life. No one to talk to, no one to hold me. Then you arrived at Milford Hall and shouted at me and everything changed. This last week has been the best in my life. I’m the luckiest person in the world because I have two great guys to love, and I knew no matter what happened tonight, nothing could take that away from me.”

“You love us?” Catch whispered.

“How could I not?” Matty asked. “A gorgeous guy like you with a full head of lovely blond hair.” She stared. “It is your own hair?”

Catch growled. “And my own teeth.”

“I like your teeth,” Matty whispered, and watched the lump in Catch’s throat move up and down. “And you, Turner, who tried so hard not to like me, but I knew you did really.”

“I love you,” Turner whispered.

“Take me home,” Matty said. “And show me how much.”

She stood up on wobbly legs and yanked all the pads and tubes off and out of her body. Her clothes lay on top of the bed and she pulled them on.

“Bye, Matty,” called the guy in the corner.

She looked at Turner. “Can’t you help him?” she whispered.

“I don’t know.” Turner walked to the other bed and Matty and Catch followed. Catch had her hand firmly clasped in his.

“Maybe I’m dreaming,” the guy said. “But I hope I’m not. I hope you’ve woken and you’re standing up. Whatever you had to give up to make that happen, it was worth it.”

Turner sliced into his wrist and pressed it to the man’s mouth. “Drink.”

Matty bit her lip as blood washed down his neck and then he started to swallow. Turner pulled away after a moment and licked his wrist.

“You’ve not turned him?” Matty asked.

“No,” Turner said. “But my blood might help him.”

“Is that why George could see me?” she asked.

“He has some of my blood, it makes him a little more than mortal.”

“My toes. Oh God, my toes. Shit, I can move my toes. My fingers… Oh God. Thank you, thank you.”

“You won’t remember us,” Turner said.

“Yeah, I will, but I won’t say anything.”

“You want to try with him?” Turner asked Catch.

“What? With my flimsy thrall? If you can’t make him forget, I won’t be able to.”

Turner stared at Mike who’d lifted his arm and watched his fingers move. “Repay the favor. Let this be a miracle.”

“It is. You guys are the best. Oh God, you’ve given me back my life.”

He started to cry and Matty hugged Turner. “Now take me home.”

* * * * *

“You drive,” Turner said.

“No, you,” Catch snapped. Matty had her hand in his pants. No way was he making her take it out. “We’ll change over halfway.”

“Fine.”

Catch bundled Matty into the back of the car. She had her pants and panties off and his chinos unzipped before they got out of the multi-story car park. He released a long groan as she swung a leg over his lap and straddled his thighs. Turner swiveled his head and cast him a quick smile, and Catch managed a weak one in return. Matty rubbed herself against him and purred like a kitten. Before his sweater was all the way over his head, her fingers were working at the buttons of his shirt.

It was dark. Maybe people wouldn’t see, though Catch wasn’t sure he gave a shit. Turner could charm any cop who stopped them. He whipped her top off.

Catch suspected his eyes had glazed over. He just hoped he wasn’t drooling. He’d always been a breast guy and Matty’s… Ah, they were beautiful. He’d touch them in a moment, after he’d drunk in the sight of her.

Soft fingers stroked his nipples then pinched, and his hips bucked. Matty squirmed harder against him and he wrapped his fingers around the cheeks of her backside and rocked her into him. When she licked his neck, Catch thought he’d come. She trailed her tongue up and down, lingered over a pulse point and he trembled in fear that she’d bite and fear that she wouldn’t.

But her mouth moved on, her lips sweeping along the line of his chin toward his mouth. Matty cupped his face and stared into his eyes as she held her lips an inch from his. Her eyes shone with moisture and Catch suspected his were the same. She didn’t need to breathe—did she? But her breath brushed his mouth in a warm wash of air. When her lips touched his, every cell sizzled, synapses snapped and limbs trembled. The kiss was electric.

Ours forever.

Catch slipped a hand between their bellies and found her clit. She was sopping wet. One rub and she gasped into his mouth. Her hand joined his between their bodies and she wrapped her fingers around his shaft.

“Oh fuck,” Catch groaned.

His cock pulsed in her hand. Her clit throbbed under his finger.

“I wish I could see what you were doing,” Turner said with a growl.

“Keep your eyes on the road,” Catch panted. “Concentrate on the sat nav.”

Matty dragged her hand up from the base of his cock, holding him tight, pulling the foreskin back over the head before she reversed the action. He couldn’t stand it. Catch wrapped his hands around her hips and Matty put hers on his shoulders. They stared into each other’s eyes as the head of his cock slipped between her folds and Catch lowered her down as slowly as he could. His head swam at the feel of her warmth welcoming his, her softness accepting his hardness, her cream easing his way. Catch didn’t want to stop sliding into her, wanted the sensation to go on forever, but finally they were pressed tight, skin to skin, nowhere else to go.

Matty leaned against him, her breasts crushed against his chest. Catch slid his hands from her butt up her back and feathered them down again.

“You feel so fucking perfect,” he whispered.

He rocked his hips, rolling up into her, and she tipped her head back and laughed.

“And you smell divine,” he muttered into the hollow of her throat.

She came, her muscles rippling over his cock, and Catch struggled not to follow her. He moved a little more, letting a fraction of his cock slip out before he thrust back in. Every movement took him a step closer to release, but Catch wanted to make this last. He could feel every part of her with his mouth, his hands, his cock. The different textures of her body, inside and out, were endlessly fascinating. Each drag of his cock through her silken folds made his heart pound louder in his chest.