I frowned, processing that. "That sounds annoying."
"It is. But there's a practical reason beyond romance."
Luna stepped closer, her crimson eyes locking onto mine. "When you form a Soul Marriage, you gain a fraction of your mate's power. A true piece of their ability you can wield. They gain yours in return."
"Wait." My mind raced through the implications. "So if I marry someone with fire manipulation, I'd be able to use fire too?
"With training, yes. It won't be as strong as theirs, but you'll have access." A small, knowing smile crept onto Luna's face. "For you, it's ideal. We don't know what your power is yet. A Soul Marriage would grant you an additional ability immediately. It would help you grow stronger faster."
"Interesting." I looked down at my shirt. The fabric stretched tight across my chest, straining at the seams. My shoulders had broadened. My muscles had swollen slightly, pressing against the material. "But that's for later."
"Later?" Luna's voice rose sharply, that protective edge slicing through like a blade. "Vlad, this is important. As a newborn without a mate, your bloodlust will—"
"Luna." I turned to face her fully, meeting her gaze. "I appreciate the lesson. I really do. But I need to focus on what's important right now."
"And what's that?" Her voice dripped with frustration.
"The executioner ceremony. I need to get there before it's over."
"The executioners?" Her expression darkened immediately, protective instinct flaring in her eyes. Luna spoke in disgust. "Vlad, we need to talk about…"
"Another time." I headed for the door, moving with purpose. "Right now, I have to hurry."
"You can't be serious." Luna moved faster than I could track, suddenly blocking my path. Her hands planted on her hips, she tilted toward me, showing more of her cleavage. She stared me down, unafraid to get directly in my face.
"Listen to me. Executioners hunt our kind." Luna grimaced. "They kill vampires. They've made it their entire existence to eradicate us. If they discover what you are."
"They won't."
"You don't know that!" She jabbed a finger hard into my chest, each word punctuated with force. "And I'm not about to let you walk into a death trap because you're too stubborn to listen to reason."
"I know I can walk in sunlight." I met her gaze steadily, not backing down an inch. "That's their main test. I passed it."
"It's not just the sun," Luna insisted, her voice rising with barely contained anger. That fierce protectiveness blazed in full force now, radiating off her in waves. "They have other ways to detect vampires. Other tests we are not even aware of. Even if you somehow pass all of them, you'll be surrounded by people who have spent their entire lives training to kill exactly what you are. One mistake, one single moment where your control falters, and—"
"Then I won't make mistakes." I stepped around her, my shoulder brushing hers.
"Luna, I've been planning this for years. I'm not backing out now."
"This is madness!" She grabbed my arm with surprising strength, fingers digging in as she spun me around to face her. "I was sent here to watch over you, to protect you. How am I supposed to do thishat if you're throwing yourself directly at the people who want to murder you?"
"You can't stop me from this path." The words came out harder than I intended.
Luna stood there, hands clenched into fists at her sides, clearly torn. Her duty to protect me warred with the reality that I wouldn't be swayed.
Her shoulders sagged. The fight drained from her posture like water from a shattered pitcher. Finally, she released a long, defeated sigh.
She reached into her dress pocket with jerky, frustrated movements. "If you're determined to do this foolish thing, at least take these." She practically shoved them at me, frustration bleeding into every motion.
A small leather pouch landed in my palm. Red crystals glinted inside, catching the dying sunlight streaming from the horizon.
"What are they?"
"Crystallized blood. My blood." Her voice was tight with frustration and worry, the emotions bleeding together. "Since you've awakened as a newborn at eighteen, you'll experience bloodlust. It's worse for unmated vampires—your body will crave blood and other things." A faint blush crept across her cheeks despite her obvious irritation. "Take one when the hunger becomes too strong. It'll help you maintain control."
I stared at the crystals in my hand, then looked up at her. They pulsed with a faint warmth against my palm, like they still carried her life force. I was holding pieces of her very essence. "You're giving me your blood?"
"A precaution." Her expression showed both anger and deep concern, the emotions warring across her features in rapid succession.
"I can't stop you from being an idiot, but I can try to keep you from revealing yourself by draining some innocent human in the middle of the street. At least let me do my job in some capacity."
"Thank you." I tucked the pouch carefully in my pocket. It settled against my hip with surprising weight, warm even through the fabric.
Luna studied me in silence, and something shifted behind her eyes. That protective edge softened as she licked her lips seductively.
Her crimson eyes glinted with an intensity that made my newly enhanced senses tingle with anticipation.
"One more thing you need to understand." She moved closer, her voice dropping to that firm, commanding tone that brooked no argument.
"You've experienced what it's like to feed. But you need to know what it's like to be fed upon."
I tensed instinctively. "Why would I…"
She stuck one finger to my lips.
"Because," Luna interrupted, "if you're going to be around humans constantly, you need to understand the vulnerability of being on the receiving end. You need to feel what they feel. This isn't a suggestion, Vlad. It's part of your education."
She looked at me provocatively; in her eyes, I was just a meal.
Before I could form an argument. She lifted her hands up and shoved me back against the wall near the stairs. I hit the stone with enough force that the wall cracked slightly.
Suddenly, she was there, pressing against me. Her hands gripped my shoulders with surprising, almost bruising strength.
"Luna, what are you—"
"Quiet." Her voice left no room for argument. "You're going to stand here and learn this lesson whether you like it or not."
She pressed closer, eliminating the space between us. I became acutely aware of every sensitive point where our bodies touched.
Her heat radiated through the thin silk of her dress, searing into my skin. How perfectly her curves molded against me, fitting like we were made to slot together.
My body responded immediately. Blood rushed south in a heated wave.
Her eyes flicked down, then back up. That slight curve of her lips, knowing, almost predatory, told me she felt every inch of my reaction.