Bonded With Love by Tiffany Heiser (the giving tree read aloud .txt) 📕

with want for the juice. “So, what does the guy out in the woods want?”
“Our kind has delinquents, the same as any other. We label them as rogues. Their life is based around blood. Where a regular vampire needs blood at least once a week to survive, a rogue requires it daily to live and craves it every second. They are desperate for blood and will do anything to get it.”
“I felt so much rage coming from him. My thoughts had been his thoughts.” I shivered. “You knew what he was thinking?”
I nodded. “I didn't know who the anger was for, but it was crazy strong.” I slowly took a sip from the bottle. I hated to admit it, the juice did make me feel better.
He stared at me for a brief moment. “It The rogue's brain is wired differently, and typically only an original vampire can read or sense them.”
“What does that mean about me?” I leaned back into the couch and tried to soak in what he was saying.
“I am not sure, except that you are stronger than anyone expects.” He placed a hand on my knee.
I tried to keep my thoughts focused on his words, and not his touch. “Should I be worried?”
“Not at all.” He grinned then. “It only shows your strength.”
Looking up at him, trying to put all the pieces together, I gathered what I could of my sanity. “What's he after?”
“They are out there trying to find a moment where you are weak and unprotected Rena, so you must be strong.”
“Me specifically?”
“Yes.”
“Why me? You said they were after blood, and everyone has it.”
“You are destined to be the queen of all vampires. Your blood is important. One single drop can give them strength. All of your blood will give a rogue back their sanity plus unimaginable powers.”
My mouth dropped to the floor. “They want all of my blood?”
He nodded. “Your blood is powerful.”
“You said they could regain their sanity by drinking every last drop. Were they normal once?” I swallowed another sip of elixir.
“Yes. They all had been a part of traditional vampire society. But after fifty years, if a vampire has not found their one true mate, the mental awareness scale is tipped.”
“There's nothing that can bring them back from that? Well, besides my blood of course.”
“No, only death brings peace. Without it, a lust for blood consumes your every action and thought.”
“He had other thoughts, other needs to be met. That's what I felt in my head. I had the urge to ki...”
He cocked an eyebrow at me. “To what?”
“To kill you. He wanted me to drain you of your blood.”
“Good thing you didn't follow through.” He chuckled. “I had some thoughts like that floating in the back of my brain also, but my mind isn't able to controlled. My strengths are too much for some lowly rogue. But your mind is very vulnerable, and will be until you bond with me.”
“How about instead we kick his ass? I'm not ready to die, Cryder, but I'm also definitely not ready to become a vampire. I want to live that's it.” My mind raced with plans, thoughts, and ideas. None of which would be enough to go up against vampires.
“You cannot do a thing. This is not your fight, but it is Drake and my right to protect the ones we care about. Consider us your knight's in shining armor.” His lips curled into a smile.
I rolled my eyes. “I'm not helpless. I can learn to fight, or you can teach me how to use my vampire powers. Wait did you say you care?”
Before he could answer, I heard whispers coming from upstairs. Cecile and Drake made their way downstairs, deep in conversation.
Cecile crossed the room, sat in the recliner, and locked eyes with me. A look of worry filled her them. “Drake caught me up with what's going on. He also told me what he wants from you.” And then tears spilled out from the corners of her eyes.
I hopped off the couch and sat on the arm of the chair. “Cecile, don't cry. It's a lot to take in. Trust me I know, but we can figure this out.”
“But it's not what I expected. I wanted to get away from my life, forget everything about my parents, but this one is scary.” Her sobs grew louder as she brought her knees to her chest.
“Please stop crying. We'll get through this first, and then figure everything else out.” She sniffled. “I'm sorry for acting like such a bitch earlier. I don't know what came over me.” “Its them.” I nodded over to the guys as they sat there staring at us.
Drake put his hands up in surrender. “Hey, we aren't doing anything to you. It's natural.”
“Right, sure. Because we've always acted like drooling love sick teenagers.” I responded sarcastically.
Drake smirked. “Maybe you have. How am I suppose to know?”
“Shut up, Drake. This is serious, and not some damn joke.” Cecile's words shot out in a harsh whisper, but Drake got the message.
Her words sobered Drake's humor instantly, and he crossed the room in a split second. Sitting by her side, he held her in his arms. “I'm sorry love. I would never want any harm to come to you or anyone you cared about. You are mine, and I will take care of you to my last breath.” He kissed her very gently on her cheek and then her lips. He slowly pulled from the kiss and turned toward Cryder. “We need to come up with something now. I will not subject her to this, especially in the weak state she is in.”
Cryder lifted out of his chair effortlessly, and stared down at Drake. “What do you think I am doing? How dare you command me to do anything. Your attitude is weighing on my patience, Drake. It would be best for you to learn your position, and keep your silence your mouth.” Drake bowed his head to Cryder, and they stayed like that for a few seconds. Cryder's self-control amazed me. As one of the strongest vampires, he's capable of wreaking havoc and forcing anyone to do his will, and he hasn't done any of that...yet.
I sat staring at him. Admiring his broad chest and shoulders, which were squared facing Drake. With his head held high and an unflinching gaze, Cryder's regal blood showed through for the very first time. He knew what needed to get done.
Cecile broke through my thoughts. “So is this a whole group of psycho lunatic vampire stalkers, or just one looney on his own?”
Cryder blinked his blue eyes. “As of right now there is only one. It's a possibility that there are many more around, although they don't work well in groups.” He took a seat on the couch. “However, I'm sure they have figured out by now that I have found my queen, and they will want to end that.” Cryder turned his gaze from Cecile to me. “You are the glue that will hold our people together and make us strong once again. ”
I shuddered. I had an awful decision to make. Become a vampire and rule the race, or don't and end a whole civilization along with possibly causing my own death. “Fine then. That's even more reason for me to learn their weaknesses, and learn to fight back. Like I said, I want to live, and not be some worthless little girl hiding in a corner.”
“Okay. Something sharp through the heart will put a vampire in a coma. They will only awaken when the object is removed. Fire and decapitation will kill, and guarantees no resurrections.” Drake responded.
Everything I learned about vampires from every book I had read flashed through my mind. Truth and stories were jumbled together in my thoughts. “What about the sun?”
“True vampires can withstand the sun better than the rogues, their blood is weakened and not pure like ours. Sun hardens the blood creating stone from our bodies. So if you do come in contact with one, which I hope you never do, try to find the sunniest spot you can and wait there until we find you.” Cecile nodded at Drake's answer, but I knew with my luck it would be a stormy day when I came face-to-face with one of them.
I sat, thinking about crosses and holy water as weapons also, but I was pulled from my thoughts by Cryder's voice.
“Rena.” He called. “Rena, we are not children of some demon. We didn't rise from hell.”
Great, he had heard my thoughts, again. “I didn't mean it that way.”
He ignored my comment. “We are a race that was born from this world. We are in a sense, human. We do not look different, we only have different abilities. So please stop comparing the true vampire race to the blood sucking demons that you have read about in books. What we are and the blood in your veins are not related to the fiends you see on the movie screen.”
“Stop reading my mind. Can I learn to block my thoughts like you do?”
“Yes.” Cryder simply responded.
“Are you going to show me?”
Cryder smiled and relaxed back into the couch. “I can't teach you how to use it until you are a full-fledged vampire.”
I huffed loudly. “That doesn't sound right, because as of right now my emotions and thoughts can be forced by a rogue vampire and you. I can't protect myself at all.”
Cryder sat for a moment, and then nodded in agreement. “I understand. You feel helpless. I would hate to feel that way. So I would be willing to train you, but I'm not guaranteeing it will work.”
“Anything you can show me, instead of running and hiding, would make me happy. As happy as I can get right now.” I grinned at Cryder.
A full blown smile rose on his lips. “Well whenever you are ready my dear, I am.”
Cecile yawned loudly then, and stretched out her legs. “As fun as all of that sounds, I'm done with testosterone filled tantrums, and talk about psycho vamps.” She stood. “I'm ready to go pass out.”
She took two steps away from the chair and fainted.
I jumped up and went to Cecile's side. Drake flipped her onto her back, and she gasped for air but her eyes remained closed.
I leaned over her, gently stroking her forehead. “Cecile? Cecile, honey can you hear me?” Cryder leaned over examining her. I asked, “what's wrong with her?”
I could feel his hot breath on my ear. “Apparently her need for blood is not being met.” He glanced up at Drake and rushed to where he stood, lifting him by his collar. “If you intend to keep your mate healthy and alive I suggest you take care of her properly, and not let it get to this point ever again.”
“I didn't kn-kn-know it had gone this far. I'm sorry sir. She's starting to need it daily, and there really hasn't been a schedule. I'm so-sorry.”
“You know better. If she needs it daily then you know what that means, and you should be providing her better.” Cryder snarled and dropped Drake back to the ground.
Drake only nodded, and then glanced down at Cecile.
“Listen, I don't give a shit who did what, someone better worry only about making my friend better. Now!” I screeched at them, and then gasped as Drake slowly brought his wrist to his mouth. “What the...”
Cryder came to my side within seconds, and whispered in my ear. “It is too late to make more elixir for her, and I'm sorry you have to see this side of us