Chapter 39 — Khloe’s POV
I looked out at the long line of people in the city who were old enough and healthy enough to give their blood.
Whether they were willing or not wasn’t really their choice. If it were, I doubted anyone would be here.
This collection wasn’t like a typical blood donation, where a doctor draws blood from your elbow. No—the vampires running the operation drew blood directly from the neck using an oversized needle so the process would be quick. Something about the oxygenated blood traveling to the brain seemed to appeal to them more than other areas.
I let out a quiet sigh, crossing my arms in an effort to feel warmer.
We had arrived about an hour ago, before the official start time. Xander and Nico had already given the vampire in charge the list of names and blood types.
Since then, Xander and Nico had been sitting on the large cushioned benches outside the small building, keeping watch over the people in line and making sure no one tried anything foolish.
Luckily, Nico let me sit next to him, whereas Doe was left on the ground, shivering from the cold.
I was shivering too, but at least I had warmer clothes.
Nico sighed, resting his elbow on the armrest and leaning away from me. Nothing had happened with the people, and it was obvious this was a boring task.
Xander wasn’t even trying to hide his boredom. His eyes narrowed, scanning the line carefully, ready to punish anyone who stepped out of line.
I wasn’t really bored per se—I was used to sitting around and doing nothing from my time in the pet shop—but it wasn’t nearly this cold there.
Even though it wasn’t snowing right now, the chill cut through me. I tried not to focus on it, instead watching the people in line.
Their faces were blank as they stood as still as possible. I recognized only a few of them, and luckily, no one dared look directly at me.
The vampires sitting next to me intimidated them enough to keep their gaze fixed straight ahead.
I hugged my knees closer, resting my head against them. I wanted to conserve as much body heat as I could—this was far from over.
“Khloe.”
I looked up at Nico, meeting his sideways glance.
“Stand up,” he said.
I raised a brow, confused. “W-what?” Why would he want me to do that?
His brows lifted slightly, giving me the classic ‘Are you really going to make me say it again?’ look.
Not wanting to make him repeat himself, I uncurled and stood. After what happened this morning, I didn’t want to anger him at all.
I stood facing the slowly moving line, hearing Nico move behind me.
Not turning around, I flinched slightly when I felt him drape something over my shoulders. My surprise grew when I realized it was his black dress jacket.
I looked wide-eyed at him—he was just in his white long-sleeved shirt. That alone couldn’t keep him warm, yet he continued wrapping the jacket around me.
“Put your arms in the sleeves and button it up,” he instructed.
Still confused and partially shocked, I obeyed, fumbling with the buttons until they were all secured. I let my arms hang down, the sleeves falling past my hands.
Well, I was certainly warmer, but…
“Th-thank you, but aren’t you cold?” I asked.
He looked me over for a moment.
“Uh-huh,” he said, and before I could react, he lifted me onto his lap. “That’s why you’ll be sitting here now.”
He crossed his arms near my stomach, pulling me close. My eyes widened, and slowly, my shoulders relaxed.
Part of my mind struggled to process what had just happened.
I glanced to the side and noticed more people looking at me. I instinctively turned my head the other way as Nico did, toward his brother.
I looked at Doe first, my empathy returning immediately, then at Xander. He rested his chin on his hand, sending Nico a sideways glare that didn’t seem connected to boredom.
Nico must have been giving him a disappointed look.
“Do you want to fight me or something?” Xander snapped, causing Doe to tense.
Nico shrugged lazily.
“No, not really. But don’t come crawling to me if your pet gets sick again,” he said, gesturing toward Doe.
Xander rolled his eyes. “Keep telling me what to do with my pet, Nico,” he said sarcastically.
Nico leaned back, taking me with him. “I’m not telling you what to do with her. I’m just saying, don’t expect me to deal with her if she gets s—”
He stopped as Xander’s head suddenly shifted, eyes wide like a wild dog spotting its prey.
Nico followed his gaze, and so did I. Squinting, I saw what had caught their attention.
Far down the line, a middle-aged man was looking around nervously, clearly trying to find a way out.
Someone always tried to run. Usually, they were the ones who preached against the vampires and believed humanity shouldn’t be under their control. No one had ever successfully escaped because of guards like Nico and Xander. Killing wasn’t allowed, so people kept trying.
I tightened my fists, feeling angry. Don’t they realize how lucky they are? This was nothing compared to what slaves and pets had to endure. To me, their selfishness was infuriating.
“I call dibs if he runs,” Xander whispered, sitting up straighter.
Nico didn’t move, watching the man calmly.
“He’ll run,” Xander added.
“How can you tell?”
I stopped trying to focus on the man and listened instead.
“Well, the fact that he’s not checking if we’re watching is an obvious sign. He doesn’t want attention. Plus, the people in front and behind him look uncomfortable—they must know what he’s planning.”
Xander just hummed, eyes never leaving the man. Part of me wanted the man to run.
“Hm… I bet he starts in the next ten seconds, so get ready,” Nico said.
“Wait, really?” Xander asked, scooting to the edge of his seat.
“Mhm,” Nico replied, counting down with his fingers.
I kept switching my gaze between the man and Xander, wondering if the man would really be foolish enough not to check the guards’ attention.
I don’t know which surprised me more—the man’s stupidity, or the fact that he started running right as Nico’s countdown hit zero.
He sprinted down the line, trying to hide behind the other people.
“Hell yea!” Xander exclaimed, tossing Doe’s leash at Nico before taking off like a blur.
Nico caught the leash before it reached me, watching calmly as his brother disappeared.
I lost track of Xander, but a chorus of gasps and a scream from the man revealed exactly where they were. Every head in line turned.
I knew what was happening immediately. The memories associated with the scream hit me like a wave—the memories of my family I always tried to forget.
I leaned further against Nico, wrapping his jacket tighter around me as I glanced up at him.
“How did you know he was going to run?” I asked.
Nico looked down at me, noticing my sudden discomfort.
“I’ve… been alive for a long time,” he said.
I tried to occupy my mind with conversation. “H-how old are you?” I realized I’d never asked.
An amused smirk appeared. “Old enough,” he replied.
Xander reappeared, a proud grin revealing blood-stained teeth.
“Got him,” he announced.
“I noticed,” Nico said. “How was it?”
“O positive isn’t really my favorite, but…” Xander shrugged.
I glanced at the line. The people’s faces were like stone once they remembered who was in charge.
“Well, go tell the boss to cross him off the list,” Nico said. “His blood has officially been collected.”
