Drake frowned. “Psychiatry is a real medical discipline.”

“Whatever you say. Let’s just hope you can clear up a few things for me—at this point I wouldn’t care if you were a veterinarian.”

“What is it I can help you with?” The doctor didn’t seem to mind the reference she’d made, and silently she thanked him for his good-natured behavior. She needed his cooperation.

“You said that Gabriel sired me. Does this make me his daughter?” God help her if she was lusting after her father’s blood—and body.

“Not at all. Of course, there’s always a certain affinity between a sire and the vampire he creates, but mostly it is because when a vampire is created, he generally sticks with the sire and his family. Take Carl, for example. Samson sired him when he found him dying after a vicious attack. It was entirely natural that Carl would stay with Samson, since he was the only vampire he knew and could teach him all he needed to know. So, while friendships often develop, it isn’t a matter of whose blood you carry. There have been plenty of incidents where a vampire killed his sire.”

While Maya was relieved to hear that she wasn’t considered Gabriel’s daughter it didn’t explain why she would want to drink his blood.

“Have you ever heard of a vampire who wouldn’t drink human blood?”

Drake pursed his lips. “Well, it’s very unusual. I admit I’ve heard rumors of vampires drinking synthetic blood somewhere on the East Coast, and even of some vampires who drink animal blood because they don’t like the idea of hurting humans. But I’ve never actually heard of one who won’t drink it at all. Tell me why it is that you don’t want to drink it,” he prompted.

“It tastes disgusting. I gag as soon as it touches my taste buds.”

“Fascinating.”

Maya gave him an exasperated look.

“Sorry,” he apologized. “But you must admit that from a medical standpoint, this is quite intriguing.”

She had to agree with him. Whether she wanted to or not. During her research while a fellow, she would have loved to be presented with a case like hers—something to really sink her teeth into. But now that she was the case, the fascination wasn’t quite as huge.

“How are your research skills?” she asked Drake.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Reasonable, why?”

“Listen, I need you to do something for me. I need you to research what could cause this aversion to human blood. Anything you can find. Allergies, genes, preexisting conditions.”

She would research it herself, but she knew nothing about vampires—where would she even start? No, Drake had a better chance of connecting the dots, and besides, she needed all her energy just to fight her desire for Gabriel’s blood. Maya grabbed a pen and piece of paper from the desk and scribbled on it. “Here, this is my logon and password to my medical files. It will give you anything I’ve ever suffered from. I want you to find out what’s wrong with me.”

He took the paper from her. “You want me to hack into the Medical Center’s electronic medical records?”

“It’s not hacking when you have the password. You do know how to read a medical file, don’t you?” She paused only long enough to acknowledge his frown. “How long do I have until my body starves?” When she spoke the words, a chill went down her spine. She pushed it away. If she wanted to succeed, she had to think logically. She couldn’t let her emotions interfere.

“I’m not entirely sure, but the thirst will grow and it will become painful. Your body will be able to sustain itself for a few days, but you’ll slowly start to go crazy from the thirst. Are you sure you can’t drink it?” He gave her a pitying look.

She nodded. “I’m sure.”

Drake turned toward the door, but she stopped him before he opened it.

“Another question. Have there ever been cases where a vampire thirsted for the blood of his sire?”

Drake’s eyes went wide. “Once the turning was complete?”

Maya nodded.

“Dr. Johnson, if that’s what your body needs, you have to tell him.”

And be even more indebted to Gabriel, who clearly only saw her as an obligation? No—it wasn’t an option. She shook her head. “Good night, Dr. Drake.”

Nine

“What do you mean by ‘nothing’?” Gabriel asked and stood.

“Exactly what I said. I don’t remember a single thing about the attack.” Maya looked past him at the other three vampires—Thomas, Zane and Yvette—who sat and stood around the living room listening to their boss.