The Chosen Sin by Anya Bast

and tipped her head back on a satisfied sigh. As much as she hated to admit it, she felt much better. Stronger.
    She pushed off of him and stood. This time there was no wooziness at all. A hard flush enveloped her body as she glanced at Alejandro, who still reclined on the bed. Again she’d lost her control, and this time she didn’t have the Choosing to blame.
    â€œNext time try and unfurl your veil. You have one. You just need to learn how to use it.”
    She glanced at him. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
    He shook his head and grinned. “You didn’t hurt me, no.”
    â€œCan you tell if there’s anything special about mine? I read that some vamps have different veil abilities.”
    â€œIt’s true different vamps have different flavorings to their veil. Your specialized abilities probably won’t develop for several years, though certain aptitudes may show themselves immediately.”
    â€œWhat are your secret ingredients?”
    His fangs flashed as he grinned. “Pleasure. My bite gives more than the average amount.”
    Daria rolled her eyes.
    â€œI also have the ability to tear down people’s inhibitions with my veil. I don’t advertise that skill.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œMy veil acts like a drug, or like alcohol on a human system. It frees the id, makes the receiver do exactly what they want to do, without the rational thought that would ordinarily hold them back.”
    â€œYou can compel people? I see how you’d want to keep that on the lowdown.”
    He shook his head. “Not compel people. I can only free them of their inhibitions and make them do what they truly want to do. It’s a rare ability, and only a handful of people know I possess it.”
    She considered him for a long moment. “Do not ever use that on me, Alejandro. I mean it.”
    â€œMost people get nervous when they find out I can do that. I felt you needed to know everything. I won’t ever use it on you, Daria. Not without your permission. You have my word.”
    â€œWhere’s the shower?” she bit off.
    â€œIn the back.”
    â€œThanks.”
    Daria gingerly made her way to the back of the tent and into the small bathroom. Catching her reflection in the mirror over the small travel sink, she stared. A small drop of blood dotted the corner of her mouth. Right before she licked it away, she caught herself. Her eyes widened as she realized that she had done it. She’d actually gone through with it. The blood drained from her cheeks.
    She was a vampire. Immortality, whether she wanted it or not, was hers.
    For a long moment, she gazed into her pale face in shock. Tears pricked her eyes. She ducked her head quickly and slammed on the tap to splash her face with water. She’d seen the tank at the back of the tent when they’d flown in. She didn’t know how much water was in there and she didn’t want to waste it.
    After cupping her hands under the flow and taking a couple of gulps, she shut it off. Then she leaned her arms on the edge of the sink and listened to the plink , plink of water droplets dripping off her nose and hitting the porcelain. To her newly minted preternatural hearing, it sounded really loud. She closed her eyes.
    What the hell had she done?
    Even though she’d planned for this and had even fought for it, it seemed unreal to her now. Her thirst for revenge against Sante had been so much stronger than her will to live out her life as she’d been meant to. Her desire to take vengeance on him had eclipsed everything else, had driven her without thought or consideration. That was a frightening revelation.
    How could she be capable of so much hatred?
    She straightened and stared at her reflection in the mirror, wondering who it was she truly blamed, who it was she truly hated. Was it Sante?
    Or was it herself?

5
    DARIA stepped out of her very short shower. The stupid thing had given