Hunter stopped and turned to her seething, “This isn’t about fatigue, this is about right and wrong, and I’ve had enough.”
“What are you going to do?” Concern filled her. She had seen him take matters into his own hands before.
“What I’ve always done,” he said, starting to walk toward home again. “Be angry and continue to find a way that I can be alive again so that I may die in battle.”
Chapter 4
Rook kicked at the dirt, she contemplated how she played things wrong with Vivienne. She rehearsed her apology in her mind, preparing as she walked back through the cemetery and across the street. She steeled herself before walking through the red door.
The front room was empty, but she could hear voices coming from the back room. “I done told you, she ain’t here.”
“Vivienne, it’s imperative that I speak with her,” Jeziah answered in monotone.
“That ain’t none of my concern. She was staying here, but I told her she wasn’t welcome anymore.” Vivienne made a pfting sound before continuing, “I don’t need no entanglements with the likes of you.” Vivienne called out louder, “That’s why I told her she needed to go right now.”
“Why would you be concerned about vampire’s visiting your shop if she were staying here?” he asked, thinking he’s tripped her up.
“Because pretty young blood can have that effect. Now be off with ya and don’t come back,” Vivienne bleated.
Rook heard the footsteps coming her way. Shit. She bolted out the front door and ran to the cemetery, hiding behind one of the mausoleums.
Her heart pounded so loud in her chest she was sure the occupants of the graves might wake. Rook worked to regulate her breathing. She had learned that vampires have excellent hearing but usually can’t hear her. Terror ran through her as the footsteps came closer. She made a break for the tree line to escape the immediate danger.
She raced to get to crowded streets and the bar. She needed to talk to Samuel. If Jeziah was bold enough to go up against Vivienne, who everyone knew isn’t to be trifled with, Rook clearly got his attention and not in a good way.
She darted through the alley and was about to reach Broad Street. Rook was taken by surprise when she felt the cold hands wrap around her neck. Her body slammed against the building. “Is that the first move they teach all of you in supernatural school?”
“Go ahead and joke, you might as well be laughing while you die.” Jeziah’s breath was foul with blood.
Fight or flight took over and Rook chose to fight back. Kicking and flailing her arms was proving futile and her voice was strangled in Jeziah’s hold.
He leaned down close to her ear and said, “You’ve pissed off the wrong vampire.” He loosened his grip and her feet touched the ground.
Her hands rubbed her neck as air filled her lungs. “You?”
“No, not me. As you’ve pointed out previously, I’m harmless.” An evil smile danced across his features, hitting her with a wave of fear.
Jeziah inhaled deeply. “I can smell that, you know.”
“Smell what?” she said, trying to still her trembling.
“Your fear. It’s delightful,” he said, roughly threading his fingers through her thick curls. “I’m going to enjoy this job.”
She eyed him with curiosity. He was bluffing, no one could smell her. “What job? Someone’s paying you to do this?”
Jeziah shook his head. “No, I’m doing it for free.” He got closer. “But I want you to know I volunteered. I wanted to be the one to shut you up.”
For a split second she realized she could scream. She gulped down a breath to let out a howl, but Jeziah sank his fangs into her neck before she could make a noise.
A flash of pain spiked through her. “Oh, that was a mistake.”
Jeziah drew back, puzzling at her reaction. “You’re the one who’s made a mistake, I’ve been given permission to drink you dry.”
A derisive smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked with an edge of irritation in his tone.
“That this will be over.” She tilted her head back, giving him full access to her to neck. “You need more.”
He studied her closely, giving her a moment to say more, then dipped into her neck to finish. “It’s a shame I’m going to kill you, you’re delicious.”
“Yeah, I’m like fast food, quite tasty. Watch out, though, cholesterol kills.”
He squinted his eyes, searching for some modicum of rationality left in her. “You’re delirious from blood loss.” He huffed a laugh before leaning down to drink again. “Or crazy.”
Rook’s heartbeat slowed to a low thrum. “No, I think the word you’re looking for was . . . deadly.”
“The word you’re looking for was dead.” Jeziah bent to her neck and latched on to take his final drink. His body stilled completely, relaxing his hold.
She slid down the wall, working to keep her eyes open. She didn’t want to miss this.
Jeziah’s face contorted with horror. “What’s happening?”
Rook’s head flopped to the side, her lethargy unable to steal her satisfaction. “I’m a Rook, asshole, it’s not just my name, it’s what I am. I hope you enjoyed your last supper.”
Jeziah’s fingertip turned grey and hardened. “No, what’s happening?”
The effect moved up his arms until the color completely engulfed him. He stumbled to the street, froze and turned to dust.
Rook chuckled, “Dumb ass,” right before she passed out.
* * *
“Hey.” Samuel’s voice was low and full of concern. “Rook? Come on back to me.”
She heard him and tried to respond but couldn’t.
“She has to swallow this.” Vivienne handed Samuel a small vial with green liquid inside.
Samuel examined the vial. “What is it?”
“It’s a protein shake.” Sarcasm rolled off Vivienne’s tongue.
“Is it safe? I mean you know she’s not a supernatural.” His concern wasn’t misplaced, he’s seen what can happen when a human takes a potion meant for a supernatural.
“Of course it’s safe.” Vivienne shot him an angry glance, pushing him out of the way. She muttered under her breath, “Wolves.”
“It’s a fair question,” he defended.
Her voice lowered with seriousness, “Don’t ever question me.”
Samuel shrank back, feeling the burn of her anger. He held his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to question you, I’m just worried about her.”
Vivienne scrutinized his motives. “Why are you so worried?”
“Because she’s a sweet kid, I don’t want anything to happen to her.” The responsibility of putting her in harm’s way weighed heavy on his conscience.
“If you really cared, you would’ve sent her packing when she got here.” Vivienne turned her attention back to Rook. “She got no business snoopin’ on the vamps.”
“She wasn’t supposed to get that close, her job was to tell us when the vamp left the bar. I told her specifically not to follow him.”
“And you thought she’d listen?” Vivienne let out an outrageous laugh. “Fido, you don’t know the first thing about this girl . . .” Her eyes scanned him up and down. “You may be pretty, but not the brightest bulb in the bunch.”
“We were very specific.” He had a hard time defending himself.
“And now look at her.” Vivienne ticked her head toward Rook’s motionless body. “I hope you’re proud of yourself.”
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt. She knew what she was getting into.” Samuel’s voice trailed off. “She was willing to sacrifice herself to stop blood slave trade.”
Vivienne watched as the last drop of the potion left the lip of the vial. She spun around, pushing past Samuel with her hands held up. “La, la, la, I don’t need to hear any of what you’re talkin’ about. The less I know the better.”
Samuel followed behind he
r. “You’ve known for a long time and have done nothing.”
“What you want me to do?” she asked in earnest. “You want me going out there and following the vamps around? You want me to call you every time a supernatural does something outside The Directive’s rules?” Vivienne shook her head. “That’s how you get dead ‘round these parts.”
“We were trying to protect her . . .” Samuel hung his head. “But we failed.”
“I’d say you did,” Vivienne scolded, hurrying back to Rook.
Rook mumbled something and balled the threadbare comforter in her fists.
“Stay easy, baby girl. You’re gonna feel a little weak and queasy.” Vivienne sat on the side of the bed.
Rook kept her eyes squeezed shut. “A little?” She lurched forward, about to throw up.
“No, child, you hold it in,” Vivienne warned.
Worry furrowed Samuel’s brow, he took two steps closer to the bed. “Are you okay?”
Rook held her hand to her mouth, staving off the nausea. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, determined to overcome the feeling. She nodded before wrapping both hands around her arms protectively. “I’m okay.”
Vivienne put her hand on Rook’s back. “Atta girl, you’d best not scare us like that again.”
“It’s not going to happen again.” Samuel’s tone was absolute.
“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re finally going to bust those vamps?” She pursed her lips with the question.
“We’re going to protect you.” Samuel cocked his head to the side. “My main concern is keeping you safe from Augustus.”
“I can take care of myself,” Rook fired off, then thought better of her words. “I mean, thank you very much for taking care of me, but I would’ve been fine.”
“What exactly happened?” Samuel had been unable to piece together the events. “I got the tip that Jeziah was going to make a move. I got there as fast as I could, in time to watch him turn into a pile of dust.”
“You don’t know what she is?” Vivienne delighted at knowing more than Samuel.
“I know she has nearly no scent at all, but other than that she’s just a kid from a small town with a big attitude.” Samuel smiled.
“I don’t have an attitude.” Rook scowled.
“She is a rook.” Vivienne put her hand on Rook’s forehead, checking for a fever.
“She is Rook.” Samuel was confused.
“No, she is a rook. If a vamp drinks from her, she takes their life force and they die.” Vivienne turned back to Rook. “She’s toxic to them.”
“That’s very interesting.” The gears inside Samuel’s head were spinning, forming ideas.
“Whatever it is you’re thinking, forget it. We need to get her out of town.” Vivienne pinned him with an uncompromising stare.
“Why? She’s immune to vampires.” The excitement in his tone was short-lived.
“She’s not immune.” Vivienne got choked up. “They can still kill her. Just because they can’t drink from her doesn’t take her out of harm’s way.”
“She’s right here, and she hates it when people talk about her like she’s not in the room.” Rook swung her legs over the side of the bed to stand. “I’m not leaving town.”
“Oh yes, you are,” Vivienne insisted as though the decision was final.
“I’m a grown woman and I can make my own decisions. I have no intention of leaving town until we bust Augustus.” Rook stood on unsteady feet. To prove a point, she remained standing for as long as her body would allow. With a controlled fall, she landed on the bed. “But not right now, maybe in the morning.”
Samuel’s glance shifted between the two women. He knelt in front of Rook and took her hands in his. “I’m sorry, but you’re not doing this anymore.” He looked down at their hands. “I can’t protect you and I never should’ve brought you into this.”
“What are you saying?” Rooks eyes wrinkled on the edge of anger.
“I’m saying your freelance career is over.” He waited for her to blow up.
Rook didn’t react, speak or move.
Samuel wondered if she heard him, or if she had gone into some sort of trance. He shared a glance with Vivienne. “Do you understand?”
Rook nodded and answered with a short, “Yup.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “So you’re okay with this?”
“I don’t really have much of a choice.” She shrugged, getting up from the bed.
“Just like that?” Samuel gauged her reaction.
Rook looked around the room. “Where’s my backpack?”
Vivienne nodded toward the front room. “It’s in there.”
Rook’s movements were stiff. She was afraid to speak and let out a deluge of angry tears. She hated how she cried when pissed off. Everyone mistook it for weakness. “Thank you for everything, Vivienne.” She threw her arms around Vivienne to say goodbye.
“You don’t have to leave tonight,” Vivienne offered. “You can stay for a few days until you figure out a plan.”
Rook turned to Vivienne with a sly look. “I always have a plan.”
“I want you to understand this is only to protect you. I can’t have humans getting hurt.” Samuel followed her to the front of the shop.
“It’s a little late for that,” Rook said through gritted teeth. “I’ll pick up final payment from Julio tomorrow and I’ll be gone.”
“Where will you go?” Vivienne asked.
“Away.” Rook closed the door softly on the way out.
Vivienne and Samuel looked at each other stunned in silence. Samuel shook his head. “That was too easy.”
“Yes, it was.” Vivienne nodded, still stunned by Rook’s reaction. “She’s not leaving, is she?”
Samuel huffed a knowing laugh. “She is.”
“Really?” she asked, looking at him for more clarification. “How do you know?”
“Because she’s heading for Biloxi,” he said with a nervous smile.
Chapter 5
Hunter struggled to feel some kind of peace, even a little sleep would’ve helped. He didn’t require much rest, but he was on edge and Camille would quiz him on whether he slept.
He closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep. He’s comforted by the surroundings his subconscious had chosen for his dream.
The fjord.
Green grass as far as the eye could see, the aroma of the smoke shack lured him further into the village, buying a sack of jerky from a vendor. He took a piece out and sank his teeth into it, thankful for the memories still stored of what it was like to eat real food. Not just a liquid diet.
Hunter strolled through the bustling village chewing his jerky, allowing the flavor of the meat to fill all his senses.
He rounded the corner, hoping and praying she was there. He stilled when he saw her, savoring her beauty. Wispy blond hair blew in the warm summer breeze as she wove the pieces of a fishing net together. The sound of her demure laugh sent warmth through his entire being. She flashed him a quick glance and her cheeks reddened.
The Viking was awakened, primal and needy. His cock ticked to life at the thought of having her.
The corner of his mouth cut a smile into his cheek. Lewd thoughts ran wild through his mind.
Their eyes met for a moment, then he continued through the village pathways, moving slow enough to be sure she was following his silent command.
He made a few quick turns to up the ante, playing a game of hide and seek.
He turned a corner and ducked into an empty manger. He watched through the gaps in the plank walls for her to come close enough to capture.
With his predatory reflexes he snatched her from the walkway, covering her mouth with his hand. He held her close, pressing his erection against her. She rubbed her ass against him.
Hunter enveloped her tiny frame, her excitement filled the air with the succulent aroma of her arousal.
A low growl rumbled from his chest, “I’m going to take you.”
She gazed up at him, sultry, wanton, suckling his finger as a promise of greater things to come.
He took her by the waist, throwing her down in a pile of hay and unlaced his britches. She suppressed a giggle at his fumbling, he couldn’t get them off fast enough. “Here let me.” She pushed up to her knees and moved his hands aside.
With care she unlaced his pants, then reached in and took the length of him into her hands. Her mouth watered at the thought of having him inside her.
He twitched, holding on with shaky knees. “Runa,” he gasped, knowing that her touch was enough for her to own him.
“Shh.” She licked her lips before taking the head into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the opening. She never broke eye contact as she licked the small bead of liquid from the tip and savored the taste of him. “Mm.”
Hunter’s eyes rolled back as she stroked him with her mouth. She curved her tongue around his girth, driving him crazy with pleasure.
Hunter cupped her cheeks in his hands, lowering to brush a kiss against her ear. “I can smell your pussy and I want it. Now.” He said it as the demand it was meant to be.
She leaned back in the pile of hay, lifting her dress up over her head. Hunter took her breast in his hand, playing her hard nipples in his fingers. One hand slid lower, pressing between her folds. He circled the hard bundle of nerves slick with her excitement. He knew how to touch her, exactly where all her pleasure points were. His movements were precise around her clit, making it swell.
Hunter’s bright blue eyes flashed up, capturing her gaze. “You like that?”
“Uh huh.” She threw her head back, breathy and quivering with ecstasy.
His fingers slid inside her entrance, wet with desire. A whimper escaped her, “Bjorn!”
He pressed his tongue past her folds, tasting her essence. His lips brushed up her belly to her breast to suck the hard peak.
A Vampire's Thirst Page 3
