A Vampire's Thirst

by Bella Roccaforte

  The smite landed on her hand and sank its teeth into her finger. She flicked her hand to get it off. “Ow, what the hell?” she cried out then sucked the blood off her finger.

  “Alfrigg warned you.” Samuel laughed heartily at her reaction.

  “That hurt.” She sucked a breath through her teeth and looked down at the smite on the ground, the light of its body was dimming. “What’s happening? Is it like a bee, if it stings you it dies?”

  They both knelt to examine the bug. Samuel looked closer as the light went out. “Your blood is toxic to them, too.”

  “Yeah, well, the mosquitoes never had a problem, I used to get eaten alive as a kid.” Her expression soured at the memory. “And the horse flies, you wouldn’t believe how bad it hurts when they bite.”

  “I’m familiar with horse flies.”

  “They suck,” she said with pouty lips, standing up and feeling a little bad if she was the reason the bug was dead.

  “Now that we’re out here, let’s have a talk.” Samuel got very serious.

  “Oh God, I don’t like that look,” she said with apprehension.

  “Things are going to be heating up for you, and unless you intend to stay here forever, I think you should really think about what your options are,” Samuel continued, trying to speak in a calming tone.

  “Are you saying it’s going to get worse than it is? You don’t think it’s going to die down after a week or two?” she asked, full of concern.

  “We’re talking about ancient beings, thousands of years old, and they have perfected holding a grudge.”

  “But why? I didn’t do anything except for not get drained by Jeziah. I don’t see how that’s my fault.” She shook her head.

  “Yeah, you said that, but they don’t see it that way.” He started walking again, “In their eyes you killed one of theirs, you were also working with us to bust them. They don’t take kindly to that either.”

  “You want me to just run?”

  “Yeah, you need to leave New Orleans. Probably avoid any cities that tend to have a lot of supernaturals. Lay low for a while, go by your real name.” He smiled. “It’s not so bad, it’s not like you have roots here.”

  The hurt in Rook’s eyes affected Samuel. “How can you say that?”

  “What I mean is, it’s not like you have to pack up a house, quit a job, stuff like that.”

  Rook remained quiet, wrapping her arms around herself protectively.

  After a long pause, Samuel couldn’t help but asked, “What did I say?”

  Rook blew out a quick breath, pulling one shoulder to her ear. “I guess . . . well, I considered you roots, and Vivienne, Seamus. You guys are like family.”

  “Oh, Rook, it’s not that we don't love you. I love you, it’s like having a kid sister, but we all know that staying here is going to be too dangerous for you.” He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight to him. “You have a real family that loves you in Idaho. I envy that.”

  A sad memory flashed in his eyes. “I gave up my pack when I decided to come here and work for The Directive. Supernaturals are funny, they either love or hate The Directive. I think what they’re doing is good and believe in it.”

  “Your pack kicked you out?” she asked, surprised.

  “Sort of. I could go back if I wanted, but I would have to choose between my pack and The Directive.” There was something deeper to what he was saying.

  Rook wanted to know more. The investigator in her wanted to know what was really behind the look in his eyes. “Now you’re holding out on me.”

  “You’re looking for a story that’s not there.” He chuckled, “But that’s your nature.”

  “It’s instinct.” She tilted her chin up with pride. “And my instincts are screaming at me about the real story.”

  “That's the story.” A sad smile stretched across his face.

  “And you’re sticking to it?” She laughed.

  “Yes,” he said insistently, his expression clouded with darkness. “But we should really practice some of what I taught you. You’re going to run into other vampires in the world and I want you to be ready to protect yourself.”

  Rook was hesitant to answer, she wasn’t ready for the possibility of leaving New Orleans and never coming back. “Isn’t my blood enough to protect me?”

  “You’re presently hiding in a troll’s cloaked forest, I’d say your blood puts you in more danger.”

  “He’s a troll?” Her lips screwed up at the thought, “He said he was fae.”

  “Fae is a general term.” Samuel shrugged. “But let’s get to work.”

  Rook dropped her backpack on the ground and pushed the sleeves up on her flannel shirt. “Let the training montage begin.”

  “I don’t know about a training montage.” Samuel laughed, “Just a trick or two to give you time if you need to get away.”

  Chapter 13

  Hunter had hoped being here, where they might find his bloodmate, would calm his restlessness. No such luck, it had only gotten worse. He managed his thirst, it was the only thing he could focus on.

  Camille smiled at the bartender, leaning forward and showing off her cleavage. “I’m looking for someone.”

  Hunter couldn’t help but snicker watching Camille attempt to woo information from him. With the exception of back in the lab, when he was losing his mind, he had never seen her in a sexual way. The bartender didn’t look up from what he’s doing, “There are many someone’s here in the bar, out on the street and not here with me.”

  “I’m looking for someone special.” Camille slid a hundred-dollar bill across the bar. “I’m willing to pay for information.”

  The bartender stopped and looked up at her with amusement. “I don’t know any special someones.”

  “You’re a wolf, right?” Camille asked.

  “Yes,” he answered slowly, waiting for her to continue.

  Hunter moved Camille back from the bar. “Listen, I’m looking for a girl.”

  “Okay, what does she look like?” The bartender looked out into the bar at the patrons.

  Hunter stopped, realizing he had no idea what she looks like. “I-I don’t know.”

  “Okay, well, if you go two blocks over, at the end of the street I think you’ll find what you’re looking for. They have lots of girls there.” The bartender went back to what he was doing.

  “Not that kind of girl.” Hunter shook his head, trying to work out what questions to ask to find his mystery woman. He leaned forward to whisper, his voice as low as possible, knowing this bar was full of supernaturals, “She’s a rook.”

  The bartender stiffened. “I don’t know what that is.” He stepped back and went to the other end of the bar.

  “Fuck!” Hunter balled his fists in frustration. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. That fucker knows where she is.”

  “Calm down.” Camille tried to soothe him.

  “I can’t calm down,” he growled. “You don’t know what this is like. I’ve had a taste of her, that’s the only reason I can hold it together at all, but I need to be with her, near her.” He paced the floor.

  Henry came through the door. “Any luck?”

  “No, how about you?” Camille asked with wide eyes, ticking her head toward Hunter. “Because we could use some luck right now.”

  “Yes and no. I’ve put in some calls, once they hear from Jana in the home office I should have some information.” Henry saw the bartender casting glances in his direction. His expression lightened. “Excuse me for a moment.”

  Henry took note of all the vampires around as he made his way to the end of the bar and hopped up on one of the stools. “Seamus, so good to see you.”

  “Is it?” Seamus swallowed hard.

  “It is, we need some help,” Henry said, tapping the bar, “and a gin and tonic.”

  Bottles clanked as Seamus started making the drink. “I can help with the gin and tonic, but I don’t know anything about a rook.”

  H
enry laughed but it was insincere. “I’m not looking for a rook. I’m just trying to find Samuel. Do you know where he is?”

  “I’m not his keeper.” His voice was tight.

  “You’re his brother.” Henry took the drink and sipped from the glass.

  “No, we’re not brothers.”

  “You’re both wolves.” Henry ticked his head back. “Doesn’t that make you brothers?”

  Seamus looked at him point blank. “No.”

  “Well, I appreciate the gin and tonic.” He took another sip, put a dollar bill under the glass and stepped away from the bar. “Come on, guys. I have some other places we can go.”

  Camille watched Hunter’s reaction carefully, she saw the anger brewing beneath the surface. Her brow furrowed with concern and she readied herself, watching his fists balled at his sides. She leaned closer to him and said, “Hunter, let’s step outside.”

  Hunter’s eyes were fixed firmly on Seamus. “I can smell her on him.”

  “It’s okay, we’ll find her. We should go.” She rested her hand on his shoulder.

  Hunter’s eyes grew more intense, his jaw popped, and lip curled upward. Camille squeezed his shoulder. “Hunter, no. We have to go.”

  In a flash, Hunter rushed over the bar and pinned Seamus against the back wall. Bottles crashed to the floor. Hunter’s fangs were fully extended and poised to sink into Seamus’s jugular. “Where is she?”

  Seamus struggled against Hunter but was no match for the strength of an ancient vampire. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  The other vampires in the bar were watching, listening. Henry called out to Hunter, “Hunter. Let’s go, he doesn’t know anything. He would’ve told me.”

  Hunter didn’t hear him, he could only hear the sound of Seamus’s rapid heartbeat. He lowered his fangs closer.

  Seamus squirmed. “I’ll fucking kill you.”

  Hunter’s eyes glossed over with rage. “You can try.”

  Camille went to Hunter’s side and put both hands on his shoulders. “Hunter, please don’t do this. You won’t be able to find her from a jail cell.”

  “This son of a bitch knows where she is.” Hunter’s crazed expression worried Camille.

  She was well aware of how hard it was to pull him back from this, from the savage Viking that was always just beneath the surface.

  “It’s been awhile since I’ve tasted wolf.” Hunter quirked his brow. “I wonder if it’s still gamey.”

  Henry gave up trying to reach Hunter, he turned to Camille. “We’ve got to get him out of here.”

  “Hunter, this isn’t who you are. Please come back to me.” The anguish in Camille’s voice reached him.

  He relaxed back slightly and shook his head to regain his composure.

  Camille released some of her tension seeing him coming back. “Come on.” She slid her hand down his arm, prying his fingers from Seamus’s neck. “Let him go.”

  The look of madness left Hunter’s eyes and he released Seamus. He stepped back cautiously, watching for Seamus to retaliate.

  “He’s in a bad way right now.” Henry apologized, “I’m sorry.”

  Hunter’s eyes flashed to Henry. “Don’t apologize for me.”

  “Hunter!” Camille demanded, “Outside now.”

  Hunter backed away from Seamus and complied with Camille’s demands. Henry met them on the street, glaring at Hunter. “You need to control yourself.”

  Hunter’s defeated, he ran his fingers through his blond hair. “I’m sorry, I can’t control this.”

  “We’re going to find her. You just have to hang on,” Henry pleaded.

  “How are we going to find her? No one here will give us any information.” Hunter’s anger was on the rise.

  “Oh, yee of little faith.” Henry smiled. “Let’s go.”

  “Where to now?” Camille asked.

  “Just around the corner here.” Henry started down the street, Hunter and Camille followed.

  Henry went through an alley to the next street and through the front door of a small house split into apartments. Inside the hallway, he knocked on the first apartment door.

  A young woman answered. Henry smiled. “I’m Henry.”

  “Come in.” The woman welcomed them in. She eyed Hunter and Camille carefully. “I’m Eva, Seamus let me know you were coming.”

  “Excellent,” Henry said as he glanced back at his companions. “They’re okay.”

  Eva relaxed slightly. “He knows you’re here.”

  Camille and Hunter exchanged a confused look.

  “What does he know about the rook?” Henry got right down to business.

  Eva paused for a minute, “They call her Rook. She’s on the run because a vamp tried to drink from her and he . . . well, you know.”

  “What happened?” Hunter said, taking a step forward.

  “He died. He was very powerful here in New Orleans and Augustus’s progeny.” Eva looked Hunter over again cautiously. “A lot of Vampires are looking for her.”

  “Shit!” Henry said, shaking his head. “Augustus?”

  Eva nodded. “Yeah. Rook was working for The Directive and providing information on Augustus’s operation.”

  Henry tapped his finger to his chin. “Does he know where she is?”

  “I’ll ask,” Eva said.

  Hunter and Camille exchanged a curious look. Henry answered their question before they asked, “They’re using the pack link to communicate. Seamus couldn’t risk anyone else getting this information.”

  Hunter looked upward. “I feel like a total asshole now.”

  “You are a total asshole,” Camille countered.

  Eva was listening to the voice in her head and then relayed the message. “He doesn’t know where she is exactly. But Samuel does, he’s with her and a troll named Alfrigg?” she said the funny name with question.

  “Alfrigg,” Hunter said with recognition. “That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.”

  Henry turned to Hunter. “You know him?”

  “Considering there aren’t likely a lot of trolls named Alfrigg, chances are good.” Hope danced in Hunter’s eyes. He turned to Eva. “But Rook, she’s safe?”

  “For now she is,” Eva confirmed.

  “But Samuel knows where she is?” Henry asked.

  “Yes, he’s with her now.” She stopped to listen. “That’s all Seamus knows.”

  She held her hand up. “He also said that if anyone hurts her, Samuel will kill them.”

  Henry nodded. “Understood.”

  “She’s real naive, young.” Eva paused, “And she’s got too much heart.”

  “We’ve got to get to her,” Hunter said, holding back the panic.

  “We’ll find her,” Henry assured him, and turned to Eva. “Thank you. And tell Seamus thank you as well.”

  “I did,” she said with a smile.

  Hunter lowered his head. “And tell him I’m sorry I was an asshole.”

  Eva’s smile broadened. “He said apology accepted, he expects vamps to be assholes.”

  Hunter nodded. “I deserved that.”

  “Okay, let’s head to The Directives’ offices.” Henry turned for the door.

  “No, you can’t.” Eva stopped them. “Members of the local office are on Augustus’s payroll.”

  “Okay, let’s find Alfrigg,” Henry said with determination.

  “I think I can find him,” Hunter said, deep in thought.

  Camille saw the sweat forming on his brow. “You need to feed again.”

  “There’s a vamp den down the street,” Eva offered. “They have plenty of live donors.”

  “I don’t feed from live donors,” Hunter growled.

  “Okay, we’re going.” Camille wrapped her arm around Hunter’s shoulders, turning him toward the door. “Sorry, he gets cranky when he’s hungry.”

  “I understand,” Eva said, keeping her distance.

  “Thank you again,” Henry said as he closed the door
behind him.

  “Okay, let’s get you fed and find Alfrigg.”

  Chapter 14

  Rook went through the motions again. She moved quickly inside Samuel’s reach and pushed her palm against his chin and made a slashing motion against his neck.

  Samuel nodded and moved away from her. “That was good, but you need to be faster and you have to remember, this will only disable them, not kill them.”

  “I just need enough time to get away,” she said.

  Samuel’s shoulders fell in disappointment. “I don’t know how to get through to you that you aren’t ever going to be fast enough. These are supernatural beings, you can’t match their speed or strength, not even a vampling.”

  “What am I supposed to do?” Rooks voice reached a higher register.

  “You’re going to have to use what you have.” He knelt in front of her, “I know you don’t want to hurt anyone, but you’re going to have to understand that if you’re being confronted by a vamp, it’s you or them.”

  She rolled her head around to pop her neck. “How did this all get so far out of control?”

  Samuel huffed a laugh. “It’s always been out of control, you’re just aware of it now.”

  Rook looked around, trying to the let the beauty and safety of this place soothe her. “Things really were simpler at home.” A twinkle danced in her eye. “But oh so boring.”

  Samuel shook his head. “My goal is to get you back to boring but be able to defend yourself.”

  “But if I get back to boring, I won’t have to, right?” There was hope in her eyes when she looked up at him for an answer.

  “You’re going to need to lay low, but we’ve talked about this.” He held his hand out to her. “Let’s get back.”

  Rook went to stand, and a wave of dizziness took her over. She widened her eyes, reaching out to steady herself on Samuel.

  Samuel caught her. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” she said, putting her hand to her forehead. “Just . . . hungry.”

  “Again?” He studied her.

  “Yeah,” she said with force and held her stomach. “I need to eat something, I think.”

  “I’m sure Alfrigg can whip something up.” Samuel watched as she went pale.