A Vampire's Thirst: Flint

by A. K. Michaels

  “I’ll call Addy.” He turned, looking for the girl and was just about to call her when Nelly snapped out.

  “No, you won’t. You were rude to her too, so move and go do it yourself.” She crossed her arms, her eyes flinty as steel. “Then when you come back we can have a heart to heart and try and sort you out, because life as you knew it has changed. Go!”

  Chapter 4

  Arnes’ voice woke Flint from the sleep he’d fell into after he and Nellie had talked for hours, well, more she had talked and he’d listened and he’d thought on several occasions that she’d used her Fae powers on him. He’d felt weird after the first bottle of whisky, but he wasn’t sure it had anything to do with the alcohol in his system but more to do with Nellie and whatever spell she’d cast toward him

  He’d squinted over at her, cocking a brow and she’d merely carried on, her words suddenly making perfect sense in his addled brain, so he’d let it go. Instead he’d sat, drank, and listened before finally his eyes drooped and he’d fallen asleep. Even that was, he thought, Nellie’s doing. He rarely napped during the day and certainly not while traveling. But here he was, jerking awake while Arnes explained they would be landing in half an hour and Nellie was sitting across from him knitting and looking fresh as a daisy.

  “You’re a sly old woman, Nellie,” he muttered, sitting up and stretching. “Don’t think I’m not aware of what you did.”

  She carried on for a few moments before her charcoal grey eyes lifted to study him for long seconds before she wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Yeah, sure,” he returned. “Whatever, now, what about that club you mentioned? I don’t recall you telling me about that?”

  Her eyes crinkled and her mouth quirked at the corners as she set her knitting aside. “Ah yes, the club, it’s called Mystique and it’s right in the middle of Edinburgh, near the Castle actually. It’s been there for many years and is in an alley that’s, well, rather dingy and not too nice but you’ll be fine. If you ask any of Mister Alexander’s men to take you then I’m sure you’ll find it okay. But, beware, Flint, they don’t allow any bad behavior inside. So don’t get into any trouble or you’ll end up in a Directive cell quicker than you can blink.”

  “They’re involved with the Directive?” He narrowed his eyes, his jaw clenching tightly.

  “Not involved with them, but the club doesn’t stand for any nonsense and as only supernatural creatures are allowed inside, well, they can’t exactly call the local constabulary. Can they? No, of course not. So, if there’s trouble, they call the Directive. Their offices are nearby and they arrive in moments, eager to snag anyone who does wrong.”

  His body stiffened further as he imagined their operatives waiting eagerly in streets nearby, hoping for a call and jumping inside to catch anyone for the minutest infraction. He could see it in his mind and for the briefest of moments he thought he would give the club a miss . . . then a smile slid over his full lips as another thought slipped inside his head. Nellie’s voice a whisper which he chose to ignore while he saw himself having a hand-to-hand with a Directive operative . . . or two. Now that could liven up his vacation and might just make it bearable.

  “No!” Nellie’s raised voice shot through him like a bullet, her hand on his shoulder. Damn, she’d got out of her chair and now stood over him. Her astute face hardened and her eyes grew angry, glaring down at him. “You’re not to go looking for trouble, boy. If you do then I’ll come and sort you out myself. Do you hear me? I’m telling you now, Flint, you won’t like that outcome . . . not one bit.”

  Cracking his neck from side to side, he adjusted his face, closing it down and gazing up at her with an unfathomable look. “I’ll behave, promise.”

  “You better.” She swatted his shoulder before returning to her chair, every muscle in her body screaming her outrage.

  “I’ll be fine, Nellie,” he repeated but she stared over at him, wary and alert. He was certain she didn’t believe a word and she’d be right. He was planning on having some fun and it was going to be at the Directive’s expense.

  Before Nellie could say anything more Addy made an appearance, her face blushing as she stopped next to him. “Just checking you’re buckled up for landing.”

  “Yes, dear, we’re good,” Nellie answered before he could get a word out for which he was grateful.

  “The Captain has advised that we’ll have about a forty-minute layover before we can take-off for your onward journey, Nellie. I hope that’s all right?”

  “That’s fine.” Nellie picked up her knitting. “I’ve got plenty to keep me busy.”

  “And if you give me your schedule we can arrange to pick you up for your return journey.” Addy handed over a pen and notepad.

  “Certainly, I’ll do that. I’ll have a think and give it to you before I leave.”

  “Thank you,” Addy said before retreating, glancing dreamily at Flint one last time.

  “She’s got it bad for you,” Nellie quipped when she was out of earshot. “Poor girl.”

  “I gave her no reason to suggest I was interested, and in fact, she’s lucky Victor’s not here. If he were she’d be out of a job.” Flint’s face darkened with frustration, annoyed and upset at the way the girl had conducted herself.

  He ran a hand over his face, exhaling loudly as he tried to settle himself. His mouth compressed into a hard line as he refused to say anything further on the matter. His teeth clamped together and his jaw clenched, his hands bunching in his lap as he felt Nellie’s gaze. “What?”

  “You’re strung so tight I’m just watching and waiting . . . expecting you to explode any minute.”

  She was right. He could feel his body tightening like a coiled spring and he was ready to shout and scream at the next person who looked at him the wrong way. “Shit. I was feeling okay and now, well . . . I’m not. I’m feeling worse than I was before.”

  “Tell me.” Nellie urged, leaning forward.

  “I’m . . .” Flint paused, and then it hit. Hunger. He was starving, absolutely starving. But there was no damn reason for him to be hungry. He’d fed last night! Shit. “I’m thirsty . . . hungry, but I fed last night, I shouldn’t be. Fuck.”

  He had no intention of telling her just how he’d sated his craving the evening before. That was his business, but he’d fed, and fed damn well. So there was no reason for the thirst that was coursing through him right now. It was eating at his insides painfully, causing him to flinch and grind his teeth, his jaw aching as he glared across at Nellie.

  Nellie’s eyes widened, shock and alarm flitting across her face and in her slate grey orbs. “Damn it, Flint. You look like you’re ready to rip someone’s throat out. Do you have a supply with you?”

  He sat perfectly immobile, his thoughts running rampant in his skull as he fought to focus on her question as he saw the look of confusion and bafflement swirling across Nellie’s face, quickly followed by fear when he shook his head. “No.”

  “What?” she asked, shocked. “You can’t be serious, Flint.”

  “I am,” he choked out, not believing his own words. “I don’t know what the fuck’s the matter with me but I left my travel bag in the kitchen. It’s okay, it’s going to be all right. We’re landing and I’ll get picked up and be out of here and that’s all that matters.”

  He hoped to hell his driver was there. Right fucking there when they landed. He better not be late and if he was lucky he might even have a bag or two in the car. Shit. If that were so then he should be okay. He shouldn’t be feeling like he’d gone a damn week without blood . . . yet he did. Maybe he was mistaken and he didn’t eat yesterday. Yeah, that must be it. He’d dreamed his visit to that damn club and he hadn’t drank down a shit load of B-Positive while pounding into . . . fuck, who was he trying to kid. He was there and he’d had enough to last him a fucking week. This was all wrong! And he told himself he did not want to leap out of his seat and go find Addy and sink
his fangs into her soft white throat and drink down her warm, sweet blood. No!

  “What the fuck!” he mumbled aloud, his hands shaking as he lifted them to run through his hair, taking great gulps of air in through lips that were suddenly dry, parched, and in desperate need of some crimson liquid.

  Chapter 5

  Flint’s mind filled with an emotion he was a stranger to . . . fear. He could feel the material of his shirt where it made contact with his skin . . . it was strangely painful, chafing and scraping against him so that he wanted to rip it from him even though it was hand-made from the softest cotton. His pants suddenly felt two sizes too small and those too he wanted to tear free from his body and then his stomach cramped painfully as hunger ran through him. “Shit,” he muttered as Addy appeared next to them.

  “Is there anything I can help you with?”

  “No!” he growled out through teeth clenched so tight he thought he’d hear them break any second and Nellie waved her hand to quiet him.

  “Yes, dear, there is.” She looked up at Addy. “We have a slight problem, Flint seems to have forgotten to bring his food with him.”

  Addy didn’t even blink, staying professional as she nodded. “Not a problem at all. We always carry a provision with us. I’ll be right back with a bag.”

  “More!” Flint ground out. “I need more than one. Bring me everything you’ve got.”

  “Certainly,” Addy responded, rushing away.

  Nellie reached over, her hand on his knee. “What’s going on? Talk to me.”

  He couldn’t. All he could do was focus on not chasing down Addy and sinking his fangs into her throat and drinking her dry. His mind swirled around like a damn sea in a storm, his hands bunched into fists as he strove to keep control, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth it was so fucking dry . . . Addy’s blood rushing through her body sounding so loud in his ears and calling to him so loudly his head spun around, his eyes seeking her out like a beast hunting its prey. He couldn’t hold on, not for another damn second. He had to feed and she was the one he was going to have . . . savor her sweet blood as it swam into his mouth and slid down his throat. He could scent it, almost taste it, his nostrils flaring and his gums ached as his fangs sprouted free of their own volition . . . ready to pierce her soft, silky, skin.

  “No you don’t, boy,” Nellie spat out, a second before he felt something hit him square in the chest . . . a powerful bolt shooting him back against the seat and pinning him in place. “You sit there, Flint. She’s bringing you blood and you’re not moving until you’ve fed. You hear me? Flint, look at me!”

  He heard her voice, his eyes darting around wildly for a moment before looking out the window to his side and latching onto the magnificent sight of a castle . . . it was large and glorious and something about it pulled his entire attention toward it. It mesmerized him, staying his actions and calming him as if it were magical and held him under some kind of spell and it wasn’t Nellie’s magic . . . he knew it wasn’t, but what it was he had no idea. He leaned closer, his eyes locked onto the huge fortress . . . and as he did so, he calmed. His heart slowed, his body loosened, and something else filled him, a need to go there. What the hell?

  “Flint, talk to me.” Nellie’s worried voice broke through the red haze, her hand tapping on his knee. “Hey, come back, lad, what’s going on?”

  The jet carried on, over the citadel that sat high above Edinburgh, his head twisting to keep it in his line of sight for as long as possible, but finally he could see it no longer and another emotion settled in the pit of his belly instead of hunger: sadness. He turned, looking into Nellie’s shocked and anxious face. “I’ve no idea, Nellie. I’ve got no fucking clue what just happened, but I’m feeling . . . better. I’m okay.”

  He concentrated on how he felt and he realized he did feel, well maybe all right wasn’t exactly the truth, but he didn’t want to tear into Addy any longer which was a plus. Hell, Victor wouldn’t be happy if he ate the staff . . . that was a definite no-no. He didn’t feel as if he wanted to tear his clothes off either, but he still needed to feed and, thankfully, Addy appeared with a cooler, her face stoic and professional as she placed it on the floor.

  “Here you go.” She gave them a small smile. “We’ll be landing shortly so I have to take my seat and buckle up.”

  “That’s fine, dear, thank you,” Nellie said, waving her away before turning her full attention back on him. “Are you certain you’re all right?”

  “Yeah, once I’ve fed I’ll be fine. That was intense and strange. I’ve no idea what happened but it’s gone now.” He shrugged, putting his game face on, staring right back at her and crossing his heart. “I promise. I’m not about to go on a rampage through the streets of Edinburgh and cause an international incident.”

  He prayed he was right. The way he’d felt mere moments before . . . if that happened again, he wasn’t so sure that’s not exactly what would happen. But he couldn’t allow her to know that because he had to get out of this damn plane and on his way. And one of the first places he was headed to was Edinburgh fucking Castle . . . or at least that area. There was something there and, although he had no idea what it was, he was going to see if he could figure it out and why he felt compelled to go there. Shit, this vacation might not be as boring as he’d thought it was going to be.

  “Eat,” Nellie ground out. “Then I’ll decide if you’re all right.”

  So he did, rationing himself to one bag of blood and refusing more, even when he craved to snatch every last one—they screamed at him to drink their contents down to slake his thirst. He wanted to prove to the scrutinizing Fae opposite him that he was in complete control because he knew if he didn’t, Nellie would not remain on the jet and continue on her journey and that’s what he needed her to do. Why? Because he had to seek out whatever it was that called to him and he didn’t want her cramping his style. She had higher morals than he did when it came to getting his own way and he had no intention of her standing between him and whatever it was that lay beneath him in Edinburgh.

  “Feel better?” she asked as he sat back.

  He forced himself to relax, his body portraying a calm he didn’t feel. Every part of him wanted to be on his way but he pasted a smile on his face as he nodded, lies dripping easily from his mouth. “Yeah, much better. I’ve no idea what happened earlier, I guess I forgot to feed with everything that’s been going on.”

  “Maybe,” she conceded. “But I’m still worried about you.”

  “No need.” He shrugged. “Honestly, I feel much better. I caught a glance of the castle a moment ago. It looks magnificent. Can you tell me more about it or the area?”

  Nellie frowned before her lips tugged up. “I can, in fact that’s where Mystique is located. It’s in a side-street nearby and the area is full of magical creatures and steeped in history. I’ve spent many a night there in my youth. It’s not well known, but centuries ago, Dragons had lairs deep in the bowels of the mound the castle is built on and their magic surrounds the area. That’s why our kind are drawn to it.”

  His mind went into overdrive. Dragons, magic . . . Mystique. What the hell was he going to find when he went there? He had no idea but he was going hunting as soon as he possibly could and nobody would stand in his way. Not even a determined Fae.

  “Sounds interesting,” he replied non-committedly, not wanting to give anything away. “I might even visit the castle, soak up some history, seeing as I’m here anyway.”

  Nellie’s eyes narrowed, squinting at him. Shit. Maybe he shouldn’t have added that last part. She cocked her head to the side, scrutinizing him just as the wheels touched down, the jet gliding smoothly along the tarmac and he raised his hands, chuckling and trying to do damage control. “What? Suzette said I should get some sight-seeing in and said it would be criminal if I didn’t at least see the damn thing. If I go home and say I didn’t go, I’ll never hear the end of it and we both know she’ll harp on for months. That’s something I can do
without. Maybe I can find one of the lairs you spoke of. With my Vamp abilities I should be able to locate them . . . couldn’t I? That would be something . . . finding a Dragon’s lair.”

  Nellie’s eyes twinkled, her head shaking. “No, you won’t. They’re hidden by their magic and only someone with special abilities can find them and you are definitely not going to find them.”

  He pounced, sending her off track. “Oh, Nellie, now you’ve done it. You’ve just waggled a challenge in front of me. How could I refuse such a contest? I have to go to the castle now and see if I can prove you wrong.”

  He saw her body relax. Good. She was no longer questioning his motives, or his earlier actions. Thank fuck. She giggled. Actually giggled like a schoolgirl before her eyes lit up. “I’ll wager you a hundred pounds . . . pounds mind you, not your measly dollars, that you don’t find them.”

  He had her, hook, line, and sinker. His face sobered briefly before he grinned back at her as the jet slowed, entering a dark hanger. “I’ll take that wager, but I’ll up it . . . two hundred pounds!”

  She didn’t lose a beat, lifting her hand and spitting on it and holding it out to him. “Done!”

  He snatched her hand, shaking it hard and tilting his head. “Bring your cash when you return.”

  “I won’t need it, boy, it’s your pocket that’s going to be lighter.” She laughed back.

  He’d done it. Gotten rid of her and probably lost himself a couple hundred pounds in the process, but it didn’t matter. All that did was that he was leaving the jet, alone.

  Chapter 6

  Kenzie tossed and turned in her bed, sheets tangled around her legs as she dreamed of him . . . again. The dark stranger calling to her after he’d left her breathless with his kisses and wanton for his touch. His fingers leaving her skin burning with desire and each and every time he’d fade away just as she was on the verge of a cataclysmic orgasm. His arms outstretched, reaching for her and she’d try so hard to keep hold of him but, no, every dang time he’d disappear and she’d wake feeling hot, bothered, and as if a piece of her were somehow missing.