A Vampire's Thirst: Flint

by A. K. Michaels

  Bereft. Yes, that was the only way to describe how she felt. Tears welling up in her eyes as she turned onto her back, swiping at her dark emerald eyes as a sob broke free. “Who are you? Where are you?”

  Her heart thudded in her chest as she fought to stem the tears that now flowed freely from her, sliding down the sides of her face to pool on her pillow. She couldn’t stop them, no matter how hard she tried . . . she was heartbroken. As if she’d lost someone special that she’d known for many years. Yet, she’d never even met this man. Never seen him in real life, but he was real to her. As real to her as if he’d been sleeping right there next to her in her bed . . . only he wasn’t. She was alone.

  “Kenzie? Lass, are you okay?” her gran asked as she came in, worry etched on her face. “You had another dream, didn’t you?”

  Kenzie knew there was no point denying it. Her gran was a full-blood Faery and would know if she lied. She herself was only a quarter Faery and didn’t have the power to shield herself in a deceit from her grandmother, but she wouldn’t lie anyway. Her gran was the only person she could rely on and the one she could confide in, too. “Yes, Nan. It was worse this time. I feel like my heart is breaking and I also feel like I need to do something but I’m not sure what.”

  The words tumbled out, relief at voicing what was burning inside her. She knew as clearly as she knew her name was Kenzie McBride that she had to do something. The man in her dreams meant something to her. She was certain of it. He’d been plaguing her for a fortnight now and her nights had gone from being peaceful sleep to waking feeling as if she’d never slept at all and feeling lost and aching to be held in his arms. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. His hard face that softened when he looked down at her . . . he was huge. Full of taut muscles and a lethal energy that she knew was dark and dangerous, but he was undeniably hers.

  She’d known from the second dream that he was a Vampire. His fangs making an entrance in her dream and while asleep, with his arms around her, she’d been filled with her desire for his touch, longed for his lips to cover hers and devour her whole. But when she woke? At first that had terrified her almost senseless. Vampires were, well, scary. But when she’d finally revealed that to her grandmother she’d been calm, far calmer than Kenzie. In fact, she’d told her that not all Vampires were evil, and that she knew some that were, in fact, good. That had come as a bit of a shock but it definitely settled her nerves . . . a little. Especially when the dreams continued and became more and more intense and erotic. So much so that Kenzie’s body and soul now craved the stranger’s touch, albeit in her dream world, and she was beginning to wish the days away so she could go to bed and fall over into sleep so she could meet the stranger that had invaded her mind, body, and heart.

  Her gran came over, sat on the edge of her bed and looked at her sadly, reaching over and wiping some errant tears that still ran free. “Aww, my sweet lass, I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but it means something. I’m sure of it. Now, try and focus and let’s see if we can get some more information from this one. Were there any landmarks this time? Anything at all that can help us?”

  Kenzie took a deep breath in, centering herself and using her own powers to focus, allowing her mind to float free and go where it wished. She didn’t force anything, nothing whatsoever, relaxing against her mattress, her muscles feeling light and soft as her thoughts drifted away. His face materializing in her mind’s eye, his soft full lips tugging up at the sides as he gazed down at her, his hand lifting and pointing off to the side. How had she missed that?

  Her head spun around, searching. A large apparition appeared in the distance . . . what was it? She leaned forward in her mind, straining to make out what her dream lover was trying to show her. It was massive, the building was huge, but what was it? It stood on a high hill, lit up by lights at the base and looked old, so old that it reminded her of a medieval . . . castle! Holy hell!

  She shot up, dizziness overwhelming her as she forced herself out of her dreamlike state, shaking and shuddering as she knew where he was telling her to go. “I know! I know where he wants me to go, Nan!”

  Her voice was high-pitched, shrill, and excited as she grabbed hold of her grandmother who smiled at her. “If you know then you must go, sweetie. Where? Where is it you’ve to go?”

  “Edinburgh Castle, well, maybe not the castle exactly, but that’s where he was pointing to, so it’s a start, I guess.”

  “The city.” Her gran frowned. “You’re not used to that place, Kenzie. You’ll need to keep your wits about you and stay sharp, lass. There’s too many bad ‘uns there.”

  Kenzie knew she was right. She hated the place . . . with a passion. She’d lived most of her life right here, on the croft with her parents and her grandmother, before she’d lost them that was. Her heart stuttered as she remembered her human father being eaten up by cancer. So fast. Six weeks was all it took from him taking ill to them losing him. No time at all for her to come to terms with him being sick, far less him taken from her. Then her mother. The way losing her soul-mate had affected her was nothing short of cataclysmic. She’d stopped eating, stopped talking, stopped . . . everything. And Kenzie watched on in horror as she literally withered and died before her very eyes.

  Within three months she’d been orphaned with only her grandmother left. She’d stayed on the croft in peace and quiet for a long time. In refuge and healing. It had taken time, but with the love of her gran and the tranquil setting of her home, she’d managed to pull through the devastating grief that had been all-encompassing. Now she was in training to help with her nan, and she was enjoying learning new things, although she was a hard taskmistress. But it kept Kenzie busy and that’s what she needed. She no longer kept in touch with her old friends . . . they didn’t understand her. Never had, really. She’d always been different and the few people she’d been friendly with when she’d lost her parents, well, they’d fallen by the wayside. Funny thing was that she didn’t miss them, not one bit. She much preferred her own people: Supernaturals. That way she wasn’t always scared of something giving her away, like her skin starting to shimmer, or her eyes sparkling, especially if she’d had a glass or two of wine.

  It wasn’t that she was anti-social. She went to gatherings with her grandmother and loved them, surrounded by her own people where she could relax and not have to hide her heritage. Crowds didn’t bother her and she enjoyed the opposite sex too, just not of the human persuasion. Those relationships tended to end badly . . . especially when she became aroused and her dark green eyes lit up, sparkling brightly and her skin shimmered. Yeah, that didn’t go down well with bog-standard human guys.

  “When?” Kenzie asked, her brow furrowing. “I’m not sure when I’ve to go though. Can’t you help me, Nan?”

  “You need to trust your own powers, Kenzie, you know full well I don’t have the power of second sight. I can’t see what’s in store for you, let alone what time you’re set to meet this mystery man of yours.” Her nan shook her head before giving her knee a pat. “Concentrate, lass, concentrate and allow your powers to lead you.”

  Kenzie shook her shoulders, trying to relax her body. A feat in itself as excitement ran through every last cell at the thought of going in search of her dream lover. Her inner Faery force sparkled to life, fluttering inside her and flowing through her. She focused hard to harness it, concentrating and directing it toward the Vampire, and specifically what he’d revealed to her: Edinburgh. She didn’t exactly get a specific time, not like a clock popping up in her brain, but she got the distinct feeling that she needed to get herself there as soon as possible. As in . . . now, today, or rather tonight.

  Her skin tingled as soon as she thought that last word and she knew she’d got it right. Or, as near to it as she was going to get. “I think I need to go now, today. I’ve a feeling . . . no, I know that I’ve got to be there tonight. Where exactly is still a bit cloudy though.”

  “Not to worry, Kenzie. I’m sure when you get near
er that your senses will point you in the right direction. Now, get up, showered, and ready. I’ll go get your breakfast and then I’ll run you to the train station. I’m not driving all the way into the city, sweetie, not even for you. You know how much I hate it and if you take the train, there’s a stop near enough for you to walk to the castle.”

  “Aye, I know and I wouldn’t expect you to. It’s a nightmare driving there now, especially with all the construction works they’re doing and the one-way system.”

  “Bloody preferred when there were no cars,” her gran grumbled before leaving her room.

  Kenzie stifled a giggle. She knew her gran was old, but dang, she wasn’t that old.

  Now that she was alone, her stomach clenched with nerves. Was she really doing this? Was she going into Edinburgh to meet a Vampire, at night? Alone? Yes. She damn well was, because she was certain that he was the one. The one the Goddess was sending to her, just for her. Kenzie knew it just as she knew the moon set at night and the sun rose in the morning. Shit, that was maybe not a good analogy. Not when you lived in Scotland. She laughed again, thinking of the dark winter mornings when the sun most definitely did not rise. But it didn’t dampen her surety that the man she was going in search of was hers.

  Nervous? Yes. Scared? Most assuredly, and not just because he was a Vampire. She hated cities, and a city at night? Definitely worse. Would it stop her? A resounding no. She was going and nothing would stop her. Well, almost nothing. If she looked in the mirror and she’d woken with a face covered in spots . . . she might rethink her plans.

  No, she’d ask her grandmother for something special to deal with that little malady.

  Her feet barely touched the floor as she ran to the bathroom, having a long hot shower, taking more time with her hair than usual and ensuring her thick locks would look luscious and shiny. She’d apply minimal make-up, as usual, but she wasn’t sure what clothes to wear. Heck, if she was going to be walking around looking for this guy she’d better make sure she was comfortable. Jeans. Gotta be jeans and boots. She wasn’t traipsing around in heels for anyone, not even for the man the Goddess had sent for her.

  Time sped up from then. Shower over, breakfast disappeared, and her hair even behaved while drying it, looking glorious and staying exactly as she wanted it. Her favorite jeans hadn’t shrunk in the wash and her face hadn’t erupted with spots so she’d just dusted it with a little bronzer to cover the few freckles she had over her nose and cheeks, added some mascara and lip gloss and she was ready. Almost.

  Her stomach was in knots, doing somersaults, and she wished it would stop already. She went outside, sitting on the bench and taking in the view of the miles and miles of . . . just nothing. Well, not nothing. The cottage was surrounded by countryside, trees, hills with wildflowers and Scottish heather, and filled with small wildlife and birds. Kenzie cocked her head to the side, listening to the birds sing and the other wildlife rustling around, and soon her stomach settled and her heart rate slowed.

  “Better?” her gran joined her, settling herself next to her.

  “Aye, I’m just nervous,” Kenzie sighed. “What if we don’t like each other? What if he’s an arse? Or worse . . . what if he’s English?”

  Her gran’s head fell back, a roar of laughter erupting before her arm fell around her shoulders. “Kenzie, lassie, I’ve told you before, you need to stop that. Not everyone South of the border are twats.”

  “Hmm,” Kenzie shook her head. “The ones I’ve met are. They stick their noses up when I say I live on a croft and ask if we have electricity or the internet, oh and the last eejit asked, ‘Do you have an inside toilet.’ I mean, for goodness’ sake. And if I hear another one say to me ‘Remember Culloden.’ I swear I’ll smash their face in.”

  “You’ve been unfortunate, honey, that’s all. I know plenty that aren’t like that and I happen to have many friends that are English.”

  “Really? How come I’ve never met them then?” she countered.

  “Because I’ve not had many visitors these past few years and before that you were out all the time and didn’t take notice of my friends when they were here.”

  Kenzie thought back, realizing the truth in what her gran said. “I guess that might be right. Anyway, I’m still nervous.”

  “Don’t be. The Goddess wouldn’t send you someone who’s not perfect for you, but you need to be ready to leave, Kenzie, because that’s going to happen. You’ll have to go where your heart leads and I’m pretty sure that’s not here.”

  Kenzie looked out over the landscape where she’d sought her refuge. Where she’d hidden away since she’d lost her parents . . . and knew that’s exactly what she’d done, hidden. Before her father had become sick, she’d planned to move away to just what she now hated: the city. Not Edinburgh. Somewhere larger, much bigger and farther away. She’d wanted to go abroad to study but everything went awry the moment her dad fell ill. Now what? Would she dare to spread her wings again?

  Only time would tell.

  “We’ll see,” was all she said. “I have to find him first. Maybe he’s just a figment of my imagination.”

  “I doubt that.” Her nan canted her head, reaching up to cup her chin and staring into her eyes with ones that were almost a match of her own. “You know it, darling, deep inside your heart . . . you know it. Now, let’s get you to the station and keep your phone on so I can get in touch with you. I’ll be worried and when you find him be sure to let me know. No matter how late it is, I’ll stay up, because I sure as Hades won’t be getting any rest until I know you’re safe and sound in his arms.”

  “I promise.” Kenzie held up her pinkie. “Pinkie promise.”

  Her nan’s pinkie wrapped around hers and they shook, laughing. “Right! You can’t break it now.”

  “I won’t.” Kenzie nodded as she rose, excitement building inside as she set off on the most important day of her life.

  Chapter 7

  Flint stepped down from the sleek aircraft into the dark Scottish night, his luggage waiting for him and also a man, or rather a Wolf. His scent giving away his species, however, his hulking muscles and the way he held himself would just as surely have alerted him to what he was.

  “I’m Talon, Mister Quinn sent me to pick you up and I’ll be your driver for your visit Mister . . .”

  “Flint, just call me Flint.” He’d gone by that one name for so long he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been called anything else and that suited him just fine. Talon wasn’t surprised, or if he was he hid it well, striding forward to pick up his luggage.

  “If you’ll follow me, our ride is this way.”

  “Sure.” Flint’s eyes took in everything about the man. The way he carried himself, how well he thought he’d fare if they got into any kind of situation and what he saw satisfied him. He was large, obviously, but he was light on his feet and his eyes scanned the area, even though they were in a “safe” zone. That wasn’t all, the man was packing . . . and it appeared to be the same weapons that Flint favored: blades. He could make out the outlines of them beneath Talon’s well-cut suit, so far he’d counted five, but he was certain there were more. Flint had seven on him at present, everything from simple stainless-steel throwing knives around his ankles, a couple of push knives, two Fairbairn-Sykes on his belt and his set of jeweled knives in hand-made leather sheaths that he wore, similar to ones that held guns.

  Flint went nowhere without his beloved blades.

  “Excuse me, Talon, but where are we going?” Flint looked around when he realized there were no vehicles anywhere nearby.

  “It’ll only be a moment, Flint.” Talon’s brogue wasn’t too thick and Flint could understand him well enough but he didn’t understand where they were going and that made him nervous.

  He stopped, refusing to move. “I asked where we were going.”

  “Och, sorry, I should’ve mentioned our mode of transport . . . it’s not a car. Mister Quinn has sent his helicopter to fetch you. It’s much
faster than trying to get through rush hour traffic. Edinburgh at this time is, well, it can be a bitch. It would take us a good while to reach his estate but this way we’ll be home in less than half an hour, but we need to walk a little bit to get to where they are, Flint. They’re separate from the planes.”

  “Helicopter.” Flint snorted. “Of course he has.”

  He knew there was some rivalry between Quinn and Victor and this was obviously his attempt at showing off in some manner. Hell, if it was then he was way off the mark. Flint’s lips edged up into a half smile as Talon turned back to him. “Excuse me?”

  “Nothing.” He flashed him a smile. “That’s very generous of Mister Alexander.”

  His comment seemed to throw the Wolf, his dark brown eyes widening before scrutinizing him as if he saw through his sarcasm. Talon’s muscles tensing, the skin between his eyebrows puckering as he frowned and then he seemed to remember . . . he was the “help” and Flint was a guest. Flint watched avidly as the shifter fought to control himself for long seconds before he growled. “I suppose.”

  Flint liked him. He’d seen the moment Talon had been ready to argue but he’d fought against it and he didn’t think it was because he was ready to jump to Quinn’s defense over something so mundane. No, it was because he saw right through Flint, and that was what he liked about the Wolf. “I was being sarcastic . . . if you don’t know it, my boss and yours, well, they’re like a couple of kids in the school yard. Always trying to best one another. The helicopter, that’s Quinn trying to get one up on Victor, but I’ve got to say, it’s a massive fail. Victor uses them all the time and I fucking hate them and I try to get out of going in the damn things whenever I can.”