Page 74 of Vampire's Choice

Gundar pursed his lips. “Interesting. Keep using your brain, woman. It’s serving you well. You might be careful of the tongue, though. No disrespect.”

That was a warning for her about his listening Mistress, she was sure.

“Okay.” She rose. “I’ve asked him to join me in town tonight. If he shows, is there anything I should worry about? Watch out for, to help him?”

“He’s learned how to control himself. He’ll leave if he encounters a temptation he can’t shake. With one exception.” Gundar gave her a deadly serious look. “If he finds a pizza parlor where he can watch the guy make the dough, you know, on the fist,” Gundar emulated the spinning, “He’ll stay and watch for hours. That shit fascinates him.”

There were a dozen troupe members on the outing, a mix of performers and roustabouts. The live music wasn’t bad, and she enjoyed watching the others flirt and banter. They shared anecdotes with her about Circus life.

She looked like them. Young, ready to play and party. She didn’t mind indulging the idea. But after a while, the beat of arteries got louder than the bass line, and the aromas of sweat, sexual interest and alcohol-induced loss of inhibitions became too distracting, goading her bloodlust. A reminder of her age and unfamiliarity with this environment. She thought she’d done well enough, though. It was the first time she’d ever done something like this on her own.

She excused herself, telling her companions she was going to explore the downtown riverfront. They knew she was with the security detail, and a vampire, so they were less concerned about her going off on her own. She told them she’d meet them back at the Circus.

The riverwalk had plenty of green space and sidewalks, populated by late dog walkers and lovers walking hand in hand. She wandered that area for a while, and leaned on the rail, watching nighttime commercial boat traffic.

Her senses tracked everything around her; humans, their pets, the water, the surrounding businesses and distant road traffic. For so long, she’d stuck close to the preserve, only traveling to and from the places she knew were protected. The Circus was a gift her father had given her. How could she ever have thought Mal hadn’t noticed her need for this?

Guess she needed to come up with a really good Father’s Day gift this year. Since her mother was involved in any of his decisions related to her and Adan, a good Mother’s Day gift wouldn’t be amiss, either.

Her mind snapped back from its meanderings, her fingers tightening on the rail. Another vampire was close by. Maybe more than one.

Some years ago, Yvette had earned the Council stamp of approval she needed for the Circus to operate in and travel through different territories, without applying for the time-consuming permissions other vampires had to have. As a part of the Circus, that protection would extend to Ruth, but when it came to a random crossing of paths, vampires didn’t necessarily consider that approval at odds with establishing a pecking order with the vampire in question. By whatever methods best suited them.

She couldn’t head back to the others. That could put them in danger. She didn’t know these vampires. But she also didn’t have any other direction to go, because they had detected her first and were hemming her in, coming from two different directions, nothing but the river in front of her.

Okay, a bluff then. She straightened from the rail and turned, leaning against it and waiting for their arrival with an expression of casual indifference. Willing to be friendly if they were. Telling herself she was ready to handle it if they weren’t.

They were both over a century, both made. They had her overpowered in strength and speed. Fight skills, too, if they’d spent the last century working on those. But on rare occasions, vampires were lazy about that.

She weighed playing the status card, introducing herself as Lady Ruth instead of Ruth. But that could backfire as easily as it could give her points. Made vampires could be touchy, especially if the born vampire couldn’t back up the title with greater strength and power.

She looked good tonight, in her fleece jacket, silk blouse and jeans. She had on a couple strands of earth-colored crystals, and a medicine bag strung on a silk cord. Kohana had made it for her when she was a teenager. It contained a bit of tiger fur, a lion’s tooth. A dash of earth from the island, and a few other ingredients Kohana said were a secret. Elisa had added beadwork to the fringe.

She wished she wore one of Merc’s feathers. Whether wishful thinking or not, it would feel like an additional layer of protection.

The oncoming vampires were male and female. The energy vibrating off them told her they were in a cruel mood, and ready to play. Which meant they could detect her strength level, and thought she was younger than she was. A common mistake, though it didn’t make any difference.

She wasn’t challenged on the island. Didn’t have to abide this terrible feeling in her gut, of falling short, of being overpowered, her decisions taken away from her.

Hell, one trial and she was ready to tuck her tail and retreat. Suck it up and deal, bitch.

The female vampire was blonde and tall, with deceptively pleasant green eyes. Her attractive dress would draw a human male’s attention, making it easy for her to secure blood for dinner. The male was working the grunge band look, with long hair, ripped jeans, and a T-shirt that showed off tattoos and muscles. He had a nose stud. The brown eyes locked on Ruth belied the young rocker look. He was the older of the two, probably around a hundred and fifty.

“I’m Ruth,” she said with a courteous nod. “Working security with the Circus, under the protection of Lady Yvette.”

“Trinidad and Parva.” Trinidad nodded to his companion. “We weren’t advised a new vampire was traveling with the Circus. Lady Yvette is supposed to let the overlords know that, isn’t she?”

“I’m sure it’s in process. I’m a very recent addition.”

“Or you’re passing through, heard about the Circus and are using it for cover.”

“That’s not what I’m doing,” Ruth told him. He was getting too close, leaning in. Parva was on the other side, and reached toward Ruth’s straight hair. Ruth slapped her hand away and bared her fangs. She slipped away from the rail and faced them. Trinidad shot Parva an amused look.

“Jumpy, isn’t she?”

“Weak.” Parva flared her nostrils. “Like a tempting little human morsel.”

Ruth chuckled. “Nice try to get a rise out of me. Pretty public place to pick a fight.”

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