Page 6 of Destiny of the Dragons

People around him backed away. Another young vampire, sire nowhere to be seen, going blood crazy. The vampire snarled, looking around him.

Before they could reach their jewel, she moved closer to the vampire. She muttered words under her breath, and threw her hand up. As the vampire snapped, and lunged for the nearest person, a young girl who couldn’t be more than seventeen, the vampire bounced off an invisible shield, giving the victim time to scramble away.

“Damn it, get yourself together,” a burly shopkeeper shouted. He came around his stall to swing a bat at the vampire.

The vampire’s friends, being young and stupid, decided to take up for him, and fighting broke out.

Smoke reached the witch first, pulling her behind one of the food carts. Jace closed the distance, and stood between the vampires and his newest jewel.

She just didn’t know it yet.

“What are you doing?” The woman glared at Smoke, and he gave her an inch of space. Barely. “I’m fine.”

“We know.” Jace grinned at her. “We just want to keep it that way.”

“I had it handled.”

Jace shrugged. “Let them fight it out between themselves. Why don’t we all get some coffee?”

With a start, he remembered their contact.

Her blue, blue eyes bore a hole into him. He wanted to brush his hand over her skin, to lick his tongue up her neck until she curled against him with a moan.

But he couldn’t do that. Not until he won her trust.

“I’m busy.”

Smoke stared at her. He was never so distracted when there was a fight nearby. But he wasn’t exactly good with the charm. Flirting for Smoke was pulling the object of his lust into a kiss. If they didn’t knee him in the groin, Smoke took it as a sign of mutual affection.

Jace gave him a look, and then smiled at his jewel. “I’m Jace, and this is Smoke. What’s your name?”

He almost used a line on her, but judging from how she eyed him, it wouldn’t go over well.

“Mia. Caravaggio,” she added with emphasis.

“Mia. Perfect. It means ‘mine’.”

“I know what my name means.” Mia rolled her eyes. The shouting down the street continued. She straightened up. “I don’t have time to be questioned by the patrol.”

She started walking down the street toward the café. She didn’t look back to see if they were following her.

Smoke shot him a questioning look. Jace patted him on the back and followed Mia into the café.

It was mostly empty, the patrons on the street rubbernecking the fight. Mia started for a small table near the window, but Smoke frowned.

“It’s safer by the corner.” He gestured at a larger table in a corner, exactly the same table Jace would have picked.

Mia gave Smoke a long look, and then sat at the smaller table.

Jace stifled a laugh. She was going to give them both a run for their money.

“I like the light. Concerned about someone trying to stab you in the back?”

“Always.” Smoke’s face didn’t crack a smile. He took the seat closest to the door.

“What would you like to drink?” Jace asked.

Mia looked between them. “Guess.”

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