Page 103 of The Vampire's Thirst
But the last reason clawed at his brain, eating away at it like a swarm of mange-mongers, Darque organ eaters the size of Texas mosquitoes. He did want Chiara to be happy. Her beasts made her happy. It was a bene if he could use them to assuage his guilt after a trip to the O blud den.
What the fuck did he have to feel guilty about? Pissed at the thought while he had driven away from Ernest’s place in Idaho, he had nearly turned around with the dogs and returned them into the old man’s keeping. Instead, he had kept driving, his fists white-knuckling the steering wheel.
As he was still examining his reasons, unfamiliar with pangs of conscience or a desire to make someone else happy, Chiara strolled through the kitchen’s swinging door.
She was reading a book while walking. Stupid female. When she looked up, she stumbled. Her eyes flitted from Dax to the hounds and back again.
Her mouth gawped open as the arm holding the book fell to her side. “You brought my boys.” The dogs charged her, tails wagging, bodies twisting, fur flying, nails clicking as they jumped.
When they nearly knocked her off her feet, Dax growled. The dogs snapped their eyes in his direction. It was a stare-down. Dax won. The wolfhounds calmed, sitting and waiting while she petted them one at a time. Though their tails still swished back and forth uncontrollably, the vamp figured she was okay. No danger from death-by-happy-tail.
Chiara’s black hair hung to her waist in a thick braid. He preferred it loose, but she was an angel, outfitted in an off-the-shoulder peasant blouse and a long colorful skirt with her bare toes peeking underneath.
The smile which spread across her face made Dax’s corrupt heart beat fast. He shrugged. “I thought…”
He didn’t have a chance to finish before she plowed through the white and gray shaggy-haired dogs to throw her arms around his neck, her breasts rubbing against his chest. Dax allowed himself to enjoy the warmth of her embrace. He even dropped his head, nestling into her neck to catch the scent which was uniquely Chiara. The woods, rosemary, and mint. Coming to his senses, he trailed his hands to her shoulders, along her arms, and to her wrists where he disengaged her fingers.
Despite his snarl, she continued to grin like an idiot. Emptiness chilled him when her eyes swung to her dogs, forgetting him.
“Ivan, Boris, Victor, Peter. Hugs all around.” She dropped to her knees as the wolfhounds bounced around her, no longer in Dax’s control.
She flung her arms around all four animals, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. The vampire sent them a warning when they almost pushed her to the ground.
The skin around her eyes crinkled as her gaze sought Dax through all the happy fur. “Thanks,” she mouthed, returning to burying her nose in dog.
One word. One look.
And her warmth poured into every fiber of Dax’s being. He pushed back at the unwanted sensation.
A soft heart gets you killed.
****
Braelyngot off the phone with her father in Seattle. The offices ofStrange But Truewere fine, having battened down the hatches while Arisen Dawn ran wild through the streets.
Heading to the common kitchen on the first floor, she halted at the top of the stairs. Dax turned over four humongous dogs to Chiara. The newcomer witch was on her knees, her arms wrapped around all four hounds, tears rolling down her cheeks. The animals took turns cleaning her face.
Dax shifted from foot to foot. The only thing missing was anaw, shucks, ma’am. Then the vampire spun to leave.
Chiara ran after him, grabbing his shoulder. He stopped. She couldn’t have stayed him unless he had allowed it. But when he spun around, he didn’t look happy. Then again, Braelyn didn’t know what happy Dax looked like.
She raced back to her apartment and punched numbers into her cellphone. Rein stepped from the bathroom, a towel around his hips, his muscled chest bare, a hip jutting against the doorjamb. Braelyn froze at the sight, her arm dropping to her side.
No time for that fine man right now. She raised the phone again. “Dax. It’s Braelyn. Glad I caught you.”
Ahmphcame from his end.Friendly bastard.But this was for Chiara. Who was she kidding? It was for love.
Rein arched a brow as he strode across the room to sprawl in a chair, spreading his legs wide and displaying his package. His thick, hard, erect package.
Braelyn licked her lips, her attention hijacked by the sight of her mate. The man was insatiable.Back to the phone.“Anyway, I arranged for Chiara to start with her skills coach today at the Thaumaturgy Institute outside Covenkirk. I was thinking it would be best to send a Firebrand with her. You know, for safety. Brak’s a good choice. He’s strong. Everybody likes him. Probably because he’s a carnal demon and they’re hot. He’s also smitten with her, so I know he’ll take great care of her. In fact, I think he plans to ask her on a date. He’ll be taking her in the truck since the Firebrands are sending along some supplies and equipment. Just wanted to let you know since you were the one to bring her in. Makes you like a brother. You know?”
“I’m no fucking brother.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you had an obligation to her. Just forget I called. Bye.” She disconnected and faced Rein, a smile tugging at her lips. “Happy to see me?”
When he crossed an ankle over his knee and slouched back, her heart punched against her chest as she stalked toward her mate.
Rein had slept fitfully last night. Something was on his mind, something he said he couldn’t share with her. Yet. He would, though. A promise.
