Page 106 of The Vampire's Thirst
“Soon, my dear Lort. Soon. I will renounce my current position, reveal my identity, and take up the mantle as leader of Arisen Dawn. But know this, the realm will quake when they discover the source of my abilities. I am unbeatable.”
****
Chiaralifted a foot to step onto the running board after Dax opened the door to the black SUV. She was about to leverage herself into the backseat when strong arms gripped her waist to raise her effortlessly. She slid across, stopping midway.
Dax edged her over to squeeze in beside her. Not deterred by his scowl, she rested her hand on his thigh, a natural move, proprietary.
He did not shrug off her touch. His leg beneath the dark fabric of his BDU’s burned her palm like molten steel. He might not tell her how he felt in words, but his body didn’t hide his response.
Brak threw an arm over the seat, twisting toward them. “I have a stop to make. We’ll stick to surface roads until I pick up some equipment. Afterward, we’ll drive through the closest portal.”
Chiara didn’t mind a longer ride since it would give her the opportunity to see more of Scath. Having stopped for the humongous demon and Dax to load up the SUV, they rode through Covenkirk’s heavy city traffic, skirted suburbs filled with cloned houses and strip malls, and now rolled through green farmland on their way to a portal.
Chiara eyed the countryside. “What can I expect from my lessons?”
About to bite into his ride-along sandwich, Brak paused halfway to his mouth. “Witch school’s a mystery to me.”
“Dax?” she asked.
“I hate witches and warlocks. Never saw the need to find out how they train. I just know how to kill them.”
Chiara rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to be such a fanghole just because one got the best of you in Idaho.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“I was fighting off two demons at the time. I may have been distracted.”
“Did you ride along just to irritate me?”
“No. Brak asked me to keep him company.”
The demon glanced at Dax in the rearview mirror, his brows pulling on his forehead.
Though Chiara was certain they exchanged some secret guy signal, she relaxed her arms to cuddle against Dax. “You can’t hate all witches. You liked me enough to pick up my babies.”
“It was just good biz.”
“How so?” She shifted, her breast brushing Dax’s chest, her hand resting once more on his leg.
He flinched. “You’ll stay put if the dogs are with you.”
Chiara lifted his solid arm to loop it around her shoulders, snuggling deeper into his warmth, wisps of her dark hair tickling her cheek. “Still, it was terribly kind.”
Despite Dax’s general snarkiness, he did not change position. In fact, he rested his chin on her head.
“Will they make me kill things?”
Dax jerked away, putting them eye-to-eye. “Hell no. They’ll probably work mostly on your healing shit.”
She sighed while his gentle fingers stroked her hair. “I want to plant a garden at the stronghold. I’d enjoy growing a few herbs and things for my concoctions.”
“I’m sure the institute will teach you to cast spells without potions. You won’t need a garden.”
“But I enjoy my plants. You could even take me foraging in the woods for some items.”
“I’m not into that shit.”
“You don’t have to be. Just hold the bags, grumpy.”
“Hey, you two. Stop arguing about veggies. Trouble ahead.” Brak disturbed the moment by slamming on the brakes hard enough to fling everyone forward. “The portal.”
