Page 140 of The Vampire's Thirst
He set his clipboard on a side table, nodding to the mother and father. “I’m Dax.” The demon stuck out a hand. Unaccustomed to gratitude, the Firebrand stared for a few seconds before he gripped it.
“Harm. This is my mate, Lucia, and son, Bale.”
“Chiara tells me I should hear your story.”
“Yep. Those assholes in the black uniforms are going door to door in the Knife’s Edge area where we live, talking to families.”
“What are they selling?”
“World domination. An invasion of Earth. I may not be a Firebrand, but I’m an honorable male. I know history. My great-grandfather came to Scath after the Karmic Schism to save ourselves and humans. He was proud of the Blood Coven’s solution. Overall, life has been good. Why stir up trouble?”
“Is that what you told them?”
Harm glanced at his mate. “I wasn’t home when they canvassed our neighborhood the first time. Lucia just listened. We talked later. When they returned, I explained we wanted no part of their plans. That’s when they grabbed Bale.”
When his mate started to cry, Harm threw an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. “They broke his leg good. Afterward, they gut stabbed him.” He pointed at Chiara. “This kind female is helping him. Anyway, I killed both of the A-hole cowards, picked up Bale, and we ran here. Who hurts a kid?”
Lucia swiped at her tears. “Most of our neighbors are scared. When my mate was younger, he did some cage fighting. I know they don’t buy into all the crap, but they’re not as strong as Harm.”
“So some are joining?”
Despite the pain showing in the harsh slash of his mouth, the boy answered. “Soldiers in black uniforms dragged my friend’s dad out of his house. He was told he had to live in some garrison. They haven’t seen him since.”
“It gets worse.” Lucia dug into her purse for a tissue, using it to dab her eyes. “The neighbor I had coffee with most mornings was mated to a carnal demon. She was an Amazon. Soldiers came one afternoon and dragged them both out into the street where they decapitated them. Afterward, the bastards pinned a sign to their chests.” When her voice broke, Harm drew her in, patting her hair, trying to soothe her. “It said, ‘No mixes.’”
The demon growled. “They were good neighbors. Are the Firebrands prepared to fight those bastards?”
“Damn straight,” said Dax.
The demon glanced at his mate while he shook off her restraining hand. “I want in. Show me a weapon and where to practice. Though I’m not one of you, I’m determined, skilled, and pissed as hell.”
The male’s vow gave Dax an idea he wanted to run by Kole. He picked up his clipboard to make a note. “I’ll get back to you, Harm. Let you know how you can help.”
He looked for Chiara. She was in the adjoining mess hall, huddling with Braelyn and Denim. When they saw him, their whispers stopped. The females scattered like conspirators caught in the act. He heard Braelyn say, “We’re postponing a day.”
“What was that about?” he asked.
Chiara rolled her orchid irises from side to side, avoiding his gaze. “Girl stuff. Thanks for listening to my family. They’ve been through a lot.”
Dax stared at Braelyn and Denim’s retreating backs. Something was up, but he had no time to think about it. “You’re doing a great job in there, little witch.”
Moisture gathered in her eyes. “Thank you.” She rose onto her toes, skimming her lips across his. “I love you.”
His mouth curled into a stupid-ass grin. “I love you, too. Do you think I might room with you for a while? If not, I’ll catch a bed in the barracks.”
She locked an arm through his. “Just try to stay somewhere else, vampire. I’ll turn you into a toad with warts.”
Then, because he was beyond all help, he patted her backside to send her on her way, smiling once again, unconcerned someone might see him.
Once the sparks brought on by the briefest kiss from Chiara dissipated, he found Fin and Margo. He shared his thought about hiring kitchen and household crews from among the refugees. They loved the idea. After his success with them, he headed to tell Kole he was willing to train qualified evacuees to help in the fight against Arisen Dawn.
****
Celene shuffled from the bedroom, foregoing a robe, not bothering to wash her face, brush her teeth, or comb the hair which fell in tangles around her shoulders. In the kitchen, she plonked a wood bowl onto the table. After she dug out a spoon, milk, and a box of unknown cereal, she slumped into a chair to eat. Once the utensil had made the trip to her mouth twice, she dropped it with a clunk, pushing the barely eaten breakfast aside.
With her chin in her palm, she glanced around the kitchen. Last night’s dishes sat in the sink, encrusted with dried food. Cans and wrappers littered the counter. A layer of grime coated the unswept floor. Why bother? Nobody was coming. Jace hadn’t made it. So said a sneering Lort. He was right.
With a deep sigh, she ambled into the sitting area. Instead of lighting a fire to read on the sofa, she picked up The Path from the coffee table, returning to the comfort of bed, her drab unwashed sheets, and a warm blanket.
