Page 59 of The Vampire's Thirst
“No. Once he openly supported our cause, Alarik removed his support. Without his mages, Boden is unable to complete the task.”
“Hmm. New gateways would have been helpful, but the plan is coalescing. When it does, the portals will disappear. The Whorl will cease to exist. We will flood onto Earth to take our rightful place as rulers of the one world.”
Lort glanced above to see the last harpies in the striker team disappear. “Though our stable of descendants is increasing, we do not know if we have one from each bloodline yet.”
“I may have found someone to help with that problem. Like I said, my plan is progressing on schedule. You do not need all the details. On another note, where is the Firebrand vampire?”
“We don’t know. When he jumped to Earth, my people failed to kill him. They have paid for their incompetence. At least they removed his D-chip. I sent in a second team which just missed him. They are searching for leads at a cabin in Idaho.”
The dirt at Cerberus’s feet swirled, dancing along the peak where they stood. Swirling, the dust enveloped Lort. The dark smoke grew hands, lifted him from the ground, and constricted his breathing. “I detest failure, General.”
“My best resources are on him,” Lort rasped as his fingers swatted at the black cloud circling his neck.
Cerberus calmed the storm gripping the vampire, allowing his feet to touch rock again. “Because he has seen too much, he could expose one of my allies. I am not ready just yet. Get the Firebrand before he contacts his stronghold.”
“We will find him. Right now, he cannot communicate with Scath. Though we suspect he has found help from a human on Earth, the vampire will not evade us forever.” Lort winced, not allowing his fangs to punch through his gums. He held his temper, recognizing Cerberus as the superior being, most likely a warlock of advanced years and power who could crush him with a single spell. The vampire would kowtow to that strength while keeping his acerbic thoughts in check.
For now.
“I also understand a Blood Coven descendant escaped capture in Montana. Is this true?”
Lort lowered his lids lest his eyes turn red to betray his anger. “But we are searching the woods for her.” As a skilled warlock, Cerberus obviously plucked thoughts from the general’s mind before he wished to share them. Lort didn’t like his brain invaded.
****
Chiarawiped the sleep from her eyes and stretched her arms overhead. Never much of a morning person, she definitely wasn’t a let’s-get-going-at-4-AM girl.
“Can I have coffee first?” Her eyelids scraped shut. “I know you’re talking, but the words aren’t registering in my caffeine-deprived brain.” She rolled onto her stomach, pulling the blanket over her head.
Dax snarled. “I’ll be right back.”
When he returned, she caught the aroma of coffee. Spurred on by the hope of caffeine, she leaned against the headboard.
The grumpy vampire shoved a cup into her outstretched hand. “Drink.”
“Sugar? Cream?”
He patted his new black cargoes, reached into a pocket, and pulled out her requests.
Chiara’s head lolled to the side while she mumbled, “Thanks.”
When the vampire started to talk again, she held up a hand.
“Shush. Wait.”
Dax growled. He paced one length of the room. Back. To the wall again. He glared at Chiara, who was slowly sipping her coffee.
“Can I shower and dress before you go all snarly vampire on me? I can’t handle the shouting until then.”
“I don’t shout.” A rumble arose from deep in his chest.
“Okay. Substitute growling for shouting.” Chiara swung her legs over the edge of the bed, straightening her nightgown. She stood and wobbled into the bathroom. Before she shut the door, she peeked her head around the jamb. “Would you be a dear and get me one more cup?”
Dax’s fingers tangled in his hair, but he set his own coffee down before he stomped out of the room.
Chiara brushed her teeth, fingered the puffy bags under her eyes, and stepped into the delightfully warm shower. Letting the water sluice over her, she gradually came alive.
What kind of a man, not man, vampire, gets up this early in the morning? One who has a death wish.
