Page 61 of The Vampire's Thirst
“I have a highly active metabolism. Besides, I don’t ride you about your preference for blood.”
“It’s not a preference. It’s a necessity. One I happen to enjoy.” He blew on his hot drink. “You’ll like Thorn. Everyone does. He’s honorable. Steady. Mate material.”
She chewed until her mouth was empty. “You said that already. And you’re not mate material?”
“Right.”
“Are you going to fix me up with your friend?”
Growl.
She crammed in another mouthful. “I iss ma ogs.”
“What the hell did you say?”
She paused to swallow. “I said, ‘I miss my dogs.’”
He relaxed his arm on the center console. “They’ll be fine. They’re just dogs.”
Chiara glared at him. “You’re so insensitive.” Besides, to her they weren’t just animals. They cared about her. They were, maybe, the only ones who did.
Dax shrugged but seemed to rethink his statement. “I’m sure Ivan’s taking care of Boris, Victor, and Peter. He’s smart.”
“You know their names. You’re right. Ivan’s so smart, I have to watch him. He’s sneaky, stealing food from the table, getting the other boys into trouble, crawling into my bed at night without permission.”
“Lucky bastard,” Dax muttered as he turned the corner.
Her hands fell to her lap, unfinished sandwich and all. A tear trickled from her eye. “I miss them. They’re all I’ve got.”
“Eat up. You’ll feel better.”
She wouldn’t. Her childhood hero was rescuing her again because he had to. But he wasn’t a man who would be with her tomorrow or the next day. Her dogs were not with her. She was headed off to be with strangers. As always, Chiara was alone.
****
Koleran a finger over the edge of Queenie’s axe, testing it and examining its bevel. With a Japanese stone already lubricated in water, he sharpened the blade using a circular motion, the handle down between his legs. His fire-gold, appraising eyes scanned his efforts. Satisfied, he flipped the axe so the handle was upright, resting against his shoulder. He sharpened the other side. Getting out a piece of leather, he repeated the process several times.
“Must be the anniversary of the Amazon’s death.” Ram leaned back in a chair across from his commander’s desk, an ankle crossed over his knee as Kole stropped the cutting edge of the weapon.
Thwop. Thwop. Thwop.
Annually on the date of a Firebrand’s death, he honed and polished the warrior’s favorite fighting tool until it gleamed. Today he honored a special warrior. “Did you know she was in line to be the Amazon queen? Hence the moniker that followed her. Instead, the Phoenix called her to service. She could have rejected the call. She didn’t. Once she joined the Firebrands, she never looked back. Belinda was her given name. You weren’t a gleam in your satyr father’s eye when she partnered with me, a green recruit.” Kole set the leather strap aside, standing to return the battle axe to its spot on the wall. He stared for some time. “Freronsall.”
The demon commander returned to his seat, where he tented his fingers. “She taught me everything I know about fighting and honor. Queenie was a warrior who died too young.”
“You do right by her, Kole. All of us appreciate how you recognize the fallen.”
Bounty sauntered through the doorway. “Get your asses to the gym. Brak and his unit just returned from a mop-up near a portal. Lots of injuries. I called for Alarik’s healers.”
Ram and Kole’s boots ate up the floor as they raced down the hall. A grim sight met them. Wounded males and females leaned against walls. Some were spread out flat being tended to by healers. The coppery scent of blood was ripe in the air.
Kole strolled fromfrerontofreron. With so many recruits, he couldn’t even remember the name of the female ylve who clutched a hand to the gaping hole in her side. One of Alarik’s people examined a second deep laceration on her leg. A good commander would know the name of each warrior. Kole vowed to do better. He crouched beside her. “Firebrand, how are you doing?”
“Fine, sir. Just a little flesh wound. Nothing more than a nick.”
Kole glanced at the healer who shook his head.
“Once you’re better, warrior, report to my office. We’ll talk about your future. I think you’ll be pleased.”
