Page 64 of The Vampire's Thirst
In the corral, a female perched atop a big appaloosa. She swung both legs to one side of the saddle, laughing as Thorn grabbed her hips and drew her down his body. Her arms clasped around his neck while he brought her in for a kiss. When she was on the ground, he squeezed her ass, his hips rocking into her. Their actions were clear.
Chiara eyed Dax with a grin curving her lips. “You’re right. Your friend is likable, but if I’m going to hook up with him, I think it’ll be a threesome. You could join us. We’ll have a foursome.”
“Mouth. Can you keep it shut?” With Chiara still in tow, Dax called out to Thorn. “Hey. Shifter.”
When hisfreronturned around, his claws pushed through his fingers. Auto-fight reflex. “Vampire. What the hell are you doing here?”
With the female locked to his side, a wary Thorn approached.
Dax combed fingers through his hair. “I need your help.”
The shifter, decked out in his signature boots and a sweat-stained cowboy hat, gave Chiara the once-over. He missed nothing. “Intros would be good, vampire. This lovely is Fin.” He kissed the female’s palm as she blushed.
Dax bobbed his head toward Thorn’s companion. “She’s Chiara. Let’s finish inside.” He had no intention of holding a long confab in the open.
Leading them through a rear door, Thorn shucked his hat, leaving it on the back porch.
“Coffee? Tea?” asked Fin, hanging a heavy, too-big sweater on a hook. Probably Thorn’s.
“No. We’ve had enough.” Dax was eager to get talking about the problem. Interesting, though, the female seemed at home in Thorn’s place.
“Don’t speak for me, vampire. I’d love some tea, Fin.” Chiara followed the other human into the kitchen. “Dax, don’t start without me.”
Hehmphedbut waited till the females returned with a tray. Fin took a cup for herself and handed one to Thorn. Chiara lifted hers, closing her eyes as if savoring the smell. When all parties were settled, he began the story.
****
Rein leaned over Braelyn’s shoulder to glance at the caller ID on her cell. His lip curled into a smirk. “One of my favorite humans is reaching out to you.”
“Play nice, mate. Hey, Miller.”
“Luv.”
“She’s not your love, asshole.” Rein’s enhanced hearing let him listen in on the conversation.
“Tell me, luv. Is the bugger plugged into your phone line?”
Braelyn walked away from Rein before his macho aggression tied him in knots. “No. He’s just a vamp mix. Super hearing. What’s up?”
“I’ve got several names for you.” He went through the list, ending with Celene Bailey and Finley Sage. “None of these were on the list of descendants you’re protecting.”
“We don’t have them. Just a sec.” She held the phone away from her ear. “Honey, do you know anything about these women or men? Celene sounds familiar.”
“Celene is the name Jace keeps mentioning.” Rein crossed his thick, solid arms over his chest.
“You’re right.” Braelyn held the cell out so Miller could eavesdrop on the conversation.
Rein filled him in on the latest attempts to locate Jace’s fellow captive. “Firebrands are scouring the area where Tyr and Dax found Jace. The better noses have been sniffing to find a trail. But because she disguised her scent in pine needles and scat, they’re having trouble backtracking her.”
“What about the other names?” asked Miller.
“I’ll check, but I haven’t heard them before.” Rein reached into a pocket to retrieve a small notebook and pen.
“Did you catch all that, Miller? We do have Jace. You gave us her name the last time we talked. We have a line on Celene but haven’t found her. We don’t know about the others.”
“I have a question for the enormous fanged one, luv.”
Braelyn smiled while she handed over her phone. “He wants you.”
