Page 76 of The Vampire's Thirst
Dax still cradled Chiara. He showed the signs of a possessive vampire.
Interesting.
Thorn patted Fin’s leg. “It’ll take them time to regroup. Hard to track a moving vehicle, but they gotta figure we’re headed to the closest portal. If we make Bozeman to cross first, we’ll be okay.”
Chiara’s lips squeezed tight. “If I’m the reason they found us, drop me off. They could have been at my cabin, grabbing a lot of personal stuff to do that scrying thing. I’m not getting the rest of you in trouble.”
Dax snarled. “Fuck no. You are with me. Wipe anything else from your little witch brain. Thorn, crank up the She Beast. Let’s see what she can do.”
Yep. Protective. Interesting.
****
“Been here. Done this.” Dax poked an elbow out the front passenger window, the cool air refreshing. He and Fin had switched places.
Thorn parked the She Beast on the side of the road, tilting it into an embankment. “The portal is compromised?”
Dax eyed the barrier blocking the street. “Yep.”
The wolf tapped his D-chip to let Kole in on the news. He thumped his wrist again to disconnect, sharing the conversation. “I told the commander we’re shit out of luck in Bozeman. He asked us to scout it out tonight.”
“A new motel. Another recon. I never thought I’d be happy to get home.” Dax scrubbed a fist across his jaw. “This is Missoula all over again.”
Thorn threw the truck into gear to take off, none of his usual squealing tires.
When they checked into a seedy motel, Thorn asked, “How do you want to divvy up the beds, Dax?”
“You and Fin in a room. Chiara and I’ll take the other.”
Thorn flashed a wide, wolfy grin at the vampire.
“Knock it off, shifter.”
After a shower and a fast meal, he and Thorn parked near the barricade again. In response to the shifter, Dax smirked, raising his arm for a little show-and-tell when Thorn suggested they meet at the same spot in precisely an hour. “Does it look like I have a watch?”
“Oh, yeah. In that case, after the recon we’ll connect in my room to share war stories. Whenever.”
“Works for me.”
Thorn opened the truck door, stripped, and laid his folded clothes onto the seat. After an explosion of color followed by loud pops, he stared at Dax through feral amber eyes as he padded toward the nearest barricade.
Dax shadowflashed to a dark spot further down the road beyond the barriers. After four more jumps, he hid near the parking garage with the portal. As in Missoula, American soldiers milled outside, some standing guard with rifles, some armed with M2 50s, and some behind muzzle-loading mortars aimed at the gateway.
Tents lined the street. He counted a company of men, no more than two hundred. His guesstimate included some who might be resting inside.
Sneaking from shadow to shadow, Dax staked out foot soldiers, officers, and sleeping quarters. Three helos parked like cars on the road. These men were here for the long haul. Aeternals exiting the portal in Bozeman would be walking into a trap.
After about forty-five minutes of flashing around, the vampire’s blood supply was depleted. Not wanting to tap the little witch again, he planned to find a harmless female but go through with the bite this time. To hell with his promise. Lancing a Blood Coven descendant who claimed to love him was crazy. If hisfreronswere any indication, repeated sips from Chiara’s neck could lead to the mating call. He would not do that to her. Even he wasn’t that cruel.
So Dax waited outside a bar until a shapely blonde stepped out for a smoke. She grasped a cigarette between two fingers, lighting it.Hiss. Inhale. Exhale. He staggered toward her as if he was drunk on too many beers. When she saw him, she didn’t react, but as he got closer, she recoiled, the cigarette falling from her lips. Natural human response to a predator. Like any of his breed, he calmed her. She relaxed against the old bricks, shooting him an enticing smile.
Standing toe-to-toe, he trailed fingers down her arms, traced her breasts, and compelled her to sweep her hair away from her neck. She was cooperative, not too bad looking. But Dax didn’t care. He was here for the plump vein. He pressed his chest against her boobs while licking her throbbing pulse. She arched into him.
When his erection swelled, he thought he might enjoy some action. Fangs shot from his gums, and he scraped them along the female’s neck. With a quick stab, he pierced her flesh, letting blood flow into his mouth. Just as fast, he pulled out. Dazed, the female bobbled. Clasping her arm until she was steadier on her feet, Dax wiped her memory.
He flashed around the corner of the bar, hiding in the shadows. Disgusted with himself. His slip seemed like a betrayal of Chiara. He didn’t want emotional ties.
The little witch has ruined me. I’ll starve if I can’t tap a vein. I want her on my tongue. Her nectar, pure, innocent, and scented with unique spices.
