Page 148 of The Vampire's Thirst
“Fuck, Kole. Watch it.” Dax took a threatening step toward his commander.
Kole spread his legs. “Bring it on, vampire. I feel the urge to wipe the floor with somebody. You’ll do.”
Chiara signaled Skyler. “Let’s stop the idiots.” The women moved between their mates, who had the good sense to retreat.
Dax gripped Chiara’s arm, leading her away from the confrontation. He bent to whisper in her ear. “Don’t call me baby in front of everyone.”
She whispered back, glancing around the room to make sure no one eavesdropped. “Don’t call me little witch.”
“Not happening.”
“Ditto, vampire baby.” Chiara broke from his grasp, flopping onto the couch where Braelyn patted her knee.
Thorn cleared his throat. “Fin, you can’t let these females lead you into danger.”
“Lead? You’re implying I don’t think for myself?”
“Um. No. Of course not.” A confused wolf paced behind Thorn’s amber eyes. “Shit.”
“Good, because you’d be sleeping alone on the floor tonight.”
Dax’s jaw clenched. “This will never happen again. No more forays into battle for you or your coven.” He paused, his grin wicked. “Little witch.”
“Now that just pisses me off, baby.” Chiara rose, blinked, and flicked her wrist.
When a chill settled in the room, the males crumpled to the cold tile. Mouths dropped open, the women turning worried eyes to Chiara.
“They’re only in a light coma. I couldn’t listen to the inane babble any longer.” Chiara brushed her hands together.
With a frown tugging her lips, Sabine fronted the spellcaster. “Nico wasn’t part of the problem. He’s Blood Coven, too. Why did you face plant him?”
“Collateral damage. Sorry.”
Sabine sighed. “Shit happens. My mate’s been a little triggered of late. He can use the rest.”
Jace rose from the couch, pulling her rescued friend up with her. “I told you, Celene. You love them, right? Drinks, ladies? I could use one. Let’s make some for the guys. They’ll need straight shots when they come to.”
“Great idea.” Chiara, barefooted and with her skirt sweeping the floor, strolled behind the bar. “They’re gonna be pissed, aren’t they?”
Feeling for his pulse, Fin kneeled beside Thorn. “You better believe it. Maybe the men will have a little respect for our gifts, though.”
All heads swung toward the sound of boots thudding on the tile as Nace strode into the gathering area. He halted. His eyes took in the bodies on the floor and then swept toward the women crowding the bar. “Anything you want to explain?”
“The guys were tired. I think you know everybody here except our new guest.” Chiara, reaching for an offered glass of red wine, pointed to Jace’s friend, the newly rescued Blood Coven descendant. “Celene, this is Commander Nace from the North Shelters stronghold.”
A smile widened on the jaguar shifter’s face as he stepped over Dax. “Lovely, where have you been my whole life?”
Celene tucked her blonde hair behind her ears. “Oh, here and there.” She offered her hand to the newcomer.
Instead of shaking, the commander touched his lips to the back of her fingers.
While Celene clasped a kissed fist to her heart, every woman in the roomoohedandaahed.
Chiara sipped her wine, peering over the rim of the glass. “So, Commander, what do you think of women going into battle?”
“Is this a trick question?” Nace accepted a whiskey from Sabine.
“Yes.” The nymph Firebrand glanced at Nico still asleep on the floor.
