Page 14 of Kiss of Light

“If only. Nope. I use boring old blood banks. And eat lots of rare steak. I do like a blue porterhouse.”

Tala felt wrong-footed. It was common knowledge in Nush’aldaam that every vamp living in the mortal world fed off humans. They just did. That was why they left Palissandra. So they could chow down on delicious humans. She’d never met a vamp who lived here anddidn’tfeed off them. She cleared her throat.

“Can I ask why …”

“No, you can’t. But here’s a pertinent question. Why can’t I see any hunters down there?” He pointed to the street. “You said they’d be waiting. I’ve been searching the shadows and there are no Vetali anywhere.”

She scanned the darkness. Her night vision, like his, was excellent. And he was right. Not one vamp was lurking Nosferatu-style to see if their prey would emerge.

“Maybe they gave up? Vetali do get bored easily.”

“That’s true. We prefer quick hunts. Long stakeouts aren’t our style.”

“Let’s take the win and go. We need to get on the road.”

He straightened up.

“That’s the second time you’ve mentioned a journey. Where is it you want to go?”

“Back to Palissandra, of course. So I can present you safe and sound to your father and prove Shadeed didn’t want you dead.”

Lemar shook his head.

“You’re sadly mistaken. I’m not going back to Palissandra.”

“Look, whatever spat you’ve had with your dad, it’s not as important as this.”

“You’re not listening, demon. I’m not going with you.”

“Don’t you understand? Every hunter this side of the hemisphere is looking for you. I thought we had time because they’d all assume you were in New York but somehow, this lot knew you were here. That means we’re on the clock. So get off your high horse and quit bitching.”

She made to grab his arm and he fended her off.

“I’m warning you, hunter. Lay a hand on me and I’ll…”

She punched him in the face. He staggered back, shocked, and she snapped another blow to his head.

She knew she couldn’t hurt him, not really, but she needed him to know she meant business. She delivered a roundhouse kick, landing her boot solidly in the middle of his chest.

Lemar took the blow with growing irritation. Why the fuck wouldn’t she leave him alone? She landed another kick on his abdomen, jarring a grunt from him. She was strong. And fast. She fought with a grace he couldn’t help but admire.

If it had been any other hunter, he would have eviscerated them. But he found himself holding back. As annoying as she was, he didn’t want to hurt her. The memory of his first instinctual reaction to her was still fresh in his mind.

He contented himself with blocking her moves. He avoided her next blow, and the next. But when she drove an elbow into his nose, he lost his temper.

He was a blur as he came at her, slamming her into the wall. She found herself gazing at his true face: black veins pulsing just below his skin, canines lengthened to lethal points. She felt the razor edge of his claws on her throat.

“Accept when you are beaten,” he snarled.

“Yeah? Look down.”

He glanced south. She had one of her damned curved blades pointed at his scrotum. There was a long pause.

“That wouldn’t kill me,” he said at last.

“Make life a bit uncomfortable for a while, I would think. I mean, how would you even pee?”

“I don’t pee.”

---