A Kiss of Blood (Vamp City #2)(35)

“Hungry.”

With a roll of her eyes, Quinn stepped back. “Go eat.” But as Zack hurried out of the room, Quinn watched him with worried eyes, then followed more slowly. In the main room, she grabbed a cup of coffee as he filled a plate to overflowing, then joined him at the now-empty table.

Briefly, she told Zack about the trip to the fae’s. She’d expected him to take her explanation with his usual equanimity, but he turned to her with stubborn eyes.

“I’m going with you.”

“I suggested that to Arturo. But he feels that the more of us who go, the more attention we’ll draw. Two of us can get in and out of there safer than three.”

Zack’s mouth tightened, a flash of self-loathing crossing his face as his shoulders slumped. Without another word, he went back to eating.

Quinn’s heart clenched. He’d be of no help protecting any of them, including himself, and they both knew it.

Her brother was on his second helping of everything when Jason walked in. The ex-Marine poured himself a tall glass of water and joined them.

“Is this Zack?” he asked.

Quinn introduced them. “Jason’s offered to . . .” She wasn’t sure how to put it. Train you? Whip you into shape?

“Your sister tells me you’d like some fighting tips. A few basic moves anyone can use.”

Zack glanced up, his eyes sharp and angry, before returning to his meal. He must see this as one more blow to his already battered pride.

“Nothing crazy,” Jason assured him. “I can show you the workout equipment they have here. It’s a pretty impressive assortment, considering where we are. And I can give you some basic exercises to get you started. But first we’ll warm up together and work on a few basic defensive moves. Not right away. You need a chance to digest your breakfast first. Maybe in an hour?”

Zack nodded without looking up.

Quinn met Jason’s gaze with apology in her eyes, but he waved it away.

“We’ll go at whatever speed you’re comfortable with, Zack,” Jason said as he rose again. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

“Thanks, Jason,” Quinn said. When he’d left, she watched her brother. “You’re stronger than you think.”

Zack made no indication he’d heard her. Or believed her.

A short while later, Neo, Arturo, and Micah walked in.

Quinn looked up. “Time to go?”

“Not yet. You need your glamour renewed.”

Micah gave a huff. “Everyone wants a say this time. Apparently, they weren’t impressed with my last effort.”

He sounded so put out she had to bite back a smile. She rose and squeezed Zack’s shoulder. “I’ll see you when I get back.”

But as she started to turn away, she felt her arm snagged by a gentle, overwarm hand and turned to meet her brother’s soft gaze.

“Be careful, sis.”

She covered his hand with her free one, love welling up thick inside of her. “I will. Don’t forget Jason.”

“I won’t.”

He let her go, and she crossed the room to join the three males. The three vampires.

As they headed down a different hallway from where she’d slept last night, Arturo slid his hand under her hair to cup the back of her neck in a decidedly possessive move. Staking his territory. She met his gaze, warning him silently to cut the he-man theatrics. She expected to see a flash of the charmer, the vampire who cajoled and seduced. But no light entered those dark eyes. His grip on her neck tightened fractionally, as if resisting her demand, before letting go.

They entered a small sitting room, one as spartan as the bedrooms, though instead of a bed and nightstand, this one sported two dark gray sofas at right angles and a smattering of end and coffee tables.

Micah lit the oil lamp on one of the end tables, then closed the door. “We don’t need an audience for this.”

Quinn glanced first at Arturo, then at Neo. “Looks like we’ve got one anyway.”

“Make her a redhead,” Neo said. “I’ve always been partial to redheads.”

Arturo sent him a scathing look. “I want her skin and hair dark. Perhaps she’ll not stand out like a diamond in the twilight.”

Micah threw his friend a ribbing look. “That was poetic, Ax. I’m impressed.” He turned to her, humor still lighting his eyes. “Do you have a preference, Quinn? A favorite actress, though I won’t copy her exactly. You’d only draw more attention that way, not less.”

She started to shake her head, then glanced at Neo, considering. “Can you make me look like Neo’s sister?”

Neo looked surprised but pleased.

Arturo scowled.

Micah grinned. “That I can do.” Like before, he closed his eyes, lifted his hands, and touched her cheeks with his fingertips, stroking them with the pads of his thumbs and the barest of touches. Her flesh began to tingle, the sensation spreading along her scalp and neck, then down into her body, as before. Finally, he opened his eyes, the grin spreading across his face slowly.

“Damn, Neo,” Micah said. “You make a stunning woman.”

Neo snorted. Arturo’s scowl only deepened.

“I need a mirror,” Quinn said.

“Mukdalla has one.” Neo led her from the room and down two more, Micah close behind, Arturo following more slowly. When Neo’s quick rap went unanswered, he opened the door, lit a candle in a holder by the bed and lifted a hand mirror on the bedside table, handing it to Quinn.