Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(2)

I hadn’t always been able to identify the vampires that shared Arys’s sire. Now I could feel the strange metaphysical flavor that we all shared. It was both pleasing and startling to see how my power had grown.

Outwardly disaffected and nonchalant, I sat back in my seat and exuded a relaxed appearance. Inside I was coiling my power tight in my core, knowing I couldn’t use it in a human place like this but ready just the same.

“Lex?” Jez spoke softly, her words for my ears only. “Is this gonna get ugly?”

“No.” I didn’t dare take my eyes off the vampire taking calculated steps toward our table. “It doesn’t have to. We’re not doing a damn thing. Just having a drink.”

Shaz didn’t move a muscle, yet his wolf was ready. I could feel it.

This city buzzed with supernatural energy from the monsters who called it home. I shouldn’t have been surprised that we’d already encountered a vamp. I suppose it had been wishful thinking that we’d make it until tomorrow night without our arrival being discovered.

“May I?” The vampire pulled out the empty chair at our table, inclining his head in inquiry. The light flashed off something metallic in his mouth, and I realized one of his fangs was gold. I couldn’t tell if his entire fang was gold, a replacement for the original tooth, or if it was merely gold plated. Either way, it gave his already rugged face an additional element of menace.

“Go right ahead.” I gestured to the chair, studying our guest. It would be nice if Arys would reappear. I had hoped he would be the one to handle the locals.

The vampire glanced around the table, taking us all in one at a time. He ended with me. Propping his elbows on the table, he clasped his hands and grinned. “So it’s true; Arys and his wolf are in town. I had to see for myself. Is this a personal visit?”

“News travels fast here, huh?” I refused to be intimidated. Obviously, the Vegas vamps had eyes and ears all over the place. “Just here to lose some money and drink a lot of booze. Like everyone else.”

“Arys doesn’t set foot in this city without a reason. Not anymore. We can’t help but think he’s here to make a play for Harley’s old turf. Where is Arys anyway?” The vampire let his gaze travel over me, lingering on my cle**age and then on the pulse in my throat.

As much as I dreaded the day I would join the vampire ranks, I looked forward to having them look at me without seeing a super-charged snack. Ignoring his hungry stare, I reached out to Arys, opening the mental link between us.

‘We have a visitor. Friend of yours I think.’ I let him see through my eyes, showing him the undead man seated at the table next to me.

‘Do not leave that bar. I’m coming.’ His alarm sang through me, hitting notes of worry and apprehension.

“Arys is right around the corner, checking in,” I said, my smile so tight it hurt. “He’ll be here any moment.”

“He left your side in this city? You must be stronger than you look. Or else he’s grown careless.”

“Come on now, Roscoe.” The vampire’s name fell from my lips, surfacing from my subconscious. “You know Arys better than that.”

Roscoe was visibly surprised, but he hid it quickly. “So Harley was right after all. You’re the one Arys was dreaming about all those years ago.”

It was my turn to be surprised. I didn’t know Harley’s many vampire progeny knew that much about me. Since I couldn’t willingly access each of Arys’s memories—a blessing in disguise, I was sure, as having them all free flowing in my mind would likely be too much to handle—Arys clearly needed to tell me a few things.

“Whatever Harley said, I’m sure it was fabricated from his delusions.” I scowled and sipped from my drink. Harley was a bitter subject for both Arys and I, each for different reasons. I doubted that would ever change.

Roscoe chuckled, a low throaty sound that struck another hidden chord in my memory. He shifted in his chair, his scent wafting to me. He smelled like expensive cologne, cigarettes and blood, all rolled into one nose-assaulting odor.

“Sounds like you really knew him.” Roscoe leaned across the table, dangerously close. He ignored Shaz, who leaned in as well. “Before you killed him.”

“We’re not playing this game. I came here to escape masculine, pseudo-macho bullshit and head games. Spare me the crap.” I held his gaze, letting the wolf show in my eyes. I kept my power tightly contained so it wouldn’t change my brown eyes to Arys’s vampire blue. This guy didn’t need to see it.

Jez glanced nervously at the door as the cold wind of Arys’s arrival swept over me. He strode into the bar with a cool, composed demeanor, but I could feel the storm building within him.

Arys was a dark dream in black leather. Blue jeans and a white t-shirt along with a leather jacket and his sexy mess of ebony hair gave him a slightly 50s greaser look. No matter how many times I saw him walk into a room, I couldn’t help but swoon.

With the grace of the undead, he moved through the bar. His dark-blue gaze locked on Roscoe, who stood in time for Arys to grab him around the throat. He jerked the other vampire close and shook him.

“What the hell do you want, Roscoe?” Arys snarled. “You know what happens if any of you touch her.”

Roscoe raised both hands and shook his head. “Hey, brother, take it easy. There’s been no touching. Just scoping out the tip that you were in town.”