Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(34)

‘Show Jenner why he should fear you. Make him yours.’

Those unspoken words floated through my mind. The intent behind them was clear. I gazed into the shadows where Jenner lurked, focusing on his energy among the masses. Intrigue, attraction and wariness flavored his energy. The hunger wore many faces. With just the thought planted in my head, the vampire in me snapped to attention. Jenner…yeah I wanted a taste of that.

I sucked in a deep breath; I shouldn’t do what I was about to do, yet caught up in the moment the way I was, I couldn’t think of a single reason why not. In a sober state, I never would have considered claiming Jenner. Sure, I’d seduced a five hundred year old vampire who possessed a respectable amount of power, but we already had a personal relationship. Jenner was a stranger I knew only in someone else’s memories. He was also of a very strong bloodline. One I shared. Could I do it? Only one way to find out.

The power swelled between Arys and me, causing the lights to flicker. I reached out metaphysically to Jenner while also beckoning him with a finger. Right away, I sensed his resistance. A challenge.

Arys’s hand in my hair was possessive. Clutching my long locks, he ran his tongue along the side of my neck. A familiar and welcome tingle began in my loins. I rubbed myself against his evident arousal. A rush of excitement brought a mischievous smile to my face.

I peered into the darkened place where I knew Jenner stood. His energy was tense but ablaze with intrigue. How long could he hold out?

“Jenner.” His name was a faint whisper on my lips. Again, I beckoned to him.

Grasping the irresistible force, I held a hand up and blew an invisible kiss across the stage. The power swirled and danced around as it sought and found my target. My power wrapped around Jenner, drawing him into my thrall.

The audience grew restless. Affected by the brewing storm around us, they squirmed in their seats and spoke in hushed whispers to one another. When Jenner stepped into view, they all fell quiet again.

His shoulders were stiff. He moved with a graceless gait as he fought the pull. It was no use. No matter how much Jenner may have meant it when he said he didn’t want to taste my blood, he was a vampire, and ultimately, it was always about the blood.

Desire burned in his icy blue eyes. A pained expression crossed his face. His attempts to resist us were weakening. Arys’s satisfaction echoed in my mind. Having Jenner fall victim to us pleased him more than giving him a beating ever could. He kept the sex-charged energy flowing while I gave it focus and intent. We worked so well together, finding the perfect natural rhythm.

A cool breeze swept through the theatre. I held a hand out to Jenner and laughed as Arys kissed the ticklish spot on the back of my neck. Arys’s hunger for me was palpable, and I knew Jenner felt it too. Jenner took my hand, and the power leaped from me to him. It wound through all three of us, taking us higher.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Jenner murmured. He rubbed my hand against his face, inhaling the scent of the blood pumping beneath the surface of my skin. The scruffy bit of facial hair he sported was softer than I expected.

“Do you want to taste me?” The question came unbidden. I slipped into the zone, to the strange place I went when the vampiric power consumed me.

“No, I don’t want to,” he said, a crack in his voice. “I need to. And I hate you for that.”

I hushed him with a finger against his lips. His words were a little too close to something I’d heard from someone else. This wasn’t the time to question the morals of my actions. Power was the only thing vampires understood.

A shudder racked me as Arys nipped playfully at my neck. The touch of his fangs and tongue on my jugular vein had me ready for him. The chaise lounge was starting to look inviting.

I pulled Jenner forward, planting one hell of a kiss on him. I breathed the manipulative force through him, dragging him deeper under. A quick nip of his lip spilled enough blood for me to get a taste of him. With my curiosity sated, I offered him my wrist.

He grasped it tight, eyes locked on Arys, waiting for him to spill the first drop. I licked my lips, my breath thin and choppy. With my free hand I reached back to stroke a finger along Arys’s face.

Arys’s low chuckle echoed around us, though I wasn’t sure if it had only been inside my head. His bite forced a cry from me and nearly drove me to my knees except he had wrapped an arm securely around me.

Without hesitation, Jenner followed suit and sunk fangs into my wrist. I watched those sharp points pierce my vein. The blood burst forth, and like a good performer, he ensured the audience got a good view before covering the wound with his mouth. At the first taste of my blood, Jenner’s head snapped up, and he stared at me like he was seeing a ghost. He mumbled something that didn’t sound like English and dropped to his knees before me. Never loosening his hold on my arm, he licked the crimson flow and groaned.

I grew dizzy, not from blood loss but from the heady rush of having two vampires feast upon me. It was exhilarating, a storm of overwhelming sensations.

Wind whipped through the theatre, howling like the creepy breeze in a horror film. It took me several moments to realize the howl came from Shaz. After a month away from us, he was still ours. Would any amount of time ever change that?

Arys’s hard-on pressed against my rear end. I wanted him to take me in all ways.

‘Sorry, my wolf,’ he spoke inside my mind. ‘You want it now, but I’d catch hell for it later.’