Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(52)

I didn’t like the sound of that. “Why does that sound like something I’m gonna hate?”

“I think you should take blood from one of the angels.” Arys dropped his little bomb and waited for my protests.

A frown creased my brow as I considered it. Jez snickered and taunted me about getting wrinkles, which only made me frown harder.

Taking blood from an angel was dangerous. However, it did have its advantages, like the ability to set things on fire with only a thought. What made it so deadly was that only angels could fully master their power. In the hands of anyone else, especially a mortal, it was a disaster waiting to happen.

“I don’t know, Arys.” I shook my head, pondering. I snuggled in a little closer, seeking reassurance in his embrace. “That’s risky. And I don’t want to go there with Willow. It’s so…personal.”

Taking blood and power was deeply, painfully intimate. My succubus nature only heightened that effect. Recalling Falon’s erection pressed between my thighs made me shudder. The worst part was that I had wanted him too. Ew, gross. Power was like any other intoxicant. The high could lead one to do things later regretted.

“Then take Falon’s blood. Forcefully if need be.” Arys was too flippant. He hadn’t been the one to taste angel’s blood. He didn’t understand how different it was.

“Easy for you to say; you didn’t feel what I felt.”

“Why not just use a blade on Willow to take his blood? No contact.” Jez’s point was valid. Unfortunately, it didn’t work that way.

Jenner fielded that question, jumping in before I could find a way to explain. “Not possible. Physical contact is essential. Blood is just one part of the feed for vampires like us. It’ll sustain us but it doesn’t empower us. We need the energy of the life force. It’s got to be a hands-on process.”

I felt awkward. Remembering what had happened between Jenner and me brought a rush of heat to my cheeks. It was far too easy to get caught up in the rush when the power was running high.

Jez yawned, and I immediately did the same.

“Go get some rest.” Arys brushed a soft kiss across my forehead. “You and Jez take our bedroom. Jenner and I will take her room. I’m not leaving him unattended with either of you.”

I knew what that meant. “You’re calling more escorts here, aren’t you?”

“We’re not killing. I need to be at full strength. So do you.”

“Forget it.” I got to my feet but shot Arys a warning look. I was having flashbacks to the time I had walked in on he and Harley sharing a victim. “I’m not being part of that. Better be careful.”

“Always,” came his cautious reply.

An unspoken understanding passed between us. Though Arys had stopped bedding his victims when he and I’d bonded, he still drove them into a sexual and sometimes terrorized frenzy in order to sate his hunger. I preferred not to know the details of those encounters.

Jenner’s laugh sent a prickle of annoyance through me. He was clearly entertained. “I never thought I’d see the day when Arys Knight put himself on a leash for a woman. Keep in mind that when you turn, Alexa, he will no longer find total fulfillment in you. You will both be forced to find that in humankind.”

My temper flared. “Better get your fill of escorts, Jenner. If I need to steal strength from anyone later, it’s going to be you.” If Arys hadn’t been in the room I’d have been quite tempted to throw open the curtains and roast Jenner’s snarky ass. I turned away before I could see the glare he shot at my back. I felt the weight of it though.

Jez followed me with another series of yawns. Closing the door, she gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, “Um, so have I mentioned how sorry I am for insisting we come here for a getaway? I f**ked up.”

“No, you didn’t f**k up.” I tossed the pillows off the bed and rumpled the blankets so they weren’t so annoyingly perfect. “I had to meet Jenner at some point.” I threw my hands up in surrender and stared at the bed.

Jez saw my face fall, and her smile disappeared. “Hey, Lex, it’s going to be ok. I’m sure of it.” She pulled me in for a hug, stroking a hand through my damp hair.

She smelled good, like earth and animal. It made my wolf whine and paw at my insides. We didn’t have to be pack to share that connection. It made me miss Shaz. I’d never get used to being without him.

“I think I need to be wolf.” Too much time in the vampire world was weighing on my beast. I longed for the forest, missing the tickle of pine and animal musk in my nose.

Jez nodded emphatically. “I totally understand. Let’s do it.”

It was so nice to have people who understood the many parts of me. I was grateful. Though, it would have been nice to have just one person who understood them all.

It didn’t take long for sleep to drag me under. I welcomed it, needing the brief reprieve from the real world. Jez’s gold and black head rested on my back. We curled up on the bed together, a wolf and a leopard.

I was sure it still wasn’t the weirdest thing that had happened in that hotel bed.

Chapter Thirteen

“Shut it down, Jenner.” Arys’s tone held no room for argument.

“Not a chance. Nothing stops this club from operating.”

The two of them glared daggers at one another. The Wicked Kiss was running like a well-oiled machine. The nightclub owner in me was more than a little envious of just how smooth Jenner’s club ran compared to mine.