Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(69)

I fell headlong into the bliss moment far sooner than I’d have liked. Of course, if I had it my way, I would have stayed locked in that room loving Shaz all night. Long after the climactic explosion, we lay together, as if unable to disentangle from one another. It was peaceful and so vital for us both then. Our ragged breaths were loud in the stillness. The room smelled of sweat, blood and sex.

“I missed this.” Shaz lay curled around me, his face in my hair. “But damn that was worth waiting for.”

“The only thing missing is the forest. Desert life is not for me.”

“Better get over it. I have a feeling you’ll be back.”

I groaned and snuggled in closer. “Don’t remind me. Maybe I can just video chat with Jenner. Bitch him out via the internet.”

I was determined to suck every iota of gratification possible out of the afterglow. That would have been easier if Arys hadn’t banged on the door. Not only did he not wait for a response, he strode right in without an invitation.

“There’s a car here to take you to Hurst. Come on. Get dressed.” Arys picked my clothes off the floor and flung them at me. He made no attempt to hide his amusement.

“Afterglow much?” I sat up in time to catch my panties with my face. “Arys! That’s so rude.”

He snickered, and I hid a smile. I was in too good of a mood to pretend to be mad.

Arys couldn’t hide his urgency as he ushered me down the stairs. I’d gotten dressed at warp speed. The way he and Jenner spoke of Hurst, one might think him a god. I knew better. However, any vampire that intimidated Arys in any way was one worth being wary of.

“Where’s my steak?” I demanded as he dragged me to the exit. “Can you slow down? I hate that you’re rushing me like this.”

“You can eat later. An offer like this from Hurst is almost never extended. If he wants to see you, it has to be important.” He actually began to finger comb my hair as if worried about my appearance.

I slapped his hands away and scowled. “Stop that. What’s gotten into you? Should I be worried about this?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Arys didn’t look entirely convinced.

“Great. Let me guess. No weapons.”

“Right. The Dragon Claw stays here. Don’t tap any power. You won’t need to. He would never harm you.”

The Dragon Claw had survived the warehouse fire. A weapon forged in the fires of Hell, it would likely survive anything short of the apocalypse. It had become somewhat of a security blanket for me, and I felt naked without it.

“You know, I’m starting to get real sick of the vampires calling all the shots. Shaz and I were having a moment, Arys. We needed that.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” Confusion marred his features. He seemed to want to tell me something. At last he spit out, “Hurst knows things. Things nobody should know. If he has something to share, it could be vital to us.”

I sighed and gave him a gentle cheek caress. “I’m going, ok? Now you get my steak here, so I don’t have to stick a foot up your ass when I get back. Oh, and see if you can rebook our flight home. I am f**king done with this city.”

“Will do.”

Arys walked me to the waiting black town car. The driver gave us a nod, holding the door for me. I couldn’t help but note that he was human.

I sat back against the seat as we pulled away from The Wicked Kiss. This damn nightclub chain was starting to take over my existence. I knew there was power in running a place like this. Unfortunately, it always came at a price.

The trek was short. Or at least it felt that way. In no time, we stopped. I recalled no specific details about the location. What the building looked like, where it was located, I remembered none of that.

My memory of meeting Hurst began with a dimly lit library. Candles burned, illuminating the small table where I sat. Oil lamps burned in sconces on the wall. The place seemed void of electricity, something that had to be almost impossible in Vegas.

A polite human man asked if I would like a beverage. I asked for a vanilla latte, surprised when he nodded as if that were no problem.

I didn’t have to wait for long before an unseen door hidden in the shadows across the room opened and a robed figure emerged. He made his way slowly toward me, as if he enjoyed taking his time, simply because he could.

Power surrounded him like a fog. Resonating with the skill of several centuries, it hovered the way an aroma lingers in the air. As he drew closer to the light, I saw that his robes were indeed a long cloak that touched the floor as he walked.

The man returned with my latte, placed it before me and slipped away in silence. I barely noticed.

Hurst stepped into the warm candle light. He looked nothing like I’d pictured. Long black hair streaked with silver fell over his shoulders. Lines in his face indicated that he’d been a relatively old man at the time of his turning. A sharp, hawk-like nose gave him a beaked appearance that was somehow both cryptic and endearing. He sank into the chair across from me, gently settling himself like a sheet cascading down upon the bed on laundry day.

I bit my tongue, unsure if I should speak first. I chose to wait. Instantly, he mesmerized me. The air of prestige he commanded was intimidating. I was nothing but a dumb kid next to this guy.

“Alexa, hello.” With a twinkle in his hazel eyes, Hurst captured my hand in his and placed a respectful kiss across my knuckles. “I am happy to meet you.”