Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(4)

I was still buzzing from the power high of the kill. It was like an adrenaline rush that wouldn't subside. I felt the connection between myself and the earth, the energy that flowed in everything. It was amazing. A slight giddiness caused me to grin to myself as if I had a dirty secret. It felt better than if I'd just slammed a few shots of good tequila. I had to pause before entering the building to take a deep breath and get a hold of myself. If I didn't shield hard, I was going to be vibing off every person inside, which quickly becomes overwhelming.

A stop at home to scrub my nails and change into clean jeans and a long black dressy sweater had been done with haste. I wanted to track Arys down before he impulsively followed something warm blooded out for a bite. I could easily open the mental door between us and access his mind. He’d always wanted to toy with that ability, but it freaked me out. It felt invasive and unnatural from both sides. I loathed making use of it unless absolutely necessary. As of yet, it wasn't.

Nodding to the bouncer at the door, I smiled tightly and brushed past. Though my fangs and claws had since receded, the power humming through me, like a medium-grade drug hit, caused my wolf to refuse to lie silent inside me, instead pressing the surface of my being. A complete shift to wolf was the most natural way to burn off the excess energy roiling about within me. The urge was there, but I did have control over that one thing.

I blinked furiously a few times as my sensitive eyes adjusted to the dim and oddly yellow lighting. The stage was empty tonight. Instead of a live band, the DJ had the sounds of classic rock booming through the speaker system. I didn't waste time scoping the place out. I had a moment where I was torn between locating Arys and going to the bar where Shaz Richardson, the Alpha male werewolf and my mate, was busy serving up drinks to the awaiting line of patrons. The choice was stolen from me when the atmosphere shifted, and my dark vampire emerged from the crowd to capture me from behind in his arms.

Pulling me against his hard body, he brushed his lips against my ear and whispered,

“You are on fire, my love. What have you been up to?”

I turned in his arms to face him, and my breath was stolen when he ever so softly traced my lower lip with his tongue. Sparking, our power reached for one another, meshing into a mix of the blue and gold that represented our individual energies. It was only visible to those with the psychic ability to see energy.

If I thought the power was hard to handle on my own, I always remembered how different it was when I was with him. It ran at a much higher intensity; the chemistry between us was dangerously explosive. Yet, it was also easier to manipulate and control.

With a content sigh, I sucked his tongue into my mouth, only now enjoying what we gained from each other. When I was in his arms, everything was different. He tasted like blood, human blood. It created a ravenous longing deep inside me, and along with it, a physical need to have him take me and possess my body.

When he pulled back to peer into me with his insanely blue eyes, my knees weakened, and my heart faltered. Lord help me, but the man was a god. I could stare at him endlessly and never tire of it. He inclined his head slightly, indicating that he awaited my reply. A chunk of jet-black hair fell over one eye, and he gave it a sexy toss.

I bit my lip in frustration. My lust for Arys may have been power driven right from the start, but it was all him. No amount of metaphysical energy could have made me want him as bad as I did. It was just the very sweet icing on the cake.

“Nothing but the usual. Chasing down nasties and making them wish they'd never called me your bitch.” I couldn't resist the temptation to nibble gently at the silver ring in Arys' lower lip. It matched the one in his nose as well as the larger one in his left nipple. I suddenly could not wait to get home. “You're coming by my place tonight, right?”

“Someone called you my bitch?” A grin crossed his handsome face, revealing pearly white fangs. I figured he'd like that. “You must have kicked the shit out of him.” He paused to plant a series of small kisses on my lips while denying me the passionate kiss I longed for. “Oh yeah, I'm coming by tonight. I'm going to take advantage of that tightly wound energy when it snaps.”

“Good. That's what I was counting on.” I went in for another kiss, and he teasingly dodged it. When he playfully bit at the sensitive spot below my ear, I had to remind myself that we were in public. The erotic thrill of arousal had my body responding to him as a throb began between my legs. “You are such a damn tease.”

Arys chuckled, sending a ticklish shiver down my spine. The man totally got off on making me as hot for him as he possibly could before giving in to my pleas and demands.

He knew just how to play me to achieve the response he sought.

“What about your wolf? Will he be dropping by tonight?”

With a pointed look toward the bar, he drew my eye to Shaz, my platinum haired wolf. The intention behind Arys' words wasn't lost on me. It wasn't often that my men shared their time with me, but it did occur on occasion. The thought brought a particular memory to mind, and I smiled to myself.

“Why? Do you want him to?” I asked teasingly, stroking Arys lightly beneath the chin as I watched Shaz mix a fancy cocktail and hand it to a perky brunette.

Wait a minute; I recognized that perky chick. My good mood soured, and the territorial venom filled me until I was clenching my teeth. Casey lived in the same apartment building as Shaz. Apparently, they'd dated casually before he and I managed to sort out our chaotic issues. According to Shaz, it had been innocent and not serious in any way. Yet here she was again, sipping the drink he made her and beaming up at him like a gum-chewing teenybopper.