A frown creased Jenner’s brow. Dragging his tongue over the matching punctures he’d given the waitress, he mumbled against her skin. “Why no, of course not. Every vampire that tastes her blood seems to die or become pathetically addicted to her.” His head snapped up quickly then, and he pinned me with a hungry stare. “Too bad. I’ll have to watch the two of you together instead.”
“Excuse me?” The numbing effects of the alcohol wore off quickly at that sobering remark. It took effort to look Jenner in the eyes rather than ogle the crimson drop sliding down the waitress’s neck.
“Arys Knight united with his other half after all this time…yeah that’s something I want to see in action. I imagine a witness can come away from that quite affected.” Having finished with his nibble, Jenner gave the waitress a light pat on the behind and sent her on her way.
He didn’t notice the way Shaz’s gaze dropped to the floor. Yeah, one could say bystanders could easily get swept up in the rush of what Arys and I commanded. Shaz knew it very well.
I expected Arys to protest, but instead he shrugged, bored. “Let’s just get this over with. Then we’re even, and we’re done. Is that clear, Jenner?”
“Crystal.”
We were far from done with Jenner. Of that, I was certain.
“I’m not an exhibitionist,” I protested. “There’s no way I’m putting my private life on display so you and your audience can get off on it. You’re disgusting, Jenner.”
Shaz’s scoffing laughter caused my eyebrows to shoot straight up in disbelief. Sucking back the Scotch, he winced as his sore face reminded him that laughing was a privilege. “It won’t be so bad, Lex,” he offered. “Just take one for the team. The sooner we’re done here, the sooner we can enjoy the rest of the city.”
“Take one for the team?” I repeated, searching Shaz for any sign of the wolf I thought I knew. “Who are you?”
Before I could lay into Shaz for his rash and absurd behavior, Arys caught my arm and steered me away. When we were a safe distance away, I opened my mouth to let him have it. He clapped a hand over my lips to muffle my bitching.
“It’s just another vampire power trip, ok? Remember that. Everything that’s happened tonight, it’s all about power. Because we’ve got it, and he’s desperate to hang on to it.” Arys paused, waiting until I nodded in understanding. “Jenner thinks by coming on strong he can intimidate us. So we play his game. But we play it our way.”
Chewing my lower lip in frustration, I turned the possible outcomes of this scenario over in my head. There was no way through without stepping miles out of my comfort zone.
I groaned and might have even pouted a bit. “Why did Shaz automatically get the cage fight? Because he’s a man? I’m sensing a bit of a double standard here.”
“There isn’t a man in this room who has the power you have. Succubus and wolf. Do what you do best. Let’s teach Jenner to be careful what he wishes for.”
My head swam as the crash from the blood high began. Human blood might sate one hunger, but it was just the beginning. Power was more addictive than blood. An essential life force like blood, power begged to be tasted.
“Do you trust me?” With a gentle hand on my cheek, Arys locked eyes with me, searching for assurance.
Talk about a loaded question. Too many times, he’d made choices that I didn’t agree with, choices that significantly increased the danger in our lives. Yet, so had I.
“Yes,” I said, leaning into his caress. “I trust you.”
* * * *
I watched from backstage as the theatre filled with people. It was a relatively small theatre compared to most, but still a crowd of people waited to watch some authentic vampire activity. My stomach dropped to my knees.
“I change my mind. I can’t do this.”
“Sure you can. It will be fun.” Arys lounged on the sofa, exuding a calm that I did not share. He’d taken off his jacket and opened his shirt to reveal more of his hairless chest. His gaze followed me as I flitted anxiously about the room. “Relax, Alexa. I’ll guide you. It’ll be fine. You might even like it.” With a wink and a sexy snicker, he beckoned me over.
I shook my head, unable to sit down. Pacing a hole in the carpet and wringing my hands wasn’t getting me anywhere, but it gave me something to do while I waited for Jenner to turn me into a carnival act. Step right up and watch the werewolf get f**ked and bled by the vampire destined to love and kill her. There’s a crowd drawing tagline if I ever heard one.
The door opened, and Jenner stood in its frame with his arms crossed. “Remember, I’ve got your wolf out there. So don’t try anything stupid.”
“Like what?” I challenged, swallowing my fear despite how it choked me. When he shot me a dark glare, I added, “Hey, my definition of stupid is likely much different from yours.”
“Just get your ass in gear. I got the crowd warmed up for you. They’re eager to see such a unique pairing. As am I.”