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

Arys knew how to work the rush though, and he ever so gently dragged his fangs over my flesh instead. The growing heat crawled up my arm to engulf my whole body. I had no idea how far Arys was willing to take this. And as the haze of lusty need gripped me, I didn’t care.

The seconds felt like hours under his careful touch. Leaving my wrist unmarked, Arys moved to the sensitive inner crook of my elbow. Again, he teased my senses with a flick of his tongue. If having me beg for his bite was what he wanted, he would make it happen.

It no longer occurred to me to be unnerved by the watching crowd. Only one person had seen Arys and me in action. He was currently numbing out in the audience, saddled with security. How would Shaz feel watching now that he wasn’t part of it?

Soft music began to play, echoing throughout the theatre. It broke up the stillness but encouraged the mood. Only when Arys pressed his lips to mine did I realize I was holding my breath. It slipped out as a ragged sigh.

His kiss was aggressive, a commanding assault on my mouth. Desire flared its wings wide within me, tickling my insides like butterflies. Deep within my core, I felt it, a yearning for him that could never be matched nor fully sated.

“Do you feel that?” He whispered against my lips. “I’m inside every part of you.”

The power built harder, faster and stronger every time we called it together. It had started to feel second nature, which was a nice change from the earlier confusion and mayhem.

Arys’s pupils were huge, excitement making his eyes a deep, drowning black. Nobody would be left untouched by the high when he was done here. I tried to pull him in for more, but he avoided my grasp, slipping around to stand behind me. His chest was firm against my back. Pulling my hair aside, he stripped me of the choker, baring my neck. His arms went around me. Holding me tight, Arys breathed deeply of my scent. He groaned, a low sound rife with hunger, a sexy murmur in my ear.

‘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.