The elf came even closer to her, way inside her personal space bubble and tilted her head. She was so bright it hurt to look at her. Then, she rubbed her tiny, glowing fingers over the hilt of Elena’s sword. “My brother made this. My people make beautiful things. We do not destroy. I am not toxic.”
“Her people are murdering butchers,” the wood elf yelled.
“Shut up, bark boy, or I’m going to use you for kindling,” Elena shouted back.
The vampire chuckled.
The fact that he could be so cool and amused when he was scheduled to be the main event a barbeque soon made no sense at all. She stormed out of the light elf’s cell and stood outside the vampire’s bars.
“Let me out of here! My people are harmless,” the wood elf shouted.
Harmless? She’d seen his people behead an unsuspecting old man. Elena shot a bolt of energy at him, knocking him completely unconscious. Then she turned back to the vampire in the end cell. “Okay, Mr. Badass. What’s your story?”
His voice was infuriatingly nonchalant. “I’ve been alive thousands of years. I don’t think you have time to hear my story. Besides, Fydor just discovered the lovely Lady Aleksandra is missing.”
“That’s bullshit. Vampires can’t read Slayers.”
He leaned forward. “Where did you learn that?”
She rubbed her burning palm on the front of her pants. “From a friend.”
“Ah, the vampire you drank from. Did he taste good?”
Ricardo’s blood had tasted metallic and powerful, not…good. Not like Nik’s.
“Ah. It was Ricardo. Good choice. Not as good as me, though.” He winked—a particularly unnerving act with those red eyes. “And you are correct; I can’t hear Fydor, but I can hear the bear shifter who is with him.”
She had to get these guys free and out of here before she was discovered. She had to protect Nik and their baby.
“Oh dear,” the vampire said, in a lazy drawl. “Someone has a secret.”
Shit, shit, shit.
“Leverage is time sensitive. Your little secret is safe with me…for now,” he whispered so softly she was certain no one else had heard.
Everything brightened as the light elf moved to stand next to her, and Elena got a good look at the vampire. He was even more attractive than she had originally thought, with thick, auburn hair, strong features, and blood-red eyes. He smiled when her gaze drifted to his mouth, revealing long, sharp fangs. “Like what you see, Dhampir?”
“Drink from me,” the elf said. “Do it quickly.”
“What is your take on this, vampire? Is she toxic?” She didn’t hum so he could read her thoughts. What would you advise?
He arched a brow and tilted his head. “I will only answer direct yes or no questions.” Then he stepped back to his bench and sat, arms over chest, completely silent.
Aleksi stood on her other side. “He’s smokin’ hot, huh? Makes my mouth water. Too bad he’s a vamp.”
Elena turned to stare at the immortals lined up in the dungeon hallway.
“Fydor is searching the west wing for you, lovely Slayer,” the vampire said.
“Fuck Fydor,” Aleksi growled.
“No thank you,” he said. “I’d rather kill him.”
Elena spun to face him. Is the elf lying?
“No.”
Will her blood make me stronger?
“Infinitely.”
“Unlock his cell but keep him shackled,” Elena ordered the guard. She handed her sword to Aleksandra. “If I die, cut off his head.”
“No. Don’t trust him. You’re playing Russian Roulette, only you’re holding a gun to the whole world. You die, we all die,” Aleksi said.
Humming, she looked from Aleksi, to the elf, to the vampire. It all boiled down to instinct. Her instincts told her he was telling the truth. Her death wouldn’t benefit him, since he was scheduled for execution.
The elf tilted her head, offering her neck and shoulder. “Time is short. Become stronger. Elves’ blood has properties unlike that of any other species. It is my people’s gift for rescuing me.”
Elena’s heart hammered in her throat as she rested her hands on the elf’s shoulder and placed lips against the delicate flesh of her neck. She sucked in a huge breath through her nose as her fangs elongated, and then she bit down. Sweet, floral tasting blood flooded her mouth, and she swallowed only a tiny bit. It had an aftertaste like jasmine tea, her favorite. Power so great she could hear it in her head roared through her veins like a freight train. She buried her hands in the elf’s hair, tilted her head more, and bit down harder. The elf whimpered, and she forced herself to slow down and then release her. Power rushed through her in a heady mix of adrenaline and light.
Head reeling, she leaned against the bars of the vampire’s cell, catching her breath. “I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”
The elf shook her head. She rubbed her fingers over her neck, closing the wound.
She took the creature’s hand in hers. “Thank you for your gift.”