Blood Debt (Kingdom of Blood #1) - Callie Rose Page 0,18

on the more experienced tributes’ throats, but there aren’t any—at least, none I can pick up from this distance. If the scars are there, they’re small.

The entire room is filling up fast now, with humans and vampires alike, but I have yet to see any male tributes. I’m almost relieved. I don’t know yet how I’m going to get a message to Nathan without setting off all kinds of alarms, and I could really use a night to solve that problem.

My attention is everywhere as sounds and activity fill the large hall. I force myself to look around slowly, in no particular kind of pattern, rather than flick my eyes all over searching for weak spots. It’s harder than I thought it would be, but I keep taking deep, slow breaths, letting my tension gather in spots where it won’t be noticeable as I keep my face relaxed.

I can feel the vampires in the room, feel their gazes on me, their hunger and debauchery. I’m crouched behind enemy lines, and I’ve got to look like I enjoy the experience.

As I continue to subtly scan the room, my gaze drifts toward the high table—and my heart almost stops.

He’s attacking her.

The dark-haired vampire sitting on the throne is clutching a scantily-clad woman in a hungry embrace, his mouth buried in her neck.

My stomach twists. Every fiber of my being itches to take him down right here and now so I can save that poor girl. But then she moans. I snap my attention to her face. Her mouth is open, red and full, her brow creased, her arms twisting to grip the chair. She’s writhing, yes… but not to escape.

Holy fucking shit, she’s about to come.

My twisted stomach flips in a weird way, a new way, pouring lava down my insides, melting me to my core. I don’t even recognize the feeling at first. I don’t get aroused like this, not unless I’m super drunk and kneeling in front of washboard abs. Even then, it’s not intense like this. Sex is a tool. Like stilettos or whiskey or a really good blade. My job demands regular, efficient release. Sex with a stranger is the best way to get it.

But sex with a stranger has never, ever made me feel like this.

I can’t look away. I’m disgusted, horrified, but that doesn’t seem to make any difference to my fucking body.

She’s in ecstasy. How is that possible?

I’ve seen vampires feed more times than I can count. It’s always brutal. Their victims beg if they can, cry out in agony if they can’t, and are always left dead or traumatized. This girl doesn’t look traumatized at all. She looks blissful, like there’s nowhere else on earth she’d rather be.

I must stare for too long, or maybe I make a noise without realizing it. As if he’s sensed my attention, the dark haired vampire opens his eyes. His gaze snaps to mine, pinning me in place with irises that are the exact shade of dark gray as storm clouds.

Chapter Six

Fight.

Run.

Freeze.

The conflicting impulses to do all three of those things ricochet through me as my eyes lock with his.

God, I wish I had my weapons on me.

I’d be an idiot to use them in here, but just having the cold steel pressed against my thighs would make me feel better.

My heart’s racing. Dammit. I need to breathe, need to slow it down, but the darkly handsome vampire at the head table is still watching me. He slides his fangs out of the woman’s throat, and she squeaks a little moan, like he’d just pulled his dick out. He licks the blood off her neck and his tongue closes her wounds.

They can do that? Motherfucker. Those bastard street vamps never do that.

He gives her a sultry look and gently pushes her off his lap. She gazes back at him like she’s in love, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths as she turns and wobbles happily away. But he’s not watching her go. No, his gaze has settled on me again, and it feels like he’s looking right through me.

A shiver trickles through me as he licks the last few drops of blood from his lips. He looks predatory. Possessive. Terrifying.

So why does he also look sexy?

“Oh god. Do you think she’s his bonded?” The full-figured blonde girl beside me poses the question to no one in particular.

A sparkly-eyed redhead with a perfect build, perfect skin, and perfectly symmetrical face picks up a fork and toys with