Blood and Kisses - By Karin Shah Page 0,82

his feet like a cat.

Thalia’s heart thudded inside her chest. She fought the impulse to run. Sudden rage took the edge off her panic.

This creature had killed Lily and countless others, stealing their lives without a second thought.

He had used her cousin and discarded her with as much regard as a paper cup. He deserved to die a slow, painful death. Fury boiled up from deep within, urging her to disperse her shield and attack, but she resisted. As much as she yearned to personally deliver the justice of her people—the prophecy made one thing very clear, Akos needed her death before Gideon’s. As long as she lived, Gideon was safe.

“You’re late this evening. I’ve already claimed two more lives, that female bartender of yours and a vampiress wannabe.” Akos made a clicking sound. “One would think you didn’t care. Finally showing your little friend your true colors?”

Gideon circled Akos without answering, obviously looking for an opening. Akos turned as Gideon changed position, keeping him in eye contact, but his hands were planted in his pockets.

His arrogance pissed her off. “Gideon is a better man than you’ll ever be.”

Akos tilted his head toward Thalia, acknowledging her for the first time. “Have you told this young lady about our history together? Does she know what kind of an animal you really are?”

Gideon growled and attacked so swiftly he blurred. Akos disappeared. He reappeared back on the catwalk. Gideon now stood where Akos had been.

“You’ll have to do better than that. You had no problems killing me the first time around.”

“Apparently, I did.” Gideon flew up to the catwalk. The ancient supports groaned under his added weight.

Akos took an exaggerated step backward, taunting Gideon. “Luckily for me, Inanna turned me just as I was about to breathe my last breath. Gods, she was beautiful, wasn’t she? Like these, what do they call them? Supermodels. I wonder what you see in the Champion? She’s got your scent all over her, but she’s not much to look at, is she?”

Thalia sucked in a pained breath and her concentration wavered, but she re-focused, angry with herself now. He was probing for weaknesses, and for a second it had worked.

Gideon lunged for Akos, but caught only empty air. He reappeared, standing on the concrete floor and waved one long finger at Gideon, who stood on the catwalk, his face an illustration of thwarted rage. “Ah, ah, ah. I want to have my say first.”

He pivoted toward Thalia.

What was he up to now? She reinforced her shield.

“Inanna was amazing, but when a mortal falls in love with a vampire, he has to ask himself, is it really love or just that incredible magnetism vampires possess?” His tone was smooth and sincere.

How many times had she asked herself that question? Akos smiled, as if he knew he’d gotten under her skin.

This was the first time she’d seen him in good light. Like Gideon and the other vampires in town, he was almost painfully attractive, but he had an oily, insinuating quality about him that made Thalia feel dirty. When she didn’t answer him, he continued, “Then there’s the beauty factor. Really, my sweet, do you think you measure up?”

Before Akos could say anything else, Gideon struck. He plunged an iron rod into Akos’ chest. Akos threw back his head. His scream echoed through the metal building. He grabbed the end of the rod and yanked it out, dropping it on the floor. It clanked as it hit the hard floor. “Missed my heart. Next time, aim a little more to the left.”

He vanished once more to reappear on the catwalk. Gideon followed. The catwalk began to sway. Thalia stifled a cry as the rusted bolts of the supports gave way, snapping with a harsh moan.

Gideon grabbed Akos by the arm. “Where is Inanna?”

His question drove the air from her body. Her gaze flew to Gideon’s face. Was he still in love with his former wife?

“You see my little dove,”—Akos threw his words at her like a weapon—“Now we know where his priorities lie.” With that, he seized Gideon by the biceps and flew up to the rusty ceiling, ramming Gideon into the unyielding metal of the roof. The force of the impact drove them apart, and Gideon fell to the ground. Thalia moved to go to him, but he held up a broad palm.

Akos touched down gently in front of Gideon. “Did you expect to see her?” He shook his head mockingly. “I hate to crush your fantasies,