wanted her hand the most. “I’m tired of us being in the minority and not allowed a say in how this town, this country, is run.”
“I’m still not connecting the dots, bonita.” His fingers tightened on her shoulder. “And neither my time nor my patience, nor my willingness to continue to go hungry, is limitless.”
“I’ve heard you can put me in touch with like-minded folk here in town. I want to contribute to the cause.” She watched his face carefully and tried not to look like she was watching carefully. “I’d like to help.”
“I think maybe you got some bad information.” Javier moved his hand from her shoulder to curl it around the back of her neck. His skin was cool against hers, and she could feel the strength in his grasp. With a flick of his wrist he could snap her neck, and that’d be it for her. She didn’t know of any preternatural who could survive with their body being cut off from their brain.
Javier’s hand on her nape made her nervous. But she couldn’t let him see it. The last thing she should do now is show any sort of weakness to a predator like him. Without losing her smile, she said, “Well, I hope my information isn’t bad, because I’ll be very disappointed.” She let her fingers drift a little higher.
He studied her a moment. Carnal hunger sparkled in his eyes. “And if I could make sure you’re not disappointed?”
“I’d be very…grateful.” Keira pushed extra breath into her voice so it came out throaty. She also pointed feelings of good will and sincerity his way.
Those red-tinted eyes stayed fixed on her. She reached out with her empathic sense but couldn’t discern his true feelings. Damn, he was a hard one to read. Most vampires were. She could only suppose it was because they were reanimated corpses. Thankfully, they weren’t that hard to influence.
“If I hear something,” he said, “I’ll let you know.” The dip between his brows and the downturn of his mouth told her in spite of her gentle pushing he was skeptical of her sincerity. Then his lips twisted up. “Now, it’s time to pay up, bonita.” He moved his hand from the nape of her neck to her left wrist, lifted her arm off the back of the sofa and started to bring her wrist to his mouth. His lips parted, pulling back from his fangs.
Keira focused on her breathing, reached deep within her and drew even more upon her fey power. With a soft sigh she projected a feeling of contentment and growing satiation to Javier. His mouth never made contact with her skin, but his eyes drooped and his face took on the expression of a vampire who was enjoying every swallow.
After a few minutes, she slowly pulled her arm away. He smiled, a vacant one of overindulgence, and slumped back, his body limp and replete. She left the room, closing the door softly behind her. She blew out a breath and leaned against the door for a few moments.
Drawing as deeply as she did on her power always drained her. She fisted her hands to conceal her trembling. It wouldn’t do for someone to remark upon how exhausted or weak she’d seemed when she left the back room. It might be expected if she’d actually donated, but since there wasn’t a bite mark on her, it wouldn’t do at all.
Secure in the knowledge that she’d left Javier with the feeling he’d had the best meal of his life, Keira pushed away from the door and headed toward the front of the club. As she entered the main area, the heat and babble slapped her in the face. By Dagda’s beard, she was tired. The life energy flowing from the gathered crowd and the noise they made was usually something she enjoyed. But not now. It only made her want to get out of there.
She focused on putting one foot in front of the other even as a satisfied smile curled her lips. She’d done it. She’d finally been able to get someone who was willing to put her in touch with the rogue group of preternaturals.
She needed to report in, but she wanted to refuel and rest first. Which meant getting outside and at least putting her bare feet against the ground so she could take in energy from the Earth. Completely naked would be better, but she wasn’t an exhibitionist so feet or hands would have to suffice.
Keira reached