Taken by a Vampire (Vampire Queen) - By Joey W. Hill Page 0,192

you require?”

“Just wanted to be sure everything’s right in your world. You looked a little . . . intense. If there’s anything that’s worrying you, you can feel as comfortable coming to me for help as you do your Mas—Evan. Especially if it’s daylight or Niall isn’t readily at hand. Keeping this place safe is my number one priority, and you’re part of that until you leave. I’m here for you as much as anyone, Alanna. All right?”

“Thank you. That’s very kind.” Surprised at the woman’s sincerity, Alanna still took a deeper inhale, under the guise of a relieved sigh. She didn’t detect Niall’s scent on the woman. Of course, Mel would have showered, and Alanna’s third-mark senses were muted by the damn injection.

“Niall and I shared a bottle of Jack last night. You’ve got him tied up in knots. He’s even a little goofy, teenaged-boy stupid.” Mel flashed a grin. “We’ve been fuck buddies in the past, because he’s just a pure pleasure in that department, but his mind was all about you. I got a kiss or two and a squeeze of his fine ass, but I didn’t ask for more. His heart wasn’t in it. He mainly needed a drinking companion.”

Alanna blinked. “I . . . I have no hold on him. He is free to . . .”

“Save it, sister.” Mel nudged her, picked up one of the lemonades Alanna had just poured. “You were ready to throw down just now. I wouldn’t mind seeing your capabilities in that department, because you look like a lightweight to me, all that pretty hair and long lashes.” She flicked the former with a casual finger. “So, you want a wrestling match? I have a bet with the girls over at the table about how long you’d last.”

“I . . . No. I’m fine.”

“You can’t hurt me. I’m a third mark.” Her gaze swept over Alanna. “Not that I think that really matters.”

“I’ve been trained to fight.”

“Training and doing are two different things. I teach women self-defense here, but I also give them an outlet. They get surly with one another, I bring them to the sparring mats, let them work it out. Makes things move a lot smoother. An out-and-out fistfight works better than a catfight any day. Want to get rid of what’s griping your gut, like me putting hands on your man?”

He wasn’t her man, though she liked the way it sounded so much she turned away to pour Frank’s glass. “The one you’re drinking is Niall’s.”

“His loss.” Mel took several more healthy swallows. “Besides, he owes me. Despite his sighing over you, I did give him some relief. There’s something to be said for being all female, but having the grip of a man, if you get my meaning.”

Alanna narrowed her eyes as the woman sauntered away. Was Mel deliberately picking a fight? Mel confirmed it, glancing over her shoulder and rolling her eyes.

“You need a written invitation, girl?” she muttered. “Show him what you got.”

Niall knew her combat abilities. Still . . . As Alanna waffled, Mel put down the now-empty glass and looked across the compound where the men were working on the roof. “He’ll be ready for a break soon. I might just saunter over, take some of that sweat off with my tongue. He’s real sensitive around his throat. Can’t imagine why. You know, there’s a nice, shady spot behind that building, right up against the wall . . .”

Alanna hit her midbody. Mel was standing on the edge of the shelter, such that the difference in grade was enough to make her stumble. She recovered fast, catching Alanna around the body as she turned, tumbling them both into the grass. They rolled, pulled apart, but before Mel could recover her feet, Alanna followed up with a blow to the midriff, a sharp punch that hit where that lemonade had gone. Of course, Mel was a full servant, and things like that wouldn’t slow her down as much. She tackled Alanna with the advantage of sheer mass, and they rolled across the grass again.

When they regained their feet and danced apart, Alanna stripped off her overshirt, revealing the dark tank beneath. Mel got in a face punch, but Alanna swept her leg, landing on top of her again.

In some strange way, Mel was her ally, but Alanna was seeing red. A kiss or two . . . She visualized Niall kissing this woman the way he kissed her, Mel’s hands touching