The dormant spark awakened in her torso and loins. It consumed all of her. Her body temperature escalated as he shoved his hand under her skirt and smoothed it down her thigh. His fingers gripped her flesh, kneading the tension away.
Their lips fused and tongues flirted together while her memories flooded back to the day when Vicq lured her into his bed. Because of him, she'd failed her mission. Because of him, she was no longer the hunter, but the hunted. Even now he captivated her and made her forget why she left him in the first place.
Elaina backed away from the kiss to gaze into his eyes again. Just to make sure that this was real...that she wasn't dreaming.
Vicq pressed a kiss into her forehead. "You've been thinking about me? You kept your memories all this time, mi amor."
He'd delved into her thoughts. For the strongest Dresdan, blood wasn't the only thing they used to know an ally or an enemy. The essence from a kiss, fear, and arousal had been used by Vicq to enter her mind many times before.
Her palms molded to a firm, solid chest, and confirmed that he was real. There was just enough light to admire his smooth olive complexion, and she ran a few fingers against the side of his face.
"Why are you here, Vicq?"
"I have protected you from the shadows too long, Elaina." He licked his lips, the way he always used to do when he craved her blood. "They're getting closer and closer to finding you. Your life is in danger. More now, than ever before. You'll come with me now."
CHAPTER THREE
"I thought you were dead," Elaina exclaimed, as Vicq helped her up off the floor of the SUV. She sat down, making sure to keep away from the windows, and leaned her back against the frame.
"Technically, I am."
He'd grown his jet black hair much longer than she'd remembered it nine months ago. Other than that, Vicq hadn't changed at all. In human years, he was 92, but he didn't look a day over thirty. He still had the young, vibrant aura of a man in his prime.
"You know what I meant," she said.
"I have a lot of explaining to do," Vicq said. "But now is not the time. We have to move out before they circle back around."
"We?" She frowned. "We aren't going anywhere until you explain to me why you had me thinking you've been extinct for the past nine months."
"It was safer for you." Vicq pulled himself on his knees and then offered her his palm. He nodded towards the driver's seat. "Let's head out."
Elaina crossed her arms over her chest. "I could have taken care of those men."
"You could have—" he raised an eyebrow—"If you knew they were coming. You hadn't even known I was there."
Without the monthly supply of the District 5 drug that sustained her ability to detect and track Dresdan, she was absolutely useless. The truth was, she never would have known Vicq was present if he hadn't revealed himself. Apparently, she was getting rusty. She'd been so distracted that she hardly noticed that two District 5 trackers were following her.
"So you admit that you've been stalking me?"
"I have been with you for quite some time, Elaina."
"With me?" she exclaimed.
"Let's save this small talk and discussion for later." He gestured again with a nod of his head toward the front seat. "Can you drive?
She narrowed her eyes. "Where do you think you're taking me?"
"A safe place."
"Where?" she demanded.
"My coven."
"Last I checked your followers thought I was a traitor."
"They understand you better now."
Vicq held out his hands again and she took it, allowing him to help her into the front of the SUV. Instead of taking his seat like a normal person would, he used teleportation.
"I can see you haven't lost that touch."
He leaned over slightly, shocking her by lifting his palm to stroke her cheek. The skin was cold, but soft against her. His breath was warm against her lips. "I lost a lot of things, Elaina, but you...I won’t lose again."
Elaina shifted her gaze away from him. "How can I trust you? It was so hard..." She swallowed.
"I came to you every day at the same time. It took everything in me not to reveal myself. Bringing you into my world once again when we are constantly hunted down because of what we stand against was too risky." He lifted her chin with her fingertips so that their eyes were level again. "Your plan was perfect. The new identity. Moving far away from your District base. Cutting off all ties to past connections. I didn’t want to ruin it."
"It couldn't have been so perfect if they found me."
"Just last week, you called your parent's home."
Elaina's mouth fell open in shock. "But it was from a pay phone. Miles away from my house or job." She couldn't stand the loneliness anymore, and had only wanted to hear their voices. She had to know that they were okay. All she had gotten was an answering machine, but that had been good enough.
"They traced the call. There's a possibility that they have a bug on your parent's line."
She shook her head. "How did you know?"
"After you left the phone booth, I had Logan trace the last number dialed."
"Damn." She dug her fingernails into her palms. "I knew it was a bad idea."
"I'm sorry, Elaina. I'm sorry I had to leave you alone."
She frowned and pulled away from him. He'd been watching her all this time, and knew she was unhappy. Hiding. Running for her life.
"We have to go." He unfolded his palm and produced her keys.
"I need to grab some belongings from my house."
"No. Your location has been compromised."
"What do you mean no?" She turned to face him. "There's something I need to get. It's very important."
"Fine. We stop to get what you need and move out immediately. It won't be long before District 5 finds those dead trackers."
"You're right." Elaina slipped the key in the ignition and started the SUV.
She wondered what would have become of her had Vicq not been around. Had those trackers really come to kill her? It was odd. If District 5 had really wanted her dead, they could have easily sent a sniper.
Glancing over at Vicq, she realized now that the vibrancy in his skin tone was likely due to feeding on one of the trackers who'd pursued her. He needed blood to sustain him. Dresdan had a healthy appetite. Just like most humans have a favorite food, the normal Dresdan have a preferred blood type.
According to the Dresdan, blood types went beyond the four main ones, and were further expanded into subtypes. Each subgroup had a different flavor and scent. It just so happened that Vicq preferred her subtype over all others.
Twelve months ago, Elaina was sent to execute Vicq, one of the most powerful Dresdan and known as notorious for getting in the way of District 5's mission. Instead of killing him, she fell into his trance and became his Donor.
About the Author
Ambrielle Kirk pens tales of romance in various subgenres. Her favorites are contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and urban fantasy. As a child, she never really dreamed of being an author. It was a destined path that chose her. Now she writes with her readers in mind, but the characters, of course, dictate the outcome.
Visit her website for more diverse, edgy, romantic fiction at http://ambriellekirk.com
Reader emails are always welcome.
PARANORMAL ROMANCE BOOKS WRITTEN by AMBRIELLE KIRK
BLOOD LEGENDS
The Protector
CAEDMON WOLVES
Wolf’s Haven
Wolf’s Promise
Wolf’s Touch
Wolf’s Desire
Wolf’s Strength
DRESDAN COVEN
Donor
Donor Reloaded
SOUL BOND
Liaison
Unleash
For other romance novels by Ambrielle Kirk, visit her on the web at http://ambriellekirk.com
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