“You shifters are all about food. Always eating.”
“And you’re not?” she interjected, getting Damian’s attention once again. She seemed angry. Was it on his behalf? Because of the insult? He shook his head. No, of course not. That was wishful thinking on his part. She was pissed because this nightcrawler was in her place of work, in her chosen home.
Just who was Cassie?
“Cassandra Dobbs, I presume.” He gave a half bow. It seemed so natural that it made Alexei take a second look. This was no youngster. He had to be at least a couple hundred years old. Huh, interesting.
“Why are you here?” she demanded.
The dark-haired man shrugged. “Maybe I came for the weather. All this darkness is delicious.”
“Less people,” she pointed out.
He listened intently as he continued to make serious inroads in the food in front of him. He catalogued every word and nuance spoken, watched every reaction. The vampire was relaxed, for now.
“Where’s the rest of your pack?” Alexei asked. Was he waiting for reinforcements? It was a myth that vampires were solitary. They needed people to survive. Preferred to be surrounded by those of their own kind. The lone vampire was mostly a romantic myth, although there were some solitary ones. They were usually the most dangerous. And unhinged.
“Alas, I am but a single weary traveler on the road.”
“Bullshit.” She rested her hands on her hips.
She was magnificent. Her short hair accentuated the angles of her face, giving her an exotic look. Her lips were full and a deep shade of pink, her natural coloring bumped up with lipstick. Her eyes appeared larger. It was a trick of makeup, but it worked for her. Her earrings sparkled in the light whenever she moved her head. The form-fitting jeans and deep purple top she wore hugged her curves. In short, she was perfection.
And he wanted her. Naked and in his arms. Maybe inappropriate considering the situation, but he could multitask—defend her while daydreaming about future possibilities.
But it was the expression in her eyes, her indomitable spirit that he was coming to admire. She wasn’t frightened in the least, not even with two powerful paranormals sitting across from her. And it wasn’t an act. Her heart rate was normal, and she wasn’t sweating, either.
It was impressive. And sexy as hell.
“You going to order something?” she demanded. “Or just take up space?”
Damian’s pleasant facade wavered slightly. “Not much hospitality to be found here, is there?”
She snorted. “You want hospitality, go raid a morgue. I’m sure the dead would enjoy your company.” She batted her eyelashes at him in a flirtatious manner, but the coldness in her eyes told another story.
Wow, she wasn’t pulling punches. Fascinated, he shoved aside the empty dishes and leaned his forearms on the scarred wooden counter. While Cassie had his attention, he was very aware of the other male at all times.
“I like the company here.” When Damian reached across the counter, he clamped his hand around the guy’s wrist.
“You don’t touch her,” he told the other man.
He pulled away. “Feeling protective, are we? Odd, I assumed you were here for the same reason as me.”
“And what reason is that?” Cassie sounded almost bored, but he knew better. There was a slight tension that hadn’t been there before.
“Why, to collect the sizeable bounty on your head.”
…
Shit. She’d suspected, but now the truth was undeniable. Her family was trying to kill her. Even though she’d known it was a possibility when she’d left, it still left her feeling as though she’d been kicked in the gut.
Or were they trying to end her?
Neither paranormal could destroy her. While Damian’s motives weren’t in doubt, Alexei’s were another matter altogether. He’d had ample opportunities to try to take her down but hadn’t. If anything, he seemed almost…protective.
Why send them after her?
Trackers. Now, that made sense. They didn’t know where she was and couldn’t trace her. But vampires and shifters had other skills they could use to sniff her out. Both lived in the world and could navigate it, something beyond most reapers as they didn’t have to, had never learned. Somehow, someway, both men had found her.
And if they had, there would be more.
It was time to get the hell out of town.
She swallowed the disappointment welling inside her.
Grow up.
After all the years she’d lived and everything she’d seen, she knew better. People always had an ulterior motive.
Alexei was attractive, and dancing with him had been a sensual experience, much like foreplay, but she’d always known their relationship couldn’t move past the fantasy stage.
Sucked to be proved right. He’d tracked her, had come with the intention of executing her, if the vamp was to be believed.
Why hadn’t he made an attempt?
So many questions.
But first, she had to deal with Damian. He’d threatened people she considered under her protection. She’d stayed here too long, allowed herself to get attached. It was unwise on her part, but she’d done it anyway.
Now she’d have to pay the price.
A vamp wouldn’t be concerned about maintaining the balance. But wasn’t her family’s interference throwing off the natural order?
Trying to understand what constituted keeping the balance was sometimes difficult, which was why reapers kept their heads down and did their jobs. Mistakes weren’t easily overlooked or forgiven.
The tension in the room ramped up so much that the patrons started getting restless. Several of them rose and silently left. Buck came out from the pool area and took in the situation.
“Everything okay here?” He might be old, but he would fight if he thought she was in danger. He was honest and good and incredibly kind. It was no wonder he and Tiny got along so well. They were kindred spirits.
“I’m fine.” She waved him off.
“Nothing to worry about here, old man.” Damian stared hard at him. “Just go on back to your game.”
The vamp was using mind control. Oh no, he wasn’t. Not on her friends. She vaulted over the bar.
Buck’s eyes went blank and he turned around. Tiny had finished his shot and now joined them. “What’s going on? What’s wrong with Buck?”
She didn’t know what to do. With her abilities leashed, she was at a disadvantage. If she released them, that would be a beacon, allowing others to pinpoint her location. If anyone died, that would bring one of her kind in a big hurry.