Page 30 of The Huntress
“Of course he does.” Gabe tugged her behind him, his fingers laced with hers.
He had the right of it. She was in his world now. Even though, as a tough detective, having dealt with all manner of criminals no matter their species, she had to trust him. Him, a suckblood. Who was to say he would survive this meeting with his brother? She studied his broad shoulders and confident stride. Maybe he’d risk his life to save hers.
Or not.
If he decided to kill her, it would be like swatting a bug for him. She’d seen how easily the suckbloods killed, draining and tossing women as if they weighed nothing. Not one suckblood had walked away with defensive wounds. Without her arsenal, she couldn’t defend herself, which left her at Gabe’s mercy.
She shivered, not liking being vulnerable, and as she fought back the panic rising like a lump of lead in her throat, she reminded herself she didn’t have many choices here. She could succumb to this attraction and pray Gabe was an honorable man. A suckblood honorable? Okay, so trusting him might take longer, but it came back to her choices. Trust him and see where his intentions lay or run from him. Would he hunt her? Her instincts welled up, pressing on her chest and speeding her heartbeat.Yes.Would he hurt her? Butterflies exploded into a crescendo, freezing her lungs.No. So escape wasn’t the best solution, according to her instincts.
“Should I be submissive?” she asked, her voice soft. She wished she’d thought to discuss strategy or expected behavior for a human amid a suckblood’s stronghold.
His chuckle was delicious and wicked as if he loved the idea of her being submissive. He arched a brow at her, his gaze roaming her body.
“Gabe,” she moaned, blushing at where his thoughts must have gone. The idea of using her handcuffs on him had her butterflies pooling in the pit of her stomach.
“Be yourself, Callie.” His broad smile dimpled his cheeks. “You’ve watched too many vampire movies.”
Despite her burning cheeks, she chuckled and trailed him as he pushed through a hefty wooden door. It opened into a massive hall with a vaulted ceiling painted like a cathedral. Its immense size snatched her breath, the colors vibrant and depicting naked bodies like the Greek paintings of old.
She returned the curiosity of the many vampires studying them. They had her at a disadvantage, and their numbers forced her to trust the man holding her hand. One or two, she could take on, but an entire hall? She flashed a smile. If only they knew she went commando.Someone up front on the dais chuckled, causing Gabe to glance at her, a question in his eyes. Shit, did these people have unique gifts? Could they read her thoughts?
Yes, to the gifts, but only I have this talent. I’m surprised Icanread you.
Callie stiffened as the voice flitted through her mind. How the hell had she not known about this? That there was one who could read minds was alarming, but not as daunting as the possibility of hundreds. She grinned, content to settle for one mind reader than a roomful.
Upon a dais sat a man in a throne-like chair.Holy shit…Sylvester?He resembled Gabe. What she’d seen of Syl made her sneer. All those women circling him, his confident stride through the docks, enticing Val to attempt suicide. He was selfish and arrogant—all the traits she’d painted suckbloods with. How could he be Gabe’s brother when they were so vastly different?
He can be selfish and arrogant, but he has his reasons.The voice floated through her mind again.
Who are you?She studied the faces before her, trying to determine—in vain—who could read her mind as if there would be an outward, physical characteristic. Yet another thing not in her officer’s handbook. God only knew what else they didn’t know. If their knowledge on suckbloods was lacking, their knowledge on beasts was as suspect.
You know me, Callista. I’m strangely disappointed to see you so intimate with Gabriel.
“Syl,” Gabe said, drawing her attention as he addressed his brother.
“Devereaux, what a surprise.”
She focused on the vampire before her. He was tall and as well-built as Gabe, with the same hair and eyes. His nostrils flared as if he scented the air. She didn’t like him, or anyone other than Gabe, doing that. It made her feel violated. Cold slithered along her nerve endings with a sense of filth coating her soul.
“Of all the detectives, you are by far my favorite.”
She scowled. She didn’t want to behisanything. Fury tore through her, and she trembled with restraint. She gripped Gabe’s hand like a lifeline. Attacking his brother might not go well with the spectators or with Gabe. Not to mention, she’d lose and die.
“You set my sister up to this, asshole,” she said, the words coming from behind clenched teeth. She was furious with him, but more with herself. After all, it washerfault Val had met the bastard in the first place. She might have ignored the flyer. And for all Callie knew, when they met, Syl could’ve offered Val a guarantee of sorts. “You had the canister, but no, you had to fuck with my life.”
He appeared indifferent to her accusation, which riled her further. Red circled her vision. She sucked in gulps of air.
“Entertaining, as usual, Devereaux. What happened to the woman who liked the look and scent of me?” He stepped forward as if to touch her.
She bristled—if he laid a hand on her, she’d take a piece of him. She wasn’t completely helpless. Gabe laced his fingers through hers and tugged her back.
Syl studied her, then Gabe before chuckling, surprise softening his features. “Never mind, I see you’ve made a champion of my brother.”
“Your brother has a will of his own,” she snarled. If the suckbloods thought she’d show this idiot any respect, they were sadly mistaken.
“She defends you, Gabriel? This is too delightful for words.” Syl raised a hand to touch her hair, but she jerked away from him. “Darius?” Sighing, he lowered his hand before tilting his head toward Darius who stood to the side.
“Yes, it is her, Lord Sylvester.” The damn whine hadn’t left his voice.
