The door shut and he disappeared.
“What the fuck?” Lanny asked.
Nikita pointed at the sign over the door. “This is one of those old-fashioned butcher shops. Farm-to-table like the kids like these days, you know? Lots of specialty cuts.”
“Yeah,” Lanny drawled. “And we’re gonna get some nice steaks or something?”
Nikita shot him a look like he was stupid – he was getting damn sick of that look. “David makes his own blood sausage.”
Oh.
Oh.
“So he sells you blood?”
“When I need it. Fresh from the farm.” Nikita made a face that was almost a smile.
“But I thought you and Sasha…” Lanny motioned to his own throat.
Nikita’s expression closed off completely and he faced forward again. “I spare Sasha as much as I can.”
“Hmm. You guys are real close, huh?”
No response, save the quick glint of Nikita’s gaze; he didn’t turn his head.
Just to be a shit, Lanny said, “Is it a best friend kinda situation, or is it more like–”
“Finish the sentence and I will introduce your face to the pavement,” he said, tonelessly.
Lanny snorted. “Uh-huh. Real tough guy you are.”
The door opened again, sparing Lanny another monotone Russian rebuttal, and David filled the threshold, still smiling, straining plastic shopping bag in his hands.
“Is that all?” he asked. “Can I interest you guys in thisfantasticbit of skirt steak?”
“Just the blood, please,” Nikita said, pulling bills out of his wallet.
“Alrighty. Well, be sure to let me know if you need more; I can place a larger order next time.”
“Thank you, David.”
“Thanks a bunch!” He tucked the money into his pocket and shut the door on them with a resounding thump.
“Who the hell says ‘alrighty’?” Lanny muttered.
Nikita knotted the handles of the bag together and set off back the way they’d come. “The man who’s going to help keep your cravings under control.”
God, this guy was dull as shit. “Does he know that you’re a - you know,” Lanny said, floundering lamely for the word. He actually hated the wordvampire. It made him feel like a teenage girl.
“His girlfriend’s a vampire,” Nikita said, “so yes, he knows.”
“His girlfriend?” Lanny felt his brows shoot up. “Are you serious?”
“She’s one of the responsible ones. And David provides her, and those who want it, with blood. It keeps everyone safe that way.”
“Damn,” Lanny said, feeling a little dazed. Then another thought struck. “Hey, if there are others like you, why don’t you hang out with them? Aren’t you lonely?”
Nikita shot him a quick, hard sideways look. “I don’t need company.”
