Page 13 of A Sacrifice in the Smoke

His venom goes through me at lightning speed, filling every vein with the most unimaginable pleasure. By the blood, isthiswhat my venom does to humans? No wonder they become so addicted—one bite from a full-blooded vampire, and I’m hooked. And so close to orgasm it’s almost embarrassing.

I’m still drinking from Drew. The taste of him electrifies my tastebuds. He presses himself into me, and a moment later, I feel the delicious hardness of his erection. I reach down and rub my hand along where it’s straining against his pants. Drew groans deeply in response as I pull away from his throat, dragging my tongue over the puncture marks I made.Nina won’t be pleased about those, I think distantly. But I couldn’t care less.

Noah continues his own feeding, and the sensation of having my blood drawn through his sinful lips only heightens the ecstasy vibrating through me, especially as he thrusts two fingers in and out of my body.

I grab Drew and pull him to me, kissing him, moaning into his mouth. My core tightens, clenching around Noah’s invading digits, and once he finds that place deep inside of me, I’m gone. Resting my forehead against Drew’s, I gasp and moan, coming hard around Noah’s fingers.

When it’s clear that I’ve finished, Noah leans back slightly. He licks my blood from his lips and pulls his fingers out, making me shiver. Every few seconds, I feel the aftershocks of the most powerful orgasm I’ve ever experienced.

The suite is filled with loud heartbeats and heavy breaths. My gaze swings back and forth between Noah and Drew. The human looks drowsy, but he’s still awake, watching me with an expectant light in his eyes.

“Catch your breath,” Noah advises with a smirk. “We’re just getting started.”

Everything in me tightens at the possibility behind those words, but when I turn to look at Drew again, my breathing halts.

He’s gone.

My heart lurches with confusion and panic. I snap my head back to Noah. Except he’s not there anymore, either. My gaze darts around the room. Darkness spreads across my vision like ink, until everything goes black.

My eyes fly open a moment later.

I’m still in my suite, tangled in the bedsheets, with fading daylight reaching through a crack between the curtains.

Son of a bitch.

It wasn’t real. I just had the dirtiest, most amazing sex of my life, and it was a fucking dream.

I flop backwards, hitting the mattress so hard that the entire bed shakes.

Chapter Four

Bill’s voice warbles through the speakers overhead.

It’s the start of another shift in the sewers. Though I should’ve known better by this point, it created a bitter taste in my mouth when I learned that not even an attack on themansionwill provide a night off.

I’ve been on my phone constantly, hoping for updates on my sisters or the humans I love. But so far, there’s nothing. The reports are centered around the Vampire King’s violent promises to the rebels responsible for last night’s bombings.

I pocket my phone yet again and heave a quiet sigh. Continuing on in his usual monotone, Bill finally says my number, then… Drew’s.

My head snaps up, and I search for Drew in the crowd, finding him a moment later. Our eyes catch and hold, like two magnets, separate but forever longing. I’m barely aware of Nina beside him, probably scowling at me.

As Bill continues the list of assignments, Drew starts to make his way toward me. There’s a flutter in my throat as he reaches my side and says, “Hey, Charlie.”

“Hey,” I say back, just as softly. Slowly, we follow the other workers toward the elevators. Nina must be at the front, because I can’t find her pinched face. Neither Drew or I say anything, but it feels like there’s nothingtosay. Our circumstances haven’t changed, and I still think I made the right decision. Of course my mind chooses that moment to flash back to my dream.Yeah, probably shouldn’t tell him aboutthat.My cheeks feel hot. Thankfully, Drew doesn’t seem to notice.

A few minutes later, we’re stepping off the elevator and moving to the side of the tunnel, out of everyone else’s way. “I’ll admit it,” Drew says, flashing me a sheepish grin. “I didn’t hear a word Bill said after he put our numbers together.”

As quickly as he was able to make me smile, sorrow arrives in the same way.

“Drew, how can you be so kind to me?” I blurt. It’s impossible not to think of our last conversation, remember the cruel words I threw in his face.

His expression softening, Drew opens his mouth to respond, but we step off the catwalk and into Tunnel B-10—our assignment for the evening. I’ve never been in this part of the sewer network.

The air in here reeks of filth and blood. Several of the lights—more than seems normal—are dark, as though every lightbulb has burnt out. But we’re diligent about replacing them, and I know there shouldn’t be this many. Maybe my weeper is responsible, and she’s trying to get my attention.

Forgetting the question I asked Drew, I check the gun at my hip to make sure for the hundredth time that it’s still there, and walk into the darkness. Drew hurries to catch up.

There comes the sound of rushing water and our footsteps begin to make small splashing sounds. Drew shifts so that he’s walking ahead. He breaks into a run, pauses at the end of the tunnel, then comes back. “Stay here,” he orders, his tone indicating that he won’t listen to any arguments. “I know this spot. The grate needs to be cleared, but there’s only enough room for one person to stand at the edge with the hook.”

---