Page 69 of Wicked Allure
Dru opened the door to her suite and shut it. She leaned back against it and inhaled. She could still detect a hint of Tomesha’s unique scent. Even though her human had been gone for hours, traces of her still lingered in the air.
She shouldn’t feed from her, but that didn’t mean Dru couldn’t have other liberties with the female. There were two things that always helped Dru think with a clear head after battle.
Feeding and sex.
One could potentially cause Tomesha harm, while the other could no nothing but give her extreme pleasure.
Dru pushed off the door and stripped her filthy clothes off. She’d call on her human again. Just the thought of feeling her soft body against hers was already calming her anger.
The answer is yes, miere, Dru thought. Yes, I’ll be needing you again.
Dru walked down the front stairwell to the lower level of the inn. She paused at the foot of the stairs and took in the casual conversations commencing in the main area. She nodded to the humans who worked the front desk, strode past them, and headed to back to a bar area where she was sure more of her men would be seated.
The human inn owners kept prepared blood in stock as well as spirits. They had been very accommodating to her and her warriors since they’d arrived. She’d ensure they were tipped heavily for putting up with them. She entered the dining room where warriors were scattered around. Conversations ceased as all gazes landed on her.
“At ease.” She folded her hands behind her and strolled over to the bar.
Talbot and a few warriors were seated. When she got there, a warrior stood and offered her his seat.
“Thank you.”
“Can I get you anything, General?” a young human female server asked. She was dressed in the inn’s standard uniform of white button-down shirt, black slacks, and an apron tied around her waist.
Dru shook her head. “I’m fine.”
The woman smiled and moved down the counter. Dru wouldn’t be staying here long. As soon as Tomesha arrived, she’d be escorting her human back to her quarters.
“Can I speak with you for a moment, General? In private?” Talbot gestured with his head toward the glass double doors that led to a patio.
“Sure.” She followed him out the doors.
He shut the door and walked over to the railings.
She eyed the strong warrior and went to stand beside him. “What is on your mind?”
“I must apologize for my failings earlier,” he began.
“We work as a unit. We all failed today,” Dru replied. That was one thing she stressed to those training under her. Not one fighter went into battle alone. They either all won or they all lost together. “We did defeat the lycans. We worked together to eliminate that threat.”
“I still feel as if this is somehow my fault.” Frustration lined his face. He glanced over at her and shrugged. “I should have done more research. Maybe sent a scout closer to the cottage?—”
“Then Solomon would have been alerted even earlier than he was.” She rested a hand on his shoulder. While she’d been in the shower, even she’d run through every scenario that could have possibly happened. If it was anyone’s fault, it was hers. She was the leader, and the responsibility of carrying out the mission was hers. “Things happen for a reason. We’ll learn from this. We’ll regroup and plan. I don’t ever want to run into a situation unprepared. We’ll sniff out the bastard.”
“I put out a few feelers. I had a thought,” he said.
She turned from him and took in the garden surrounding the patio. The soft fragrance of the flowers floated through the air. It was a pleasing scent that reminded her of Tomesha. She inhaled again and felt the twinge of pain from her fangs tapping on her gums. She blinked and tried to think of something else.
“And?” She arched an eyebrow at him. This was why she’d brought him with her. He was a highly intelligent warrior. She was sure he’d go far in his career.
“I began to focus on the missing humans who may have been turned during that last lycan attack and if their families are still here in Butterbush,” he said.
“That’s a good place to start. Put together a list and cross?—”
“I’ve done that. Since we returned, I’ve done what you requested. I have scouts already posted through the town and two men on the cottage. If Solomon returns for anything, we’ll know.” He turned to face her and snapped his heels together.
She eyed him and slowly nodded.
“And this list; what have you found?”
