Page 37 of The Firebrand
“You fight in our wars? Why? You don’t even like us.”
“Not true. I don’t even think about you.”
“That’s so much better.” Braelyn pointed to another painting. “I love the red in that one.”
Rein chuckled. “Rianne’s a vampire. He mixes blood into some of his colors.”
“Eew. Your place is so … spotless. Mine…”
“Let me guess. A disaster.”
Braelyn shrugged. “Life’s too short to spend it cleaning. Is your sister asleep?”
“For now. Bad feed tonight.”
“What do you mean?”
“Elisabeta probably tapped some O blud and got a high.”
“Will she be okay?”
“She’ll bounce.” Changing the subject, he asked, “Are you hungry?”
Braelyn’s fingers touched her growling stomach.
It’s been over a month since I’ve had an appetite. Cancer screws up all sorts of things. Also, my headache’s gone. It’ll likely return tomorrow along with a raging hangover.
“I am hungry. But if blood’s the main course, I’ll pass.”
“I eat food,” he snapped.
“You’re part vampire. Don’t you live on a fluid-only diet?”
His eyebrows arched.
“Okay. Another crazy myth. Stop being so short tempered with me. Try a little patience. After all, before today I thought your kind were on late-night TV sporting faux fangs along with Transylvanian accents.” Braelyn traipsed into the kitchen behind Rein. “I have a question if you promise not to snap.”
“Ask.”
“It’s personal.”
“I said, ‘ask.’”
“How often do you have a blood Slurpee?”
She thought he wouldn’t answer, but he did. After a loud sigh. “Never tried it as a Slurpee. I prefer fresh. Since I’m a mix, a couple times a week is good. Longer can be dangerous.”
“What about human blood?” The words squeaked out of a dry throat.
In a blur, Rein flashed to Braelyn, knuckles brushing her cheek. “That’s a delicacy. Are you volunteering?” He leaned close, his hot breath whispering across her skin. “Warning, I’ll want dessert after … dining.”
One hand clutched her nape, the thumb on his other pressing up her chin. He tilted her head to the side, his teeth grazing her lightly as he kissed her neck.
Braelyn pushed her palms against his chest with no chance of moving him if he refused. Though if she were truthful, being his fang snack made her skin sizzle, a reaction that was wrong on so many levels.
When Rein released her, a trembling Braelyn regained her voice. “I did not offer a vein. I posed a simple question, but you know that.”
The man leaned a hip against the granite counter, arms folded, relaxed like a rattler with muscles coiled, ready to strike.
