Page 4 of The Vampire's Thirst
Tyr laid into the wolf shifter once more. “Yeah. Well, best laid plans and the shit which goes with them.”
Bounty heard movement.
“Plant your ass back in the chair, shifter. I’m not done with you.”
Only Kole owned big enough gonads to speak to Thorn like that.
“I’m through. I can’t undo what’s been done. The ball’s in your court. Do what you need to do.”
Somebody got thumped into the plasterboard. Bounty’s money was on Thorn with Kole doing the thumping.
“You’re suspended until I decide you’re not. Get the hell out of my sight. When I’m ready to see your ugly-ass self again, I’ll give you a buzz. In the meantime, you’re on vacation.”
Thorn stormed out the door, slamming it hard enough to jar Bounty’s good mood.
“Hey, shifter. Where are you headed?” Her hands paused above the keyboard.
Thorn stopped at her desk, running fingers through his straw-colored shaggy hair, which hung long on the sides. Jagged claw marks on his jaw stood out in bright red when he was angry. For a moment, he looked lost. “My ranch, I guess. Maybe I won’t fuck up there.”
“He’ll cool down. Promise you’ll check in with me.”
“He might get chill again, but will I?”
“It’s okay. I like my wolves a little edgy. I’m waiting for my promise.”
Thorn stopped shifting his aimless booted feet long enough to throw Bounty a weak smile. “I’ll check in. Cross my heart or some such crap.”
“Good wolf. Now, try to have fun on your suspension.”
Bounty rested her chin in a palm, sighing as Thorn’s snug-jeaned backside and western boots disappeared out the door. She loved her job. Aggressive males who didn’t know how to wave a white flag. Warlike females who walked the talk. A boss who could face plant every hot-shot Firebrand until they screamed like sissies. Plenty of excitement. They also protected Aeternals, and humans when necessary.
Sweet gig.
****
“Where is my dickhead partner?” muttered Tyr to the wall at the Ministry of Well Being’s med center where Kole sent him after Thorn’s ass-kicking. If his big, black-haired, cold-eyed vamp sidekick was in a blood den doing a little feed and fuck, Tyr was going to be pissed. Dax had left several troubling messages. Now, he was practicing his usual disappearing act, not answering his D-chip call.
A healer stepped out of the room where the human female was in a spell-induced coma for her own good while the staff worked on her injuries.
Several days ago, he and Dax had been on a mission to visit Karth about drugs when they found her in the middle of the road. She was a mess. Bruises, cuts, unconscious, clothes torn, covered in stinky shit.
Really.
Tyr elected to bring her here since Dax preferred not to be around a bleeding Earther. Best for the female to avoid the fanged fiend anyway. She sure couldn’t fight off the male if he got thirsty and toothy. After dropping her off for care, Tyr swung by for Dax and they headed out for Karth again. When they arrived at his locale, the pack was gone and Thorn was boots deep in shit.
The healer looked left and right. When he spied Tyr, he signaled.
“What’s up?” asked the warlock Firebrand.
“She’s still in the induced coma but showing signs of awakening soon. She was terribly dehydrated, malnourished. Looks like she got into a fight with thorny bushes in the elements. We have her hooked to nutrients, and we’re monitoring her vitals. Witches have been speeding her healing along, but we aren’t prepared to treat an Earther.”
“She’s gonna snap out of this?”
The male in the white coat nodded.
“Do your best. I’m outta.”
The healer placed a hand on Tyr’s shoulder but snatched it away when the Firebrand dropped a look on him. “What are we supposed to do with her?”
