Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Giving them a concussion,” Kai chimed in.
Xiang made a face at him. “It’s just a little concussion. Don’t be so negative.”
“Yes, yes, just a little head trauma. Not a big deal.”
His companion sighed and looked as if he wanted to give Kai some head trauma by pitching something large and heavy at him. Somehow, the vampire refrained. “Sometimes, you run across a human who knows about vampires and volunteers their blood. Yes, at first, the bite is painful, but that only lasts a second or two. After that, you can take away all the pain. If you’re feeling generous, you can make the experience feel very nice.” As if to further make his point, the devious vampire waggled his eyebrows at Kai.
“Lovely,” Kai muttered, breaking eye contact with the vampire. Why was the cavern so hot today?
From the corner of his eye, he could see Xiang leaning forward, that wicked smirk cocking up one corner of his mouth. “If you don’t think the dragon would be too angry at us, I could give you a nibble. For educational purposes, of course.”
Kai was on his feet in a flash, walking away from Xiang. “And that’s enough of that. We won’t discuss biting any further. I’ll see what I can do about arranging an opportunity for you to hunt.” Xiang’s deep cackles chased him through the cave even though the vampire didn’t move an inch from where he sat.
With a touch of magic, he disappeared from the hoard but reappeared on the other side of the door. He swore he could hear Xiang’s laughter following him.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Kai stood with one hand braced on the cool stone wall of the cave while the other rubbed his eyes with trembling fingers. Even now, his brain was reaching for the image it had conjured of Xiang kissing along his neck until he reached the spot where he’d plunge those sharp fangs into his flesh. Blood rushed through his body, and his heart pounded as if he were still running from the vampire.
He was losing his mind. That was all this was. He’d never spent this much time with any other living creature, and Xiang was driving him crazy. That was all it was. The sooner he could get rid of the vampire, the sooner he could return to his normal life.
A life that didn’t include nibbles and ridiculous laughter.
Chapter 5
Li Xiang
Xiang didn’t know where he was.
America. And that was based on the language and the few accents he’d heard since hitting the street.
But he had no idea if the dragon had dropped him in Connecticut, let alone near Hartford. With his luck, the dragon had probably flown him out to the West Coast, putting as much distance as he could between him and his clan. Nothing looked familiar. In Xiang’s defense, though, he had explored little of the region surrounding their temporary clan home.
For now, he was grateful to glance up and see the moon and twinkling stars above his head. The day’s lingering damp heat clung to his flesh, carrying with it the familiar scents of cooked food, diesel fumes, and humans.
So many wonderful, tasty humans.
He wasn’t that hungry. The fight with the fae a couple of weeks ago had left him with a few minor wounds that had healed. He could have gone another few weeks before the bloodlust was in danger of kicking in.
However, this outing presented him with the opportunity to attempt an escape. At the very least, he had a shot at contacting his clan. They needed to know he was alive and trying to find a way back to them.
But first, dinner.
Now that he was out with the pulse of human life surrounding him, a bite was sounding good. Just enough to replenish his strength. That was all.
Particularly after his ride to wherever the fuck he was.
Two days had passed since Kai said he’d talk to the dragon about getting the chance to hunt. There had been zero word. Suddenly, the metal door to the cavern slammed open with a deafening bong as it hit the rock wall. Wind rushed in, all lights went out, and a giant hand closed around his waist with the hint of claws pricking through his clothes.
Before his brain could even comprehend what was happening, there were two more rushes. One of water and another of wind. As soon as he had enough time to pull his scattered and panicked thoughts together, he was being set on soft, warm grass.
One hour.
The dragon growled those two words into his brain, and then he was alone, blinking and shaking. He patted down his body to find that his clothes were dry despite his distinct memory of diving deep into cold water.
He didn’t know how the dragon had managed it, other than magic. Lots and lots of magic.