Christine Feehan - Dark Demon 16

«I've got her family downstairs and if anything happens to me, they're all dead.»

«All the more reason to cap your ass and go take care of the problem downstairs.»

Brent lowered his gun and Jubal pulled Slavica to safety behind him.

«They hit Mirko several times in the head. They wouldn't let me take care of him. And they have Angelina.» Slavica set the tray down and pressed trembling fingers against her mouth. «There are three of them downstairs.»

Natalya slammed the barrel of her gun against the back of Brent's head, staggering him. «That's for being such a jackass. You kidnapped a little girl? I swear if there are any stray vamps hanging around, I'm going to offer them you for dinner.»

«Don't kill him, Natalya,» Jubal said. «We need to know what he's doing here.»

Gabrielle poked her head out of the bathroom. «I remember him from when we stayed here before, Jubal. He was hanging around in the bar. He had a peculiar look on his face when he saw us come in and I noticed him because of it.»

«So you are in league with vampires,» Brent said, his features twisted with fanatical hatred.

«Sorry pal, you got that wrong. I kill vamps, I don't run with them. They're freaky little devils and damned hard to kill. You have to have the right technique…»

«Don't start on the flamethrowers, Natalya,» Jubal warned. «You're obsessed with the subject.»

«That's impossible, we've had you pegged as a vampire for a long while now.»

«What a shocker. You can't even get your information straight. You're not very bright, are you?» Natalya asked.

«Back off, Natalya,» Jubal warned. She was shaking again and he noticed her fingers curling into the shape of claws. «Go breathe for a while. I can't let you shoot him until we get more information from him.» He winked at her as he caught Brent by the collar and shoved him into a chair. «You picked the wrong room. She's got a damned arsenal in here and she knows how to use it. Why did you target Slavica's family?»

Natalya listened to Jubal question the man with only a small part of her attention. She concentrated on touching Brent Barstow's mind, feeling him in the way of the tigress. He stank of fanaticism. Vikirnoff. Wake up! She used every ounce of telepathy she possessed to reach him. Can this situation get any freakin' worse? I've got vampires and Troll Kings and now some nutcase kidnapping little girls and threatening innkeepers. I'd let you stay in your comfy little bed to get your beauty sleep but you sent these people to babysit me and now they're all in danger. Get your butt up and come help me sort this out.

She held her breath waiting for anything from him to indicate he was alive and well. She needed his response, even if he just yawned and went back to sleep.

Natalya felt him first. He said nothing, but his awareness was in her mind. And then his warmth began to spread through her cold body. She felt him accessing her memories and thoughts so that he knew everything that had happened. He stretched, a great predator unsheathing his claws and flexing his muscles. The impression was strong in her mind. Relief swept through her. Not just relief. Tremendous relief and on the heels of that, anger.

While she'd been suffering, he'd been snoring away without a single thought for her.

I appreciate the loving greeting, ainaak enyem, and it is good to know you have not found a way to separate us. What have you been doing?

Saving the world while you're sleeping, what do you think?

I am getting the distinct impression of fire. Over and over. Clothes burning, your room filled with smoke so that you had to open the windows and balcony door for a short while. There was a definite reprimand in his voice and the sensation of exposed fangs.

Try to focus on what's important here. This idiot thinks I'm a vampire and he and the three stooges have kidnapped Slavica's family.

Half the time you talk in riddles. I will be there shortly. Do not burn down the inn while you are waiting for me.

Who said anything about waiting? I'm not leaving that child down there unprotected. As it is Slavica is beside herself and I feel somewhat responsible. And you should, too. If I hadn't been so distraught I would have heard the whisper of conspiracy and I could have prevented it.

Ah. There was a moment of silence. I see now.

You see what? She was suspicious of his gentle tone.

Xena, warrior woman. You are Xena warrior woman. She must be in the movies and you were identifying with her.

Shut up. Sheesh. I so do not want to get into the Xena discussion with you right now. I'm still very much aware you want Susie Homemaker for your lifemate. And believe me, Vik, you're not worth the suffering. Susie is more than welcome to you.

He was rising. She felt him burst through the earth into the sky. The power surged through him to her as if there was so much strength in him he couldn't contain it. She didn't see how he could possibly be healed already and at full strength, yet the energy sizzled in the air like an electrical charge. In spite of herself, joy rose up in her right along with her sheer physical awareness of him.

You feel a little pale, like maybe you're not quite up to par. I'll hold the fort while you go feed. She couldn't let him think she was ecstatic that he was coming to her.

Where do you get these sayings ? And I thought I would feed on you. She received the immediate impression of strong white teeth snapping together, and a flood of very erotic images.

Pervert. She was not going to admit to the excitement racing through her or the heat in her bloodstream.

She turned her attention back to Brent Barstow. The man reeked of fear and violence, a very dangerous combination. He kept shaking his head and insisting that Slavica and her family consorted with vampires, enabling them to acquire victims to fill their ranks.

Sickened by his unnatural hatred and his closed mind, she leaned down, her face inches from his, allowing the tigress to rise, so he could see the urge to kill in her eyes. «You count on people being civilized when you're not, but this time, buddy, you made a bad mistake. When my friends are threatened, I don't do civilized.»

«Natalya,» Jubal warned. «He's a fanatical imbecile. Let's turn him over to the authorities.»

«If you kill vampires as you claim,» Barstow said, «then we're on the same side. There's no need for this.»

Natalya's eyebrow shot up. «No need? When you have Slavica's husband and daughter, a young innocent girl who couldn't possibly have anything to do with vampires, tied up in their own home? I'm not on your side and I never will be.»

«In any war there are sacrifices. And we are at war,» Barstow declared.

Slavica had been silent, but a single sound escaped and it went straight to Natalya's heart. She wanted to rip the man to shreds. She could feel her hands curling into claws and a wildness rose up in her.

Gabrielle slipped between them and put a gentle, restraining hand on Natalya's arm. «This man isn't the problem right now. His friends are. The most important thing to do is to figure out how to get Slavica's family back safely.»

«They are in league with the vampires,» Barstow reiterated, glaring at Slavica. «Her entire family hangs out with vampires.»

«Hangs out? You just said hangs out,» Natalya repeated. «Do you have any idea how utterly stupid you sound? Vampires do not hang out. They tear your throat out and drain every drop of blood from your body. They do not hang out. Where do people like you come from?» She turned away from him unable to stomach looking at him.

She could feel Vikirnoff. He was close, feeding, his manner respectful, even gentle as he ensured he didn't take enough blood to make the farmer dizzy. She liked that trait in him, that old-world courtesy and the care he seemed to take with others. With her. She ached to see him. She told herself it was only because he could read minds and extract information as well as becoming invisible.