Free Death's Servant (The V V Inn, First Prequel Book) by C.J. Ellisson Page A

drinking from you. And now you practically accuse her of slipping into people’s heads whenever the fancy strikes her.” He stares where his wife went to sit on a park bench.
    “But didn’t she read my mind in the elevator? Isn’t it a common thing for vampires?”
    “No—and not the way you think.” At my look of confusion he continues, “Okay, in the elevator you were projecting, like she said. She didn’t have to attempt to read your mind so much as you made your thoughts clear as a bell to anyone sensitive enough to hear them. Most vampires don’t go around poking in other supernatural’s heads. It takes effort on their part to do so and the action is considered exceptionally rude. In some cases, with strong mental shielding, extra skill and strength must be used to read thoughts, which can be detectable to the person the vampire is trying to read. With such risk of discovery, the ability is used discriminately.”
    “Oh.” Hope deflates out of me. “I’ve essentially called her a pedophile blood-drinker, an addict, and insulted her honor as a vampire. Nice.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “Usually it takes more of an effort to score so hugely as an ass.”
    Rafe’s hand comes down on my shoulder. “Don’t give up. If saving that pack matters to you don’t let a few ruffled feathers thwart your task.”
    Thwart? How old is this guy? Who the hell talks like that? I mentally brace myself. He’s right, dammit. No matter what I think of myself and my actions, I’ve got to go through with my plan.
    I stride across the gravel and kneel at the vampire’s feet. Being submissive doesn’t come naturally to me and I have to rein in every impulse I have to stare her straight in the face. Through herculean effort, I avoid looking directly at the redhead and say, “I’m sorry about my behavior tonight. It doesn’t change the fact that I need your help. I can’t fight this vampire on my own and I haven’t found any wolves to help me. You’re the only option left.”
    “Hmmph.” Her breath huffs out in annoyance. “Not much of an option since I already said no .”
    Rafe wanders over and sits next to her, snaking an arm around her waist—making sure I understand they are a package deal. Well duh, they are married.
    I steel my resolve and get to the difficult part. “What if I offer you something you couldn’t resist?”
    I chance a glance at her face and see her intense eyes narrow at me in speculation. “And what could you offer that I need?”
    “A vampire servant with werewolf blood. Someone who willingly donates when you need to increase your strength.”
    A small gasp escapes her. “You don’t know what you’re offering.”
    I look up, boldly meeting her gaze. “Yes. Yes, I do. I’m offering my life in exchange for Raine’s pack. No matter how you cut it, those are good numbers: one life for fifteen.”
    Her voice softens with a gentleness I haven’t heard from her. “You aren’t simply offering your life. The bond can affect you. You might very well lose your sense of self.”
    Rafe’s gaze turns calculating, not angry or jealous like I feared. “He’s thought about this long and hard, haven’t you, Jon?”
    I nod.
    “He knows what he wants, Dria. He wants your help and he’s willing to risk his future for it.”
    Dria stands and walks past me. “Let me think on it.”
    I bolt to my feet and grasp her hand. “There isn’t time. I need to get them out and stop him before he captures more wolves.”
    She hesitates and looks to her husband. They are both silent for a moment before she nods. “I’ll do it. I’ll help. But we need a plan.”
    Elation surges through me, the rush so intense my vision fades for a moment. “His place is about ninety minutes away. We could end all of this madness tonight.”
    “No. We strike tomorrow. Let’s check out of the hotel and find a place as close as we can without alerting him. I have an idea on how to