Free Bonds of Blood by Shauna Hart

glass with a nod.  “You’re right.  To liquid courage,” she said, lifting the glass.
    After all, she was going to need all the courage she could get tonight.
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 12
    Damien stepped into the parlor of the Dragon’s Lair. 
    It was quiet now.
    There were only a few patrons milling about.
    But in a few minutes, it would be filled with humans.
    He inhaled deeply —not because the scent of human blood permeated the air but in anticipation of what was to come.  Right now, all he could smell was the scent of the nameless mortals that filled the room.  Each of them had no idea of the danger they were putting themselves into for an illicit thrill. 
    A smile ghosted across his face.
    If they had been bold enough to get their kicks out in the open, they wouldn’t be in danger at all.  But they all preferred to hide in the shadows.
    He chuckled softly.
    They thought it was safe here. 
    But dark things lurked in the shadows.  Things that wanted to destroy.  Things that wanted to feed. 
    And feed they would. 
    Both parties would pay plenty for their pleasures.
    But the thought of money wasn’t what pleased him most tonight.  It was the fact that she would be here soon.  His blood began to burn in his veins as he thought of her.  He had waited too long to take her.  For a man with limited patience, it was beginning to become a volatile situation.  He had had to take his passions out on several tonight already just to hold out this long. 
    Mina had been one of them.
    He had used her, fed from her.  Though he would never have believed it in the beginning, Mina had become quite valuable to him.  More importantly, she had been instrumental in getting Kat here tonight, even helping to concoct the story.
    Yes, Mina was doing well.
    Better than he ever could have expected.  She was very eager to please him thanks to the blood he fed her.  Still, as much as she tried to make him happy, she was just a means to an end.  His true objective was Kat.
    He wanted her.
    Wanted her beyond reason.
    He wasn’t sure what it was about her that made her so appealing.  All he knew was that she was no ordinary human. 
    She was different.
    T onight he was going to find out what the difference was.
    Of course he fully intended to enjoy her first.  He had waited too long not to take full advantage of the situation.  Eventually, he would tire of her and dispose of her just like the rest, but first he would savor every inch of her.
    “Do I even need to ask what has inspired that look?” Genevieve asked interrupting his vivid musings.
    “I am just enjoying the night .”
    He didn’t feel like explaining himself to anyone, least of all Gen.
    She came to stand next to him, her gaze surveying the number of patrons.
    “I don’t need to remind you that the whispers have already started to circulate around town,” she said evenly.
    He let out a heavy sigh of irritation.  “Let them talk.  They would never believe the truth even if we came out and told them.”
    She turned to pin him with a steely glare.  “I’ve made a home here, Damien.  And I don’t intend to lose it because you want to play games with the locals,” she asserted.
    He returned her look with a condescending smile.  “Relax, Gen.  You won’t have to leave.  No one will ever know that we are feeding on the citizens of this good city.”
    Her jaw clenched.  “If enough girls go missing, they will start to investigate.  Surely you know that.  You’re taking too many chances…going through them too quickly.  You’ve got to stop before it’s too late…for both of us,” she warned.
    His mouth formed a cynical sneer.  “Is that an order?”
    She tilted her chin up arrogantly.  “If that’s what it takes to make you see reason, then yes.  I won’t lose everything for you Damien.”
    Without warning, he grabbed her by the arm to pull her closer.  His lips formed a thin slash as he leaned in closer.  “Then, let me