Free Blood Life Seeker by Nicola Claire Page A

corners of his mouth. The cinnamon and bronze flecks in his eyes mixing with the darker coffee colours within and sparkling in the artificial lights around the room.
    “ Ma douce ?”
    I turned back to Michel, his eyebrows raised, a slight look of amusement on his face. I was sure it wouldn't be there for long.
    “Um, can you hold that thought for a while?”
    “Hold that thought for a while?” The amusement was slowly leaving, best to land the hammer blow.
    “Nero's here.”
    He didn't move, still holding my hand. He didn't bother to look around the room either, he knew he wouldn't be able to see him. Nero was Dream Walking.
    “In my bar?” Each word, however, was annunciated slowly.
    “Well, it would have been my apartment, but I'm here. He's homed in on me, so he goes where I go.” I bit my lip and held my breath. This should be fun.
    Michel blinked slowly. “There are several things I could say to that.” He stopped as if considering which phrase on the tip of his tongue to use.
    “We had planned to practice some moves tonight. He is my trainer,” I added.
    “So you have declared.” He paused, then looked sternly at me. “Moves? In your apartment?”
    Oh boy. I knew Michel wouldn't have approved, that's exactly why I hadn't told him. I chanced a glance at Nero. He was still standing in the same spot, relaxed, watching the scene play out before him, with a slightly amused smile on his lips. He was enjoying the entertainment.
    “Can we discuss this later? I need to talk to Nero any way, about the Dream Walk last night.”
    That seemed to do it, Michel straightened, looked resigned, and just sighed.
    “Be sure to train in the basement, ma douce . I would not be amused if you chose our chamber.”
    I hadn't missed his use of our for the chamber. He knew Nero would be listening. It was his final dig. He stood up from his seat and pulled me to him, wrapping one arm around my waist and pulling me close, the other he ran through my hair and rested at the back of my neck tilting my head back slightly. His kiss was deep and full of meaning. Michel could take no prisoners when he wanted. Sometimes it was like he kissed as though the world would end and there was only so much time to show me he was mine. I always felt a little weak at the knees when he did that. Hell, not just weak, totally jelly-like.
    He finally pulled away and smiled, that knowing smile he so often wore. “ That , ma douce , was the final dig.” And then he was gone.
    Leaving me catching my breath and gripping the bar to stay upright and frantically wondering if I had actually flung that thought out at him or not.

Chapter 7
Connected
    I managed to pull myself together eventually and walked towards the door to the basement. Nero would follow, I didn't have to ask and right now, I wasn't sure I could look him in the eyes anyway.
    The basement has a series of storerooms and day-time sleeping quarters for Michel's vampires. The room we would use is the largest storeroom, it's partially full but there's still heaps of room to move. Plus, recently, Michel's vamps had put in a sofa and table and chairs, almost a private day-time retreat for the sunshine challenged.
    I slumped myself down on the couch, still avoiding Nero's eyes. I was going to have to get over this. Damn it! I'm a big girl, I shouldn't be embarrassed.
    When I lifted my head to look at him, Nero was taking in the room, glancing around the stored liquor bottles at one end, taking in the table and small mini-bar off to the side, the remnants of a poker match still evident on the table top. Finally his eyes found mine.
    He just looked at me for a moment, his eyes an intense golden brown. Nero's always quite intense, it's just the way he is. He's been around a long time, almost as long as Michel, he tends to take things rather seriously. But, I have seen a lighter side to him, occasionally he lets it shine.
    “Kiwi. You always manage to surprise.” His voice was soft, low and luxurious,