Free Days of Redemption (The Firsts Book 6) by C.L. Quinn

future is murky, vampire.”
    “I think it is.  But I want this woman rescued, and soon, because they will kill her.”
    “Then we will do so.  Are you hungry?  My chef has just finished first meal and there’s a lot left.”
    “Aye, it sounds good.  Do ya know how long the trace will take?”
    “Not long.  Sit.  Ty will return as soon as he has it.  Do you need a team to go with you?”
    “That would be welcome.  I know nothing about this area.”
    “Most wouldn’t.  I’m very isolated and I love that. ”
    Shame, hiding that beautiful body and brilliant mind in the rain-forest , he thought.
    Dez smiled.  “I should tell you something, vampire.  I usually disclose this to people so they know the score.  I am a telepath.  I can read thoughts, feelings.  Not everyone’s and not all the time.  But frequently.  So, just be aware of that, okay?  And thank you.   I agree, but this is where I want to be.  I’ve been alive for quite a few centuries and I’ve done almost everything, but I like it here.”
    Mind reader .  And comfortable enough to freely admit it to him.  Then…
    “So I’m right.  Ye’re a first blood.”
    Dez leaned back in her seat.  Most vampires did not know about first bloods.  In that moment, he knew that she did.
    Her eyes found Bryn’s and held them, but she did not speak.  When she did, it was with some hesitation.  “Why would you say that?”
    “Ye’re eyes.  They’re not dark.   And that skill.  Mind readin’ isn’t yer average vampire ability.”
    “No.  But I’m not.  A first blood, that is.  I don’t know why my eyes are blue or that I can do things other vampires can’t.  But I’m not a first blood.   And you have blue eyes, but I know you aren’t first blood either.”
    “ True.”  Bryn still wondered, but it was obvious that if she was first blood, she wouldn’t admit it. What the hell was that about?
    “Hang on.”  Dez lifted a bedazzled cell phone from her pocket and hit a button.  “Ty, send for Bean and have him bring six of his guys, outfitted for a jungle excursion.  We have a friend lost in the jungle with a couple of hostiles.  No, they’re human.  About an hour?  Fine.  Appreciated.”
    Laying the phone on the tabletop, Dez reached for a piece of chocolate cake her chef had brought out with other food for Bryn.
    “Done.  They’ll be here within the hour.  We’ll find your woman.”
    “I can’t thank ya enough.  I’m new to this hero thing, and I think I’ll fuck it up as much as anything.  She’s a fine woman, and I won’t have them hurt her.”
    “Then they won’t.  You have a good team coming.”
    “I am at yer disposal if ya ever need anything from a drunken Highlander.”
    Dez leaned in and smiled.   “I may be able to think of something.”
    Bryn killed a tall glass of an amber beverage that tasted like cider.  “Is there no man in yer life, Dez?”
    Her eyes moved up to the faux daytime sky above their heads.  When she looked back at him a moment later, there was a distance in her gaze.  “Once.  Someone, but he’s gone.  I haven’t any idea where, and I don’t think he’ll be back.”
    “Sorry . I understand.  Unrequited love makes immortality harder.”
    Draining a bottle of beer, her deep blue eyes caught his.  “It wasn’t.  Unrequited, I mean.  He loved me very much.  Too much.  I couldn’t deal with him.  I don’t know if I could now, but that’s a ship that’s left this harbor.  For good, I think.”
    “ Ya don’t want to look for him?”
    She hesitated before she spoke.  “I…”
    When she stopped, Bryn knew it was because she had no answer.   Love was a bitch when it didn’t go smooth.
    Nodding, he put a hand over hers in commiseration.  A sharp spike of electricity snapped as soon as their hands touched, and they both shot backward.
    “What the hell was that?”  Dez yelled, shaking her hand.
    “I haven’t an idea.  I’m sorry, lass.