Free Bloodstorm (Heart of a Vampire) by Amber Kallyn Page A

She didn’t even have the chance to think about running off, Shane stayed close.
    He opened the passenger door and waited until she got in, then strode around to the driver’s side.
    The drive was short, but by the time they reached the Inn, Niki was vibrating from the thick tension in the air. Shane parked and she jumped out, hurrying to her room. He was right behind her. The door was unlocked, so someone had been there. She strode in, only to find the room empty.
    Then she smelled the kid.
     
    ***
     
    Shane stared at the young vampire curled up beneath Niki’s bed and sleeping deeply. He was just a boy, not even old enough to drive. Shane concentrated, and blinked. The kid became a shadow.
    He didn’t have a vampire’s natural aura. Shane glanced at Niki. Her aura was normal, a crimson glow, covered with flecks of the deepest black.
    The boy’s was almost fully black, only small patches here and there of reddish gray. Something was seriously wrong.
    He let his vision return to normal. “How old of a vampire do you think he is?”
    Niki shrugged. “He’s a newbie. Maybe three or four, based on the power he emanates. And he’s inexperienced. He doesn’t know how to use it.”
    She glanced at Shane warily.
    He rubbed the back of his neck, heading to the window and staring out at the beginnings of sunrise. Maybe he’d been too harsh with her, demanding she cooperate. They needed to work together, but he probably could have put it more delicately. And then, grabbing her like that at the station... Shane turned back ready to apologize.
    Niki knelt on the floor, peering beneath the bed. “Close the curtains.”
    After Shane did, she yanked the boy out.
    He woke, eyes blazing red, fangs extended as he hissed at Niki. Shane stepped forward, but she already had it under control.
    She smacked the back of the kid’s head. “Knock it off.”
    The boy’s eyes faded to a washed out blue-gray, fangs receding.
    She pushed him down onto the bed before walking to the small closet. She drew out a black leather suitcase. From a hidden compartment, she pulled out two plastic medical bags of sloshing blood that set Shane’s stomach roiling. Niki tossed one to the boy.
    The kid attacked it like he was starving.
    “ Hey.” Niki snapped her fingers. The boy’s frantic movements slowed. She stood in front of him, unscrewing the lid. The kid followed her example, though he still gulped down the contents.
    She turned to Shane, holding his gaze as she lifted her bag and drank the blood.
    Her eyes flashed, as if daring him to see her fully. Vampire.
    He wanted to turn away, but refused to back down from the challenge. He knew what she was, watching her drink blood didn’t change that. And he still wanted, needed to work with her. Wanted, needed... her .
    When she was done, she slid the two empty bags back into the case and put it away. Niki sat near the headboard, watching the boy. Her face was a study of politeness, no emotion, no fear.
    The boy didn’t mask his emotions at all. He stared at them both as if afraid they might start beating him.
    “ Ready to tell me your name yet?” Niki asked.
    The boy whipped his head around, keeping them both in his view. “Who’s he?”
    “ The sheriff,” she replied softly.
    The kid looked even more frightened.
    “ Look, I saved your life tonight. I think it’s obvious by now I’m not planning to hurt you. The sheriff is here to help. Just tell us your story.”
    Shane nodded, trying to assure the boy he wasn’t in trouble.
    The kid sat a little straighter. “And if I don’t wanna tell you anything?”
    Having dealt with stubborn teens too many times to count, Shane knew when he was seeing real fear rather than just bravado.
    “ Do you want our help?” he asked, keeping his voice even but unyielding.
    The boy flinched.
    Shane pulled a chair from the small table in front of the window, spun it backwards, and sat facing the bed. “We can’t help if we don’t know what you’re