Free Destiny by Celia Breslin Page A

certainly charming, I’d give him that.
    Lily flowed by, escorting some human patrons to the door. She shot Fin a look that screamed get your ass out of here .
    Gen noticed. “You’ve had your fun, Fin. Time for you to make like a bat and fly.”
    I laughed at her audacity. My girl Gen had some ovaries of steel to speak like that to a powerful, old vampire. Brave ovaries, or too much rice wine. Or both.
    He cocked his head, his heated gaze fixed on me. “Does her royal highness, mia principessa, Carina Tranquilli , truly desire my departure?”
    Bingo. My princess, he said again. With my full name and a tone of almost respect. One of my father’s flock. I crossed my arms. “You know who I am, and yet you tried to mess with me? Death wish much?”
    He ignored my dig. “Does the princess truly wish my departure? You’re safe within Lily’s circle, and, of course, I mean you no harm.” On the contrary, his unabashed, heated gaze broadcast a different, sexual, intent.
    Poor, pretty vampire. I’m not interested in playing. I’d had enough games recently to last me more than one lifetime thanks to Dixon. Worry for my kidnapped friends rushed to the forefront, tensing every muscle in my body. Fin watched me closely, curious. Crap. If he managed to push through Lily’s magical barrier and read my mind—
    I tamped down thoughts of Dixon and his cruel game and channeled my angst and anger into my next words. “Yes, you should leave.” I graced him with a humorless smile. “When you go, say hello to Stella out front. You know her, right? Cute, cranky, likes to play with swords.” And hates men, especially men up to no good.
    I gestured at the window. “She’s right there. In the BMW.”
    Fin’s flirty smile melted away. “Leave us,” he commanded his two remaining humans. Chairs scraped across hardwood as they quickly complied.
    I poured myself more sake. “You know, she doesn’t like it when vampires mess with me. Just ask Dixon’s minions.” I set down the bottle with an audible thump. “Oh wait, you can’t. Stella destroyed them all.” I gave a mock shudder. “Super messy. She’s quite adept at dismemberment and evisceration.”
    Fin’s face paled to an even whiter shade of white, and he looked at me, really looked at me, as if noticing something he hadn’t seen before.
    Then his thoughtful look disappeared, replaced by a charming smile. “I shall take my leave, Your Highness.” He rose with catlike grace and bowed. “I look forward to our next meeting. At Haven, perhaps?” His lips parted in a crooked smile, molasses eyes sparkling. “I’d be delighted to share my pets with you. And anything else you’d like to taste.”

Eight
    Fin tossed some bills on his table and sauntered from the restaurant, casting me a saucy grin over his shoulder. Persistent flirt.
    Claire snagged our sake bottle and poured us another round. “Well, that was interesting.” She raised her glass. “Cheers.”
    We clinked our tiny glasses and knocked back our sake in perfect sync.
    Gen waved her empty glass at me. “You should totally tap that, Rina. He’s a great kisser.”
    My jaw dropped. “You did not just say that. Or do that?”
    She refilled her sake. “You bet I did. In one of those crazy, euphoric dance floor moments. You know what I’m talking about. Claire was throwing down the hard core, sexy beats, so blame her.”
    Claire raised her palms. “Oh no, don’t add me to your crazy mix, girl.”
    I made slow circles on the tabletop with my cup. “Okay, you were caught up in dance floor energy, I get that. But still, he’s such a—he’s so—”
    “Hot? Mysterious? Dangerous?” Claire offered as she polished off the last piece of our nigiri. She’d singlehandedly cleared most of our second sushi round while Fin distracted me.
    I tried to shake and nod at the same time at her words, and the room jumped. Oops, starting to feel the sake. I turned my glass upside down to discourage my friends’