Free A Hunger for Darkness by Cooper Flynn

that she could imagine many young women being swept away for at least a night.
     
    “I’m sure we will both enjoy getting to know each other,” Kenzi said. Then, remembering her plan, she made her excuses and slipped back out into the empty night club.

Cha pter Eleven
     
     
     
     
     
    The blow sent Kenzi spinning. She caught herself and managed to stay upright until the figure dressed in black struck again, this time knocking her flat then pinning her down with his weight. Kenzi looked up into the face of Joshua, a face contorted in rage. In one hand he held the long ceramic dagger favored by Center. It could be plunged into the heart and then snapped off at skin level, making it nearly impossible to remove thus insuring the death of the vampire providing it was placed correctly. She’d left the Kremlin and begun to make her way back to Connor’s place when she’d been struck without warning.
     
    “Why did you have to leave? We would have made your death merciful!” Joshua raised the knife, preparing for the final blow.
     
    “Joshua, what the hell are you doing? I’m not you’re enemy!” Kenzi sought to capture his, hoping to calm him enough to speak.
     
    “You’re a vampire, of course you’re the enemy!” Joshua said, still holding the blade at the ready. He was sitting squarely on her chest, with her arms trapped at her sides.
     
    “You idiot, I’m still in here. I haven’t gone over to the dark side,” Kenzi said in a tone shifting to gentle mockery. She was still wearing the black dress and hadn’t even changed out of the stiletto heels, although the shoes had flown off on impact. They were on a side street in front of a row of silent and darkened buildings.
     
    “Then what are you doing in the club?” Joshua asked.
     
    His face had relaxed slightly and Kenzi could see tears in his eyes. The sight threatened to break her heart.
     
    “Joshua, would you let me speak to you for a moment?” Kenzi was careful to speak softly and meet his eyes fully.
     
    “I can’t let you up, and I will kill you as soon as you answer my questions. You know that’s the way it is. I just want you to tell me why you left, and what you did to Kat?” Joshua touched the stake to Kenzi’s chest, directly above her heart.
     
    Kenzi surged upwards, her body flipping Joshua headlong over her. She spun and was on her feet facing Joshua before he could even rise. He untangled himself to stand, finding Kenzi waiting for him, arms loosely at her side, legs spread slightly. She was ready for whatever he wanted to try.
     
    “I was kind of surprised how easy it was to throw you. There is a reason you are not supposed to engage a vampire in hand-to-hand unless there is no other option.” Kenzi watched Joshua set his face and shift his body. “Don’t, just don’t, Joshua. You weren’t fast enough to take me even before I turned.”
     
    Kenzi saw Joshua thinking. His eyes scanned her looking for any weakness or advantage he could find. She could see his despair as he came up empty. In turn she was examining him, imagining how she could take him down and feed, the body that had once given her pleasure now giving her power. She shook loose the thought, but it took effort.
     
    “What do you want?” Joshua asked after a moment.
     
    “What did you mean about Kat? What happened to her?”
     
    Joshua’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t take her?”
     
    “I haven’t seen her since I left Center.”
     
    “She disappeared the same night you did. Center was on full lock-down for days after that. We just began operations again.” Joshua’s voice was level, but still his gaze was shifting, scanning everything, looking for opportunity.
     
    “I didn’t take her. Do you know anything about where she was going?” Kenzi could see his pulse racing, and could almost see his thoughts as he searched for a way to kill her. He said nothing.
     
    “I’m still on your side! I’m trying to destroy the vampire that did