Feral Darlings

Chapter Three

Nila

Fuck me walking. The most beautiful man in the world is watching me. He’s a vampire—I can tell by his ivory skin. He is so intense, it's like he’s crawling inside me. Not that I don’t want him inside of me. He’s pure perfection.

Too bad he doesn't seem chatty. Maybe he’s just looking for a neck to suck on. That isn't my thing. Not criticizing, just not something I’m interested in. As for him, well, I could take a chance, but he let me walk out. Maybe I was wrong. I guess he doesn't want to meet me. Too bad.

Adonis

It took everything I had not to follow her. I need to get my head together before I try to have a conversation. I feel her in my blood, even now, as we’re separated. I'm not even sure how that’s possible since I've never fed from her. It must be the twin flame thing.

I need to finesse this. She seems comfortable at the bar, so I surmise she frequents it often—at least, I hope she does. I need to make her mine, but this is a tricky situation. For the first time since I was changed, I want to allow it to be her choice. Usually, I take what I want. This time, I’ll wait.

For her.

Curtis

When I became part of the Fuck Vampires Club, I was thrilled to be doing my part to eradicate the scourge from this world. I always carry a stake with me, which I train with day and night. My other protection is a gold cross I wear around my neck, and if hunting, I also wear a necklace made of garlic, which I keep in the car. So far, I have twelve kills under my belt, and I’m not stopping anytime soon.

I’m pretty responsible, and I always go with the club on kill runs—never intentionally solo. But sometimes, you’re just in the right place at the right time. Tonight, I'd just picked up my ten-month-old son, when I saw the two fangers in the alley. I’m watching them now.

I know I need to take them out. I’m going rogue. Henry, my son, can watch from the car and see his daddy being a hero.

Adonis

I see the car coming toward us. It’s a lone one, so my senses aren't on high alert. I motion to Pierre, who is standing beside me. He nods. We stand, transfixed on the driver. He screeches to a halt and jumps out with a double-ended stake. For fuck’s sake. Again? ì don't hear any other vehicles, so I'm guessing this guy is playing Clint Eastwood and thinks he can kill us both. As fucking if.

I almost laugh when I spot the garlic around his neck. This guy is going on my dinner table. “Goddamn vampire!” he screams, lunging at me with the wood. I side-step and grab the middle of it, then seize his arm. Wedging the wood out of his hand, I throw it into the alleyway. I snap his arm, and he screams in pain as I shove him down to his knees. That's when we hear a baby crying. This idiot brought a child?

“Pierre, go grab the baby.”

“I'll fucking kill you if you touch my son!” the man screams.

I twist his broken arm, causing him to throw up. As Pierre holds the baby, gripping underneath his armpits, I rip the garlic from the man's neck. “Here, shove some garlic up the baby's ass to season him.”

“No! No! No! You son of a bitch! Leave him alone!”

I smile at him. “Not only am I going to eat and savor your son, I'm going to use his little bones to floss my teeth.”

The fear on his face is palpable. Honestly, fear only makes meat taste better, so I’ll call that a win. I stand him up and feel my molars extending. Clamping onto his neck, I feed from him. This is what he’s always feared, so I want to give it to him. His mind shows me his pride in killing vampires. That alone tells me it’s kill time. I pull away from him and snap his neck. Pierre stands in place, holding the baby under its arms, away from him, like he doesn't know what the fuck to do. Obviously, I was kidding about the garlic. Kind of. I mean, I will be seasoning the guy with it, but I'm not killing a baby. I’m not that heartless.

“Put him back in his seat.” I almost laugh at the relief on Pierre's face. He can’t wait to be done with childcare duty. I make an anonymous call to 911 and tell them there’s an abandoned car with an infant in it. Then, I grab the guy and throw him over my shoulder. His body smells of rancid vomit. This guy thought he was some kind of mercenary. Such a waste.

Well, not really. Now I have meat.