Feral Darlings

Chapter Four

Adonis

I, along with three others in the clan, enjoy human meat. When I bring the vampire killer home, I actually do shove the garlic up his ass—and down his throat. For seasoning purposes, of course. When I’m cooking him up in olive oil, I also add cayenne pepper for an extra little kick.

After he’s fried to my liking, a hard sear on each side, dripping with blood, I put the meat on a platter and take it to the dining hall. We have a wooden table that seats twelve. Very seldom are we all here at one time. It’s also rarely used for eating purposes. Today, we will feast. All because this idiot thought he could take on two adult vamps. Oh well, his stupidity is my gain.

Ugh. I can't even enjoy my meal. All I can think about is the woman. Who is she? Where does she live? When should I introduce myself? The universe isn't giving me any answers, and the fates are being obscenely quiet as well. I only know one thing: I need her sooner rather than later.

After gorging on my meal, I head to my room to capture some sense of tranquility. I need to be able to keep my cool and relax. Easier said than done. Electricity jolts under my skin. My body is on fire for her, and I let her leave. Normally, I would have taken her without her permission, but if she truly is my twin flame—and I think she is—she needs to come on her own.

The next couple of nights are torture as I go to the bar only to find out she isn't there. I find a fiery redhead who keeps glaring at me. She’ll be a great blood donor for me. The best part is when they rebuke me and then fall under my spell anyway. I slither into her mind like a snake, sucking up all of her past transgressions, while I pull her to the bathroom and lift her skirt to tap a vein on her leg. She’s woozy when she snaps out of it, but she’ll survive.

On night three, my diligence pays off. The woman sweeps in like a princess. Dressed in a sequined black dress that is form-fitting and stops right above her knees, she’s a goddamn vision. I can't stop myself from staring at her. She has control over me like I've never known. Even Victoria wasn't able to control me like this.

She saunters to the bar and orders a drink. Turning her head, she catches me staring. I nod, hoping it isn't a creepy gesture. Her smile could make angels sing. Before I realize it, I’m smiling back.

Nila

I slowly walk toward him. He’s yet to take his eyes off me. The intensity with which he stares at me makes me feel like he is dissecting me. I don’t expect the zap of electricity when I'm close to him. Why does this man make me want to drop to my knees and confess all my sins?

I know I've never met him before, but I feel like I've known him forever. I should be scared to be in such close proximity to him—instead, I feel comforted.

“You know, you can buy me a drink instead of just watching me from across the room.” I shrug.

He smiles, and his eyes melt my heart. “Of course. What would you like?”

“Red wine, please.”

He nods, then gets the bartender's attention to order my drink. The smoothness of his voice is putting me in a trance. Fuck, I hope he isn't doing that mind mojo thing on me. I demurely drop my eyes from his, and he sighs.

“Don't worry, I won't enthrall you. It will be your choice if you decide to talk to me or not. No mind games.”

I look into his eyes. He is handsome. Not model handsome, but ruggedly handsome. I want to know him, but I know what getting too close means. Vampires can't be trusted. I've always been told this.

I've never officially met one, but they are easy to spot by the translucency of their skin. Most of them look downright scary. This one, though…

He makes me think and feel things I never thought possible.

“My name is Nila,” I offer.

“That is a beautiful name. Nila, my name is Adonis.”

“Adonis? That isn't something you hear these days. Where are you from?” I ask.

“Here,” he says simply.

Oh, shit. I'm a dumbass. It's hard to tell how old he is. That name was probably normal when he was young.

“So, Adonis, what is it that you do?”

He looks at me like I’ve grown three heads. Well, I'm off to a great start.

“I'm batting a thousand, aren't I?” I laugh shakily. “I'm a nurse at the city hospital.”

His expression softens. “That is a noble profession.”

For some reason, that makes me all warm and gooey inside. “Thank you,” I murmur. He’s just staring at me with those molten black eyes—looking straight through me. I am enamored as much as I am scared to death. Nothing good could come from this. Right? Or is he the one I've always dreamed about? Yeah, he’s a vamp, but he’s still a man. A sexy-as-hell man. It takes everything I have inside of me not to reach up and touch his face. I don't want to offend him.

Adonis

Being this close to her and not being able to touch her is unsettling. She is mine; she just doesn't know it yet. I can see the innocence in her eyes, and it makes me want to defile her that much more. I want to ravish every inch of her body. I can't get her out of my head. But restraint is the better part of valor, so I will grit my fangs and wait. I cannot rush this—as much as I'd like to.

She takes a drink of her wine, and I’m suddenly jealous of the edge of the wine glass that she’s wrapping her lips around. Every touch, every laugh, her demeanor alone…it makes me feel fireworks. She outshines every other woman in this bar.

“Do you always look like this?” she asks.

“Like?”

“So intense.” She smiles.

“Just taking your beauty in,” I answer.

She blushes. The red tinged cheeks make my fangs elongate. I don't want to scare her, so I retract them. “No one has ever said that to me before,” she says shyly.

“Shame on them.”

“You’re not a man of many words,” she observes.

“I don't want to scare you away. I like your company.”

A wide smile crosses her face. “I like yours as well.”

Looking deep in her eyes, I can't stop myself, I lean in and brush her lips with mine.

Nila

I should be afraid of him. He’s undead. I should be terrified, but he makes me feel unlike anything I've ever felt. I feel warm, comfortable, like this is where I've always belonged.

When his lips meet mine, the electricity between us is palpable. I wrap my hand around his head, threading my fingers in his silky hair, pulling him closer so he can kiss me properly. He takes possession of my mouth and gives me the most erotic kiss of my life. My lips are warm to his cool. A rush of warmth sweeps through me, making my heart race.

“It's official,” he breathes heavily. “Your lips are now my favorite addiction.”

This man—he has a way with words. Hell, he has a way with melting me. All I can think about is, what else can that mouth do?