Chapter 13 #2
Dru slid the coin across the table to him. She had a weakness for a father who wanted to protect his child. He snatched the coin up and slipped it into his pocket with the other one.
“I have never seen you before a day in me life,” she repeated what he’d said.
He nodded again. “I’m serious. This man is a danger to vampires. He’s not a good man. He’s ruthless and don’t care about our kind.”
Dru paused. This sounded just like the individual they were hunting. She eyed the vampire across from her. He was telling the truth. She had a good sense about detecting those who lied to her, and this vampire was being completely honest.
“You don’t say. How is he a danger to vampires?” she asked.
“That lycan attack that happened years ago? Its rumored that he’s in cahoots with them.” He ran a trembling hand across his face. Fear filled his expression and eyes now. He leaned forward. “I need your word that at least my boy will be safe.”
“You have my word, Roderick.” Her word as a general for the crown was solid. It held much weight. If she said the kid would be safe, then he’d never have to fear anything.
Ever.
“Very well then. If this is who you’re seeking, he goes by the name Sol Winters. From what I know he lives out in the woods in a cottage. Deep in the woods. There’s a ravine near his home. If you get to the ravine, you’ve passed it.”
Dru held back her smirk. The son of a bitch was cocky.
He could have at least changed his name more.
He probably figured after all of these years he could keep a similar one.
She reached in her bag and took two more coins out and tossed them to Roderick.
He fumbled but caught them before they hit the floor.
“If he’s the vampire who I’m seeking, you’ll be well rewarded.”
* * *
“I find it funny that I promote you, then you leave on a mission for my mother.” Lethia’s holographic form stood in the center of Dru’s private quarters at the inn she and her men were staying at.
“What was I supposed to do? Refuse Her Royal Majesty’s request?
” Dru arched an eyebrow at her friend. She removed her daggers from her waist and placed them on the nightstand.
She paused, remembering how Tomesha had taken great care in ensuring her weapons were near her.
She blinked, unsure why she couldn’t get the human out of her head.
She straightened and turned to face Lethia.
The moment she’d walked into her suite, the holograph had started ringing.
“I guess if you did, my mother would have been within her rights to take your head.” Lethia shrugged.
“I like my head exactly where it is,” Dru muttered. She sat on the edge of the bed and reached for the ties of her boots. She eyed her friend. “Is there a reason you have called, Your Highness?”
“Don’t get all formal with me.” Lethia blew out a deep breath. She paused and stared at Dru. “Oh, my goodness. You’ve fed, and if I didn’t know any better, you’ve had sex recently.”
“What?” Dru sputtered. She dropped her foot on the floor and stared at Lethia. Did she have a warrior amongst her spying for Lethia? She pulled the boot from her foot and reached for the other one.
“You have. It’s about fucking time.” Lethia clapped and barked a laugh. “Did you call for a donor?”
“The postmaster escorted us to the local madam’s,” Dru admitted. She removed her other boot and set them both at the foot of the bed. She never knew when she had to leave in a hurry. She wanted to be able to reach them at a moment’s notice.
“Good for you. You needed a good fucking. You were too uptight.” Lethia snickered.
“I was not. I have been fine. Drinking prepared blood is almost as nutritious as drinking directly from a source.”
“Key word is almost.” Lethia chuckled. Her smile disappeared. “I’m happy you finally released some of that tension you carried. Go back a few more times before you come home.”
“Is there a real reason you’re calling, or did you just want to make sure I fucked someone?” Dru asked, exasperated.
“The post. It’s been a while since it has been inspected. What are your thoughts on the faculty and the postmaster?”
Now this was what Dru could tolerate. She stood and went over her findings of the vampire military base.
She paced back and forth as she spoke. This helped her keep her mind off the beautiful soft brown skin she’d licked and kissed.
Or the deep bedroom eyes that had held her gaze as she’d reached her climax.
Dru paused and drew in a shaky breath. Maybe Lethia was right. Maybe she should go back to Madam’s once more before she returned home. Maybe she couldn’t get Tomesha out of her head because it had been so long since she’d been with a woman.
That was it.
It had to be.
She didn’t want to think how good Tomesha’s skin felt against hers. Or how the taste of her blood had exploded on her tongue. How delicious it was. How sweet and fulfilling it was to drink from her.
“What is it?” Lethia’s voice cut into her thoughts.
Dru blinked. “Um.” Shit. She couldn’t remember what the hell she’d been saying. She turned and glanced over at Lethia who had a smirk on her lips. “What was the last thing I said?”
“Who is she?” Lethia asked softly.
Dru rolled her eyes. There she goes again. Just because she was mated, didn’t mean that everyone had to find someone. Dru was currently on a very important mission and could not afford to mess this up. It wasn’t often the queen asked for personal favors.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll write up my official report once I return to Crystal Cove.” Dru reached up and pulled her hair out of the tight bun. Her thick hair fell in waves around her shoulders.
“Oh, I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Lethia smirked.
“Whoever is spying on me for you will pay heavily,” Dru threatened.
“Spying on you for me? How is it spying when the commander demands information about a mission her general and warriors are on? You all report to me.” Lethia’s figure came to stop in front of Dru. There was a teasing glint in her eyes.
“Call it what you want, but you’re spying.” Dru glared at her longtime friend. If she was home right now, she’d challenge Lethia to sparring.
“Well, whoever she is, I hope she’s your mate.”
“This conversation is over.” Dru went over to the hologram box and hit the disconnect button.
Lethia’s figure disappeared, but not before her laughter reached Dru’s ear. She stripped off her clothing and headed into the connecting bathroom. She needed to take a shower to get the stench of the sewers off her.
It felt as if the scent and aromas down there had invaded her pores. She turned the water to the hottest setting. She reached for the soap and cloth and washed herself.
Sol Winters.
That was who she needed to focus on. The vampire had been accused of horrific crimes that if he was alive, she’d be only too happy to drag his ass back to face the king and queen.