Chapter 14
LEAH
Ishove back from the long bar and march over to the opposite corner, where Dean and his bros have a bucket of beers each.
It’s a were brew, double strength and spiced like roasted meat.
On the bar next to them is a bottle of moonshine that Karina’s aunt makes, with a sign warning the drinker that side effects may vary.
She hasn’t mastered the taste yet, but it’s meant to stay in the system longer.
Perfect.
I pull the bottle toward me, and Dean lets out surprised yelp. “Leah, really?”
“Yep.” I uncork it and pour a measure of the ruby-red liquid into a waiting shot glass. “Five shots and it’s on the house, right?”
Leon, the sorcerer bartender, leans over the bar. “That’s right. No one’s managed to do five yet. You game, slayer?”
“No problem. It’s all in the motivation.”
I slam the shot, and my breath sputters. It tastes like bitter fire and pure magic—not a compliment. Witch magic leaves acid afterglow behind your eyes. It singes the hair in your nostrils and makes sparks dance across your vision. The singed metallic flavor of the cocktail is horrible.
I finally cough, and Dean starts clapping. “What was that about motivation?” he teases.
I roll my eyes at him and avoid looking at Marcus. I can feel the bond thrumming, can feel something that must be excitement from him. I scowl and grab another shot. I am deadening this bond if it’s the last thing I do tonight.
Two shots makes me want to empty the contents of my stomach. My body is revolting. My gaze swings toward the bathroom but lands on Marcus. He’s sprawled at a table, looking satisfied and irritatingly male in a way that makes my pulse skip. I’d let him bite me.
I mean, realistically, walking in here with him looking like that? With his mouth tipped up in amusement and a feral gleam in his eyes? One that says he knows exactly how to make something painful feel good? I’d pull him into the back. I’d let him show me.
I shake the alcohol-laden thoughts away. He’s stroking a thumb over Dawn’s wrist. The bond vibrates. I can feel his need. Oh Goddess.
There’s a pit in my stomach and an excitement in my blood that I haven’t felt before and which certainly doesn’t belong to me. It makes me feel like a predator, like I’m on a good hunt and a vampire is in my sights.
His eyes are bleeding black, in preparation to feed, I assume, and my stomach sloshes.
Fuck this.
Three shots makes me feel like a human cartoon character—eyes goggly, stars buzzing around my head.
But four and five? Those are easy. I’m floating now.
I flick the shot glass away and turn to Dean. “Take me home?” I love the way this alcohol makes me feel. Sober Leah would cringe at the implications. But drunk Leah? She’s fine with them.
His eyes widen. “You good?”
“I’m great.” I turn and wave goodbye to Karina, who looks briefly alarmed but relaxes as Dean lays a hand on my shoulder.
Marcus’s head jerks up as we approach. His gaze flicks to Dean, who hovers behind me, close enough that I can feel Dean’s breath ruffle my hair. He’s tense.
“Good shit, vampire,” I say.
Marcus’s eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”
I roll my shoulders. “I can feel you. Bloodlust or whatever. Really takes the edge off. Anyway, I’m going home.
Hopefully I’ll be passed out by the time you really get going.
I’ll try to leave the door unlocked.” My vision wavers briefly, but I paste on a jaunty smile.
Dean’s arm is around my waist, and I blink down at it.
“Dean, you might have to carry me, actually.”
Dean grunts his agreement and maneuvers me toward the door.
There’s a scrape of a chair behind me.
“You want someone to carry you, slayer? I’ll be the one to take you home.”