After some stiff goodbyes and finishing up my tea, we’d left the shifter compound and started the long drive back home.

We’d come up with a plan to talk with some of the voodoo queens once we’d gotten back to New Orleans. It wasn’t going to be easy. In fact, they’d probably tell us we’re on our own and slam the door in our faces according to Lucian, but I’d tried to stay optimistic. We’d all gone silent, stuck in our own thoughts. and I’d fallen asleep at some point, and slept most of the drive but the crackle of the radio wakes me up and I sit up in my seat.

“In recent news, there was a mass attack at a nightclub in Baton Rouge. Two dozen patrons’ were assaulted. Many sustained major injuries to their throats…From witness reports, Police suspect that the perpetrator was on hallucinogenic drugs…”

I look to Carver and Lucian. “That’s not a drug addict, is it?”

Lucian frowns. “I don’t think so.”

“You’d know, wouldn’t you, Lucian?” Carver snarks.

I frown at Carver, not sure what he’s talking about. I look over my shoulder at Lucian to find him watching me closely. I shiver under his stare.

“You’re one to talk, mate. You were on the trail of one of the greatest killers of all time, eh?” Lucian looks away from me, and I try not to feel hurt at his dismissal.

Carver snarls at him, his eyes flashing silver, and I raise a hand. “Okay, let’s settle down and not get into a pissing match.”

We park in front of my house and get out, filing quickly through the front door. My stomach growls, and I look up to Carver and Lucian as they both halt at the sound.

“I think I’m hungry. . . but not for food.” I shift from foot to foot, unsure what to do here. I’d only ever fed from Carver. “I don’t want to go in there and see Reina when I’m hungry like this. I’ve already lunged at her once.”

Carver winces. “I haven’t fed since you last drank from me, ma belle.” He looks to Lucian. “She’ll have to feed from you. I can’t risk losing too much of my strength tonight if we’re going to check out that club.”

I bite my lip, looking to Lucian. My stomach flip flops at the thought of being up close and personal with him.

Lucian’s rubbing the back of his neck, his brows raised high.

“You don’t have to,” I state softly. “I’m sure I can figure something else out.”

“No, I’ll do it.” He gestures to the office at the front of the house. “Let’s go in here for some privacy?”

I nod. “Okay.”

“I’ll wait out here, and we can head in to see Reina when you’re done.” Carver rubs my shoulder as I pass, and I squeeze his hand.

I walk into the small space in front of Lucian, feeling him at my back. He’s so much larger than I am. It makes me want to cuddle into him and let him wrap me up in his arms.

“How do you prefer to feed?”

Embarrassment heats my cheeks, and I wring my hands in front of me. “Um… I’m not sure. I’ve only ever fed from Carver when we were… uh… intimate.”

“I see.” Lucian sits at the overstuffed sofa and waves me over. “Perhaps just feed from my wrist. That will be easiest for now.”

“Okay.” I walk slowly towards him, nervous about doing this with another man, vampire, Kresova. When I’d fed from Carver, the moment had been intimate, personal, and very sexy.

I balance on the arm of the chair and take Lucian’s offered hand in mine. I meet his gaze, his eyes molten silver. Timidly, I press my lips to the taught skin at his wrist, my tongue flicking out, and his taste fills my mouth. He tastes like a heady caramel and something savory mixed together. I open my mouth, my fangs poking into his skin, and bite down.

His body tenses as I drink from him, but for the first few minutes, he keeps his arms stiff at his sides. I’m almost convinced I’m hurting him when he reaches up, threading his other hand through my hair without really thinking.

I moan at the feel of his strong hand pulling at the strands, and I look up from his wrist to watch Lucian’s reaction to me.

His eyes are closed, his head tilted back. He’s enjoying this as much as I am. The knowledge sends a thrill through me. I watch as his chest moves faster with each pull of my mouth.

   “Slow and steady, doll.” His voice is low and growly, the sound sending pleasure straight to my core. I press my thighs together, trying to alleviate the ache. I suck hard at his wrist, the hunger barely sated as I do exactly as he tells me to.

   He tightens his grip in my hair and pulls gently. “That’s enough, sweetheart. Don’t drink too much.” His voice is silky smooth, and the words roll across my skin like a caress making me shiver.

“I want more.” I whisper the words as I lick my lips, catching every drop of his blood. I don’t want to stop. I almost feel like I can’t stop. I’m standing on an edge between listening to him and doing the right thing versus trying to overpower him and listen to the instinct to take as much as I want no matter what. Combined with the sensual act of feeding, the craving nearly overcomes me until he speaks.

“I know you do. But you shouldn’t overfeed, it could make you sick.” He rubs at his wounded skin. “There’s a delicate balance we must keep.”

I nod, fighting down the craving. “I didn’t know that. That we could get sick from too much blood.”

“There’s a lot you have to learn, sweetheart.

I want to ask him if he’s going to help me learn, but I can’t get the words to leave my lips. I simply stare at him head on, hoping he’ll talk to me instead of avoiding me. A slow calloused finger traces down the side of my mouth. When he pulls his hand back, there’s a small stain of blood.

He sighs and stands. “There are things we have to discuss, but now isn’t the time.” Lucian rises from the sofa and holds the office door open.

We step out, and I smile softly at Carver as he gives me a once over. He doesn’t seem jealous, and I’m thoroughly relieved.

“You look flushed, ma belle. You okay?” He glances at Lucian over my shoulder.

“Everything’s fine. I wouldn’t hurt her,” Lucian grumbles.

“Knock it off. You two can bicker later.” I walk away from them, letting them trail after me and call out to Reina. “Reina, we’re back! You still awake?”

Laughter sounds from the kitchen, and I raise a brow at Carver over my shoulder as I walk down the hallway. I hope Reina and Row stayed clothed while we were gone. While I want Reina’s happiness, I don’t know if I want this immortal life for her. Row’s stirring a pot at the stove, and Reina’s leaning against the counter, a huge smile plastered across her lips, holding a glass of red wine.

“What do we have here?” I wiggle my eyebrows at Reina trying to lighten my mood.

“You’re back! How did it go? Tell me everything. Did you know Row was a chef? He’s making some dish I can’t name. Doesn’t is smell ah-mazing!” She stares dreamily at Row who returns her look with a sultry one of his own, and I bite the inside of my cheek. I’m not sure how vampire/human relationships work in the long run, but I have a gut feeling that Row will treat her well no matter the final outcome of whatever is between them. Still, there’s a part of me that wants to save her from all of this. Like she deserves more.

I laugh at her word vomit. If there’s anything that Reina can do well, it’s talk someone to death with her stream of consciousness. “It was interesting. And disappointing, and all sorts of confusing.” I sigh. “And then there’s this group of people I’m supposed to seek out, and I’m officially a rising queen according to Harlow. Honestly, I could use some coffee ice cream, a shot of vodka, and a three-day long nap.”

Reina rubs her hand down my back, and the motion comforts me. “Well, I can arrange some alcohol and definitely get you some ice cream. I can’t help with the nap though.”

I sit at the counter, propping my chin in my palm. “I love you so hard.”

Reina throws her head back and laughs. I catch Row watching her, and I bite my lip. They must have really hit it off while we were gone. “I know you do.”

Row catches me staring at him, and he winks at me. “So, what exactly do you mean about a prophecy and queens and balance?” Row asks, his deep voice rumbling through the room.

I wave a hand in the general direction of Carver and Lucian. “Ask them. They’ll fill you in.”

“As I suspected, Aura is one of the Dria. So now we’ll begin the hunt for the other two queens and their consorts. And our third.” Carver runs a hand over his face. He doesn’t say aloud that our second, Lucian is still a thousand percent ambivalent about the whole scenario. “But that’s going to have to wait until later for a further planning and execution. Have you seen the news?”

“Not today, why? What’s up?” Row moves around the counter, his hands resting on his hips.

“There was an attack at a nightclub. Patrons had their throats ripped out,” Lucian answers him.

“They claim mind altering drugs, but I think we all know it wasn’t such a thing,” Carver finishes.

“So, it’s vampires? I thought Kresova didn’t attack for no reason. Why would they do so now?” I ask.

  Carver rubs at his jaw. “Kresova are methodical, not irrational. I think it has something to do with those who are turning rogue vampires. Perhaps it is the same group of vampires that your sire belonged to.”

“How do you know what group he was a part of?” Doubt that Carver’s told me all that he knows creeps in, and I narrow my eyes at him. “Is there something you aren’t telling me?”

“I’ve told you everything I know. But I can only assume that they’re trying to expose us to the humans. It’s too much of a coincidence to be anything else.”  Carver looks to Row and Lucian. “We need to investigate tonight once most of the humans have gone.”

“I’m coming too.”  

“No, you are not.” Lucian’s rough voice scrapes against my nerves, and I turn in my seat to look at him.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s too dangerous for you to go with us, sweetheart. It could be a trap.” Lines mar Lucian’s forehead, and I’m drawn to him like a moth to flame.

Instinctively, I want to smooth away any worries he has and soothe him, but that’s not the sort of man he is, or the kind of relationship we have. At least not yet.

“I’m a newly turned vampire. You and Carver both said that makes me stronger and faster. I can defend myself.”

“You’ve got brute strength, ma belle, but you haven’t trained to fight. If these vampires are skilled warriors, you won’t stand a chance, and we won’t get the information we need if we’re too concerned for your safety.”

“You’re both being ridiculous. I can handle myself.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare at them.

“Perhaps her sire was strong enough?” Row pipes in, and I smile at him.

“What Row said.”

Lucian and Carver have a silent conversation.

“We do not know if this is your sire trying to lure you into his coven. That is another possibility. We do not want you under his care if that is the case.” Carver frowns.

I look to Reina and grimace. Shit on a stick. I’d forgotten they don’t know that my sire is dead. At least according to Mama Lisette.

“You didn’t tell them?” Reina shouts, her high- pitched screech hurting my ears.

“Tell us what?” Carver and Lucian bark at the same time.

“Uh… well, we kind of already saw a psychic. My sire is dead.” I shrug.

“Ma belle, you know most of the psychics here are fakes right?” His tone is patient rather than condescending, and it’s the only thing that saves him from my glass of wine being tossed in his face.

I roll my eyes. “I know that. I’m not new to earth. But she’s legit. Like, scare you straight, come to Jesus moment, life flash before your eyes legit.”

“What’s her name?” Lucian rubs the back of his neck, his posture tense. Again, I find myself wanting to comfort him. I push the thought of pressing myself up against him to the back of my mind for now. It’s not the time. Or the place.

“Mama Lisette.”

“Fucking hell.” Lucian growls.

“I take it you know of her?”

Lucian looks to Carver. “She’s the real deal. She’s half Aeos.”

Reina raises a hand. “For those of us that are new to this supernatural mishmash, what the hell is an Aeos?”

“Fae. She’s half fae.”

My jaw drops open. “I didn’t see that coming.”

“Me either.” Reina huffs. “No wonder no one fucks with her.”

“Right?” I look to Lucian. “So, you think she was telling the truth about my sire?”

“I’ve dealt with her before. She’s never been wrong about something she says in my dealings with her.” Lucian leans back against the wall. “We should assume that Aura sire is dead if Mama Lisette says he is. So, we can eliminate that possibility from our scenarios.”

“Great! So, I’m coming with you guys.”

“This doesn’t change much, Aura. You still can’t come with us,” Carver states.

“You can’t wrap me in cotton and tell me what to do, Carver. I’m an adult, and if you don’t take me with you, I’ll just follow you.”

“For once, would you just do as I ask, please?” Carver growls the words.

I look between Lucian and Carver. I’m probably over reacting by wanting to go with them. I just hate feeling like I could be doing something to help. Damsel I am not. Nor will I ever be one. “Will you promise to call us if anything happens?” I compromise.

“Oui. We will call if we think you need to be with us or if anything is amiss.” Carver pulls me into his chest, hugging me against his lean frame. I take a deep breath, inhaling his scent. He smells like sinful nights and earth after a rainstorm.

“Okay, then we’ll figure out something to do other than sit here and twiddle our thumbs.”

“Actually, it would be good if you’re out in public. There’s less chance anyone who is looking for you will attack in public. Most wouldn’t want to risk the exposure to humans.”

“Are you sure about that? They attacked that nightclub,” Reina points out.

“That’s true.” I wag my finger at them both.

“Yes, but among your options, the safest place is in public. Not at home.” Carver says.

“Fine.” I wrap my hair over one shoulder and shrug, “We could always go eat at Boomers Café, or hit one of the bars?”

Reina frowns, “What about all the food Row made us?”

“Pack it up, it’ll hold well in the freezer.” Row says.

“Whatever you do, do it together and stay together.” Carver presses a kiss to the top of my head and lets me go. “Row, Lucian, let’s get this over and done with.”

Lucian follows Carver out of the room, his gaze locked with mine until I can no longer see him. Row squeezes Reina’s hip as he passes by and tells us to enjoy the food if we’d like it.

The door closes behind them, and silence descends on the house. I look to Reina. “Well now what?”