Jana was true to her word and it wasn’t long after that they arrived at a non-descript building with an underground garage that she gained them access to.

Quinn’s body thrummed with barely restrained power as they made their way inside, Ace and Thorne dragging the semi-conscious prisoner between them. With Jana leading the way they made it past the local staff, albeit with curious stares, some of which had the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. This was the last place he’d voluntarily enter: A Directive office. One that had the capabilities to incarcerate his kind, and any other supernatural being. It didn’t sit right with him to be in such a place but he had to interrogate the Russian who could give him the answers he was hoping for and lead him to Amaya.

The thought of her in the hands of men such as this tore at his insides . . . or was that the Thirst taking hold again? His throat was closing rapidly. Dry as the Sahara, his tongue appeared to have swollen to twice its normal size in the last few minutes, and Quinn was certain he’d have to feed again imminently. He snuck a glance at Thorne, relieved when he saw that he had the backpack with his blood supply on his shoulder. At least he wouldn’t be placed in the embarrassing position of having to ask for any, because he sure as hell knew he was going to need it . . . and soon.

The Thirst was rearing its ugly head again with a vengeance. One he’d hoped he could ignore until after he’d questioned the Bear Shifter, but it didn’t look like he’d last until then. The urge to tear into someone, anyone’s throat and drink them dry was rising with each step they took and he only hoped he could control himself until he could feed in private. Drinking from donor bags in front of Jana had been bad enough. Doing so in full view of the entire team was not something he was going to do . . . it was inconceivable. Impossibly embarrassing and he refused to allow them to see him in such a compromising position. Especially that damn Scots Wolf, Mac. Not going to happen.

He just had to hang on for a few minutes longer.

“Jana, where are we taking him?” he asked, trying to sound as if he were eager to commence his interrogation and not desperate to feed.

“There’s a cell we can use at the end of this corridor.” She looked over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow when she saw him. “You all right?”

“I’m fine.” He noticed a sign for restrooms up ahead. “I need to freshen up. I’ll be there in a minute.”

She carried on. “Sure, last on the right, when you’re ready.”

Quinn was grateful she didn’t turn around as he quickly snatched the backpack from a surprised Thorne and sped toward the sanctity of the bathroom. When he slammed through the door, a young man was washing his hands, he turned toward him with wide eyes and a shocked look on his face. He opened his mouth, obviously ready to ask Quinn who the hell he was but Quinn didn’t give him the chance, grabbing him by the shoulder and shoving him toward the door.

“Get out, now.” Quinn was on the verge of losing control. He felt it leaving him, draining away from him with each passing second. The man’s pulse in his throat was like a beacon, screaming at him to tear into it and drain him dry . . . right that very moment. “You need to leave.”

Quinn didn’t recognize his own voice. It was thick with his need for blood, to feed . . . no not feed. To fucking feast on the being before him. He wasn’t even sure what the man was. Wolf, Fae, hell he could’ve been a damn Witch for all he cared. All he knew was if he didn’t leave that very instant that he was going to drain him fucking dry right there in a damn Directive building. He didn’t care that it would be the end of him, couldn’t seem to be concerned that it would bring down a hail of fire and brimstone if he killed one of their own. Hell, he couldn’t give a shit about any of that, all he could think of, focus on, was the blood that pumped through the warm body that still stood before him. Ignoring his warning to leave and glaring at him in anger.

Oh well, the fool’s fate was sealed. Quinn’s fangs sprang free, ready and eager to sink into this idiot’s jugular and drink him dry. He took a deliberate step toward him and still he stood there glowering at him. Fool. Could he not see what he was? Did he not know his death was staring him in the eyes? Was he so stupid that he couldn’t fathom what stood before him? Whatever . . . Quinn could hold back no longer. The Thirst had taken over. His skin was on fire, his stomach felt as if he hadn’t fed in weeks, and his mouth lusted to be filled with warm blood straight from the vein.

“You had your chance.” Quinn gabbled around his large, razor sharp fangs . . . just as the door behind the man sprang open and Thorne appeared, snatching the man’s collar and throwing him out.

“Get out of here,” Thorne spat out before turning to face him, hands up in surrender. “Q, it’s all right, there’s blood in the pack there. Look, you dropped it on the floor. It’s behind you, at your feet. Pick the damn thing up and feed. Quickly, before Jana comes looking for you like I did.”

Quinn’s anger rose like a flaming hot fire. Thorne had denied him his blood straight from the vein, and now stood between him and the quarry he knew must still be nearby. Snarling he stepped forward, waving Thorne away. “Get out of my way, Thorne. I want warm blood, not that shit from the bag.”

Thorne looked at him as if he were insane. As if he didn’t know him but he didn’t care. All he cared about was the beating heart he could hear receding down the hallway. “What the fuck, Q? Stop this, now, before it’s too late . . . Amaya needs you. Do you hear me? Amaya needs you!”

Thorne rushed him, his arm snaking back and before he could blink his friend did the unthinkable. He punched him square in the face. He never envisaged Thorne doing such a thing, never thought his friend would ever lay a hand on him so to say he was shocked was the biggest fucking understatement in the world. His face hurt like a bitch, but more importantly, it shocked him out of the bloodlust haze that had taken over him. Quinn shook his head, clearing it further, running a hand over his face and seeing the evidence of Thorne’s punch as he brought it away: blood on his palm.

“Here! Drink these, now. That’s not a request.” Thorne pushed several bags toward him.

Quinn took them, silently gulping down the cold, red liquid and handing back the empty containers. When he was finished he went over to the sinks and cleaned himself up and only then did he turn to face his friend. “I apologize. I guess this Thirst is affecting me more than I thought.”

“Yeah, no shit Sherlock.” Thorne exhaled loudly, running a hand through his short hair. “They’re ready to start on the Russian so let’s just get back there and forget what went on in here.”

“I’m sorry, Thorne,” Quinn reiterated. “Truly.”

“I know you are, Q, but you were ready to eat that guy and you can’t do that.” Thorne sighed again. “Let’s just hope we can find Amaya soon before you lose control again.”

Quinn didn’t reply. Didn’t attempt to say that it wouldn’t happen again, because he was beginning to understand just what this Thirst was and how powerful it was, and more importantly, the consequences of being separated from his Bloodmate. He feared if they weren’t reunited, and soon, that he would completely lose his mind and that would be when Jana and the rest of her team would put him down like a fucking dog before he could go on a feeding frenzy and cause the damage a Vampire as ancient and strong as he was could wreak.

As Thorne led him toward the cell where the prisoner was being held he wondered how they would do it. He was an ancient, powerful and wouldn’t be easy to take down, but between them he was under no illusions that they’d manage it. Delia was also an ancient, and with the Witch involved and Jana? Hell, yeah, they’d kill him okay, not easily because in the throes of the damn Thirst he’d fight like a madman but they’d still get the better of him and he’d never know the joy of holding Amaya in his arms. Or feel her lips on his, her skin beneath his fingers, hear her scream his name as they joined together in ecstasy . . . no!

He wouldn’t allow that to happen. He would get the answers he needed and rescue her before it got that far. Before he got that far and was lost to the madness that lurked just beneath the surface. He had to or his happiness, his future would be lost forever.

“Let’s do this,” he snarled as Thorne stopped at the door that separated him from the one person who held the answers to everything. Every-fucking-thing.