“That’s so true. They’ll chalk it up to them having a steamy affair. And what would be the fun in leaving without spilling some blood?”

She cringed. “No one would buy that in a million years. Did you hear me when I said Veso is an asshole? We don’t get along and everyone knows it. He hates humans. I’m more than half.”

“You’re a pretty woman.” The older one stepped closer, staring down at her. “I’d have an affair with you.”

Her stomach revolted and she almost dry heaved at the thought of him touching her.

“Yes, I like that idea.” The older Vamp narrowed the distance between them too. “Your clan will believe you ran away with the VampLycan. Two lovers on the run.”

“You should believe what I’m telling you. I’m considered off limits by all the men. They don’t want to have weak babies with me. It’s that pesky human blood of mine. I’m good enough to work patrol but nothing more.”

“I didn’t say he had to mate you.” The Vampire with the accent leered at her. “You’re very fetching, and I know I want to fuck and suck on you.”

“Thanks,” she managed to get out. “But no thanks. There’s one problem with your lover scenario. I’m so human I can get pregnant without being mated. No VampLycan would take that chance. They also see me as too fragile to want to sleep with. To Veso, I’m about as sexy as that tree behind me.”

“I don’t believe that.” The older Vampire leered at her breasts, and then suddenly reached out, grabbed her badge and tore it off, the chain snapping. “Any man would want to fuck you.”

They were going to kill her anyway. “Cold and clammy isn’t my thing.” Her chin rose as she glared at him. “You’d be smarter to go with my plan. They’ll know something is wrong if I disappear. Veso would rather die than end up with someone like me as his lover. He’d rather hump a tree. Everyone knows that except you.”

Chris laughed. “She’s got spirit, Master.”

“That she does.” His eyes appeared black in his white face. “Do you know what a thrall is?”

“I’m immune to hypnotic suggestion.” She immediately regretted admitting that but it was too late. The idea of him attempting to persuade her to do anything sexual seemed too sickening.

He suddenly lunged and gripped her throat.

She could breathe but he had a firm hold. Kira didn’t struggle because she could feel his sharp fingernails digging into her neck. He’d rip skin open if she pulled away.

“I’m five hundred years old,” he hissed. “Do you know what that makes me?”

She bit back her first reply of him being a conceited asshole. “Stronger than younger Vampires.”

“That’s correct.” He leaned in and she smelled his breath. It wasn’t pleasant and he’d fed recently, judging by the strong stench of blood. “It doesn’t take much of my blood to turn someone.” He stared at her with those two evil black eyes, the white of them stark. “But they’re left weak if I’m not generous. It’s how we take brides or create very loyal soldiers. They aren’t strong enough to survive on their own and it leaves them very susceptible to mind control. That immunity you claim would be gone and I could bend you to my will.”

“My master already owns six brides,” Chris chuckled. “He’ll have one for every night of the week if he adds you to his collection. You don’t have one with her coloring yet.”

She was really starting to hate his “child”, or whatever he was to the older Vamp. The meaning was clear though, and she’d heard that some of the older Vampires kept a small harem of female lovers. It was said they were near slaves to their masters. Now she knew why they’d take that kind of treatment from a man. They literally had no choice.

She shivered and had to remember he could rip out her throat if she jerked away. She didn’t heal the way a VampLycan could. The process wasn’t as slow as a human’s but close. Too much blood loss would kill her.

“She does have pretty eyes, doesn’t she, Chris?”

“Blue is my favorite color.” The Vamp inched even closer.

The master turned his head and Kira sucked in a deep breath, happy not to be smelling his last meal anymore.

“I could give her to you. Is she pleasing enough? I prefer them a little more beautiful.”

“I wouldn’t kick her out of my bed, Master.”

“I shall give her to you.”

Kira had heard enough. She’d rather die than become some bloodbag’s sexual plaything. They were so intent on staring at each other with those creepy smiles, almost as if they were lovers sharing some sick joke, that she was able to slowly lift one leg without their notice. Her fingers tugged at the bottom of her pants and then wrapped around cool metal.

The shock alone might keep them off her ass for a few minutes. She had the advantage of knowing the area. One shot would be all she’d get off before they realized she wasn’t defenseless. She wouldn’t make it far but hoped they’d be so enraged that they’d kill her outright. It beat becoming the newest member of some Vampire harem, left at the mercy of some jerk who’d turn her into a blood whore. Her father would track the bastards to avenge her but it would be too late.

It was instinct to want to hurt the one who held her but the younger Vamp would be weaker. She hoped that was the case, anyway. A master would want to protect his creation and that meant he’d make sure Chris was okay before he gave chase. At least in theory.

“Um, hello?” She drew the master’s attention as he turned his head to peer at her. “Did you turn him, by any chance?” Confirmation would be good.

“Yes.”

“Great.” She lifted her arm and shoved the barrel of the small handgun under Chris’s chin, firing as soon as it made contact.

The sound of the bullet expelling hurt her ears and surprised them all, even though she’d been the one to pull the trigger. Chris was thrown back as blood splattered her face and skin where her shirt didn’t cover her. It was warm and wet.

The hold on her neck loosened as the older Vampire gasped. She fell back while firing again, seeing an opportunity to take advantage of the master seemingly frozen by witnessing his creation hit the ground. Two bullets tore into the master’s chest.