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THE MOMENT I WALKEDinto Liam’s club, my heartbeat quickened and saliva pooled in my mouth. The scent of blood pumping through everyone’s veins was so overwhelming I staggered and turned to dart back out the door.
I had my palm on it when I stopped. If I left, Liam would come after me. This was the plan. I had to stick with the plan.
I’d been locked in a hotel room for five days, and I hadn’t realized how powerful the cravings were until tonight. The need to taste blood disgusted me, and yet, as I weaved my way through the crowd, I licked my lips and my eyes lingered on patrons’ throats.
How was I going to make it through tonight?
But I had to. Jedrik promised once I met with Liam and convinced him I had no blood craving, so he thought the drop of blood had no effect, then Jedrik would get me out of here. Ten minutes. I could do this.
My eyes landed on Liam. Shit. Maybe I couldn’t. There was a strange draw toward him, as if my body was on a string attached to him and he was slowly reeling me in.
I would not become his puppet. Fuck that.
I raised my chin, took a deep breath, and smiled.
The crowd parted like the Red Sea as he made his way toward me with long, confident strides. He had a captivating allure about him, handsome face with a strong, carved jaw, and high cheek bones. When he smiled, as he did now, it was like drawing a kid to candy, irresistible.
Liam stopped in front of me and kissed both my cheeks. “There she is. My witch.” His palm firm on the small of my back, he tugged me toward him. “It’s been too long, my love. Where have you been hiding?” He leaned in to me, lips grazing my ear as he whispered, “Mmmm, you thirst my blood, don’t you?”
I did, but he couldn’t know that. “No. I’m fine actually.” He scowled, but didn’t say anything. “And I wasn’t hiding.” A lie, of course, and I thanked God vampires couldn’t read witches’ minds. “I had a few things to look after.” I half-smiled, looking up at him.
Jedrik told me to play it cool, but all I wanted to do was get as far away from Liam as I could. I had to get through tonight, make Liam believe everything was okay.
“Come to my table. I’m finishing off some business.” He tilted his head, tongue sliding across the hollow of my throat. Tingling erupted, but it wasn’t good tingles; this was warning tingles as my thirst for blood intensified. “Easy, love. You will taste me soon enough.”
Shit, could he sense it? I had to be really careful or this would blow up in my face.
He led me through the crowd, most of whom nodded and smiled at Liam. Some offered hands, which Liam graciously accepted—he was a gentleman after all—nothing fazed him and everyone either liked him or was so frightened of him they wanted to keep on his good side. The humans, of course, were oblivious to what he was.
Liam stopped one of the waiters. “Two red wines at my table.”
“I’d rather have water, Liam.” Having a glass filled with red liquid sitting in front of me was not going to help my intensifying thirst for blood.
“Two wines,” Liam reiterated to the waiter and the guy darted into the crowd before I could say anything.
The bastard was testing my control, and as stubborn and determined as I was, he just might win this battle, because as we weaved through the crowd, my body screamed for blood while my mind rejected it. I couldn’t focus on anything without splotches of red impairing my vision. I wanted to run,, yet part of me yearned to grab Liam and sink my teeth into his neck.
But that was what he wanted. Why he asked me here tonight. To see if I was ready to willingly drink his blood.
Liam’s reserved table was located at the back of the club close to the dance floor, but far enough away not to be bumped and bothered by some of the more untamed and intoxicated patrons. The booth was clothed in red velvet with a black marble table in the center with red candles flickering shadows across the surface. The entire club was done in black and crimson with a hint of white, like a candle or throw pillow in the lounging area.
Liam squeezed my waist to get my attention when we stopped at his table. “Abigail, my love, may I introduce Jasmine. A new business acquaintance of mine.” Bastard knew I hated when he called me Abigail.
“A pleasure,” the woman nodded to me, but remained seated in the booth.
She wrapped her long, manicured fingers around her wine glass and lifted it to her bright red lips. My eyes widened and breath caught in my throat when I noticed the white webbing tattooed on her fingers.
Shit, she was a Lilac. A vampire and a Lilac together couldn’t be good.
I’d never met a Lilac, as they were rare, but this woman’s gorgeous appearance matched how Trinity had described their fabled beauty. Perfectly smooth skin with long, ash-blonde hair that hung over her shoulders in soft tresses. Her eyes were so blue it was as if a can of cerulean paint had splashed into them. No wonder Lilac’s were able to draw in any man they chose. Not so good for the men.
What was Liam doing with a Lilac? What was a Lilac doing in Toronto? As far as I knew, it was an off-limits city, considering Waleron resided here and everyone knew Waleron’s history with Lilacs.
“Sit, my love.” Liam gestured with his arm to the booth. I slid in and he slid in after me. Jasmine sat across from us. “Abigail is making the Transition,” Liam drawled.
“Is that so?” Jasmine’s thin, penciled-on brows lifted. “My understanding is that you’re a witch at present. An interesting combination.”
So, Liam had spoken with this woman before and, obviously, it wasn’t all business. “Well, I don’t know if it worked—”
