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After a few songs have played, Wren finally seems to relax in my arms.
There are a fair amount of vampires here tonight, all seeking the same thing. Each staking a claim when they find a soul they deem particularly delectable. Speaking of delectable, I turn and pull Wren to my chest, crushing my lips to hers. Her nearness is enough to stir my arousal. I grumble and pull away.
There would be enough time for me later. Right now, I need them to see her.
I need them tolook.
A goddess graces their presence, and she hungers for their attention. She longs for their blood.
I press my lips to her temple. “I’m going to fade into the crowd. Just keep dancing, my love. Someone will approach before long. If biting them would please you, whisper to me, and I will help you from there.”
Her arms wrap around my neck. “How do I know if I can control her?”
The inner vampire, the primal force that sometimes takes Wren over and, in all her wild nature, has taken two lives now. “She is a part of you, my love. Do not fear her. You are meant to be one, but you were here first. She is an extension, and you have the power.”
With that, I part from her, shrinking into the shadows to watch.
Teaching new vampires to hunt isn’t difficult, but watching Wren try to coerce a human close enough to her is hard for me. I know it won’t take too long, and if it does, we will have a lesson in fast food.
A man approaches her, his eyes coveting what is not his.
I watch as she breathes him in deeply. I can tell this isn’t the human she seeks. She turns her back on him, dancing away.
Surprised at being refused, the man seethes. I reach a thought out, willing him to look my way. Proximity is essential to compulsion when you are new. My seven centuries and then some are enough to get this mortal to look at me from across the room.
His eyes flash to mine, and I can pinpoint the moment fear creeps down his backbone. Instead of pursuing Wren as he wants to, he turns away and retreats to his friends again.
I seek her out in the crowd once more. Unable to stop a sharp intake of breath when, to my surprise, I find her dancing with another man. Red colors the room as I am filled with the strong urge to rip him limb from limb.
Please don’t kill him. He smells tasty…
Rage simmers with annoyance and jealousy as my mate’s words cross my mind. This is the one she thirsts for. I examine him, trying to discern her type. His eyes are kinder than the last one. He seems unsure of himself, like he only worked up the courage because he had encouragement.
I smiled at him.
I begin crossing the room to them. Of course she did.
She could sense his goodness and gave him a welcoming smile.
No doubt it dazzled him until hehadto ask her to dance with him—poor fool. I drink in her form with my eyes. He isn’t wrong, though. She is stunning. The flashing lights of the club change her color with them. Each shift seems to reveal a different piece of her beauty.
A thought reaches out to her, ready to guide her through the next part.Compel him to follow you and bring him into the shadows with me.
Determination settles on her features, giving her a fierce look, like a warrior. I watch as she licks her lips and stares into the soul of the man before her. He stops moving to the music, enraptured by her beguilement. He is lost in her stare. I see her lips form the words, “Come with me.”
Her hand clasps his arm, guiding him, his bewitched feet willingly obeying her commands.
First try? Charlee was right. Impressive.
Rolando had done just as well some two hundred years ago. I want to take credit as a fantastic teacher, but I only guided him in compulsion, and he was a natural. Some vampires are just gifted in the art of beguiling humans. I think it has something to do with how charismatic they were in life.
Finally reaching me, I grin at the prideful look on her face. Smug. We are hidden at the edge of the room.
“Now, when you find where you’d like to feed from, listen closely to his heart. Keep your concentration and pull until his heartbeat starts to slow, and then stop.” I lend her my expertise, hoping it would give her a much-needed anchor to focus on.
Worry pinches her perfect face. “What if I can’t stop again?”
I brush her hair behind her ear, allowing my hand to graze her cheek as I do so. “You’ll be able to stop. And if you struggle this time, I’m here to help you.”
