Fresh Blood Read Online Free PDF Page B

news.
    “What are they--” He cut off her query by
squeezing her shoulder. When would she learn not to talk so
much?
    “They’re all feeding. There are lots of ways
to feed. We’ll try them all, eventually.” The darker voice he
adopted in the clubs reminded him of the early days when he roamed
the streets of London doing as he pleased. Such a long time ago,
after he’d gotten over the shock of being turned. He didn’t miss
those times. The loneliness had nearly destroyed him.
    Things were better here in the States where
vampire infrastructure had taken root so quickly over the last half
century. Of course, in Europe, his kind commanded more respect from
humans, but garnered more fear as well. There, he was still
considered a monster. Here, he was ... something else--a member of
a shadow society. A curiosity. Most people who knew vampires
existed preferred to pretend they didn’t. Whether that was better
or worse than being feared, he hadn’t decided.
    The back room of Club Dead had been set up to
resemble a city park, with artificial trees and bushes, benches and
rocks, dimly lit lamp posts and bubbling fountains, some of which
oozed cool carbon dioxide mist across the floor. As they moved
through the setting, he gently turned Erica so that she could see
each scene as it took place.
    He hoped she didn’t identify her sister in
one of the alcoves. If Elena Talbot was here, lying naked in the
arms of a vampire lover, Max wasn’t sure how he’d get her out
without getting both he and Erica ripped to shreds. They’d have to
stake out the door, no pun intended, and wait until Elena left.
    Times like this, Max was grateful his heart
didn’t beat anymore. The adrenaline pumping through his system
would have choked him. As it was, he smelled the sharp scents of
excitement, fear and desire all around him, but most strongly from
Erica. It rolled off her in waves that teased his heightened senses
unmercifully. Why hadn’t he listened to his inner voice when it
shouted at him that this was a bad idea? Was it because he’d been
attracted to Erica immediately? Was it because he didn’t want to
send her back to her safe human world where she belonged if there
was the slightest chance he might entice her to spend some time in
his?
    When she stopped mid-step he tensed. “What is
it?” he whispered next to her ear.
    She didn’t respond. In the alcove before
them, a female vampire stood naked and chained to the faux
lamppost, her thin arms stretched high above her head. A human male
knelt at her feet working to fasten leather cuffs at her ankles.
She writhed under the ministrations of a second human male who
flogged her thighs with a leather strap.
    Max tried to pull Erica along but she stood
frozen, her lips parted and her pulse racing.
    When the vampiress noticed her audience she
bared her fangs and smiled. With a tilt of her head she extended an
invitation to join in.
    Erica shuddered against Max, and he tightened
his grip on her waist. He shook his head slowly and showed his
fangs, which seemed to satisfy the female. She shrugged her
disappointment and turned her attention back to her own
pleasure.
    Max and Erica moved on to the next alcove
where two male vampires fed from a human female. She lay
spread-eagled on a flat rock, her eyes wide and her mouth slack.
One vampire drank from her neck as he caressed her breasts through
the thin fabric of her silk blouse. The other drank from her inner
thigh, one hand hidden in the folds of her short, black skirt. The
woman moaned and bucked against his hand.
    “Do you see Elena?” Max rasped as he pulled
Erica forward toward the exit. If he didn’t get her out of here
soon, they’d end up in one of the empty alcoves.
    “No ...”
    “Good. It’s time to go.”
     
    * * * *
     
    The cool night air shocked Erica’s senses
after the sultry heat of the club. She drew in a deep cleansing
breath and broke from Max’s grasp as the back door clicked shut
behind them.
    She