This vampire was old. Much older than he let on. He was muting his aura, letting only a little scent the air.
“You are interrupting,” the vampire said again, his deep, cultured voice vibrating through the air.
Nora’s fury returned. “You are out of line.”
“I’m okay,” Jennifer said. “Really.” She turned back toward the vampire.
Nora did not release her arm. Even if this asshole had not been an arrogant prick, she would never let his kind chew on her friend’s neck. She waited until Jennifer looked at her again. “You need to go.”
The vampire’s entrancement battled with Nora’s compulsion. She’d already been on edge because of her father’s stranglehold on her life. With the full moon only a night away—a fact this vampire should know—she itched to unleash violence and bloodshed. She would take out her frustration on this fool who thought she was just some young werewolf to dismiss.
She yanked again on Jennifer’s arm, this time swinging her free hand at the vampire’s throat. He took an unhurried step backward.
Unhurried?
She should slaughter him.
“Ow!” Jennifer said. “What’s wrong with you?”
“You will draw the attention of the humans,” the vampire said.
“Then step outside.” She felt her canines sharpen, knew her eyes were rimmed in wolf gold.
Jennifer tried to pull free. “I told you I’m fine. You’re starting to piss me off.”
“Do you intend to take her place then?” the vampire inquired.
Nora let out a cold laugh and held his gaze. She would never let a vampire taste her blood. Never.
“Sure. I’ll replace her.” Sarcasm saturated the words.
A heartbeat passed. Then two. Then three.
“You no longer feel safe,” the vampire said. “Go.”
His eyes never left Nora’s, but Jennifer froze. Terror permeated the air, and Nora’s mouth watered even while her conscience objected to his method of sending her friend away. Her friends kept her sane, treating her like a human instead of a wolf or Lehr’s daughter. They didn’t deserve these mental manipulations.
When Nora released Jennifer’s arm, she tripped in her haste to flee. She didn’t pause, not even to see if Nora followed.
“You have crossed the line, vampire.”
“Then by all means, teach me a lesson.” He stepped aside and motioned to the exit.
She bristled. He was trying to take control, giving her permission to leave the building. Instead of walking to the door, she took two steps and stopped inches in front of him.
“You first,” she said.
His expression didn’t change, but she had the feeling he was laughing when he turned his back on her, then pushed open the door.
Her jaw ached, wanting to clamp down on flesh and bone. She held in the violence, held in her wolf, and followed him into the alley.
When she emerged, his gaze took her in, head to toe, like he had inside Swirl, but this time he didn’t dismiss her. This time she scented his desire.
“What happened to Jennifer being the most beautiful woman in the place?” She approached him, her hips swaying.
“We are alone.” He gestured to the deserted alley. “So you will suffice.”
She launched herself at the bastard. Her fist hit his mouth with a satisfying thud. She kicked at his knee, intending to take him to the ground, but he was quick. He caught her wrist and swung her through the air.
