Gage’s lips thinned, but he dropped a few bills into the outstretched palm. The vagrant grinned, showing off his missing teeth yet again.
“She passes like a shadow, never twice in the same place. But her coils leave traces if you know how to see.” The old man leaned closer, dropping his voice. “Seek in the underground where sin dwells. The snake finds solace among her own.”
Katy inwardly groaned. “Are you seriously pulling a Smeagol on us? We aren’t hobbits, and we don’t have time for riddles.” Okay, so maybe Katy was less scared of him than she realized, or perhaps it was the Dire Wolf beside her that made her so bold.
Joel shrugged. “I can only tell you what I know. What you do with the information is up to you, she-wolf.” He stared ather for several seconds and then shook his head. “Times are a’changing.”
With that, he scuttled back into the doorway. Katy worried her bottom lip. “If I haven’t ever mentioned it, I’m doing so now. I do not like riddles. Make a note of that in your ‘getting to know my mate’ binder.” She ran a hand through her hair and huffed. “Underground sin spots? Well, that could be anywhere in Vegas.”
Gage nodded grimly as they continued down the street. “Indeed, this city has many vices to indulge. But it’s more information than we had before we came across Ol’ Joel.”
When Katy stumbled over a cracked section of sidewalk, Gage caught her arm firmly. “Enough for tonight, I think. We both need rest.” He looked at her face and ran a thumb just under her eye. “And you need more blood. You look exhausted.”
“It’s not polite to tell your mate she looks exhausted,” she chided. But Katy didn’t argue. Now that the excitement of a potential lead was fading, weariness was creeping in. She let Gage guide her away from the declining neighborhood, back toward the bright lights of downtown. Soon, they were checked into a simple, but clean, hotel room near the heart of the Strip.
Katy sank gratefully onto the edge of the bed and curled her toes into the plush carpet. Gage crouched before her, his eyes roaming her face.
“Are you well, Mate? I know this has been trying.”
She offered a tired smile and reached up to cradle his stubbled jaw. “I’m okay. This is all still very new and strange. But I’m adapting.”
Gage turned his head to press a kiss to her palm, as they both seemed apt to do. Katy liked that they hada thing. “You continue to surprise and impress me.” His gaze grew serious, tinged with a hint of guilt. “I wish I did not have to draw you in to such darkness.”
Katy shook her head firmly, leaning closer to him. “This became my fight the second Azure’s magic invaded my life. I won’t rest until he’s stopped.”
Pride glowed in Gage’s emerald eyes. He rose fluidly to capture her mouth in a passionate kiss. When they parted, he kept his forehead pressed to hers.
“With your brave spirit beside me, I fear no darkness,” he rasped. Drawing back, Gage traced a tender hand down her cheek. “Let me feed you, and then you rest. We will be back on the hunt in the morning.”
Katy nodded, exhaustion creeping over her. She knew she needed Gage’s blood soon to restore her waning strength.
Gage moved to sit on the bed beside her and rested his back against the headboard. He slid a knife from his belt and drew the sharp blade across his wrist. Crimson welled up immediately.
Katy shifted closer, a bit hesitant. She understood the necessity but still felt bashful each time. She was essentially consuming a part of him.
Sensing her reluctance, Gage cradled the back of her neck and guided Katy gently forward. “It’s all right, Little Wolf,” he murmured. “Take what you need.”
The rich, earthy scent of his blood flowed over Katy, awakening her hunger. She grasped his forearm lightly and brought her lips to the cut. The first taste was euphoric. Heat and life flooded her senses.
Katy sucked greedily, the strength rapidly returning to her drained limbs. She could feel Gage’s pulse hammering beneath her questing mouth. Gripping his arm tighter, she took deeper draws, consumed with desperation to get her fill.
A soft moan escaped her lips when Gage slid his fingers into her hair, clutching firmly. The slight edge of pain only intensified Katy’s need. She pressed closer, consumed solely with draining this powerful being who sustained her life force.
Just as she thought she could take no more, Gage gently pulled her back. Katy whimpered in protest, chasing his wrist with blood-smeared lips. Chuckling indulgently, he cupped her face in both hands.
“Enough for now, Beloved,” Gage whispered. “The last thing we need is a ravenous she-wolf roaming the Vegas nightlife.” Mirth danced in his emerald eyes.
Katy drew a shuddering breath as rational thought returned. She wiped the back of her hand over her sticky lips, abashed by her animalistic ardor.
Gage tipped her chin up, and his smile faded. “Do not be ashamed, Katy. We are bound together now. My life is yours to take freely.”
She nodded slowly, comforted by his words. The urgent need was already fading as strength coursed through her veins once more. With a soft sigh, Katy relaxed into the shelter of Gage’s arms. She was grateful not to face this bizarre new reality alone.
He pressed a tender kiss to her temple. “Rest now. You’re safe.”
Reassured, Katy let her heavy eyelids drift shut. The last thing she felt was Gage wiping a warm cloth gently over her mouth, erasing all traces of their intimate act. Then exhaustion claimed her, and the odd night’s events faded away into welcome darkness.
Zeena wandered the crowded casino floor. Her reptilian senses were on high alert, though her true nature was hidden under a sophisticated facade. The cloying smells and ceaseless noise pressed in on her from all sides, grating on already raw nerves. She despised having to take this weakened Chaos form. Herbeautiful, true animal features were muted to pass among the tourists and gamblers.But desperate times.She inwardly sighed.
