“Of course. As requested.” He pulls a small cooler from under his arm and sets it in the middle of my desk.
Quickly, I open the cooler and withdraw the vial. It’s filled with rich crimson liquid. I start to unscrew the cap and put it to my lips…then I hesitate. This moment is to be savored.
I reach into a desk drawer and pull out a fine crystal goblet. Setting it on my desk, I open the vial and pour the contents into the goblet. There’s a faint, iridescent sparkle to the crimson liquid that gives me hope.
I bring it to my nose and inhale deeply—Gods, what a scent! The rich yet delicate perfume of her blood tantalizes all my senses. My fangs grow long and sharp. At the same time, my cock goes rock-hard, straining against the zipper of my trousers.
Fuck, I want her.
But there’s only one way to be completely sure.
I bring the goblet to my mouth and take a sip. A flavor like wildflowers and ocean salt slips like silk across my tongue. At once I feel my Blood Lust ease. Just a little but after being tormented for years, any small reduction is a welcome relief.
I feel vitality filling me as well. Of course, only fresh blood straight from the source will really heal me, but even this small sample is enough to let me know Julia is the one I seek.
“It’s good, right?” Across from me, Whistler, who I had completely forgotten about, bounces up and down on his toes. “She’s the one, right? I can see it in your face. She’s the one.”
I frown at him. Any other male would be terrified to speak so casually to me—I could rip out his throat with my fangs in a heartbeat. But Whistler is either too stupid or too sure of himself to be afraid.
“She’s the one,” I confirm at last. “Are you certain you can bring her across?”
He cocks an eyebrow at me.
“Ain’t I the best damn Hopper in all the Shadow Realm? Of course I can bring her across.”
“Without the Magistrate seeing?” I press him. “After all, you’ll have to bring her through the Nocturne Gates right in the middle of the Central Hub.”
“You let me worry about the Magistrate, your Fanginess,” he says, nodding wisely. “I’ve got a glamour that’ll do the trick, so I do. Got it off a Fae wisewoman in the Briar Court, so I did. It’s a good one too—she’ll look like any other blood slave when I bring her through.”
“See that you’re not caught,” I tell him. “And be careful with the woman—protect her with your life.” I bare my fangs at him. “Or you’ll be fucking sorry.”
Whistler pales a little and whistles nervously through his teeth.
“Oh, I intend to, my Lord,” he says, dropping his disrespectful attitude all at once. “She’ll be safe as can be—that I promise.”
“See that she is. When are you bringing her through?” I ask.
He frowns and sucks his teeth.
“Either tonight or tomorrow morning. Whenever I can catch her alone long enough to open a portal. But you’ll have her soon, my Lord. Very soon—I swear to that.”
“Good.” I sit back in my padded office chair and take another delicate sip of the finest blood I’ve ever tasted. I’ll have my own Abundant Queen, and no one will know it.
Julia Carter, soon you’ll be my bride…whether you want to or not.
3
Jules
At last it’s quitting time. I can’t get out of the building where Sutherland and Sons Accounting is located quickly enough. I catch a few curious stares as I leave the office, but nobody actually says anything. Well, except for Donald Pugh, who corners me by the elevators.
“Well, well, little lady,” he drawls, leaning in close and putting an arm above my head. His breath smells like coffee and stale peanuts, which he eats by the handful at his desk all day.
“Excuse me, Donald.” I press the button for the elevator and step pointedly away from him. Unfortunately, this obvious move doesn’t put him off.
“It looked to me like maybe you were getting into some hot water back there.” He smirks knowingly, sidling closer. “Was Philbens getting onto you about something? Actually, I wouldn’t mind getting onto you myself.”
Then he laughs like he just made a funny joke.
