“The guy trying to take over the world. What’s he want?” I stood, ready to make a run for it.
“You. And he is a far better fighter than I.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Over the past two years, I’d been through a lot. Attacked, nearly killed, lost a good friend, discovered vampires were real, kidnapped by a vampire, forced to marry a vampire, tortured by him, set free, sent to prison, and then made to believe I was a vampire. Every step of the way, I told myself I could make it through anything because I was a Kicklighter. I had my family behind me. My friends. The customers at the Rooster.
However, this situation was different. I was in deep pucky (see, Mamma, still trying to stop swearin’), and there wasn’t a dang thing I could do about it.
A very powerful vampire was at Stark’s door, once again wanting to take me because I had become aPac-Manpower pellet in their world.
Funny how Stark had been right in a way. He’d told me that things were going to get real bumpy, and if I wanted to protect myself, I’d have to turn. Now I felt like a pretty little duck in a pond, the barrel of a shotgun pointed right at me.
The doorbell rang again, and I looked up at Stark with wide eyes as we stood in the middle of his master bedroom. “What if you lose?”
“Then you lie. Pretend you loathe me more than anything in this world.”
“That wouldn’t exactly be lyin’, now would it?” I planted a hand on my waist and tilted my head to one side.
“This is no time for your Southern sass, Masie. If I lose and he captures you, do anything in your power to make him believe you are on his side. Flatter him. Bide your time.” He pointed a finger at me. “Keep your words short, do not look him in the eyes, or he will know you are lying, and above all, smile.”
“Smile?”
“You are very beautiful, and vampires find your perkiness rather irresistible. Won’t hurt to show a little cleavage, too.”
“Stark! This is stupid. Get me out of here.”
“I must face him,” he said.
“Now?Nowyou decide to stand up? You’ve done nothing but lie, cheat, and steal your entire life. Steal me away right now!”
Stark dipped his head of silky dark locks, his expression solemn. “If I do not face him and guard you with my life, he will know you are an imposter. Only a great and powerful vampire would risk everything for someone like Anna.”
“Way to complimenta girl there, champ.” I wasn’t a reincarnated vampire queen, but I wasn’t a used gum wrapper either.
“Do not look at me like that,” he scolded. “Because this great and powerful vampire is really risking his life for you.You.Not her.” Stark came at me hard, snaked his arm around my back, and dipped me. He pressed his mouth to mine, kissing me deeply. The heat of his lips, the slow stroke of his tongue against mine, the sweetness of his breath—oh wait, that’s the air freshener—melted my body into his.
Suddenly, I was upright again, free of his embrace.
He licked his lips. “I really wish I could eat you one last time.”
“Me too.” Secret: I’d gone down on him more than once in the shower, and it had been hotter than our whiskey. “You have a very nice cock.”
“See. You are still wicked, Masie. Never change.” He kissed my cheek. “It has been a pleasure knowing you, despite your lack of German. And do not forget, when he turns you—”
“He’s gonna turn me?”No, no, no.If anyone was going to do it, it had to be Stark or Daddy. Not some stranger who was supposedly eviler than the rest.
“Very likely. And after he does, tell the vampire world to stand down. Tell them you were mistaken and coexistence is not possible.” Stark pulled a tiny gold amulet, shaped like a bullet, from his pocketand placed it in my hand.
This was the super moonshine? “Stark—”
“One drop is all you need, but do not take it until you are changed. Do you understand? Otherwise, it will drive you mad.”
I began to hyperventilate. “How do I make them listen?”
“Use that Kicklighter courage, and tap into their fears. Order them to leave immediately and relocate to my island or they will risk losing their wealth, positions, and covens.”
“You want me to tell two million vampires to move?” That was the size of their population according to Stark.
