Page 8 of Quintus

“You totally kidnapped that chick.”

“She needs help. Besides, once I roused, I could tell there were people coming. We had to get out of there. Eggs?”

“Did you ask her if she wanted to come here? What the hell, Quint? It’s not like we didn’t pull that shit when we first turned, but it’s been centuries. We…no, correct that, you don’t need any trouble with her coven.”

“She doesn’t like witches.”

“Bullshit. All witches have a coven. I’m not sayin’ we don’t bite a witch every now and then, but fuck. You can’t just take them. You ever hear the expression you catch more flies with honey?”

“Eggs? They’re getting cold,” Quintus replied, ignoring him.

“Okay fine. Give me the damn eggs. Jesus, you have issues.” He waved the plate towards him. “You know I’m not going to eat this shit.”

“That’s a good vampire,” Quintus teased, setting it on the table. “Food is good for the soul. Reminds you of who you once were.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Viktor stabbed at the food with the fork and then set the utensil down on the plate.

“I did not kidnap Gabriella,” Quintus stated.

“Gabriella is it? Ah, the witch has a name.”

“Yes she does.” Quintus placed another plate of eggs on the table and sat. Lifting a forkful of the fluffy goodness to his mouth, he ate it and sighed. “Hmm…it’s good.”

“The scent…it does remind me of being human. You’re always fucking right.”

“You know that I am. I’m older.”

“By three weeks.” He rolled his eyes.

“This witch. There is something…” Quintus hesitated to share his concerns about how he’d read her memories. “We have some sort of a connection. I’m not sure why or what it is. It could be her blood. I don’t know.”

“The plot thickens.”

“I don’t know what’s going on but I do know she’s not just witch. Like maybe she’s a hybrid of some kind. I’ve tasted witch blood on occasion. It’s never done anything particularly special for me.”

“Maybe you just haven’t bitten the right witch. I know I’ve tasted quite a few. Their magick. You often can taste it. It has a distinct flavor.”

“It’s more than that. I was dying. And now…” Quintus set his fork on the table, his gaze meeting Viktor’s. “You know, we often can sense things from blood. But this…I could read her.”

“You can do that. You’re a vampire.”

“This was different. All I know is that she’s in trouble. I owe her my life.”

“Is she hot?” A mischievous smile broke across Viktor’s face.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Hot as fuck. Quintus stabbed hard at the eggs.

“She is hot. All right. Now we’re talkin’. Or your dick is talkin’. Yeah, pretty sure this is all related to your dick. Let me see her and let’s see what my dick says.”

“Fuck off. It doesn’t matter how she looks.” It’s how she feels. “She’s scared of other witches. I know that much. Whatever is going on, my instincts tell me it isn’t going to be good for any of us.”

“Witches, baby. They can be trouble, all right. Have you heard from Ilsbeth?”

“Ilsbeth.” Quintus stretched his neck side to side, releasing the tension. The mere mention of the bitch caused his blood pressure to rise. “Look at what she did to the wolves. You heard she’s playin’ a game now. Saying she’s not a witch. Calls herself Zella. It’s some bullshit.”

“At least the coven down here’s run by Samantha now. They won’t have as many issues. At home though…”

“What’s going on?” Quintus asked, his eyes trained on Viktor. “What aren’t you telling me?”