Desire by Blood Read Free Page B

very likely the bastard would've challenged
me on the spot—possibly even attacked me.”
    Shock crossed Gray’s face. “Truly? That would have been a
sight.”
    Nico ground his teeth again, but this time not to keep them
hidden. Gray was a good sort, but he was young, especially for a vampire. He
was not around for the last purging, and he did not know just how bad this mess
could end up.
    “He probably doesn't know I am a Born and has no idea what
is going on. His body is telling him to pursue her. And since she has no
protection, like your sisters and others in the ton do, he knows she would be easier to prey upon.”
    “I'll get a man on him, and I'll talk to father about his
connections, where he has been before. I hope this doesn't end up like that bit
of business you had to handle up north.”
    With that, Gray left Nico alone.
    There would be no way out of it; Hurst would have to die,
but not before they got some information out of the bastard. The one he had to
kill three weeks ago had been too far gone to question, but Hurst seemed to still
be functioning surprisingly well. Nico didn’t expect that to last. If they
could grab the viscount off the street, they might be able to persuade him to
talk. He'd make plans tonight with Malik. Time was precious when a vampire had
been Made. If they were not handled properly, they would turn into craven
beasts, searching out the nearest Carrier to consume. If the woman didn't die,
she would wish she had.
    Now Hurst had apparently set his sights on Lady Cordelia.
And that bothered Nico. Exceedingly.
    With a sigh, he straightened away from the desk. His body
was still humming with anticipation of a joining. While he could not satisfy
the mating call Lady Cordelia had nearly wrested from him, he could find a
woman to slake his lust.
    He walked to the door but it blew open, bringing Lady
Cordelia with it. His body responded immediately. His blood heated with the
need he had tried to ignore. The normally perfectly coiffed curls that dangled
over her ears were in disarray. A look of irritation marred her usually smooth
features. She slammed the door shut behind her and then leaned against it much
the same way that Gray had. Clearly, she did not notice him in the room.
    “Stupid man.” She locked the door behind her and then patted
down her hair. “He is becoming a real trial.”
    “I hope you are not referring to me,” Nico said.
    She started and then peered in the shadowed corner where he
stood.
    “Mr. Blackburn?”
    He cursed himself the moment he realized she could not see
in the darkness. If he had stayed quiet, she would not have seen him. She had
not mated yet, so she possessed only human abilities.
    He stepped out of the corner. “It is I. I take it from your
comments that you did not follow me here?”
    She sniffed. “Of course not. I am trying to avoid that idiot
Hurst. Why on earth he has decided to bother me now is beyond me.”
    Bloody hell. Hurst’s constant pursuit could herald the
coming of his Blood Lust. If the viscount touched her, he’d likely sink into
madness. Something would have to be done—tonight.
    “Come, now, Lady Cordelia. You could easily attract his
lordship’s attention for any number of reasons.”
    She mumbled something under her breath that sounded like
“not bloody likely.”
    At least she understood there was danger. Unfortunately, it
did not help his protective instincts. The need to shelter her, keep her safe,
coursed through his blood along with a healthy dose of lust. He did not speak
for fear of revealing the depth of his need.
    Silence loomed several moments, then without any warning she
flashed him a brilliant smile. He blinked as he watched her approach, amazed at
the change in her expression. And wary. No woman could be trusted, especially a
Carrier. Those with the ability to birth vampires were frighteningly
clever—they had to be to survive. He knew without a doubt, Lady Cordelia was
working something out in her brain