Immortal Craving (Dark Dynasties) Read Free Page A

looking for her. Especially not day-walking vampires with wild eyes and problems staying conscious.
    He moved to pick up a pair of sunglasses on the floor, and she was struck again by his natural grace. It shouldn’t have surprised her. The majority of the vampires now in Tipton had started as Cait Sith, cat-shifters, before joining Lily’s dynasty. The lot of them had grace and beauty in spades. But there was something different here, something more. And she hated herself a little as her eyes crawled over the lithe, muscular frame that even his light jacket and loose jeans couldn’t disguise.
    Bay gritted her teeth and inhaled, trying to center herself.
    The vampire slid his sunglasses on. It was a small relief, but she’d take it, even though knowing he was watching her from behind them was still unnerving. He regarded her silently for a moment, studying her so intently that Bay felt a hot flush creeping into her cheeks. Finally, he spoke, and managed to surprise her.
    “I… apologize,” he said, his brows drawing together slightly as he looked down at the mess he’d made by falling. “We’ll start over. My name is Tasmin Singh. I can walk in the light because it is a gift of my line. And I’m looking for your friend because…” He trailed off for a moment, then looked away.
    “It is a long story.”
    “Something to do with you passing out in the middleof my store?” Bay asked. His features tightened for an instant before his expression cleared again.
    “Perhaps. I slept far longer than is natural, and I still seem to be… adjusting. That should pass in time. I came here because I seek answers. The queen of the Lilim will know those who can find them. Of this I am certain.”
    Bay’s eyebrows rose at the cryptic response. There was something
off
about him, something she couldn’t even put her finger on that went beyond the obvious weirdness. Sadly, it didn’t make him any less fascinating to her.
    “Okay,” she said, drawing the word out. “Well, Tasmin, you, um, would have done better just waiting until nightfall and knocking on Lily’s door. Whoever told you where to find me could have told you where to find her.” She tilted her head at him. “Why
didn’t
you just go there? You can see I’m no vamp. I’m just a dog groomer.”
    She thought she caught the faintest hint of a smile, if only for a moment. It turned his lips soft, sultry, and she felt a knot of pleasure coil deep in her belly.
    No. No no no.
She liked things that were quirky, odd, and even weird. Things. Not guys. Because every time she was drawn to one of those qualities in a guy, it ended up biting her in the ass. And this particular guy looked about as safe as a wounded tiger.
    “I see. You’ve attracted quite a noble beast as a guardian.”
    She stroked her hand over Grimm’s back, unsure of whether Tasmin was giving her a compliment or just being sarcastic. Grimm leaned into her harder and growled at the vampire again. The sound was soft, but it was a clear warning.
    “He is noble,” Bay said flatly. “More than most people manage to be. And he’s an excellent judge of character.”
    Tasmin inclined his head slightly, any trace of a smile gone. “Of that I have no doubt. Beasts often are. That he has chosen you speaks well of you.”
    She blinked. “Oh. I… thanks.” She tried to shrug off the pleasure she felt at the simple praise. It didn’t matter what this strange, gorgeous vampire thought of her.
    “That still doesn’t explain why you came in here.”
    “The sun is still high. I had some time. And I wondered what sort of mortal would be considered such a friend to a powerful queen. I’m still not sure whether your relationship means I should expect to find her wise, or a reckless fool.” He considered her. “In any case, you’re not what I expected.”
    Bay’s eyes narrowed. She knew she was considered a curiosity among the vampires here, a mortal with no apparent interest in anything Lily could offer