Lost Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans #6.5) Read Free

much.” Luca took a sip of his drink and continued. “It’s like you just told him; if anyone goes after Sydney, they won’t be successful. They’re mere humans. Criminals who’ve already been caught once. How bright can they be?”
    “We should be cautious nonetheless. Sydney’s condition is precarious at best.” Kade picked up the bottle and poured another drink. “I’m worried about her. I know my girl. Something’s cooking in that head of hers. She’s going to strike out soon.”
    “Perhaps. It’s to be expected, though. Even for a mortal, she was a fighter. She’s proven herself to be a fine asset.”
    “An asset, huh? You do have a way with words. How I missed your candor.” Despite never being fond of humans, his friend had grown attached to Sydney.
    “Miss Willows has always been stronger than most. Most humans are so very weak…a shame really.”
    “They serve a purpose. You and I both know it.” Kade gave a small laugh, slightly amused with Luca’s condescending attitude.
    “So what to do with the human who is no longer human? You must learn to share donors. It can be quite pleasurable.” A small smile crossed his face.
    “She doesn’t want a donor, that’s the problem.”
    “Perhaps try a donor who’d agree to have you drain them artificially? They exist.”
    “No, it’s a temporary fix. Not acceptable.”
    “But in the short term…”
    “You and I both know she needs to learn how to feed on her own. I don’t think it’s the demon changing her. I’ve never heard of that happening. I tend to agree with Léopold. She’s got some kind of block going on. I’ll consider your idea about Wynter, though. I think knowing the person could make a difference. It’s worth a try anyway.”
    “Did I hear the detective say he’s coming for a visit?” Luca raised an eyebrow at him.
    “Yeah.” Kade stared into his glass, swirling the liquid and contemplating the bait his friend had laid on the table. Given the agony Sydney had caused her donors, he doubted she’d ever agree to feed from Anthony. He’d bet his life the detective would let her, however.
    Sydney had confessed to him that, at one time, she’d considered dating Anthony, but never did so for fear of losing the respect of her peers. Kade had never been jealous of Sydney’s friendship with her partner, because he knew with certainty that no one else was her mate.
    As Kade downed the last of his drink, he heard the squeal of wheels in the driveway. His eyes met Luca’s, anger flaring. As he’d suspected, she’d snapped; Sydney had left.

Chapter Three
    Sydney had given it considerable thought. She couldn’t go one more day depending on Kade for her survival. Her life had become miserable. There was no reasonable explanation for why she couldn’t feed. If the demon had truly spawned her dilemma, then she was the only one who could regain control of the dismal situation. It had become a sickening ritual, watching Kade bite another woman, then dribbling the blood into her mouth as if she were a baby bird. A few tablespoons of blood hadn’t been enough to fully heal her from the attack. She’d rather die than be forever reliant on the demeaning process that had barely kept her alive.
    Sydney stood in front of the mirror gathering the courage to do what needed to be done. She finger combed her curly blonde hair, observing the dark circles that rounded her eyes. With shaky hands, she applied concealer to her pale skin. Tears wouldn’t come, though her heart felt as if it had been shattered in a thousand pieces. She’d cried so hard in the past two hours that dehydration had set in, her mouth dried due to her stinted saliva.
    Running her palm over the jagged scar on her abdomen, she closed her eyes. She resisted the temptation to stare at it one more time. The obsession to heal faster had done nothing but throw her further into a depression. Earlier in the week, she’d overheard Kade telling Luca that she should have been