The Progeny (The Progeny Series) Read Free

wavered, releasing her from their hypnotic glare. “Shall we?” he offered coolly.
    Somewhat reluctant, she followed him. What was his problem? He obviously cared nothing about his bottom line. Otherwise, he'd be more enthusiastic about showing her the ropes. With his acidic attitude, he must have few friends. What a jerk!
    Sh auna sat on the bar stool pretending to pay attention, but she wasn’t interested in an orientation of what she already knew. This was a virtual snooze fest, and her mind drifted off. This man was unbelievably gorgeous with no stubble or facial hair attesting to his age. His strangely pubescent face was pallid, baby smooth and flawless. Most guys took to growing goatees and pencil-thin moustaches to assert their manhood.
    He , evidently, wasn’t a follower.
    He kept his back to her while he explained the set up. After giving her the specifics, he turned, giving her another glassy stare with those probing eyes. Jet-black hair hung playfully along his forehead, accenting thick lashes and the strangest colored blue eyes. He was an unearthly type of attractive. Deep warmth radiated from the azure pools, contradicting the coldness exuding from his expression. His tall, lean physique stood muscular and strong. Black jeans and a black and gray striped polo shirt completed his look and enhanced that creamy complexion.
    Her heart gave a hard thump. He’d be so handsome, if he weren’t such a jerk.
    “Now .” He spoke English with a muddled European accent that was much stronger than his siblings. “Let’s see how well you were listening.”
    * * * *
    Ascher knew she wasn’t paying attention. The word jerk frequented her mind several times. He didn’t mean to come off as one, but it was best to keep his distance. The muted ache, of before, was now a gut twisting agony.
    Her scent was the perfect storm of deliciousness. Vampires had a term for what she possessed—the trinity. Humans possessing just one of the three variables were hard enough to resist, while all three were maddening. Vicious flames scorched his throat, reminding him that he was thirsty. The craving spiked, hurling his keen senses into overdrive. A few things became clear to him.
    One, she was a vegetarian. Their blood was always fragrant and appealing. Vegetarian blood could satiate the worst thirst and satisfy the most finicky of palates.
    Two, she didn’t drink alcoholic beverages. Her blood was free of such impurities. She hadn’t even a grain of aspirin in her system. Alcohol and most medicinal remedies thinned the blood, making the flow of it dangerously heavy.
    Three, Shauna was a virgin.
    W aves of hunger tortured him, taunting him until an intense pain claimed his mouth. “Excuse me.” She was affecting him, and he had no choice but to retreat to the restroom.
    Ascher tried to calm down , but the ache continued. Remembering the pure sweetness of her scent made his mouth water. He splashed cold water on his face and took deep cleansing breaths, but it didn’t help. The pain only grew worse.
    He was in desperate need of help.
    Control was usually his strong suit , but she was different. She might as well hang a sign on her back that read, 'Bleed me dry.' The fact that her appearance coincided with the one night, in a three-month feeding cycle, he was thirstiest was inopportune. Being in the same building with him put her in a great deal of danger.
    He’d never exper ienced this type of insanity. Sure, he’d passed the occasional pink-cheeked baby on the street. An uncontrollable surge of saliva filled his mouth when he got a whiff of the blood and its strict formula diet, but this was something different and much harder to control.
    The fact that she was a trinity only sparked half the anguish. There was a compulsive urge and hunger he’d never experienced before tonight. He wanted to drink her just as much as he wanted to sex her. It was powerful, all encompassing, and downright dangerous. Such delicious blood should