Page 60 of Vampire's Choice
The scary sex demon who enjoyed women’s fear had been bothered about her simple cut. She thought of that glimpse of yearning she’d seen in his face while they were together.
He’d had her take his blood. Normally she had to fight the urge to take a nap halfway through her waking hours. An extra draught of human blood and self-discipline pushed her through it, but tonight, she didn’t experience it. She even had an extra spring to her step, though there could be several reasons for that.
She needed the energy, though. Marcellus and Dollar had doubled up on everything security-related for the second night of the Circus’s three-day performance run. Clara was determined to work. She didn’t want anything to keep her from doing what she normally did. Ruth planned to stop by her tent frequently. She’d make it seem less like hovering by sharing some titillating details of her flight with Merc, to distract the girl and make her smile.
Ruth passed the popcorn vendor’s cart. It wasn’t yet open, but the aroma of popped kernels, butter and salt lingered around it. As well as another pleasing scent she recognized. Even before the owner of it spoke, she was grinning and turning his way.
“Don’t tell me they’re so hard up for security at this outfit they’re hiring skinny little girls now.”
Gideon Green, Jacob’s brother, was sitting on a sturdy crate and applying a wicked knife to sharpening a wooden stake. A half dozen of them were piled at his feet.
She affected a disapproving look. “I see you still lack respect for your betters, servant.”
His shrug was unapologetically insolent. “Haven’t had anyone beat it into me yet. Want to give it a go?”
He tossed the stake in the pile and rose, assuming a sparring stance. She went in under his guard, but Gideon compensated, countered, blocked her. She kept their strength on an even par, making the fight about skill. When she saw her opening, she spun, kicked and knocked him back a few steps. He rallied in a heartbeat, but she’d winded him.
Gideon was the one who’d told her not to avoid those “undignified” moves she’d used on the Trad. He’d informed her there was no such thing in a fight to the death. He'd also taught her never to take herself too seriously. “If you and an opponent walk away from a fight together, share a beer,” he’d told her. “Finding common ground means he or she might be your ally down the road.”
Gideon kept the match going long enough to test her range before she got him on his back and sat on his muscled abdomen, crossing her arms and giving him a look of triumph.
“So there.”
He chuckled, patting her thigh. “Work on the leg sweep.”
“It knocked you on your ass.”
“But a vampire with greater speed and strength would have had you on your ass. And put a stake in your heart.” He thumped her chest with a light finger. “So work on it.”
“Got it.” She offered him a hand up, nodding to the stakes. “Used up your current stock?” she asked.
A smile warmed his midnight blue eyes. His unruly dark hair reached his broad shoulders. The jeans and plain black T-shirt were as much of a fashion statement as Gideon Green ever made, unless his vampire Master and Mistress wanted to dress him up.
“Always good to have extra on hand.”
“Then there’s the added benefit of pissing off Lady Yvette if she sees you doing it.”
“I get my joy where I can find it.”
She laughed and jumped into his arms, accepting the firm hug. “You ever going to grow up and act like a properly uptight, stick-up-your-ass vampire?” he asked.
“Soon as you learn how to act like a proper servant.”
She returned to her feet and slipped her hands into her back jeans pockets before cocking a hip. “What are you doing here?”
“Lyssa wants us to stay in the loop with what Clara has told Yvette and Maddock. If we can ever get some concrete idea of where these Trads are, Daegan and I can go on the hunt. Last night’s attack was too aggressive to let pass.”
“Yeah.”
He gave her a considering look. “I understand you got in a Trad’s way.”
“I had some help.”
“Yeah. Eventually. You took first blood. That’s pretty tough, as well as stupid.” He grinned. “My preferred MO.”
“You stole my line.”
“That’s why I said it.” He sheathed his knife and tucked a stake in behind it, adding the others to a bag he shouldered. “Do you have time to see a good sword fight?”