Bound Through Blood by Alexis Kennedy Page B

taverns." He gave them an eerie laugh, which seemed to bounce off the streets and dark buildings.
    Surprised, Salena found she was actually enjoying the tour and its theatrics. She wasn't sure if the anecdote was real or not, but she certainly liked the way Clive presented it. Unfortunately, she didn't see who was enjoying her.
     

Chapter 36
    Gabriel ran his tongue over his fangs. This is too easy . He had blended into the group and followed closely behind a woman with midnight black hair; she was his prey. She was a beautiful creature, and he could smell the honeysuckle and lavender scent radiating from her skin. Oddly, it took him back to Abigail; he remembered her always smelling like that too. In fact, this creature was just as enticing as Abigail had been— someone you can really sink your teeth into . He watched the soft sway of her hips as she walked. Her curves were sexy as hell, and he couldn't help but imagine taking her from behind, with his hands on those hips, driving her hard and making her squeal with gratification. He would definitely use her for his self-indulgence before sinking his fangs into her soft shoulder and drinking every drop of her blood. And he would enjoy every single lascivious minute of it.
    The group headed into a famed vampire tavern to check it out. There definitely was a sinister group of men and women in there, but, thankfully, it was a small one. Salena tried to avoid eye contact with them, especially when she heard a few low growls. The sound reminded her of the low growls from her mystery lover, although his had not been threatening sounds; they'd been sounds of pleasure. Blushing now, she kept her eyes on the backs of those walking in front of her.
    Gabriel did not avoid eye contact at all. He stared all the posers down. The men put up a front until he got closer and gave them a growl of his own; then they backed down in obvious fear. The women watched him admiringly. Naturally, a woman pretending to be a vampire would desire an actual vampire. He was getting hungry… Looking again at the posers, he could sense that one of them, indeed, was one of his kind. He looked them over one-by-one, breathing in their essences and looking into their eyes—all were black, but not everyone had contacts. He found the one, a blonde woman, who was the real deal. They smiled equally sinister grins at each other, and Gabriel put his finger to his lips.
    She nodded in return—they'd keep each other's secret. Gabriel could tell she'd picked out the man two seats down from her by the way she kept looking at him. Then she stood up, approached Gabriel looking from him to Salena, and then back to him again. She whispered in his ear, "I'd do her," and smiled a venomous smile. Walking out, the beautiful vampirette tapped her dinner on his shoulder, and they left together, no questions asked.
    Gabriel's dinner, or appetizer anyway, followed him outside from the bar likewise. One of the posers was about to get her wish—to meet a real vampire up close and personal.
    Figuring he'd give the tour group a real vampire show, he pushed his groupie up against the wall and bit savagely into her neck. Her scream caught everyone's attention, and they were transfixed. The blood dripping down her blouse brought cheers and applause. Then, when he turned to them, licking his lips and rubbing his belly while she slumped to the pavement, the crowd went crazy with excitement.
    The crowd, except for one, that is—Salena could tell this was no show. And while he was tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome, he wasn't her mysterious vampire. Maybe he was the other one Detective Wagner spoke about. Maybe he was the other killer. She trembled in fear. I could solve these crimes for them easily. But would they believe me? She guessed not.
    Gabriel bowed over the dead woman and was about to get back into line with the group, when he could smell something in the air—Devin. His brother was getting close. Maybe he'd decided to hunt