Flowers and Fangs (Stake and Dust series, Book II) by Karen Michelle Nutt Page B

could see
the strong family resemblance. Brown hair with a deep reddish
tint—mahogany came to mind, though Cassandra's hair was highlighted
with strands of golden brown, making it appear a shade or two
lighter than Derek's thick head of hair. The eyes were the same,
too: a light green almost catlike in both color and shape. "Why is
Derek so adamant that I don't do this? You'd think he'd be jumping
for joy at the possibility of catching Tim."
    "You'd think." Cassandra's lips twitched, but
she didn't fully smile as she gave Tremayne a meaningful
glance.
    "We'll need to formulate a plan," Tremayne
took over. "A plan where you'll remain safe."
    "Safe until I change into a vampire, you
mean. I am going to change, aren't I?" She hoped Tremayne would
tell her she wouldn't, but her hopes died with his next words.
    "We need to have a chat about your options,"
Tremayne told her. "Let's take a walk."
    She glanced at the digital clock shining
bright on the microwave. "It's two in the morning." The moment she
said the words it hit her. "Vampire," she murmured then spoke
louder. "Night is like day to you, isn't it?"
    "The sun can do considerable damage to a
vampire. I know you have questions and I'll do my best to answer
them."
    He waited patiently for her to make up her
mind to follow or not. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't at
least a little curious. She glanced at Cassandra. "Let Derek know—"
She stopped mid-sentence and frowned. What was she thinking? She
didn't owe Derek an explanation. She could walk with Tremayne if
she wanted to. It wasn't like she was doing anything wrong,
but—
    Cassandra placed a comforting hand on her
shoulder, interrupting her confusing thoughts. "I'll tell him."
    Sloane nodded her appreciation.
    She never was out this late… or rather this
early. The night proved quiet and it was difficult to believe
vampires and other preternatural beings were up and about living
their lives.
    She glanced at Tremayne. He was tall, taller
than Derek by an inch or two. His muscles strained against the
fabric of his T-shirt. This he had in common with Derek. Both were
well muscled as if they lifted weights for a living.
    "You may ask questions, if you wish," he said
to her.
    Boy did she have plenty, but she decided on a
more personal question and hoped it didn't prove too forward of
her. "When were you turned and how long have you been a
vampire?"
    "I was born a Oiche Sith." He glanced at her
as they strode side by side on the sidewalk.
    " Ee-hah shee…" She dragged out the
pronunciation. "Sounds like American Indian."
    "It's Irish Gaelic. Translating it loosely,
it means night being ."
    "Well, I suppose that's appropriate."
    "We're an old blood-drinking sept. There are
many others that have survived the centuries and still more that
did not."
    "Each sept is different in some way,
right?"
    "Aye, but we all rely on blood for substance.
The vampire clans at one time lived among the humans, but a malady
targeted the blood drinking septs. We could no longer have
children."
    She frowned. "Vampires could have
babies?"
    He gave her a small smile and a dimple winked
at her from his right cheek. It kind of gave the vampire a
more…human look about him. "Shocking, I know." His sarcasm wasn't
lost on her.
    "But you can't have any children now?"
    "No. As the blood drinkers' life changed and
women became scarce or infertile, some of the males chose to take
what they needed from the humans, while others tried to find
another way to survive. I will not make excuses. The Oiche Sith as
well as the other blood drinking septs need blood. It's a fact that
cannot be ignored. If mated, we can survive by drinking from our
mates, but with no young being born to our clans, finding a mate
has proved difficult. The men out numbered the women. In the past,
we sought other means, made treaties with the human clans, but the
females rarely survived the blooding ritual."
    "The blooding ritual?" That didn't sound
pleasant in the least and when