Joey followed Sorcha into the women’s bathroom and locked the door behind them. He was tempted to storm out of the bar and track the crazy bitch down.
But Sorcha was pale and clearly shaken. She needed his presence more than he needed revenge.
He took a shuddered breath, then ground out, “What the bloody hell happened, Babes?”
Her brow pinched as she shook her head. “Don’t know. Never seen anything like that. Her skin—it aged before my eyes. Roxy mentioned something about blood magic.”
Joey’s jaw dropped open as he blinked. A rush of seemingly unimportant details bubbled to the surface. “She’s Hungarian. Supposed to be related to the Blood Countess. But I thought that was all bullshit.”
“Related to who?”
He snorted. “I bet Roxy would know the story—Elizabeth of Bathory. Infamous for bathing in virgin blood.”
“What?”
“Desire aged when you bled her. Maybe other people’s blood is what’s keeping her young. She didn’t always do that. I would have noticed.”
“So you think she’s killing people?”
He rubbed at his head. “I’d say that’s likely. Looking back, seems there’s always some sort of death or disappearance in towns she visits over the last seven to eight years. They tend to be her fans.”
“So she’s killing virgin fans? Are they twelve?”
He shrugged. “Who knows? Does that matter? She’s killing innocents regardless.”
“Come on, maybe Roxy has more information.”
The stepped into the hall, but Joey pulled her out to the alley.
* * * *
Desire stumbled onto the bus and sank to her knees, holding her bleeding hand and wrist. The aging was spreading up her arm, her skin wrinkling and sagging.
Jaxon crouched in front of her. Horror was clearly written across his face. “I can get another.”
No time, you buffoon, she wanted to scream.
Instead, she grabbed the back of his neck and stared into his deep brown eyes. “You’ll do.” Her ancestor had been wrong. Virgin blood was no better than any other human’s blood. However, Other blood was the strongest. Some kinds especially so.
Blood from the dark haired bitch who got in her face would be potent. She was something completely different than anything Desire had ever encountered.
Magic and beast, all rolled into a buffet. Between Sorcha and her friend, Desire planned to enjoy the night, then claim the man who should have been hers all along. If only she’d realized that in the beginning.
Focused, she delved into Jaxon’s mind and relished in his lust as she moved closer, pressing herself to him.
His desire kicked in. “Please,” he whispered desperately.
Her hand landed on his rigid cock and stroked slowly through his jeans, pulling a moan from his lips.
“Need you,” she admitted, though not the way he craved.
She pulled the dress over her head before stripping his shirt off and shoving his pants down around his knees. Skin-to-skin made the blood transference more efficient.
Jaxon wrapped his hands around her waist as he bent his head to hers. “Waited so long for you, Desire.”
“I know.” Wanting it to last, she pulled the deceptively petite silver blade from her boot and made a delicate slice down his chest. His blood flowed slowly, coating her skin. Rubbing against him, she kissed his pulse point.
He hissed in response, then crushed his lips to hers. One thing was on his mind, sinking deep into her heat. Sadly, she couldn’t grant her faithful servant his final wish. Only one man for her from now on.
However, he’d been useful, and he deserved a final reward before she took his life to fuel her own.
“Anything for you,” he moaned, his hips jerking forward as his eyes closed. Hot seed spurted over her stomach. After his release, she dug the blade deep into his throat before she pulled him down on top of her.