Netherworld: Drop Dead Sexy(62)

I felt queasy. And, horribly, horribly turned on.

Stephanie’s arms slid from their death grip around his torso. Her eyes closed, and her cries dwindled to little whimpers. She lay still beneath the creature feeding on her now. Her eyes rolled over white, and her eyelids fluttered.

This was going bad fast. Despite knowing he couldn’t hear me, I said, “You better get off her, Tristan. She’s gonna die if you don’t quit.”

Still he drank and rutted, uncaring that he drained her. Killing her. Oh crap. He’d burn for this. “Come on, you darn vampire. Stop!”

I needed Augustus. Someone had to call a halt to it. Just as I was about to race to the door, Tristan’s head flung back, and his groan of completion filled the room. Blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth, his fangs stained crimson. He jerked his hips a couple more times before pulling free of the too-quiet bleeder.

Shaking violently, I watched him put his cock back in his pants and button up. He took a square of gauze from the nightstand and pressed it to the girl’s neck. Her breathing was light, but she lived. She smiled slightly as he patted the top of her head and covered her up with the duvet.





Dizzy, I whispered, “Holy crap, this is messed up. And I’m messed up for liking it.” Indeed, I was wet. Despite my horror at the scene, my body responded.

Jeez, I thought I was just submissive. But part of me had wanted to be Tristan’s victim, drained almost to the point of death, and that went beyond mere submission.

“I gotta get outta here.” Too embarrassed to face Augustus, I transported myself back to the ballroom. I made it with no side trips. Yay me.

To my relief, Dan and Lana had returned. They had their heads together with Patricia and the dark, muscular wall that was Gerald. Even the sight of the Judge standing slightly apart, his expression as disapproving as ever, looked better than what I had just been exposed to.

Dan seemed really ticked when I appeared all by myself. “Where the hell did you go? And where’s Augustus?”

“Nice to see you too, Daddy.” I was so not in the mood to be yelled at. “Augustus thought it important I watch Tristan do his personal business.”

“What are you talking about? Vampires don’t go—” he stopped as realization eased his thunderous expression. “Oh, he wanted you to watch Tristan feed? What for?”

As much as I hated him jumping all over my case, I hated the hint of a pleased expression flickering in his eyes even more. Maybe he thought the disgusting sight of watching a vampire snacking put him ahead in the Brandilynn’s One and Only Lover Derby.

Keeping well out of Dan’s reach I grouched, “You ask the big birdbrain. I’m tired of trying to figure out his riddles.”

Tristan and Augustus entered Para Central. Tristan looked furious. Augustus appeared worried, but he visibly relaxed when his golden eyes lit on me. His sigh came out with a chirp. “The lost is found and I thank the stars for leading her back.”

If Dan played the angry parent, then Augustus was the disappointed one. His gentle rebuke and the relief on his face to see me safe made me instantly contrite. I hung my head. “I’m sorry Augustus, but that scene was high on the ‘eww’ factor. I had to get out of there fast.”

Augustus came right up to me and rested his head on the top swell of my breasts. He curled a paw around my thighs, his claws carefully sheathed. I don’t know how many people are gifted with a griffin’s hug, but I had a feeling it was pretty darn rare. He’d really been upset, and I wondered what I’d done to earn his care. I vowed to myself then and there to not disappoint Augustus again.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and laid my cheek on the top of his feathered head. “I really, sincerely apologize, Augustus.”

After a moment, he stepped back. He sat at my side, his feathered and furred bulk warm against me. I’d apparently been forgiven.





Tristan paused to glare at the griffin with undisguised coldness. When Augustus stared unblinkingly back, no hint of remorse in his attitude, the vampire turned his back and went to his desk. He sat down and flicked an imperious hand at those who awaited his attention.

Lana and Patricia sat in the chairs the two FBI agents had parked in earlier. Gerald stood behind Patricia. The Judge came forward, still keeping slightly apart from the rest.

Tristan addressed Lana first. “Did you find the newest victim?”

She shook her head tiredly. “Just the body. Its condition conforms to the earlier victims. The Ripper has moved to escorts apparently.”

“Her spirit was nowhere to be found then?” Tristan’s irritability was replaced with despair. For a moment he looked almost human.