Madeline Freeman - Death Marked

Avas lust for blood endangers the very humans shes supposed to protect. Being a werewolf-vampire hybrid is complicated enough, but when a bounty is placed on her head, shes forced into hiding.

When JackAvas alpha and loveris snatched by the witch who wants Ava dead, Ava has to form a new alliance with supernaturals she barely trusts. But when they uncover a sinister plot involving disappearing werewolves, Ava has to choose between saving Jack protecting hundreds of weres from a fate worse than death.

I swallow around the lump in my throat. I hate that Im so nervous, but at least the humans around me cant smell it.

I inhale and hold my breath for a beat before releasing it. I stride forward in time with the music coming from the live band. Despite it being a Thursday, the place is filled nearly to capacity with men in tight-fitting jeans and women in low-cut tops. The tables nearest the stage are loud and rowdy, but the sheer number of people back here by the bar makes me feel almost claustrophobic. I almost long for the little dive I used to frequent.

But that was another life.

There are no seats, so I choose two men to squeeze between. The blond on my right is in his early thirties. The one on the left is younger with too much product in his hair for my taste. But hes the one who smiles.

I lean forward and give a halfhearted wave of my hand, but the bartender pays me no mind. Taking a half step to the side, I brush against the man on my left. Sorry. I offer a broad smile as I turn to him. Its so crowded here tonight.

He looks me up and down in an openly eager way. I keep my lips upturned as he takes in every carefully selected piece of my appearance. My chestnut hair was painstakingly curled into beachy waves by Lillie, and Maggie did the smoky shadow on my eyelids and chose a lipstick far darker than I would have picked on my own. The blue halter dress is too short and the cutout on the front shows more of my cleavage than Im comfortable with. But the look is having the desired effect, so I disregard my insecurities.

The mans eyes linger a little longer than polite on the curve of my breasts before he makes eye contact again. What are you drinking?

Long Island.

He leans forward and waves his hand with far more gusto than I did. Within thirty seconds, the bartender is in front of us. A Long Island iced tea for the lady, and for me... Jack and Coke.

My stomach clenches and Im sure the smile on my face falters. Of all the drinks he couldve ordered, why did it have to be that?

As the bartender mixes our drinks, my companion begins talking. I catch his nameTommybut beyond that I cant make myself pay attention. Im not doing anything wrongnot really. Im not cheating. If I want to meet my objective, I need to do this. The familiar lines chase themselves through my mind, but they dont comfort me. They never do.

As Tommy finishes off his drink and slides his hand around my waist, I cant quite ignore the guilt swelling within me.

You wanna get out of here? I murmur in his ear.

I lead the way to the stairs. When we reach the ground floor, Tommy scoops up my hand and opens the main door. He tries to tug me toward the parking lot, but I dont follow.

My apartments not far from here, I say. About three blocks.

His grin is so wide its almost a leer. Well, all right.

My heart thuds harder with each step and my mouth goes dry. My hand is shaking, but Tommy is too distracted to notice.

I scan the street. Traffic is light and the bar is the only business open at this hour. The windows of the surrounding storefronts are all dark. A few voices echo against the buildings as people leave, but no one walks in this direction.

Theres a narrow alley between a barbershop and a used book store and I pull Tommy into it so fast he almost trips. He releases my hand, but my grip is enough to keep us connected.

When I round on him, a grin stretches his lips. Couldnt wait to get me alone, could you? He slides his hands down my sides before digging his fingers into my hips and yanking me toward him. When I dont budge, his face twists with confusion.

I shove him against the brick exterior of the barber shop and bar my arm across his chest. Dont move. Dont make a sound.

He wriggles against my arm. What?

I clench my teeth. Damn. Narrowing my eyes, I try again. Stand still and dont talk.

Tommy continues to struggle. Whats happening?

Footsteps echo in the alleyway, but I dont turn my head. I know whos approaching. I can smell him.

Poor guy. Lukes voice is as smooth as ever. Probably thinks youre some kind of dominatrix or something.

Waitwhats happening? Tommy shifts against my arms. Whos that? Are you... Are you gonna rob me?

Luke continues his slow, easy pace until hes standing right behind me. Be silent. Stop moving.

Instantly, Tommys body goes limp. He stands stock-still against the wall, his eyes darting back and forth. When I remove my forearm from across his chest, he remains where he is.

Luke clucks his tongue. Youre not getting any better.

Im trying. I draw back my shoulders. No matter how hard I try to bend a person to my will, I havent been able to compel anyone to so much as blink. I suggested compulsion may be beyond my abilities because of what I am, but Luke wont hear of it.

Luke opens his mouth but closes it almost immediately. He exhales noisily, his nostrils flaring. Its okay. We can try again tomorrow. He sweeps a hand toward Tommy. Go ahead. You managed to get him out here.

Tommys eyes zoom around in their sockets as I take a step nearer to him. I cant imagine whats going on in his mind. Is he afraid Ill steal his wallet? Stab him? Or does he have an inkling of whats really about to happen?

I inhale the scent of his skin. Beneath the thick spice of his body spray is a hint of perspiration and a faint sweet aroma. Pain shoots through my gums as I focus on a spot on the side of his neck midway between his chin and his shoulder. My incisors lengthen as I detect the gentle pulse below the surface. The horror in his eyes should be enough to repel me, but it doesnt, and in a flash my elongated teeth have pierced his flesh and his warm blood gushes over my parted lips.

The taste is intoxicatingcomplex like an expensive wine. Its something I wouldnt have noticed a few weeks ago, but now each flavor note explodes through my senses like a starburst. I gulp down mouthful after mouthful like its my first meal in weeks.

An annoying hum like the droning of a fly buzzes at the edge of my awareness. Something tells me I should pay attention to it, but I dont care. All that matters right now is taste and sensationall that matters is the blood.