Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (ereader for android txt) 📗

the bar. She’d spent the day clothes shopping with Novus in Oxford Street and at a few select boutiques. He’d been insistent about her updating her wardrobe if she was going to spend time with other supernaturals. His parting words echoed in her ears.

“Just be careful, Dani. Don’t let anyone make you do anything you’re not comfortable with and don’t breathe any humans. You know what will happen.”

She shook herself. She knew all too well. The bar was busier this evening, but it was a Friday night. She adjusted her tight navy dress, trying to tug it down a little more. It landed halfway down her thighs, but she still felt a little self-conscious. The fae tended to wear long flowing dresses, but Novus said fae fashion sucked and she should dress like humans do.

“Well, that’s one hell of an outfit,” said a voice right by her ear.

She jumped, almost smacking into the person behind her. They placed their hands on her back, steadying her. She felt a chill run up her spine. Vampire. She spun around, finding Jamie smirking at her. His silver eyes glinted with mischief.

“Don’t sneak up on me. Are all vampires as quiet as you?”

“Pretty much, you’ll get used to it.”

His eyes roamed down her, admiration in his expression.

“Certainly a change from when we first met.”

He put his hand out, waving it up and down at her a little. She flushed.

“My brother said I should try to blend in better if I don’t want to get caught.”

“Did he help you choose this?”

She nodded, aware her face was burning. The way Jamie was looking at her was that of a man who wanted to pin her down and devour every inch of her. That was not why she was here. And he’d agreed they were just friends.

She didn’t think vampires were this expressive but perhaps it was just Jamie. His eyes told her far more than she’d bargained for.

“I must meet this brother of yours, he has good taste. Now, do you want a drink?”

“Um... sure.”

Jamie grinned, putting his hand out to her.

“Don’t be nervous. We’re just going to get to know each other and drink a little. I don’t bite… much.”

She put her hand in his, rolling her eyes.

Oh, I’m well aware of your feeding habits. Vampires and their bloodlust. My tutor was very clear on that.

He led her to the bar, giving her the menu to look over. When the bartender came over, the same vampire who’d served her yesterday, he grinned.

“I said you didn’t have to start till next week, you know,” the female vampire said.

“This is for pleasure, not work,” Jamie replied. He turned to Dani. “This is Neave, she owns the bar and is Gavin’s second. Also now my boss too. Neave, this is Dani.”

Neave looked over at her. She felt distinctly uncomfortable by the second vampire’s penetrating gaze. Neave smiled after a moment, cocking her head to the side.

“Oh, it’s you. Wait, Gavin told me you needed to stay away from her. Honestly, do you ever listen to him?”

“Nope.”

Neave rolled her eyes, sighing.

“Dani, was it? Well, be careful with this one. He’s not known for staying out of trouble.”

Dani was sure Jamie was the type to go looking for it. She wished she could have that same freedom.

“Apparently my royal status makes me off limits to everyone,” Dani said.

Neave grinned.

“Gavin is protective of his interests, but Jamie doesn’t seem to care about that.”

“Gav is just uptight and needs to relax a little. What’s the worst that could happen? No one else knows who she is.”

Neave snorted, shaking her head.

“With you, the worst always happens.”

Jamie smirked, winking at Dani.

Is he always like this? I’m sure he’s not flirting with me, so why do I feel so flustered around him?

“Just the usual, and how about you make Dani your speciality?”

“Coming up,” Neave said.

She moved away and Jamie turned to Dani.

“Boss?” she asked.

“Oh well, that’s why Gav made me come home. Neave needs help running the place. I’m more than just a pretty face.”

Dani looked him over. He was wearing black jeans, black shoes and a white t-shirt under his jacket. She was pretty sure he was all hard muscle underneath that.

He is attractive, for a vampire maybe.

“Did I say you were pretty? Must’ve been someone else.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“What? You’re not into this?”

He indicated his face and chest. She smiled.

“No. You’re too… undead.”

He barked with laughter.

“You’d be so lucky anyway.”

To be honest, I probably would but he doesn’t need to know that.

The taboo aspect of getting into bed with a vampire appealed to her on some level. She’d only ever been with her own kind. This wasn’t why she wanted to hang out with Jamie. Novus would probably go ballistic if she slept with anyone and she dreaded to think what her father would say.

“Oh, would I? Tell me, does this act work on all the girls?”

“Most of the time. I see I’ll have to work harder to win you over.”

His grin told her he was joking, but his eyes were molten silver. It sent a shiver down her spine. Neave interrupted them by placing their drinks down on the bar.

“I’ll put this on your tab, which you no doubt want me to open,” she said.

Jamie nodded, winking at his fellow vampire. She stalked away to serve someone else. Jamie handed Dani her drink. It was blood red.

“What is this?”

“Neave calls it Vampire’s Kiss. I thought it’d amuse or perhaps entice you.”

He clinked his own glass against hers.

“Well, this is probably the only vampire I’ll ever be kissing, so bottoms up.”

She took a sip. It was fruity and very alcoholic. When