Page 83 of Accidental Blood Lust
Jareth nods, glancing briefly at Rune.
“Hmm.” Auri paces for a moment. “Do they have anything of value?”
“I’ll find out,” Mac offers. “I’ll bring back anything good.”
“The vampires are very old,” Cas adds. “They are likely to have some valuables if they haven’t traded everything for fae blood.”
“What’s so nice about fae blood?” Atlas asks.
“It has a euphoric effect,” Loch says. “Like I imagine mortal drugs feel.”
I turn back to Auri. “What do you say, boss?”
He waves his hand. “Do what you must, but bring me your spoils.”
“Of course.”
“Come, Grim. Daddy needs a bath.”
Auri disappears down the hallway, a goofy hellhound on his heels.
“What’s our approach? Any ideas?” I ask.
“I’ll let my vampire contact know we’re in,” Cas says. “Ultimately, I think the best plan will be for us to split our attention. Some of us go for the consortium, the rest of us hunt the vampires.”
I nod, thinking that over for a moment. What’s the best way to keep my mates safe?
“I suggest I take Lochlan and Jareth with me,” Cas says. “Roman and the others go find the consortium members.”
“No way,” I growl. “I’m not leaving my mates alone.”
“They won’t be alone, Roman. They’ll be with me. Loch and I have better defenses against other vampires, and I’ll have backup from some of my friends. We could use some magic so Jareth will be there while you guys take Rune. Besides, we have some revenge to dish out.”
My gaze shifts to Jareth, who is chewing his bottom lip. My chest tightens, but when he looks up at me the panic settles. There’s confidence shining in his eyes, and he nods.
“I’ll go with Cas and Loch. I’m not immortal, but I’ve had my share of vampire interactions over the years. I can use a protection spell,” Jare says.
Rune rubs his hands together. “I’m gonna fuck up the fae. I hate those tricky bastards.”
Atlas practically has heart eyes as he gazes at his mate. “It’ll be fun. They’ve given a bad name to the whole of the fae realm.”
Mac grins, gazing at his demon mate. “I’m down. Let’s do this.”
“Where are we going first?” Drax asks. “How do we know where they are?”
“My contact,” Cas says. “Gentleman, we’re going to good old New Orleans. Meet in front of the St. Louis Cathedral. We’ll go from there.”
JARETH
When my feettouch down on the concrete path of the park in front of the cathedral, I draw a deep breath of mortal air. It’s muggy and warm, even at night, but it’s not as stifling as the underworld.
Even though it’s late, there are plenty of people around, which will make what we need to do that much harder. I might have to conjure one of my tougher spells. It’ll make the air misty and anyone who witnesses something they shouldn’t will feel like it was nothing but a dream in the morning. It’s effective, but I’ve only used it twice before because it takes a lot out of me. Maybe Rune can support me.
It only takes a few minutes before we’re surrounded by witches, demons, vampires, wolf shifters, and even gargoyles.
“You came,” Atlas says, smiling at two gargoyles in their human forms.
“Of course we came. We owe you and this benefits us all,” one of them says.
