Battle With Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights)

“The Red Prophet might not be seeing it either,” Callie said, wiping her forehead free of perspiration. Her lime-green velvet sweat suit seemed to glow in the low light. Campfires burned sporadically throughout the area, surrounded by benches and chairs, the heat pushing back on the chilled air. Very few people were making use of the areas of respite, though. Many of the mages, who might’ve enjoyed the comfort, had wandered to the sunny areas outside of the spell, and the other creatures who’d gathered were not as prone to the cold. “She has gone completely loopy. She probably just wants to be noticed.”

“I’d hazard a guess that she wants to be forgotten,” Reagan murmured, stopping near one of the fires and looking around. She seemed troubled and anxious, but she wouldn’t share what had her so wound up. Probably because she’d have to admit to her fears, and that was never any fun. “She liked hanging around Mikey and Smokey, who didn’t want to hear any predictions. She was the most normal around them, and when terrorizing the neighborhood. She needs to get out of here.”

“We all do,” Emery said.

“Where are you all headed now?” Dizzy asked, and it was clear fatigue was dragging at him and Callie. It was dragging at everyone, Penny wagered.

“Roger wanted to get some practice in fighting the magic of the dragons’ roars,” Darius said. “It’s a good idea. It can be done sitting down.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Dizzy replied. “Penny’s dragon always makes me think I’m going to soil myself. I’m so tired right now that I might actually do it.”

“You guys go back—”

Reagan froze, her gaze snagging on a vampire who was chatting with two others across the way. He had the usual flawless face and good looks. His shirt and trousers were pristine but didn’t quite look high fashion. Penny hated that she now knew the difference. Marie had cursed her.

“What is it?” Darius asked, clearly feeling something through their bond.

“Nothing,” Reagan said, taking a step to veer away from the small group of vampires.

That wasn’t normal. When did Reagan veer away from anyone?

As though feeling an entire group of people staring at him, the vampire glanced over. His gaze skimmed everyone before snapping to Reagan. His eyes widened slightly, and hunger sparked in them immediately, his body tensing before going loose and fluid.

Shivers coated Penny’s skin—a reaction to the new predator suddenly in their midst. That vampire wanted more than just to bite, too, evidenced by the sensual way he licked his lips and let his gaze drift down Reagan’s front.

“What is this?” Darius asked in a low, rough tone.

The sensation of danger flared within Penny, yelling at her to run. Or fight. Or throw a spell.

Emery curled his hand over her shoulder and gently pushed her behind him.

“It’s nothing,” Reagan said quickly. “It was a long time ago. Let it go.”

“Wait…what was a long time ago?” Penny asked Callie and Dizzy, who’d stepped up with her.

“It seems we have found my surprise,” Darius said, and the sheen and polish of his handsome exterior fell away, leaving a beast in its place. Menace curled through the air. His claws extended from his fingertips.

The breath left Reagan in a whoosh. “She brings up your past to me, and now she is flaunting my past in front of you.”

“What’s happening?” Penny asked, knowing there was some drama and not getting it.

“Ah.” Dizzy patted Penny’s arm. “Yes. The vampire from Reagan’s past. She mentioned him once. After her mother died, she went slumming, as it were. She walked away and forced him to let her.”

“Oh.” Penny’s breath came in short bursts as Darius turned slightly, facing the other vampire, who wasn’t nearly as built, handsome, or put together. There was really no contest between the two. Darius needn’t have any doubts that he was the obvious catch.

Except…the way he was gearing up, his shoulders rolling and his jaw firming, told Penny that simple logic wasn’t good enough.

The other vampire pulled his gaze away from Reagan with great effort. His stare hit Darius, and given he was clearly less powerful and definitely lower in the vampire hierarchy, he should’ve walked away very quickly. Any shifter or mage would have. Probably any demon or other semi-intelligent creature. You didn’t pick a fight you were surely going to lose.

But this vampire squared up, his body starting to change shape despite his clothes. He clearly didn’t have the sort of control Darius did, which suggested he was quite a bit younger. Darius would wipe the floor with him.

“Are they basically going to fight over Reagan?” Penny asked in a harried whisper, a bit scared, a bit weirded out, and a bit excited for some reason.

“No, they are not.” Reagan waved a hand, her magic rushing between the two vampires. The magic whispered, Stay apart. Barrier. She’d put up a wall.