Page 154 of Immortal Bastard (The Order of Vampires)

“This isn’t walking, Christian. Immortals are, like, ambulatory savants. Did you see how high I was jumping back there?” She laughed. “We would crush it in the Olympics.”

“You’ll discover there are many gifts we enjoy.”

“I want to learn all of them.” She glanced over her shoulder. A constant menagerie of small-pawed creatures scurried behind her like a train of blimps in the Macy’s parade. “So, what do you think this Snow White power thing I have is all about?”

He lifted a low hung branch for her to duck under. “Perhaps they sense you’re no threat because you won’t eat them.”

She smiled as several rabbits, a few chipmunks, and a bevy of deer trailed her. It was like Walt Disney’s wet dream. “I think feeding helps. Your blood’s like the best enhancement drug in the world. It’s literally modifying my genetics. I feel so much more than I used to feel.”

“You’re handling the feedings much better now.”

She shrugged. “I don’t mind it. I sort of … like it, I guess.”

He gave her a knowing look. “You guess?”

He knew she loved it.

His blood was robust, flavorful, and potent, like doing a line of speed laced with X and the finest cut testosterone. It was addicting, but good for her and without any negative side effects. She could have told him all of that, but his ego was big enough, so she simply said, “You’re a literal pain in the neck, so I feel justified biting you on occasion.”

He took her hand, lacing their fingers together. “Whatever the reason, I’m glad. I enjoy sharing that intimacy with you.”

She glanced up at him, her body instantly responding to the meaningful look in his eyes. He sent her a vision of them making love and she nudged him. “None of that or we’ll never get there.”

“You’re right.”

Christian was the sort of drop-dead gorgeous reserved for airbrushed photos online. Sometimes it was hard to believe he was real. That got her thinking of other beautiful men. “Is Brad Pitt a vampire?”

“Who?”

“Brad Pitt.”

“I do not know this name.”

That was a pity. How cool would it be if Christian were friends with someone like Brad? Maybe all the beautiful men were vampires. She thought about Tom Cruise and his role as Lestat. Clever casting? I think not! And what about Matt Damon? He was a hottie too.

“Are there vampires in Boston?” That was where Matt was from, right?

Christian frowned. “There are immortals on every continent, in every major city.”

“Sounds like a credit card commercial. They’re everywhere you want to be…” she laughed.

Christian’s frown deepened. “Other immortals—especially males—are to be avoided. Their location should be of no concern to you.”

“Relax. You’re more than enough immortal male for me to handle. I’m all set.” She once again admired his muscular physique, finding it hard to concentrate on anything else. Trying to distract her filthy thoughts, she asked him random questions that had piled up in her head over the past two weeks. “Can you teach me some super-human tricks?”

“What would you like to learn?”

She thought about shows like Bewitched and I Dream of Genie. “Can you teach me how to move objects with my mind?”

He considered her request then stopped walking. “Find something small. A rock or a twig.”

She turned and the animals dispersed. Reaching down, she scattered some wet leaves and dirt and dug up a rock that fit nicely in her palm. “Like this?”

“Perfect.” He placed it on a large flat boulder a few feet away. “Try to move it.”

She looked at the rock and then back at him. “How?”

“You simply…command it with your mind.”

She squatted and focused on the small rock. Speckles of moonlight wobbled through the trees as she leaned in, angling her stare at the stone as it sat perfectly still.

Move.

It didn’t budge.

Mooooooooooove.

Nothing.

Open sesame. Move? Go-rock-go! Rock, get the steppin’! Mooooooooove!

Nothing happened. She turned to Christian. “Nothing’s happening.”

“You’re being silly. Look at it, and push with your mind.”

She stared at the rock again and imagined a little version of herself pushing the stone with all her might. It didn’t even wobble. She huffed and turned back to Christian. “I think it’s broken.”

“Watch me.” He turned his stare to the stone, and it scooted about six inches to the right.

“How did you do that?”

He shrugged. “Exactly as I told you. I simply pushed with my mind.”

She scowled at him and then at the stupid rock. Taking a deep breath, she tried to push the damn thing again. It trembled and shifted an inch. She gasped and spun to Christian, who instantly looked away. “You did that!”

His guilty expression gave him away.

“Christian! I’m never going to be good at this stuff if you do it for me.”

“It’s a silly trick, Delilah, and exactly why God gave us hands. You’ll eventually learn everything.”

They rotated between walking and running, but her favorite was when they jumped in and out of the trees. Whenever they slowed their pace, they talked. Usually about silly questions that crossed her mind, but Christian was always patient and amused by her endless curiosity.