Page 115 of Red Fury

I keep scrolling anyway. “They don’t like running water, which would make showering impossible.” I shake my head in disbelief.

Fury chuckles. “They do wear far too much cologne, so maybe that is a thing.”

I laugh too, but quickly turn serious. “I think that might be to mask their scent. It was weird. They didn’t smell like humans at all.” I shake my head.

“I know what you mean. So, we keep our eyes open for large humans with strange scents.”

“Or wearing too much cologne.” I lift my brows. “I must say, it all seems like a bunch of crap to me. They’re not supposed to have a reflection, either, but Neilina, one of Kozlov’s cronies, had a very definite reflection.”

“So, what do we actually know about them?” Fury asks, his tone turning serious again.

“We know they’re stronger and much faster than humans, but not as strong as us. Hence the need for those drugs of theirs.” I set my phone down for a moment. “The key is not to get shot with a dart.”

“So, bottom line,” Fury says, “we really don’t know much of anything about these bastards.”

I pick up my phone again, scrolling further. “Wait, there’s more. It says there are two kinds of vampires: originals and turned vampires. Originals are born as vampires. Turned vampires are made. They’re drained of all their blood until they die, then they come back as the undead.” I pause, lifting my eyes in thought. “Kozlov was warm. Tanned. Very much alive. I wouldn’t call him undead.”

“Neither would I. His guards were very much alive as well,” Fury says.

“Since Kozlov has a scar, I would assume he was turned – if that is really a thing.”

“I saw it too,” he nods. “You could be right.”

“So, to recap, they’re fast, strong, and have dart guns filled with drugs that render our beasts useless to us. I think it’s safe to say we’re the underdogs.”

“We have a secret weapon.”

“What weapon?” I laugh. “Tell me more.”

“Sex.” He smiles, showing his dimples, and I’m suddenly hyperaware that Fury has moved even closer. I think it might have been to get a look at my screen while I was scrolling.

I look back down, not seeing much of anything.

“Oh…um…yeah, of course.” I clear my throat. My face feels hot. The fact that his thigh is pressed against mine just makes me feel hotter. The warmth burns through me, and when I look up, my breath catches.

He’s so close. Close enough that I can see the flecks of silver in his blue eyes, close enough that I can feel his breath on my face. My gaze drops to his mouth, and all I can think about is how he’s almost close enough to kiss.

Fury’s expression turns almost angry, and I’m not sure why. He suddenly gets up, putting distance between us.

“I have something I need to do,” he says, his voice carefully controlled. He mutters something about an email and then disappears into his bedroom, leaving me sitting there alone.

A hollow feeling settles in my chest.

Crap! I think I might have feelings for Fury. No! I definitely have feelings for him, or I wouldn’t be feeling this way.

Arghhhhhhh!

No…what have I done?

34

Shadow

We walk through the airport that’s specifically for small aircraft owners and for chartered flights. It’s way quieter than the main airport, which is a relief since I don’t feel like dealing with crowds right now.

We’ve just left the ticket desk, and my boarding pass is clutched in my free hand. I’m pulling my overnight bag with the other. I pray that I will be able to return soon, hence only packing for one night.

I keep scanning the area, my eyes darting to every face, every movement. So far, there have been no incidents. There’s been no signs of Kozlov or his goons lurking around corners or pretending to read newspapers.