Blood Bred Series, Book 3: New Beginnings by JennaKay Francis

New Beginnings

Adan pulled his black cloak tighter about his lithe frame. His breath frosted in the cold, dank air of the dark alleyway. The moon was high but shed little light on the lands below. Perfect, thought Adan. His gaze shifted toward the streets beyond the alley. Soon, it would be soon. He could feel it. The taverns were closing up. The intoxicated patrons would be disgorged like so much vile waste, to sully the streets and dark alleys until next eve's revelry.

A shudder ran through Adan, but it was not from the cold. The tremors always got worse before they got better. He knew that. He lived with that. And he could fix that. He just had to have patience.

His keen hearing picked up the sounds of footfalls, echoing dully against the tall, wooden structures on either side of him. He remained still, waiting, blending into the darkness surrounding him. In a moment, a young man stumbled down the alley, muttering softly to himself. Adan drew a deep, slow breath, reaching out with his Vector magic. Yes, this man had just recently taken a dose of hack, the drug Adan craved, the drug Adan needed. He waited until the man was almost past him, before he stepped into his path.

The man stumbled to a stop with a gasp. His gaze lifted to study Adan's face. Though he was not a small man, Adan, at well over six feet, towered over him, and the man staggered backward to get a better glimpse, blinking rapidly, eyes obviously blurred from drink or drug.

"Good eve," Adan said quietly.

The young man frowned, as if unsure how to respond. He shrugged, and attempted to pass Adan.

Adan stopped him yet again, gripping his arm.

"What do you want?" the man slurred.

"You," Adan answered quietly, and pulled the man toward him. His bite was vicious, his feeding more so, his lust brought on by his need for the drug in the man's blood. It had been too long since he'd fed. Lost in the euphoria of the hack that now coursed through his body, Adan released his grip on his victim. The man sprawled to the cold ground. Adan stared down at him for a few moments, then, snugging his cloak, he turned and melted into the darkness.