Chapter 4 - Daniela

I cannot believe Diana thought bringing him to my place was a good idea. I don’t need a roommate. Least of all, a roommate that will draw unwanted attention. Did she forget I am trying to stay under the radar till I can make my move against Toño?

 

He’s only going to cause me trouble, and while he has some fancy weapons, he’s a liability at the end of the day. I don’t need this distraction. And I will tell her that as soon as we get to the house.

 

We walked back to my place in silence, trying to appear casual in case anyone else was watching us. But if there were others around, Diana would know it, so we should be safe for now.

 

“So, do you have any actual food in this place?” The Hunter questioned.

 

Yes, I’m going to call him The Hunter. If I use his name, it’s like accepting that he’s staying. Sort of like if you name a stray cat or dog, you now have a pet. I don’t need a pet human.

 

“Vampires. We don’t keep any food you’d eat. Feeding you is Diana’s responsibility. She’s the one that brought you here.” I rolled my eyes, grabbing Diana’s arm and dragging her to my bedroom.

 

“Oh… sit tight, Kahlid. We’ll be back, and I’ll find you something to eat!” Diana called out as I dragged her away.

 

“Yeah, this is about as welcoming and fun as I imagine staying at the Bloodmoon packhouse.” The Hunter grumbled under his breath.

 

Bloodmoon? Packhouse? What werewolf trouble is this dumbass in? I do not want anything to do with Bloodmoon or werewolves in general. Even Caleb keeps his distance when possible from that pack. They better not show up here looking for this asshole.

 

“What’s wrong?” Diana questioned, blinking innocent eyes at me.

 

“You know exactly what’s wrong. I’m here for one reason and one reason only. I will not get a chance to reach my goal with that Hunter. He’s a fucking beacon of trouble. If even one of those dickbags back there survived, all element of surprise as little as I had is gone.” I groaned, shutting the door to ensure he wouldn’t hear us.

 

“He could be useful. I mean, you saw what he did out there to Ernesto and his crew.” Diana countered.

 

“Doesn’t matter. That has just painted a bigger target on me. I don’t want that Hunter in my home. He needs to go.” I shook my head.

 

“Beyond that, the Hunter’s put himself on Toño’s radar. You said other hunters were hunting him. Plus, you heard him muttering about Bloodmoon. If Bloodmoon werewolves want him, he must get out of my house. Even Caleb doesn’t mess with that pack.” I rubbed my temples growing more frustrated by the second.

 

“It’s going to be fine. You really should trust me more.” Diana rolled her eyes.

 

“I trust you. I don’t trust The Hunter. He is a distraction. Find somewhere else to stash him.” I pleaded my case.

 

“Let’s be frank and talk like big girls, shall we? The only distraction is that he is a sexy one. Please don’t put that on him or me. It’s not our fault you’re attracted to him.” Diana smirked.

 

“You need to trust me. Khalid won’t be a liability. He will be the best ally you’re going to get.” Her expression grew serious as she gripped my shoulders.

 

I blinked at how serious she was. I know Diana can see things and knows things others don’t. It’s rare when she’s this direct. Is this one of those times?

 

“Now behave and try not to jump his bones while I get him something to eat.” Diana’s whole personality shifted back as she winked, leaving me confused and annoyed in my room.

 

“You two play nice! Don’t break anything, and I’ll be right back with some food.” Dania cheerfully called out to The Hunter before I heard the door close.

 

I sighed, walking back to the living room. The Hunter had made himself comfortable on my sofa with his feet on the coffee table, drinking a glass of water. I guess I should be grateful he took his boots off before putting his feet on my furniture. Upon seeing me, he sat up, taking his feet off the coffee table.

 

“Look, Daniela, I know you don’t want me here. And that’s fine. I can find a car and be out of your way by dawn. I shouldn’t stay in one place too long anyway.” He explained, holding his free hand up in surrender.

 

I don’t like him saying my name or rather how much I actually liked it. Something about the accent, I don’t know. It doesn’t help that what Diana said was still on my mind. I am not that predictable. I don’t have a set type. I tend to favor tall, dark, and handsome—lots of women like that.

 

“Because you have werewolves after you as well as your fellow hunters and now vampires?” I folded my arms with my patented, emotionless face.

 

I can ignore the attraction. I’m not some young girl. I’m nearly eighty, and I know how to prioritize. And there are far more important things than his handsome face, and I haven’t hooked up with anyone in longer than I’m going to admit.

 

“Who said anything about werewolves?” He arched an eyebrow, taking a casual sip of his water.

 

“You did. Comparing my hospitality to what you’d expect at the Bloodmoon pack house. Vampire, I can hear even something as soft as your rapidly increasing heartbeat to the rush of blood flowing through every vein.” I reminded him.

 

He coughed on his water at my not-so-subtle reminder I am a vampire, and there is little I can’t and won’t hear. I may have gone a bit far speaking about hearing his blood. At least I didn’t tell him he smells delicious. That might be too much walking a tightrope between vampiric and sexual hunger.

 

“What did you do to get on the wrong side of Bloodmoon? Simply being a Hunter is enough to offend any supernatural community.” I scoffed.

 

“I don’t see how it matters to you. You want me gone anyways. So why care who is after me? Let alone why?” He countered, having gotten himself under control again, even managing to control his heartbeat.

 

The smug fucker went so far as to lean back again and put his feet on the coffee table. A bold strategy to try and show he isn’t afraid of me and what I could do to him. I notice he’s not wearing that talisman, so either he’s stupid or very trusting. To trust a vampire is ridiculous for a human.

 

“Because Diana feels indebted to you. And until her debt is repaid, she won’t stop bugging you. Trust me. I’ve not been able to shake her in decades for the same reason.” I explained, walking closer, stepping over his legs as if I was about to straddle him.

 

That control over his heart rate went out the window as he looked up at me, the pulse in his neck beating like a hummingbird’s wings. Good to see he can’t maintain his bravado under all circumstances.

 

“She is my friend of many years. I take a personal interest in her safety. So you’ll tell me what I want to know about everyone hunting you and why.” I instructed, lowering myself to his lap.

 

Proximity affects him. And while getting closer affects me, I’m older, wiser, and more skilled. So I kept my face free of emotions as I ran a nail up his neck to tilt his scruffy chin, so his eyes weren’t on my tits.

 

“By the way, my eyes are up here, Hunter.” I taunted him. “Now, answer my questions.” I commanded.

 

“Are you seriously using your body as a weapon to get me to talk? Do you think such a thing would work?” He questioned with false bravado.

 

“I’m a vampire seduction. The use of our charms is part of our species. And don’t pretend like it’s not working. Your heart is beating like a hummingbird, and I don’t think it’s out of fear I’ll sink my fangs into you for a snack.” I scoffed, adjusting my position in his lap.

 

I resisted smirking as he gulped. Yeah, there’s no hiding his physical reaction as it tried to reach me through his jeans. He better not think he’s getting anywhere. I have zero intentions of sleeping with this Hunter.

 

“Speak. Who hunts you? And why?” I repeated using a more seducing voice as I trailed my finger along his jaw.

 

Okay, so I’m getting something out of this that isn’t just the answers I seek. This lets me touch The Hunter without it going anywhere sexual. I know you think I’m in denial, but I know myself, and there is no way I’d succumb to a Hunter, let alone this one.

 

“Do you plan to continue teasing and toying with me until I tell you?” He arched an eyebrow.

 

“It is entertaining.” I shrugged.

 

“So the longer I stay quiet, the longer your ass is in my lap, and you’re touching me?” He mused.

 

“We both know you’re enjoying this, but I can easily force the answers out of you instead of being kind like I am now.” I pointed out.

 

I could see where he was going. He thought the longer he delayed giving me answers, the further I may go to seduce them from his lips. Well, his inviting lips could kiss my Mexican ass before I’d ever grace them with my touch.