Embrace The Dawning (The Covenant Series Book 1) by Betty Shreffler Page A

how much you enjoyed the hunts and the kills?” Danika smirked.
    He revealed the tips of his fangs. His nostrils flared. His lip curled. It took everything in his power not to kill her on the spot.
    “This is not the time or place to provoke me, Danika. The Covenant has asked me to bring you to them alive. I can always ask for forgiveness later and tell them it was an accident that your head came back separate.”
    Adrian grabbed her arm forcefully. He wasn’t letting her go this time.
    Danika’s eyes lowered. She scowled at Adrian. She tried to pull her arm from his grasp, but his grip was deadlocked. Danika glanced at Adrian’s hand on her arm and then back at him.
    “You think I came to see you without leverage?”
    Adrian raised his head. She had his interest. He waited for her to continue.
    “She tastes sweet, if you’re wondering.”
    Adrian’s grip tightened. He leaned in closer. His fangs escaped his control.
    “What are you talking about?” He knew she meant Kayci.
    Danika smirked again.
    “The little brunette you killed Conan over. Just wanted to let you know we have her. She’s very sweet, and so is the taste of her blood. Not sure how much longer she’ll last though. My boys have been a bit rough with her.”
    Adrian’s face twisted into an expression of rage.
    “You’re lying.”
    “Am I?”
    Danika jerked her arm from his grasp the moment he hesitated. “You’re obviously concerned for the pathetic human’s life.” She roughly pulled his face close to hers and whispered, “Good-bye, Adrian.”
    Adrian looked around. Six of Danika’s minion vampires circled him, ensuring he didn’t follow Danika. He shoved the nearest one between him and Danika out of his way. All six moved in closer and took their stance. He either had to make a scene in public and potentially reveal what they were or back off. He grimaced in anger.
     
    Danika strolled through the crowd of dancers, glancing back at Adrian only once. Her coven vampires were holding him back well. She could see the look of angst and rage on his face. She grinned. Her plan had worked. Now it was time to hunt and then wait for Adrian to be the foolish protector he was. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed.
    “Follow him when he leaves,” she ordered, then disconnected.
    The door she exited came out to a backstreet between buildings. She followed it while listening for voices. She heard a couple of young men some yards away. She quickly made her way to them. She found them drunk and laughing at each other’s ridiculous jokes. Danika scanned her surroundings. No one else was near.
    “Hi, boys.” Her words were smooth as silk. She instantly had their attention. Her energy pulsed.
    “ Hell-o , beautiful.” The man’s arrogance made her grin. “Come to join the fun, have you?”
    She flashed a smile at the tall yellow-haired guy.
    “Oh yes, fun is exactly what I want.” Her teeth slipped out of her smile. Her eyes flashed gold. Both men stared at her with puzzled expressions.
    “Too bad I’ll be the only one having a good time.”
    She slammed her fist into the friend of the yellow-haired guy. The blow knocked him to the ground. He hit his head against a pile of haphazardly piled crates. He didn’t get up. The yellow-haired guy looked suddenly sober.
    “What’d you do that for?” he asked with confusion and irritation in his voice.
    Danika didn’t answer. She clutched him in her arms and bit viciously into his neck. She savored the rush of warm blood invigorating her own body. Minutes later she released him. He collapsed to the ground near his friend, his body unmoving and lifeless. She licked her lips clean of blood.
    She thought of Adrian. He doesn’t know what he’s missing.
     

 
    Chapter 6
     
    Kayci and Elise abruptly stopped their laughing as a forceful and impatient knock banged on Kayci’s front door.
    “Who is that?” Elise asked. Her eyes widened, clearly startled.
    “Not sure. Stay here.”