Kiss of the Dragon by Nicola Claire Page A

choose to use this skill. She is a definite asset and could cover your back whilst remaining hidden from sight."
    "Can you Dream Walk?" I asked the younger Nosferatin. It was the only skill I could think of that would allow her to move silently and hidden through the night.
    "No, my talent is more on the side of Shadow Walking," she said, then clarified, "but not quite the same."
    Hmm. Interesting and also enlightening. She had called it a talent, which meant she had come into some of her Nosferatin powers before turning twenty-five. Not many do, I had and Amisi has, and I knew that Nero had too, many centuries before. But it was still considered unusual to inherit our skills before we matured and joined. Nut, our Goddess, must have considered it necessary, which only made me realise how precarious things were right now. And that Sophie was going to be a powerful Nosferatin. One to watch.
    "I appreciate the offer," I said to them both, but as Sophie was still an immature Nosferatin, I didn't think it was wise to pull her into this.
    "She is my best Nosferatin," Yves added, clearly understanding why I was reluctant to take up his offer.
    "I'm sure she is, Yves," I said, trying to think of a polite way to let them both down. It was a generous offer, I really did appreciate it and some part of me could see how useful she would be, what a great addition to my team she would make. But I still felt uneasy about pulling her into what could potentially be quite risky. I'm not sure I would want her safety on my mind when facing my own.
    Michel appeared at our sides from out of nowhere. Yves and I took his sudden appearance in our stride, Sophie gasped slightly, but hid her reaction fairly well. It was easy to be bamboozled by Michel's speed, not to mention his appearance. The young Nosferatin was staring at him with open mouthed awe. Then again, he is the Champion, the leader of the Iunctio which was set up to guide all Nosferatu as well as Nosferatin. He was her leader too.
    "You vouch for her?" he asked Yves, surprising me.
    "Absolutely," Yves replied without hesitation. Michel turned his attention to Sophie, I think she was trying not to pee her pants.
    "You are aware, Nosferatin, of what danger you could face?" His voice was gentle and I noticed laced in a little Sanguis Vitam . He was trying to calm her enough, so she could answer his question without fumbling. I loved him even more in that minute, that he would take the time to soothe a young Nosferatin's fear. His eyes flicked to mine briefly, a flash of magenta letting me know his vampire-within was also here and as much a participant as him.
    I loved them both.
    Michel's hand came out and clasped mine, he brought my knuckles up to his lips for a kiss, his eyes though back on Sophie. Her eyes widened slightly at his intimate and open gesture.
    "Yes, Champion," she finally answered. "I am aware."
    "And you would like to assist my kindred?" he asked, still in that gentle voice.
    "It would be my greatest wish," she replied instantly.
    "Do you think you would be of some help?" he continued to interrogate her, albeit softly.
    "Most certainly," she replied and although her confidence could be confused with pride, it clearly wasn't. She just had enough faith in her own abilities to back herself. I immediately liked her.
    Michel turned to me. "It is your call, ma douce , but I believe she would indeed be an asset to your team."
    I held his gaze, knowing he wouldn't suggest this if he didn't truly believe she would help rather than hinder. Michel knew how much difficulty I had training and working with Marie in London. But then Marie, despite being a mature Nosferatin, was definitely not skilled. She had been a liability and Michel would never consider placing me in a position such as that again. Plus, it was obvious, Michel wanted me to have as much protection as I could. Things were not good in our world right now. He'd asked Yves for Nosferatin protection for my return to this realm,