Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire (Love at Stake) by Kerrelyn Sparks Read Free Book Online Page B

bottles in the chest, then closed the lid. “I’ll be on my way then.”
    Howard sat up abruptly. “They’re back. That was fast.”
    Zoltan materialized close to the kitchen counter with Mikhail, an old vampire friend from Russia. The sour look on Zoltan’s face brightened when he saw Russell. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight. How are you doing?”
    “I’m fine.” Russell shook hands with the only Vamp he called friend. “Thank you for keeping the fridge full of synthetic blood. I know you don’t need it anymore.” He handed a Bleer to Mikhail and a regular beer to Zoltan.
    “Thanks.” Zoltan’s frown returned as he wrenched the top off the bottle. “I need a drink.”
    “The coven meeting was over fast,” Howard observed. “What happened?”
    “Don’t ask.” Zoltan collapsed into a chair at the kitchen table and gulped down some beer.
    “What’s wrong?” Howard pushed the box of donuts toward Zoltan. “Didn’t they vote for a new Coven Master?”
    Zoltan shot an annoyed look at Mikhail. “The vote was unanimous.”
    Mikhail scowled back. “Don’t blame me. I can’t be Coven Master of Eastern Europe. I live in Russia.”
    “Close enough,” Zoltan muttered. “You could have volunteered.”
    Mikhail snorted. “I have no patience for all the whining that goes on at Coven Court. I would declare everyone guilty and fine them a million euros for wasting my time.”
    Zoltan sighed and reached for a donut.
    “So who is the new Coven Master?” Howard asked.
    Zoltan took a bite and mumbled, “They voted for me again.”
    Russell scoffed. “But you’re not a vampire.”
    “They don’t care!” Zoltan waved the donut in the air. “They know I could still live forever, so apparently I’m stuck with the job for all eternity!”
    Howard grimaced. “They’re willing to let a non-vampire judge them at Coven Court?”
    Zoltan groaned. “Lazy bastards. I should do like Mikhail said and fine them all a million euros.” He gave the Russian a wry look. “You’re not off the hook. I’ll need someone to teleport me to all the meetings.”
    Mikhail grunted, then gulped down some Bleer. “Why don’t you just let me turn you back into a vampire? Don’t you miss being able to teleport?”
    “I do miss that.” Zoltan nodded. “But not enough to give up the days I can have with my wife and family. And stuff like this—” He eyed the donut in his hand. “This is damned good.” He popped the rest into his mouth.
    Howard sat back with a smirk. “Now you’re talking.”
    Mikhail shook his head. “If we’re done for the night, I should get back to Moscow. Pam’s working—”
    “I need a lift back to Tiger Town,” Zoltan interrupted him.
    Mikhail gave him an annoyed look. “What am I, your taxi service?”
    Zoltan shrugged. “You wouldn’t have to cart me around if you’d taken the Coven Master job.”
    Mikhail groaned and drank more Bleer.
    “I’ll take you.” As soon as the words were out of Russell’s mouth, he flinched. What the hell was he doing?
    Even Zoltan looked surprised. “Oh. Thanks, Russell.”
    “I’m out of here then.” Mikhail vanished, taking his bottle of Bleer with him.
    Russell swallowed hard. He couldn’t back out now. He was going to Tiger Town. The thought of seeing Jia again made his heart beat faster. Dammit. What was wrong with him? It wasn’t like the princess would be happy to see him. She’d probably slap him again.
    Zoltan stood. “Can you give me a few minutes? I need to grab my bag from upstairs.”
    “That’s fine.” Russell picked up the loaded ice chest. “I need to take my supplies home first.”
    “Home?” Howard eyed him curiously. “You’ve never mentioned a home before. Where is it?”
    Shit. Now he was saying too much. Without another word, Russell teleported back to the bat cave. Using vampire speed, he put away his new supplies. The faster he moved, the faster his heart pounded. Since it was a warm August night, he