That's how they communicate with each other, Samuel said in my mind. If you ever hear five really fast clucks, just run in the other direction.

I nodded and hoped he saw the movement.

"Look, brothers. Samuel's not alone." White hair draped the vampire's shoulders and ended at his waist. He lifted his nose in the air and inhaled. "d.a.m.n you, man. You're always the lucky one. Tell me she's not some sort of mage."

"She's not a mage." Samuel jumped up into a standing position.

"With that red hair, she's not human," the pirate countered.

Samuel still wore no clothes. The two male vampires behind the white-haired one raised their eyebrows as they gazed at the birthmarks on Samuel's legs. I also stood, but pulled the blanket around my chest with my right hand. My left hand continued to hold the dagger.

Maybe they don't know what the marks are. I didn't until I lived at the castle.

The white-haired vampire held a wooden gun. It squeaked as he twisted the top and then aimed it at Samuel. "I told you your time would come and that I would wreck you. Didn't I?"

"Yes." Samuel nodded. "You did, but let her leave. She's nothing."

"I can smell the s.e.x and her blood all over the blanket from here. She's something to you." The white-haired vampire waved at me. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Zee. I've come to save you from the brutish fanged creature next to you."

"I don't need any saving," I said.

Samuel got in front of me. Don't talk to him and stay behind me.

"Move again and I shoot you," White Hair said.

Samuel laughed. "Do you think the bullet will hit me before I rush to you and tear your head off?"

"You're known for being fast, but no one is faster than a wooden bullet," Zee declared.

Without any hesitation, Samuel charged for Zee. He was so quick, I only made out a blur of color and then Samuel's hands were around the vampire's neck. Zee's gun dropped to the ground with a clatter. The other two vampires pointed their guns at Samuel.

"I'll kill your brother Zee with no mercy," Samuel warned. "Toss your guns behind you if you want him to live."

They flung their guns in the opposite direction. The wooden weapons crashed into the ground.

An arm wrapped around my neck.

"Samuel, did you forget we're four brothers in all?" the stranger holding me asked.

I screamed as the stranger dragged me back, knocking me off balance.

"No!" Samuel shoved Zee to the ground and held his hands up. "Leeb, don't hurt her."

The arm around my neck tightened. Leeb must be the one holding me.

Samuel growled. The murderous sound spread throughout the s.p.a.ce. Birds scattered away from the trees and fled in another direction. Zee remained on the ground and slid back to where the guns were thrown.

"You better calm down before I kill her." Leeb's gruff voice came from behind me. He clucked twice. The other brothers helped Zee up as if Leeb ordered it with his clucking.

"You harm her and your whole family dies." Samuel's fangs appeared. "Everyone. From your brothers to all your wives and children."

"I think you've done enough with my wives. Don't you?" Leeb loosened his hold on my neck, but didn't release me. "She must be quite good if you're dumb enough to let your guard down and feast on her in the deserted lands."

The others chuckled and reached for their guns. Even Zee dusted his pants off.

I'm going to charge for Leeb. Samuel's voice entered my brain. As soon as you can sneak out of his grip, grab a horse, and race away as fast as you can. Just look for the mountains ahead and hide.

No. They'll shoot you. I thought. I have the dagger in my hand. I can help.

Samuel growled again. All guns pointed at his face.

Leeb towed me a few feet back. "You had to tup three of my wives, didn't you? And to make matters worse, you drunk so much from all three of them that they were weak for days."

"Poor Leeb." Samuel displayed a mocking pout. "You have ten wives. It's not my fault you can't keep them all happy."

"Well, ask this one how much I pleased her when I'm done," Leeb barked.

Samuel advanced.

"Stay where you are." Zee grinned and raised his gun. Samuel continued. A wooden bullet blasted from the gun's end, ripped through the air, and pierced Samuel's arm before he could take another step toward me.

"No!" I screamed, hit, and shoved at Leeb, trying to get out of his arms.

Samuel grunted as dark blood spilled from the wound. "Let her go."

"I think I'll keep her," Leeb replied.

Samuel drew closer to us. Another bullet shot through his shoulder. Fear coursed through my veins. Grunting, Samuel continued to take another step as his eyes focused on me.

"Please stop, Samuel!" I yelled. "And, Leeb, please don't hurt him!"

"Awww, this red-haired creature loves him." Leeb snorted.

Blood streamed down Samuel's arm. He closed the distance some more until only three feet remained between us.

Remember, Samuel whispered in my head, run when he releases you.

Zee twisted the top on his gun again and then aimed at Samuel's head.

"No. You're going to get yourself killed!" I cried.

Samuel hissed.

"She's right." Leeb dragged me back a few feet.

"What do you want, Leeb?" I asked. "I'll do what you want, just please don't shoot him."

"I like her. She's a no-nonsense woman." Leeb placed a dry peck on my neck. "Well, I want many things, but I can settle for you being nice and letting me shove my snake between your hungry lips."

A grumble boomed from Samuel's chest.

"Is that it?" I swallowed down a shiver. "Anything else to let Samuel go?"

Don't negotiate with him. Samuel's voice filled my head.

"Your blood and hair smells so good." Leeb sniffed my hair. "What are you?"

"A domina."

Leeb chuckled to himself.

Brie? Samuel targeted me with his gold eyes.

"The king would give me five hundred pocks for a domina's return," Leeb announced.

"Five vials of my blood could get you five thousand pocks," I offered. "That sounds like a better deal to me. Plus, if you let me go freely, I'll give you another five vials every month for a year. You would never have to work again."

Leeb snorted. "Maybe I'll just grab you, lock you up in my house, and drain you when I want to. My children would appreciate a new pet, and I would love a new wh.o.r.e."

I trembled in his arms. "I'll figure out a way to kill myself. I won't be imprisoned against my will by anyone."

"Hmmm," Leeb murmured. "How can I trust you to give me these vials each month?"

"You can take me to my home in Zumaya. You'll know where I live and all of my family. I would never be able to run from you. I just left Capitol City and was going there. Zumaya was where I was heading-"

"You're lying." Leeb interrupted. "If you left Capitol City and was heading for Zumaya, then you would have went south, but you're heading north, completely out of the way."

Shock rocked me. I struggled not to sway back as I glared at Samuel. He averted his eyes.

"We were traveling north?" I asked "This whole time you guided me away from Zumaya?"

Samuel stayed quiet. His eyes never met mine.

"Why would you do that?" I continued. The only sound that came was Leeb and his brothers clucking and laughing.

"Looks like Samuel lied to you," Leeb said.

"Apparently," I muttered. "Nevertheless, release him and take me to Zumaya. I'll give you all the blood you want."

"And what about my snake? I would love to feed that mouth of yours."

An exasperated breath escaped my lips. "Will this...feeding be a one-time deal?"

"Perhaps."

I won't let you do that! Samuel's voice slammed into my head.

Under this blanket, I have my dagger in my hand, I thought. I'll get him inside of the tent and stab him in his crotch. Will you be able to handle the other guys?

You're being unreasonable and stupid! Another deep growl emitted from Samuel's chest.

"I'll do what you ask." I twisted to Leeb and got a good look at him. Red jagged scars plastered the right side of his face. Someone must have cut him with wood. Those were the only types of injuries vampires had difficulty healing. He had those same bra.s.s-colored eyes like his brothers. Dirt and sweat stuck to his face and neck. He wore brown leather pants and a matching vest. No shirt was under it, just pierced skin. Lots of little gold rings were stuck into his nipples and the curve of his pecs. My stomach twisted with anxiety.

This has to work.

"You like what you see?" Leeb asked.

"I'll do what you want in the tent. I just don't want Samuel watching me."

"Tiny, put up that the tent and do it quick." Leeb grinned and exposed stained teeth. The stench of alcohol drifted from his mouth.

This is dangerous. Samuel's voice entered my mind. You can get killed.

Then focus on taking care of these guys as quietly as possible.

"Blasted woman," Samuel said as Leeb guided me by him. The vampire named Tiny sped around the campsite as he raised the tent.

A few minutes later, Leeb dragged me inside the tent. I sat on the ground. The gra.s.s teased my thighs. Naked and wrapped in the blanket, I hid my hand clutching the dagger behind my back. The tent closed behind him. I hoped Samuel had an opportunity to attack Leeb's brothers.

Leeb fumbled with taking off the vest. "Watch those teeth. I don't take kindly to my snake being sc.r.a.ped."

"Of course not." My fingers shook. Bile rose in my throat. I swallowed it down and concentrated on the task ahead.

"Take off that blanket." Leeb yanked the vest off. I followed his command by removing the blanket with my free hand. Leeb's lips curled at the edges. "You got a nice pair of t.i.ts. I want to rub myself all over them."

I averted my eyes to the ground. "The deal was only-"

"I know what the deal was." He untied the laces on his leather pants. I gripped the dagger tighter, to the point that the hard edges of the wood dug into my skin. No noise sounded outside. I wondered what was happening and if this was in fact a horrible plan.

I killed two. I'm chasing Tiny a mile away. Samuel's voice blew into my head. Relief soared through me. Are you okay, Brie?

Yes!

Did you start?

No.

Please be careful, Brie.

Just focus on Tiny.

"Lick your lips," Leeb ordered. "I like the mouth nice and soft before I enter it."

I swallowed down my fear and licked my lips.

"I like my woman willing and wet."

I sighed as he wrenched out the pathetic weapon between his legs. Well, I guess all vampires aren't huge like Samuel. Leeb stroked his little length. His breathing increased.