Kindling Flames: Smoke Rising (The Ancient Fire Series Book 3) Read Online Free

good for you,” Clara complained.
    Darien couldn’t argue that. The older blood was, the less life it had in it. Odette, Darien’s fay housekeeper, always made sure his supply was as fresh as she could get, but it was never as good as blood straight from the source.
    “You should really find some people to keep,” Clara suggested.
    “I don’t really have time for that.” Darien turned to rinse out his cup. “But don’t worry, I do have sources if I need them.” He had a few people willing to donate if he asked. Vicky had even offered a few times, but that usually led to more intimate matters. He was happy to have discovered they had really good chemistry there.
    “All right.” Clara let the old argument go. “Let me know if you have any more problems with our visitor.”
    “Sure thing.” Darien put his glass in the dishwasher. “And let me know when he wants to meet with the Council. I would like to sit in and watch.”
    “Of course,” Clara answered. “Good night, Master Darien.”
    “Good night, Clara.” Darien said, disconnecting the line. He looked around his dimly lit kitchen as he thought. There was a good possibility that he would hear from Rupert, the local pack alpha, sometime tomorrow—there had been several wolves in the club when Vicky had been pulled aside. Darien let out a deep sigh and took a clean cup from the cabinet to fill with water. He needed to wake Vicky up to get her to bed.
     
    ***
     
    “Where’s the truck?” Vicky groaned as Darien woke her from sleep. She rolled over, dislodging Zak from her stomach.
    “What truck?” Darien asked in concern.
    She raised her hand to rub the pain away. “The one that ran over my head.”
    Darien snickered at her. “It got away,” he teased as he helped Vicky sit up and pressed the glass of water into her hands. “Drink this, and then you can go to bed.”
    She blinked at the glass several times before lifting it to her lips. After draining the water, she handed it back to him.
    He set the cup on the glass coffee table. “Come on.” Sure Vicky would be unstable on her own, he scooped her up.
    Zak scampered up the steps to find Vicky something to sleep in.
    “You did very well tonight,” Darien said softly as he climbed the steps with Vicky in his arms.
    Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buried her face into the crook of his neck. “Mmmmmm,” she moaned lightly.
    Darien grinned as they turned past the steps and towards the door to his room. He passed the Celtic cross just inside the doorway and turned down the short hall to his room. Darien’s bedroom was the most peaceful shade of sky blue with tuffs of white clouds painted on the wall. The sandy rug and weathered silver of the wooden furniture gave one the impression of stepping out onto a beach.
    Darien set Vicky gently down on the blue bedspread so she lay across the bed with her feet almost touching the floor. He smiled at her as he reached down and pulled off her shoes. “Are you going to change, or do I have to do it?”
    A hint of a smile slipped across her face as his hand slid up her thigh under her dress. His fingers stopped at the hooks holding her thigh-high stockings up. Popping the clasps, he slid the silk tube from her leg slowly.
    “I think I should make you do it,” she said as he slipped the second stocking from her other leg.
    Darien chuckled lightly. “I don’t think you’re up for that tonight.” He sat on the bed next to her so he could lean over and place a light kiss on her lips.
    “Point,” Vicky said as soon as he relinquished her lips.
    Unable to resist, he pressed another light kiss to her.
    Zak bounced in and wiggled up to the bed. He gurgled menacingly at Darien.
    The vampire sat up and laughed at the little fay. “And, I don’t think this one likes that idea right now.” He watched Zak take up a protective position over Vicky. “Peace, little one.” Darien ruffled the fay again. “You know I’m not going to hurt her.”
    Zak