Blood and Mint Chocolates by Adrianne Brennan (best books to read for young adults .TXT) 📕

Merideth almost snorted her wine out of her nose. Oh, Blood, Janius. Janius getting laid. As if.

"I'd offer to help him out, but he's too inhibited for my tastes. I might scare him." She gave Merideth a wolfish grin. The vampire downed more of her wine in a hasty gulp at the look in Kalia's eyes.

If this evening gets any more interesting, more wine may be required.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Kalia grabbed Merideth's free hand and quickly bit and licked her wrist. She yelped with surprise, but grew wet to the point of needing a napkin both on and under her lap.

WE SHOULD GO EAT AFTER THIS.

Merideth managed to reply, UM ... WHAT?

FEED. YOU KNOW. I BET THERE'S SOME GREAT DANCE CLUB NEARBY WHERE WE CAN GRAB SOMEONE, SEDUCE THEM, AND GET A LITTLE BLOOD 'N' ACTION. WHAT DO YOU SAY?

I ... UM.... MERI, stop stammering like that, she scolded herself.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU FED?

Blinking, she replied, "I-I haven't had time since I got here ... I mean, there was last night with you, but.... "Oh, Blood, I sound like a mere Apprentice. Some deity please save me before I embarrass myself any further.

Kalia laughed. "I can fix that. C'mon, we can eat this lovely food and go play afterwards."

She forced a nervous smile back. If Merideth were not undead, her heart would've beaten itself out of her chest. "Sure, why not?"

Chapter Seven

Tangerine Tango

Not far from the beach restaurant resided a little music club called Tangerine Tango. Kalia insisted that they head there for the best drinks, the best food, and the best "drink." The last part she stated with a wink and a grin.

The activities at the club filled the air with music, sounds of people chatting, and smells of food and alcohol. Tiki torches lit the area as people danced outside amongst palm trees and warm, humid tropical breezes.

Such a gorgeous night. Merideth glanced up at the sky. So many more stars were visible here than back at the Sanctuary in New York. Minus the pollution and the billions of city lights, nature revealed itself. Suddenly she thought of Babalon's eyes, and her head spun. Blood, is any of this real?

Kalia laughed and grabbed her hand. It was a gentle, affectionate gesture. She gave Merideth's hand a light squeeze and pulled her in the direction of the club.

"C'mon, no time for stargazing--let's go," she urged. "Drinks are on me. And if you like," she added in a conspiratorial tone, "they can be literally on me." At great speed, Kalia's lips crushed Merideth's before she had time to react to the thought of licking alcohol off of Kalia's most delectable body. Kalia's tongue and lips did wondrous things to Merideth's mouth which made her head spin all the faster.

"At this rate," she gasped once Kalia let go of her, "we'll never get to the club."

Kalia giggled. "Yes, more hungers to satisfy."

Hand in hand, they arrived at the bar in the club. Kalia ordered martinis for each of them--coconut for her, and mint chocolate for Merideth. It seemed quite appropriate to enjoy such a treat during her date with the magistra.

The two vampires chose a nearby table and, now seated, they surveyed the crowd, attempting to be subtle with their gazes as they observed everyone around them. The people surrounding them were dressed anywhere from jeans to semi-formal attire. The two vampires watched as they danced, drank, and smoked outdoors to the sounds of techno music. Merideth drank them all in with her eyes. Such colorful, bright people. The scent of their sweat, the sounds of their laughter and conversation combined with such wide variations of attire intoxicated her almost as much as her delicious--sinfully so!--mint chocolate martini. When Kalia's fingers interlaced with her own, the casual but significant touch crowned the moment for her. Merideth embraced the evening and hoped it would stretch for as long as she willed it.

Naturally, the evening made other plans--as usual without consulting her.

The back of her head hummed, and the hair on her arms stood on end. Merideth's forehead creased with concentration. With an eyebrow raised, she glanced over at Kalia, who gave her a small nod.

Someone in the area was using magick.

A small tap on her arm, and Merideth turned to see to where Kalia pointed. A vibrant young man stood in front of a woman with fists clenched. They were dressed for the average goth club, and Merideth assessed their attire carefully, attempting to make out what she could of their personalities. His black mesh tank top revealed his lean but muscular chest. His black jeans, though baggy, weren't unflattering. Merideth tried not to stare too hard at his ass and forced her attention upon the young woman. Her black corset amplified her slim but curvy figure, and Merideth's gaze drifted towards her pale but delicious, perky breasts. Her black lace skirt came above her knees, while her matching boots came just below. It surprised her that the knees showing were not clad in fishnets.

She must be warm in those boots. During her evaluation of the woman's attire, she concluded without a doubt that she found the woman very attractive. Her alabaster skin and black hair reminded her of Kalia's, and her black eyeliner enhanced the contrast between her dark eyes and skin. Skin so pale the woman could've passed for a vampire had Merideth's senses not been so attuned.

STOP STARING AT THE HOT GOTH CHICK AND PAY ATTENTION TO THAT GUY. HE'S THE ONE TRYING TO ZAP HER.

Merideth blinked at Kalia. "Huh?" Then she honed in on their conversation.

"I don't see what the problem is," the man stated, his low voice almost hissing in anger.

"I said, stop it," the woman replied, her tone firm. Her dark eyes shone under the tiki lights, and Merideth saw the anger in them. "I don't want to do this."

"Look, you know why we came here. We have a job to do and