Fated By Starlight by Krista Street

Chapter 7

~ AVERY ~

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, obviously enjoying the effect he was having on me.

My cheeks flushed, but then I reminded myself that he was a vampire so his flirtation didn’t necessarily mean anything.

“I suppose it was good luck, or coincidence,” I replied, “considering I’m one of the only people here who doesn’t have anyone to sit with.” I swept my hand toward the hundred SF members currently enjoying their dinner—none of whom I knew.

As I turned my head back to Nicholas, still smiling, an intense emerald glare from across the room caught my attention. Wyatt sat with two other superiors at a table eating dinner. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought a faint glow rimmed his irises.

The second we made eye contact, Wyatt dipped his head back to his companions, but his attention made me shift self-consciously on my seat.

“Are your parents the reason you aspired to join the Institute?” Nicholas asked before taking a drink of his blood. He didn’t try to hide the crimson drops that lined his upper lip. Instead, he ran his tongue over them suggestively, his gaze never leaving mine.

Another flutter ran through me. Ugh. I seriously needed to get my vagina under control.

“Avery?” Nicholas said, his voice as smooth as velvet.

Flustered, I grabbed my napkin to dab at my mouth. “Um, yes, that’s one of the reasons. What I love about being an ambassador is traveling, meeting new supernaturals, and learning about new cultures—obviously, I got that from my parents and their lifestyle. But, if I’m being completely honest, my mixed blood is also why I chose this profession.”

His eyes dimmed sympathetically. “Meaning your powers are limited because of your mixed blood? And being an ambassador doesn’t require strong magic?”

“Yeah, exactly. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I know some mixed-bloods are incredibly powerful, but I’m not one of them.” I shrugged. “I suppose you could say I lost the game of genetic roulette when I was conceived.”

“And what mixed blood do you possess? If you don’t mind my asking.”

Since he seemed genuinely curious versus scornful, I replied, “I’m half witch and a quarter werewolf. My father’s a low-level sorcerer, and my mother’s half werewolf. As I’m sure you know, quarter werewolf females have almost no wolf abilities. And considering my witch magic comes from a sorcerer father it’s been effectively diluted since males passing magic to female children usually results in weak magic.” I raised my shoulders. “So, there you have it. I’m rather unimpressive.”

His attention dipped down, taking in my full breasts in my form-fitting uniform top. “I wouldn’t say you’re unimpressive.”

My cheeks heated and my core clenched again, making an ache form low in my belly. I wanted to sink through the floor. While Nicholas was certainly attractive, I didn’t actually want to sleep with him, but there was something about vamps who were at least a few hundred years old. It was as if they pulled at one’s sexual appetite whether you wanted them to or not.

Nicholas leaned forward until his elbows rested on the table. Some of his sexual energy dampened when he schooled his features into a serious expression. “So essentially what you’re saying is that as an ambassador, you’ll use your mind instead of your magic to fulfill a role that serves our community.”

“My mind is all I have.”

His attention flicked to my boobs again. “We can agree to disagree on that.” He grinned wickedly, then gave me another thoughtful look. “On a serious note, there’s pride to be taken in that role, Avery. You shouldn’t sell yourself short simply because your magic isn’t powerful. Remember that some of our best treaties and international dealings have come from magically inferior supernaturals. Remember the war of 1739, in which the Russian sorcerers declared themselves rulers of all of Europe? I still remember that event. There was concern the Russian sorcerers would take over the world. But ultimately, it was Matilda Schlouster who brokered the treaty that ultimately led to the sorcerers backing down. To this day, that treaty is referenced when tensions in that region rise. And Ms. Schlouster was only a low-level psychic whose predictions were often wrong instead of right, yet she thrived in the role of a supernatural ambassador. So keep your chin up, Ms. Meyers. You could be the next Matilda.”

He sounded so sincere. And that combined with his sexual tension dissipating . . .

I blinked and realized that I was looking at the man behind the vampire as we stared at one another from across the table. In that moment, I saw a glimpse of who Nicholas Fitzpatrick really was—a decent man who had been turned into a vamp and now suffered from sexual urges that he could no more control than I could control my lack of magic.

I smiled genuinely and shook my head. “Yes, you’re very right. I shouldn’t sell myself short. Perhaps I will be the next Matilda.”

He laughed and picked up his burger again. Sexual energy pulsed from him once more when he bit into the meat, and I knew the man behind the vamp had just disappeared.

“You know,” he said, cocking his head. “I’ve never fully understood why the Supernatural Ambassador Institute requires SF training for three months before allowing new ambassadors to be admitted.”

I took a drink of my soda. “You’re not the only one. Most don’t. The reason it’s required is because of a number of past incidences where ambassadors found themselves in crisis situations in which they didn’t know how to react.”

Understanding lit his eyes. “Ah, of course. Now that you mention it, I remember an incident about fifteen years ago. An Irish ambassador was taken hostage while trying to solidify trade policies with a vampire coven in Venezuela.”

I nodded sadly. “His death is what initiated the change in the Institute’s admittance requirement. So I’m here to learn how to fight better, but more importantly, how to escape in one piece if I’m ever in that situation.”

Nicholas grinned devilishly. “And we certainly wouldn’t want a young woman as lovely as you not escaping in one piece.”

I laughed even though another rush of blood filled my clit. It didn’t help that Nicholas’s eyes dilated, and his nostrils flared. He could no doubt scent the effect he was having on me. But he had good enough manners to raise his glass and pretend that he didn’t notice my arousal.

“I wish you nothing but the best, Ms. Meyers, as you learn to fight, slay, and survive during your time here.”

Another chuckle escaped me as Nicholas’s eyes danced with mirth. When I clinked my glass to his, a sharp shift in energy vibrated in the air. Goosebumps sprouted across my arms, and when I sought the source of the rippling energy, I once again found Wyatt staring at us from across the room.

Mortification filled me when I realized my commander had probably scented my arousal too. My hand shook as I hastily set my glass down, but then I realized I hadn’t taken a sip after the toast. I swallowed a mouthful of soda and stood to leave.

“Have I scared you away?” Nicholas asked, his eyebrows rising as his lips curved suggestively. “I was hoping to spend more time with you this evening.” His tone dropped, letting me know exactly how he wanted to spend that time.

My lady bits throbbed again under his carnal stare. It was embarrassing how easily he was eliciting a reaction from me. “No, of course not, but it’s been a long first day of training, and I really need to get back to my apartment. Are you going to be here long?”

He shook his head. “Sadly, no. I leave in the morning since the trial I was called in for ended today, but I’m delighted that I was able to make your acquaintance. Perhaps I’ll see you again once you’ve begun your work.” His gaze dipped to my breasts for the third time, his tongue darting out to lick his lips.

Another rush of lust shot to my core as my breasts tingled under his heady stare. So embarrassing!

He finally lifted his eyes. “Will you be traveling to Geneva after you finish your time here?”

“I will. And are you returning to Eastern Europe tomorrow?”

“Indeed I am.” He pushed to a stand, his movements graceful. He didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by his erection tenting his trousers. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like an escort to your apartment?” His voiced dipped again.

“No,” I squeaked, my cheeks heating as I fought to keep my attention north. “I’m good.”

“Oh, I’m sure you are.” Nicholas chuckled and extended his hand toward mine.

I automatically accepted his handshake.

His fingers encircled my palm, his skin cool and smooth. He lifted my hand to his mouth, then flipped it over and kissed my palm, his tongue darting out briefly to taste my skin.

I shivered at the feel of his cool lips.

“It was a pleasure, Ms. Meyers. Until we meet again.” He let go, a knowing glint in his eyes, before he swept our trays off the table and glided toward the kitchen to drop them off.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. My heart stuttered, my breaths shallow. One would think after traveling the world and meeting as many supernatural species as I had that I wouldn’t be so affected by older vamps, but such wasn’t the case.

I was no different than a human in that aspect.

Embarrassment stained my cheeks red, especially since those seated nearby cast knowing glances my way.

I scurried toward the cafeteria’s exit even though my muscles protested at the quick movements.

But with every step I took, angry energy pulsed into me more and more, and it again came from Wyatt.

Shit. Had I done something wrong? Was I not supposed to talk to consultants? I made a mental note to review the SF handbook later tonight.

I had to pass the commanders’ table to leave. Wyatt dipped his chin when I skirted by, so I couldn’t see his face, but my internal radar spiked at the rolling power pulsing off him.

I picked up my speed and fled the cafeteria as fast as I could, my heart pumping as rapidly as a jackhammer.