Read Online Crimson Death by Laurell K. Hamilton - Free Book Online Page B

this,” he said. “I smell like fresh blood and sweat. It’s disgusting.”
    â€œI haven’t noticed you smelling bad; maybe just take a bird bath in the bathroom back here,” I suggested.
    â€œYou haven’t gotten close enough to smell my skin,” he said.
    â€œYou just said you don’t want me closer since you sweated blood from one touch.”
    He sighed. “Yes, I did.”
    â€œI’m heading to the Circus of the Damned, then. I’ve got people waiting for me.”
    â€œCan I catch a ride with you? I need a shower and clean clothes.”
    â€œYou fly better than almost any vampire I know; you don’t need a car.”
    â€œI don’t feel myself tonight, Anita. I’d rather use a car.”
    â€œHow did you get here tonight without one?”
    â€œCardinale and I carpool. You know that.”
    â€œSorry. You’re right. I do.”
    â€œLook, if you don’t want to give me a ride, just say so.”
    â€œI’m not sure you and I in a car alone together is a good idea until we know why shaking hands made you bleed.”
    He took in a lot of air and let it out slow. Was he breathing more than normal for him, and for most of the vampires I knew, or was I just more aware of it? I almost asked, but then left it alone. I’d ask Jean-Claude later after he’d had time to watch Damian tonight.
    â€œYou’re right,” he said.
    â€œMaybe you can drive the car to the Circus, shower, and come back for the big dance number at the end of the evening,” I said.
    â€œSensible,” he said.
    â€œYou sound like you’d rather I not be sensible.”
    â€œThe urge to touch you is always there, Anita, even after what just happened.”
    Since I wasn’t as drawn to him as he was to me, I kept quiet, because when a man tells you something like that it’s just mean to tell him you don’t feel the same. I did my best not to hurt anyone’s feelings if I could help it.
    â€œYou’re shielding so hard, Anita, harder than when you came through the door.”
    â€œWe shook hands and you sweated blood, Damian, and I don’tknow if I caused it. So yes, I’m shielding as hard as I can from you right now.”
    â€œIt’s like you’re not there at all now.”
    â€œYou can see me,” I said.
    He shook his head. “It’s not the same, Anita.”
    â€œI haven’t cut our ties as master and servant. I know enough not to do that by accident now.”
    â€œYou might as well be on the far side of the world for all the energy you’re sharing with me.”
    â€œSee my earlier statement, Damian.”
    â€œYou’re probably right to do it, but I feel worse, as if a little bit more of my air was cut off and I’m suffocating more quickly.”
    â€œYou’re a vampire. You don’t have to breathe except to talk.”
    â€œI tell you how I feel, and you’re going to argue semantics with me?”
    It was my turn to take in a lot of air and let it out slow. I wanted to get impatient, maybe even angry, but I tried to do better. “You’re allowed to feel the way you feel, Damian, but vampires can’t suffocate. It was just odd phrasing.”
    â€œThere’s a lot odd about me lately, Anita.”
    â€œI’m going for my date now. You tell Cardinale why you’re borrowing the car and missing part of your shift.”
    â€œI’ll talk to Angel about working around me in the dances. We really need another male vampire that can take some of my performances, or hers. She’s a great assistant manager, but we both need someone to take the dance floor for us sometimes so we can manage things.”
    â€œMention it to Jean-Claude tonight. He’d probably know which of our people might be good at it.”
    â€œYou know all our vampires, too, Anita.”
    â€œI can tell you which of them would be the best for security, or