Lover's Instinct: A Moon Shifter Novella by Katie Reus

She gently squeezed. “Nikan.”
    Damn, I am so screwed.
All she had to do was use that pleading voice and he’d say yes to almost anything. He looked sharply at Antoine. “Fine. I’ll help your female.”
    “Swear it.”
    “If he says he will, that’s good enough,” Esperanze interjected, heat in her voice.
    Nikan’s chest swelled with pride. She might not return his feelings with the same intensity as him, but she trusted him and that meant a hell of a lot. To have the trust of a woman like Esperanze . . . he swallowed back a lump of foreign emotion.
    Antoine nodded. “They’ve been holding her hostage in exchange for my blood. They’re selling it.”
    The space grew deathly quiet. Nikan couldn’t even hear sounds from the neighboring rooms. Selling any paranormal blood was illegal in every circle. Human, shifter, fae, demon and especially vampire. Vampire blood gave humans supernatural strength, giving them power and a euphoric rush, making them reckless, dangerous to everyone. But Nikan pushed past it. That was a problem they’d deal with later. Now, his only interest was helping the innocent human involved. “Why did they take your woman? Why not just take you instead?”
    He laughed wryly. “I only wish they had, but I’m too high profile. While I’m not part of a coven, I’m still very well known in many academic circles. If I disappeared, someone would come looking.”
    “Why not go to the Brethren? I don’t really know much about vampires, but wouldn’t they help?” Esperanze asked, confusion in her voice.
    Nikan snorted softly, already knowing the answer. She obviously didn’t understand their hierarchy.
    Antoine shook his head. “They’d have done nothing if I’d gone to them for help over a mere human. If she’d been turned, they might have intervened, especially since it’s shifters that have her. Now I can’t go to them.”
    “Why?” she persisted.
    “I’ve been giving shifters my blood. They’d kill me for that alone and Chandra would be dead. And in case you’re wondering, I briefly thought about going to the cops but the humans already know she’s missing. They’ve even questioned me about her since we work together. The Moretti brothers threatened to kill her if I spoke to the authorities again and they’ll do it. I have no one to turn to.”
    “Have you tried tracking them to see where she’s being held?” Nikan asked.
    Antoine nodded. “Over the past few weeks I’ve tried a couple times. They’ve been very careful each time they come to see me.”
    “How often is that?”
    “Three times a week.”
    Nikan frowned. “Why did they rough you up this morning? You’re their cash cow. It doesn’t make sense.”
    The vampire rubbed a hand over his ribs, as if in pain. “I demanded to talk to her. They haven’t let me talk to her in a week and I told them if they didn’t let me today, I was walking away. I . . . wouldn’t have, but I’ve been going crazy thinking about her. Last time we spoke she was in good spirits and it didn’t sound as if they’d hurt her, but these two are animals. I can only imagine what they’re capable of. This morning they stopped by to ‘remind’ me who was in charge.”
    Nikan reached out and tugged Esperanze close. This weekend was supposed to have been about her seduction and pleasure. He’d even planned to stay a few extra days, spend more time with her, maybe do some touristy sightseeing stuff. Dealing with rogue shifters selling vamp blood? Something he’d never imagined. He wanted to pack Esperanze up and get the hell out of town. Keeping her out of danger was his number one priority, but she’d hate him if he did. And the truth was, he’d hate himself if he walked away from helping an innocent human.
    “We’ve got to help him.” Esperanze wrapped her arm around his waist, curling into him as she nuzzled her head against his chest.
    “I know.” His fingers tightened on her shoulder as he looked at Antoine.