Wicked Fantasy by Nina Bangs Page A

use to bash in her head.
    Conall ignored Jinx’s useless flailing as he stared at Gerry. “This is why you need me. I can’t believe you let him sneak up on you. Any experienced vampire would . . .” He narrowed his eyes as a thought struck him. “When were you made?”
    She hated telling him. “Two years ago.” Now he’d use the information as a weapon.
    Conall didn’t disappoint. “Two freaking years?” He laughed derisively. “You’ll be lucky if you survive another year.”
    He paused. Gerry read the open conflict in his eyes. Her survival wasn’t a desired goal of the Conall who wanted the curse to end. But he was also committed to protecting her Kavanagh behind. Her sudden deep sadness surprised Gerry. It wasn’t fun knowing someone wanted you dead.
    The moment ended as he continued to point out her stupidity. “The problem with young vamps is they feel invulnerable. They don’t realize that once they turn, every crazy in the universe will be out to get them. And taking a head isn’t too tough for a dedicated wacko. Wake up and smell the danger, lady.”
    She tried to ignore her voice of reason that thought he had a good point. “Give me a break, O’Rourke. Jinx wasn’t going to kill me with a lamp. He just would’ve made me mad.” She turned her anger on the unfortunate shifter. “That was really stupid, Jinx. What was the purpose?”
    Conall finally set the shape-shifter down, but kept hold of his shirt. The glance Jinx threw Conall said he thought this guy was one scary dude.
    Then Jinx glared at Gerry. She evidently wasn’t about to share scary status with Conall anytime soon. “I wanted to knock you out so I could search you for the remote, or whatever thing controls this damned chip in me.”
    Gerry sighed. This was going to be a long few days. “You would’ve knocked me out for nothing. The key is up here.” She tapped her head. “The ‘remote’ is my brain. Each chip is calibrated to be in sync with the brain waves of the officer using it. I’d have to think you free. Not going to happen until we get to Hobby Airport.”
    â€œWhat’s at Hobby Airport?” Conall released Jinx and then stared him back into his room. He waited until Jinx slammed his door shut before turning back to Gerry.
    â€œA plane to take us to the middle of nowhere in west Texas where the prison for paranormal entities is.” Damn Jinx for giving Conall the ammunition he needed to proclaim her the witless wonder of the vampire world. Now he could justify tagging along with her for the rest of the night. “It’s below ground, so no one is likely to spot it.”
    Conall looked dutifully impressed. “I’ve never heard of a prison for nonhumans.”
    She couldn’t help her twinge of pride. “It’s the first of its kind. Out-of-control beings give all of us a bad name.”
    â€œSure.” His gaze sharpened. “Where’re you headed?”
    â€œTo feed.” Would that gross him out? Would he leave her alone?
    He nodded. “I’ll go with you. Make sure you pick a woman. A man could hurt you.”
    Okay, this wasn’t going to work. “Look, I’ll say this really slow. I. Am. A. Vampire. Men can’t hurt me unless they have big swords with them. And I feed alone. Go away.”
    â€œNo.” He set his sensual mouth in a grim make-me line. “And I have the big sword to keep you safe.”
    I bet you do.
    To prove his point, he drew a sword from a back scabbard she hadn’t noticed in the dark.
    â€œThat’s it. I’m not doing dinner while some guy trails me with a blasted sword.” Gerry didn’t have any fancy vampire skills, just the basics: enhanced senses, increased physical strength, and preternatural speed. She used the speed now.
    Within the blink of an eye, she was outside the castle and