We are happy to bring you this excerpt from the latest novel by Sheri C. Ellis Hiding Love’s Hunger
Torn between loyalty to their factions and the undeniable pull toward one another, Cassie and Quinn must navigate a fragile alliance that could shift the balance of supernatural power in Seattle between the Vampire Clan and the Sirens. But as shadows of betrayal and sabotage loom, their growing connection may prove to be the biggest risk of all.
Cassandra
Her hunger growled as she bustled around the kitchen. It was getting harder to control and Cassie knew she had to feed it soon. But it wasn’t in her heart to just feed off of anyone, like the other Vampires. Like her roommates. She knew Linda was in her room feeding from that UW kid again. Their sex was wild and loud.
Might be time to report her, Cassie thought. It was dangerous to let Humans get fed off too much. At the brothel, they had ways of dealing with it, but here in the suburbs, away from Greta’s constant eye, sometimes it went too far. And the real danger was when Humans fell in love with Vampires. That’s why love was so taboo in the Clan. If they are fed off too much, Humans eventually will go insane. And that was not something Greta was willing to tolerate. The Clan could not risk exposure.
As a relatively young sexual Vampire, Cassie needed to touch humans to really get all their beautiful energy, but there were too many dangers in that. She could hurt them accidentally and even kill them. And if she got romantic, they could break her heart again. It was way too dangerous for her and the Clan. But Linda didn’t have to worry, since she didn’t have a heart to break.
The kid came out of Linda’s room, eyes glowing wildly, clothes disheveled. He grabbed some candy from a dish and ate ravenously. Cassie nodded at him, and he looked at her with hollow eyes. He hardly saw her. His beautiful energy smelled so delicious. The smell of sex was intoxicating. Cassie’s hunger came out and she growled audibly.
Linda’s nasty laughter broke the spell. “Nate, you should get going.” She opened the penthouse door and spanked him. Nate scurried out, walking strangely. Linda shut the door and strolled slowly toward Cassie. She casually grabbed a candy and ate it very close to Cassie’s face. Cassie knew Linda was showing off the feed and her satiety. Linda’s face was a beautiful, pink color, and her skin was luminous. Cassie’s heart was still pounding with need, and she knew her hunger was plain. But she stared Linda down with strength.
“Don’t let Greta see you like that,” Linda cackled as she headed towards the bedroom.
Oh God, she wanted more! She could run after Nate and make him give her some if she wanted, right in the open hallway of the condo, until he went insane. The Vampires at the brothel were experts at it. But she couldn’t be cruel. She could see how drained he was. And crazy-looking. About how Cassie looked probably.
She ran into the bathroom to check. Her skin was looking pale, tired, papery. Her ice-blue eyes looked hollow, sad, lonely. The backs of her hands looked wrinkled and old. She definitely looked like she was starving.
She glanced over at the clock and panicked. She would have to rush to be on time for her meeting with Greta. She would have to hide her hunger as best she could, with makeup and caffeine. Luckily, she was really good at it. She grabbed the emergency-kit makeup bag, a Monster from the fridge, and dashed out the door.
Cassandra arrived at the Pioneer Square nightclub Greta’s Place and parked. It was quiet since the nightclub wasn’t open this early. She paused outside and sniffed the air, feeling for the energies of Humans and Vampires. She liked to be safe. And nothing was safe with the Clan. Or in Pioneer Square. She tried to quiet her heart from pounding.
She entered through the back door and took a hidden elevator down below street level. The red neon sign on the wall said The Second Circle. The reception area was a large room with a wood bar along one side, red leather trimmed bar stools, red leather sofa, and a reception desk. This was the brothel owned by the Vampire Clan and was its base of operations.
Behind the reception desk as always stood Onyx, wearing a tight, low-cut black dress. She cut a stunning figure with her black hair, electric-green eyes, and ruby-red lipstick that contrasted with her pale skin. As outwardly friendly and professional as Onyx may seem to the average Human, the Vampires knew Onyx was a formidable champion for Greta. And Greta was feared by anyone with a brain.
Onyx looked up from her desk. “I was worried you would be late.” “I’m sorry you feel that way.” She met Onyx’s gaze as steadily and confidently as she could. Onyx was someone to be careful with. She had never felt comfortable trusting Onyx much.
“With Greta, on time is late. You should know that. You’d better go right in.” The air felt cold, sterile. Onyx looked away. Something was up. Cassie took a deep breath and went in.
Just behind the desk was the door to Greta’s office. Cassie opened the door and stepped into the office. The room was about fifteen square feet and had a large ebony desk that was devoid of any clutter. Greta liked to keep it clean. Some days like today, she had a pad of paper and a pen, but otherwise nothing was on the desk. Greta had red hair and looked to be in her mid-thirties, but everyone knew she was much older than that. She had a classic beauty with an air of command added to it. The air felt even more cold and sterile. Cassie wavered at the door, terrified but firmly keeping her composure.
“You’d better not be late in your meetings with our new partner. Take a seat.” Cassie nodded silently and sat. She tilted her head and met Greta’s gaze. Banking on silence usually paid off.
“I have a new assignment for you. I think you are ready for more responsibility.”
“I’m ready.”
“We will see. One of the politicians we have in our pocket is involved in a tight race to keep her seat on the Seattle City Council. I have invested in a new startup company here in Seattle that can help us keep her in office. I want you to manage the project with them. Our contact in the company, Curtis, can tell you more.”
“Understood.”
“See Onyx for the details.”
Cassie looked Greta in the eye, nodded, and left silently.
Onyx handed her a folder and pointed at the sticky note on the front. Curtis Andrews, Emerald Social Insights, 2815 Elliott Avenue, Suite 100. 206-555-2237. “Give Curtis a call and set up a meeting. We want their help in advertising Valerie Higgs’ reelection campaign. Don’t get specific about the budget yet. Just find out how they would approach the project. Timeline is ASAP.” Cassie reached for the envelope and nodded. Onyx held it back and looked in her eyes.
“This project is really important to Greta. Make it a success.”
Cassie nodded and took the envelope silently.
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