I ask as he eases me down to the cushion.“I hope not,” he responds, sitting beside me and wrapping his hand around mine, offering comfort and strength. I know I should subtly withdraw mine, but right now I need the physical contact to anchor me.Richard retakes his seat, but his bodyguards remain standing.“Richard’s been in the city for a while,” Victor says. “He’s my second in command.”“Second in command of what?” I ask.“An army I’ve been assembling. My father, Richard’s father … all the heads of the families … they’re from another time, another era, another … mind-set. No more bombs are being dropped, but there is no peace. Not really.”“And now that the Thirst has infected the Los Angeles territory, it’s only a matter of time before it spreads everywhere,” Richard says.“What’s that?” I ask. In all my numerous vampire courses and studies, I’ve never heard of the Thirst.“Our dirty little secret,” Richard confesses.“Vampires can feed on other vampires,”
