Lola

by Julia Mills

  “They didn’t get along?” I asked, deciding to get as much info as I could since I was stuck with these vamps for at least another night.

  Shaking his head as he emptied his goblet, the youngest Valentine vamp snorted. “Hell, no. They didn’t even really know each other.” He looked out over the gardens. “It was agreed that he and Katie would marry exactly a month after her hundredth birthday. Which just happens to be the day you came to inhabit her skin, but that really has no bearing on the story.” Turning toward me, Vaughn leaned his hip on the railing and crossed his arms over his chest. It was pretty cool that his violet eyes were glowing. It added to the whole vampire mystique thing the brothers had going on. “Anyway, Vlad had made at least a hundred attempts over the years to get to know the little witch.” He spat the word like it burned his tongue and he really wanted it to start with a ‘b’. “But she always had some excuse or simply ignored him.”

  With an unfocused, faraway look, Vaughn stared over my shoulder. “I know it killed Vlad to think of living an eternity in a loveless marriage with a spoiled little brat. After all, we grew up with loving parents who had the perfect marriage. I mean, they were so lovey-dovey that most of the time they embarrassed us with their public displays of affection.”

  His laugh was melancholy as he went on, “But good ole Vlad was gonna take one for the team. Then those stupid sisters of Katie’s said she was dead and he didn’t believe them. Thought it was just a trick to get out of marrying him. I think the only reason he came to Hell was out of pride.” Vaughn looked at me and winked. “But then he got you. At first, he didn’t believe you weren’t Katie. Was sure she was playing another game.”

  He took my arm and led me down the stairs as he continued, “But then Vanessa talked to you. Our little sister may not have gone through the change but she is more perceptive and intuitive than all three of us put together.”

  We stepped onto the soft grass and began walking through the maze of flowers, their petals glistening in the moonlight. “When she confirmed that you were in no way Katie but truly another soul in the same body, I seriously thought Vlad was going to jump for joy.”

  Walking in silence, I digested what Vaughn had just said and had to ask, “Why didn’t he just marry one of the teenage witches? Wouldn’t that have kept the deal intact and made everybody, living and dead, happy.”

  “Yeah, but it wasn’t necessary. I mean we terrorized them for a bit. Threatened to make one of them marry him, but in the end, it was all just a bit of fun. With Katie gone, they keep their land and we are thankfully done dealing with them.” He stopped, picked a rose, and handed it to me. “And just so you know, those three are not teenagers. They happen to be about a hundred and fifty years old and mean as snakes. Something about the kind of witches they are makes them look young no matter how old they are.”

  “No shit?” I snorted, smelling the flower he’d handed me. “Damn. Then how old am I? I mean how old is this body?”

  “Two-hundred and twelve,” he declared like being that old was something to be proud of. I was going to have to remember to ask Zelda how long witches lived because, if I’m on a time limit, I need to get to getting on my bucket list.

  “Well, damn, I was kinda hoping for a newer model. But beggars can’t be choosers.” I sighed as we continued to walk.

  Reaching a swing hanging from a vine covered trellis, Vaughn motioned for me to sit a minute before a butler appeared out of nowhere with another brandy for me and more wine for the vamp. Watching Vaughn take a drink, the suspense was just about to kill me, so I asked, “I guess you know that Vlad kissed me...and then left?”

  Nodding as he took another sip, Vaughn let out a breath. “I figured it was something like that. He didn’t give any details but said he had been called away and would be back in a few days.” He looked at me with a wicked grin. “I knew I hadn’t heard the phone and I’m pretty sure I didn’t hear his car leave either.”

  It took me a minute, maybe it was all the brandy coupled with all the crazy thoughts running through my brain, but when I finally got what he was saying, I sighed, “So, he’s just hiding out until I’m gone? Wow, first guy I actually get to kiss and he runs for cover. Doesn’t say much for my skill, huh?”

  Vaughn’s fingers gently slid under my chin as he lifted my head until we were eye-to-eye and said, “It had nothing to do with you, pretty lady, and everything to do with Fate and what you make Vlad feel.”

  Trying to figure out what he was saying without saying it, I leaned back and downed my brandy then got to my feet and said, “What the hell does that mean? I swear y’all are some messed up folks.” I started to pace. “First, your brother kidnaps me from Hell. Then he kisses me breathless. Then runs off like his hair’s on fire. Now, you’re talking about Fate and shit like I have a freaking clue which end is up – which by the way, I. DO. NOT.” I threw my hands in the air. “Hell, all I wanted was a body and to have some fun. Is that too much to ask?”

  I stopped in front of Vaughn, slammed my fists to my hips, and stomped my foot. “I mean come on people, girls just wanna have fun. For all that’s evil in the world, it’s even a frikkin’ song.” Once again pacing, I railed on. “I was supposed to crash frat parties, make out with strangers and do the walk of shame...repeatedly. Hell, I even wanted to have a coyote ugly experience at least once. I mean, I wouldn’t have chewed my arm up but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I thought having a witch’s body was gonna be fun.”

  I yelled, “For Satan’s sake, I was gonna be magical.” I stomped my foot again and threw my hands up in the air. “But no, you people and those damned witches had to ruin my fun. The Baba Yaga is holding my magic. I was stuck on lockdown in Hell and now, I think I’m falling in love with a damned vampire who has commitment issues.”

  I was once again standing in front of Vaughn, who was now standing with one hand in his pocket and a shit-eating grin on his face. Reaching out, I grabbed his upper arms and shook him as I yelled, “WHAT. THE. HELL! This is so not fair!”

  Seething, I tried to catch my breath and not smack Vaughn as he simply stood and chuckled. Finally, unable to keep quiet, I growled through gritted teeth, “What the fuck do you think is so funny?”

  Motioning over my shoulder with his chin, he snickered. “Turn around, hothead.”

  Rolling my eyes, I took a deep breath, spun around, and nearly landed on my ass as all the air was forced from my lungs at the mouthwateringly exquisite sight of Vlad. Unwilling to let go of my anger, still feeling a bit raw from what I saw as his rejection, I narrowed my eyes, put my hands on my hips, and with barely contained violence, bellowed, “Oh great, now you choose to make an appearance? Well, too little too late, Fang-Face.”

  Doing an about face, I stomped through the garden, up the stairs, through the house and straight to my room, where I slammed the door before throwing myself face first on the bed and bursting into tears.

  Me? Crying? Somebody’s gonna pay and there will be blood. By Satan’s hand I swear, there will be blood.

  Chapter Eight

  I must’ve fallen asleep after my hellacious night, because I woke up laying across the bed, still dressed in the Chanel gown, to the sound of knocking on the door. Hauling my ass outta bed, I stumbled to the door, threw it open, and growled, “Somebody better be dead.”

  Whisking past me, Vanessa began chattering like a magpie at such a decibel that the shrill tone of her nasally voice threatened to melt my brain. Going back to the bed, I climbed in, covered my head with the comforter, added a pillow for good measure, and prayed for the torment to end.

  It didn’t.

  Instead, she went on and on...and on, until I sat up and bellowed, “Shut the hell up. Can’t I even have a pity party in peace around here?”

  Spinning around from where she was arranging what looked like breakfast on the table by the window, Vanessa looked truly puzzled as she asked, “Whatever would you be having a pity party for? Your friends are on the way. Vlad ha
s called the decorators. I even made an appointment with the seamstress for later today.”

  Pinching myself to be sure I wasn’t dreaming, I cursed out loud when it hurt like the Devil himself then sighed while rubbing my temples. “Run that all by me again.”

  Walking to the end of my bed, Vanessa’s eyes got really big and she sounded like she was talking a kitten out of a tree as she very slowly asked, “Which part didn’t you understand?”

  Flopping back and staring at the ceiling I ground out, “All of it.” Then quickly added, “What friends are coming?”

  Raising my head, I watched the little vamp, as I was now thinking of her, pull a pad of paper from the pocket of her fluorescent yellow tunic with big orange flowers, flip through the pages, and recite, “Heidi, Hunter, and their children – Heather, Howie, Hannah, Hank, Hillary, and Todd, Carol and Fabio, Zelda, Mac, and their children – Audrey Hildegard and Henry Charles and Luci and Bert have all RSVP’d.”

  “RSVP’d? How long have I been asleep? Are y’all having a party?” I knew I’d had a few drinks the night before and was out of sorts when I went to bed, but DAYUM! What was going on?

  Sitting on the end of my bed, Vanessa smiled. “Of course, we’re planning a party. Yours and Vlad’s engagement party.”

  “MY WHAT?!” I squealed, trying to get out of bed amid the sheets and comforters and the skirt of my dress wrapped around my legs. Instead, I landed with a thud on my pleasingly plump butt on the floor. Kicking off the sheet that had followed me down, I jumped to my feet, grabbed Vanessa by the collar, and with the tip of my nose pushed against hers, spat, “Say that again and remember, I am a woman on the edge.”

  True fear flitted across the little vamp’s face as she stuttered, “Y-your eng-gagement p-party.”

  Taking a deep breath, I let go of Vanessa’s clothing, took a step back, let out that breath, and slowly turned toward the door. Walking with even steps of determination, I placed my hand on the knob and without looking back, asked through gritted teeth, “Where is your brother?”

  Thankfully, Vanessa had the sense not to ask which one and simply answered, “Vlad is in his study, bottom floor, second corridor, third door on the right.”

  As I followed her directions, I was glad to know I wasn’t going to the dungeon to knock on the lid of his coffin. That just would’ve been too much. As it was, I didn’t knock on the huge oak door that bore his name, I simply threw it open and charged in, stopping short when ten sets of eyes, all dark and swirling, turned toward me in unison. As they smiled, I got a look at a hint of fang twinkling from each and every one of them.

  Standing and making his way around the desk, Vlad came to my side with a huge smile on his face and genuine pleasure at seeing me shining in his eyes. Putting his arm around my shoulders, he motioned to the vampires standing before me and said, “Gentleman, I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Lola.” Then looking down at me, his smile grew even wider as he said, “Honey, this is the Vampire Council. We were just finishing up the paperwork for our marriage and my will naming you as sole heir.”

  Now, I know it will come as a shock to you that I actually thought before opening my mouth, because in most situations I have been a leap first, look later kinda girl. But when faced with ten vampires who look and give off the vibe that they are just shy of ten days older than dirt, meaner than junkyard dogs, and hungrier than bears just up from a long winter’s hibernation, even I can hold my tongue, smile, and say, “Pleased to meet you, gentlemen.” Then look at the vamp presently responsible for all the angst in my world and through gritted teeth hidden behind a smile, I can demand, “I need a word, Honey.” Making the last word a threat.

  I do have to give Vlad credit. His smile didn’t falter, the twinkle in his eye remained, and his tone was even when he said, “Excuse me for one moment, gentleman. Wedding plans to attend to. Please have some wine. I’ll be right back.”

  Turning along with the bane of my existence, I walked out the door and followed him down the hall and into a room with a keypad on the door, speaking only when Vlad said, “Now, what can I help you with?”

  Looking around, I took in the state of the art computers that lined two walls of the huge room from ceiling to floor, the wall of monitors adjacent to those, and then three desks that lined the fourth. “What is this place?”

  Shrugging, he replied, “Our offices, where we come when we need peace and quiet. It’s completely sound, shock, fire, and explosive proof. I guess you could say it’s our panic room.”

  “So, no one but you can hear what I am about to say?”

  “Yes, my dear, that is correct.”

  Doubling up my fist, I hauled off and punched Vlad right in his smug face and began yelling, “Drop the dear and honey bullshit! And what’s with planning an engagement party? I’m not even sure I like you let alone would ever agree to marry your fangy ass.”

  The look of surprise on his face was priceless and any other time I would’ve laughed, but at that moment, I was so pissed I was seeing red. Throwing another punch that Vlad saw coming and ducked, I went on, “You think you can kiss me, run off like some scared pup, show up in the garden looking all lost and gorgeous, and then declare to the whole world and half of Hell that we’re engaged.” I poked him in the chest. “Where the effing hell do you get off, Bub?”

  Still not finished, I threw a left jab that connected with his stomach and yelled, “I may look like Katie but I’m. Not. Her. Which I hear is a good thing cause she sounded like a bitch.”

  I tried to throw another punch but Vlad grabbed my fist, used it to pull me into his chest, wrapped his arm around my waist, and smashed his lips to mine. Just like the first time, I was helpless to fight him. It just felt too damned good. The electricity that popped and crackled through my body tingled in all the right spots and made me hungry for more.

  The longer Vlad kissed me, the more I craved him. I whined when his lips left mine as he kissed across my jaw. My back arched, pushing my hardened nipples against the taunt muscles of his chest as he gently dragged the tips of his fangs along the tender skin of my neck. My head fell to the side giving him greater access when he reached the place where my pulse beat with vigor just beneath the skin.

  “I must taste you, my love. I must sip from your vein.” His words were a plea as he continued to torment my flesh with his caress.

  “Yes,” I breathed, drunk on the passion only this one vampire could wring out of me.

  My fingers wound into his hair, holding him to me as he licked and sucked until I was frantic with desire. Fire engulfed my body as his fangs slid into my vein. My pussy grew slick as I longed to feel him deep inside, my body moving in time with the sips he was taking from my neck. My hips rolled against his erection as my clit throbbed and my body begged for release.

  Pulling him closer, damn near climbing his body, I screamed aloud when an alarm so loud it shook the walls of the room we were in, rang out. Breaking apart, I barely had time to breathe as Vlad picked me up, strode across the room, sat me in a huge leather desk chair, and while grabbing my hand, turned to look at the wall of monitors.

  On the screen at the top left, I could see a group of black clad intruders climbing over the wall, while the one on the lower right showed what was left of the front gate, apparently, the victim of an explosion. Reaching over my head, Vlad pushed a flashing red button on the wall and bellowed into the speaker, “Vaughn! Vincenzo! Vanessa! What is happening?”

  Vaughn’s voice came back loud and clear. “We are under attack. It appears Astrid is not pleased with your choice of mates.”

  “What? But...” Vlad seemed truly flummoxed and I sure as shit had no clue what the hell was happening, so I was glad when Vaughn added, “Seems she was under the impression she was next in line for your affections.”

  “Son of a...” Vlad hit the wall beside the speaker with such force his fist disappeared then reappeared covered in dust and debris. “Where is the Council?”

  “Vincenzo has them i
n your office but they want to fight.” I swear Vaughn sounded like he was having a good time defending his home against rabid vamps.

  “Tell them to stay put. I’m on my way,” Vlad ordered then looked down at me, ran his finger along the spot he’d just bitten, licked the bit of blood from its tip, and once again touched me, explaining, “Just sealing the bite.”

  Trying to keep my eyes open as arousal once again shot through my body, I sighed, sounding way breathier than I had intended. “You keep touching me and we’re gonna be right back where we were a minute ago.”

  Kissing my forehead, he whispered, “Oh, we will be back there soon enough.” Leaning back, he said, “Now, stay here and watch the screens. I will give you a signal and call over the intercom,” he motioned to the speaker on the wall he’d used to speak to Vaughn, “when it’s safe for you to come out.”

  Nodding, figuring I was in no way equipped to take on a horde of angry vamps, I agreed, “Okay, just don’t get dead. We have things to discuss, Buster.”

  Kissing me hard and fast, Vlad was up and at the door before he chuckled, “Anything for you,” a second before he disappeared.

  Turning the chair, I watched the screens, cringing at the destruction just as Vaughn’s words replayed in my head; seems Astrid was under the impression she was next in line for your affections.

  “What the hell? Wait one minute! I don’t know if I want him but I damn sure know I don’t want her to have him,” I growled, jumping to my feet and heading to the exit. “And who the hell does Vlad think he is? I never back down from a fight. This bitch came for me and it’s me she’s gonna answer to.”