It was as though Maya never existed until the night she became a vampire.
Tears pricked the back of her eyes at the reality of what that meant. It was heartbreaking to realize that no one was looking for her. What kind of person had she been? Apparently, she wasn’t one worth finding.
“So, you wanna take a ride?” Spike asked, bringing Maya back from her thoughts.
Maya let out a sigh and nestled the stone safely in her ample cleavage. No point in dwelling on things or people that no longer made any difference. Her human life was behind her, and the powerful existence of a vampire was the only world that mattered. The gnawing hunger tugged at her gut while she smiled at the human. She was itching for closing time and running out of patience. Thankfully, the place had almost totally emptied out and she wouldn’t have to wait much longer.
“Sure, baby. I’d love to take a ride with you.” Maya ran one manicured nail over his fingers that clutched the beer. “Just gotta take care of a few things and then I’m all yours.”
Maya glanced past her would-be suitor and caught a glimpse of Olivia’s long, curly red hair as she ushered out the stragglers. She shot Maya a disapproving look and pointed at her while mouthing, “Stay there.”
Maya suppressed a satisfied smile. Normally, vampires could telepath with their makers, siblings, or progeny. However, ever since Olivia found her bloodmate, Doug, more than a few changes had taken place. There was one side effect of Olivia and Doug’s unique mating that impacted the rest of the coven, at least aside from her mood swings. Ever since she mated with Doug, Olivia could only telepath with him.
To complicate matters for the coven even further, Olivia and Doug were now the Czars of New York City, and both of them had become daywalkers. But the real kicker, the cherry on top, was Olivia’s pregnancy.
Jeez, and she thought Olivia was cranky before she got pregnant.
Not having the comforting connection of telepathy with her maker had been unsettling at first, but at moments like this, it was a blessing. At least the scolding was limited to verbal lashings.
“Last call, sweetie.” Maya winked a long-lashed eye at Spike and leaned on the bar, a move she knew would accentuate her ample cleavage.
The black leather bustier did a fine job on its own, but a little extra pop couldn’t hurt. She noted that Spike’s lascivious gaze flicked to the sizable emerald in her necklace. With any luck, he’d try to steal it and give her an excuse to kick his ass. Maya never hurt the men she toyed with, not only because it would cause trouble for the coven, but also because violence like that just wasn’t in her nature.
Being violent was almost as frightening as being victimized.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Sure,” Spike said with a lopsided grin. He took a long pull off his beer and leered at her over the bottle. “Come with me after you get out of here, and I’ll get you off about ten minutes after that.”
Maya suppressed an eye roll but kept a smile plastered on her face. Just when she was about to tell Spike she’d meet him outside, a dark shadow loomed large next to the young man and a powerful wave of energy wafted over her.
Shane.
Maya flicked her gaze to the hulking form that appeared out of nowhere. Though Shane wasn’t looking at her, and his energy was tuned into the human, she was still transfixed.
Shane Quesada was one of the sentry soldiers for the Presidium in New York. He also was easily the best-looking specimen of a man she’d ever laid eyes on. Maya was only five foot five, and he loomed over her at well past six feet. He had gorgeous olive-toned skin, a thick muscular build, and a head of wavy, chestnut brown hair that looked silky soft.
The man was a feast for the eyes, and the only thing hotter than how he looked was how he sounded. Something about the deep, rich baritone of his voice made her weak with desire, but after meeting him a few months ago, she quickly discovered that Shane was about as much fun as a nun at a keg party.
He was totally uptight, all about following the rules, and she was fairly sure he left his sense of humor in another century. Not only that, but he moved like a ghost and had developed the nasty habit of messing up her dates like it was part of his freaking job.
“It’s time for you to go.” Shane’s voice, quiet and powerful, captured Spike’s attention.
Spike held the bottle in midair and stared straight ahead, wavering slightly when the glamour effect took hold. Watching the scene unfold, it dawned on her that Shane wasn’t making eye contact with the kid and was glamouring the human with only the sound of his voice. Maya swallowed and took an involuntary step back, unnerved by the scope of Shane’s power.
The combination of Shane’s inescapable presence and the unsettling attraction she felt for him created an overall feeling of unease. It made Maya feel out of control and vulnerable—two things she loathed. Since becoming a vampire, the only other time she felt that way was when she relived the attack in her dreams.
“You did not enjoy yourself here, and therefore, you won’t return.” Shane leaned closer, his voice dropping to almost inaudible tones before he flicked his dark, piercing gaze at Maya and whispered, “Never again.”
Maya’s stomach fluttered, and when his eyes locked with hers, an odd sense of recognition crept into her mind. From the deep corners of her memory, an image of that dark, piercing stare ran through her mind, and in a rush of panic…she remembered.
Shane had been in her nightmare.
Those deep brown eyes—intense, laser sharp, and full of fury—had been in her nightmare yesterday. Her brow furrowed. Shane had been there, lurking in the shadows of her nightmare. Watching. Maya’s body tensed and shook with confusion as the gravity of this revelation settled over her.
Shane’s eyes narrowed and he stared back at her, but his hulking form didn’t flinch. Was that really possible, or was she imagining it? Could Shane have been in the dreamscape? Was he so powerful a vampire that he’d found a way to infiltrate the dreams of a youngling vampire like her?
Maya’s jaw set. The how wasn’t important, but the why was. Why would he spy on her and watch her being attacked while doing nothing to help? What kind of sick, evil son of a bitch gets off on watching something like that? Not only that, but who the hell gave him permission to spy on her in the dreamscape or right here in the bar?
Anger and confusion flashing, she shoved herself away from the bar and glared at him. Shane didn’t retreat but simply held her stare with his usual calm arrogance. Was it arrogance or was it something else…distaste? Did he think she was a whore for flirting with this human and others like him? Did Shane think she deserved what happened to her that night?
Maya bit back tears, refusing to cry in front of him even though the accusing voice of shame kept rolling around in her head. The truth was, Shane wasn’t the one saying those things, she was. She had been drunk that fateful night and had flirted with her date from minute one.
Maybe she had asked for it.
“This place sucks.” The boy blinked and put his beer down while giving Maya a wary look. He took cash out of his back pocket and tossed it on the bar before mumbling something inaudible and walking away. “I’m outta here.”
“Good riddance,” Shane murmured as he watched the boy leave.
“You’re a killjoy,” Maya said, scooping up the money, turning her back on Shane, and closing out the sale. “What’s your deal, anyway? Do you get off by ruining my fun?”
She slammed the register drawer shut, grabbed a wet rag from the sink, and started wiping down the bar. She had to create busywork for herself and get out from under the weight of Shane’s accusing gaze. She was remarkably unsettled by that flashing memory of his eyes in her nightmare but determined to shake off the feeling. She refused to allow this stodgy, old vampire to steal the tiny bit of sanity she clung to.
Maya swallowed the urge to scream a
nd rubbed at the bar faster. She glanced at Shane. He was walking slowly along the opposite side of the bar, keeping his eyes on her with his hands at his sides.
It was ridiculous. How could Shane have been in her dream…unless?
What if he had actually been there that night five years ago? What if he was there, outside that alley, and witnessed what happened but did nothing to help her? Maybe she’d repressed that part of the memory until now.
Panic, fear, and shame filled her, but she refused to cry.
“That human was beneath you,” Shane said quietly. He stood in front of her with his large, dark eyes tracking her every move. His long leather coat, undoubtedly lined with various sentry weapons, hung over his massive frame with almost regal perfection. “You should know that.”
“Exactly,” Maya said with forced sweetness. She refused to let Shane know how unsettled he’d made her. “That was kind of the point.”
“Why do you insist on wasting time with these human men?” He cocked his head to one side, the sharp angles of his masculine face and his chin covered by a perpetual five-o’clock shadow revealed in flickers by the strobe lights of the club. “It’s not simply for their blood, is it?”
“I’ll tell you what it is. It’s none of your business.” Maya paused mid-swipe and puffed a long, blond strand of hair off her face, wrestling with her waning patience. “Why is everyone so damn concerned with what I’m doing?”
“It may not be my business.” Shane stepped closer, so the buckle of the belt on his leather pants clinked against the edge of the bar. He rested both hands on the bar and leaned in, that mesmerizing gaze latched firmly onto hers. “But I’m asking anyway.”
She needed to create some distance between herself and the powerful vampire. He unnerved her. Not because she thought he was going to hurt her but simply due to the power he possessed and the way her body reacted to his.
Every time those glittering eyes locked onto hers, she felt like a light switch went off inside her—but she willed away the sensation. What was the point of entertaining feelings like that when she had no intention of acting on them?
However, he was unavoidable, and night after night for the past few months, he’d been coming to the club, staring her down but saying little. His mere presence was unsettling. Shane was centuries older than she was and radiated raw, unadulterated strength.
She’d heard stories about his skills in battle, and the other girls in the coven speculated about his skills in the bedroom. Trixie and Sadie took bets to see who could bed him first, but he seemed oblivious to their advances. He was a warrior. A sentry with hundreds of years of experience, and by all accounts, the man was death incarnate.
Shane moved in between shadows like a phantom. Even for a vampire, he was fast.
“Tell me, Maya.” His voice seemed to surround her and pulled her from her thoughts. Her belly quivered as he leaned closer. “Why?”
Chapter 2
Before Maya could answer him, Olivia’s all-too-familiar voice interrupted their conversation.
“I’m glad to see you sent that kid on his way.” Olivia let out a weary sigh and sat on the bar stool to Shane’s right. Her bright green eyes studied Maya carefully. While rubbing her swollen belly, she said, “I’m impressed you showed such restraint. That one was right up your alley.”
Maya said nothing. Shrugging, she cast a glance at Shane, who was giving her a smug, satisfied look. It made Maya want to punch him square in the nose. The house lights flicked on brightly, bringing Shane’s arrogant grin into full view, and when the music shut off, his voice seemed to fill the entire club.
“Yes.” Shane pushed his hands off the bar and folded his arms over his chest. “Impressive, indeed.”
“Seriously, Maya.” Olivia ran a hand through her long, red curls and smiled. “You’ve come a long way in the last few months. Listen, I know I’ve been kind of bitchy and cranky, but this pregnancy has me all screwed up. Do you know I actually ate food the other day? Actual human food. I made Doug go out in the middle of the afternoon to get me a hot dog.”
“A hot dog?” Shane asked with more than a little disgust. “I won’t even eat the hot dog vendor because of the stench.”
“I didn’t realize you were such a snob,” Maya teased.
“I prefer to think that I have high standards,” Shane responded with a lopsided grin.
“Sounds snobby to me.” Trixie hoisted herself up onto the bar and sat behind Olivia. “Doug was probably just happy to have an excuse to go out in the sun.” Trixie cracked her knuckles and stretched her arms over her pink-haired head. “Damn. I’m not much for monogamy, but if I have a bloodmate out there, he better get his ass to New York quick. I’d love to feel the sun on my skin again—but I could do without getting knocked up and eating hot dogs. Gross.”
“Yeah.” Olivia made a face. “Don’t ask me why or how, but I ate the whole thing. The worst part is that I freaking loved it—or the baby did. Anyway,” she said on a sigh, “I’m sorry if I’ve been tough on everyone, but you know how important it is that we leave the customers alone. It’s in the best interest of the coven. My weirdo pregnancy is drawing enough attention from the supernaturals.” She rolled her eyes and let out a short laugh. “This is the pregnancy heard round the world, and apparently it’s high on the list of things to discuss at this year’s summit in Geneva.”
“Why do they even have that stupid meeting every year?” Trixie snorted. “Were, Amoveo, and vamp stuffed shirts all in one place? Sounds like a fuckin’ bore.”
“And the Fae, the Brotherhood, and the Witches,” Olivia added. “Don’t forget them.”
“They gather to share information and keep the lines of communication open.” Shane’s voice cut through the room. “It started centuries ago. The first summit was the catalyst for the truce between our race and the werewolves.”
“Truce or no truce, I still don’t trust the wolves.” Olivia’s tone grew serious. “I think it’s ridiculous that a pregnant vampire warrants attention from the world’s supernatural leaders.” She shrugged. “Whatever.”
“Why are they even going to discuss it?” Maya’s brows knit together with concern. Olivia may be bossy and a killjoy, but she was also Maya’s maker and her friend. No matter what rules she made Maya follow, she’d love Olivia like a mother for her entire existence. “What are they worried about?”
“Human politicians aren’t the only ones who waste time and money.” Olivia’s words were laced with exasperation. “The other supernaturals probably want reassurance from the Emperor that he’s not plotting some kind of master vampire race or something.”
“Will they all be in attendance?” Shane asked casually. Maya noticed the way his body seemed tightly wound and ready for action at all times. “I assume the Emperor has a sentry attending with him?”
“Yes and yes. King Heinrich of the wolves, Prince Richard Muldavi of the Amoveo, Zemi the Fae queen, and Willow from the Witches’ Council. I heard the Brotherhood is being represented by Asmodeus. Anyway, thanks again, Maya, for sending that guy on his way. I like to avoid trouble with humans on a regular day—and especially during the stupid summit week.”
“Actually, I didn’t send him away.” Maya tossed the rag into the sink without taking her eyes off Shane. She jutted her chin toward him and leaned back against the register. “He did.”
“Really?” Olivia’s red brows flew up and she looked from Shane to Maya. Running one hand over her rounded belly, she said, “Then I should be thanking Shane while I remind you of the rules.”
“Maybe I’m sick of the rules,” Maya snapped, frustration crawling up her back. Olivia said nothing but arched one eyebrow in response. “Maybe I’m tired of living and working under a damn microscope all the time with every vampire in Manhattan trying to control me and tell me what to do.”
“No one is trying to control you, Maya.�
� Olivia’s tone softened and she looked at Maya with something akin to pity, which only made it worse. Nobody else knew the extent of the attack Maya suffered like Olivia did, and whenever she gave Maya that look, it made her feel pathetic.
“This is not just about you, Maya, and you know it. Everyone has had to adjust to the new rules, and really, it’s only one new rule. No feeding on customers in the club. We live in a big city with millions of able-bodied people. Why are you fighting me on this?”
“I’m tired of everyone butting into my life. Maybe I just want to be able to go to work without feeling like my every move is being watched.”
“What are you saying?” Olivia asked with genuine curiosity. “I thought you liked working at The Coven.”
“I do—I mean, I did—but it’s just too much, Olivia.” Maya kept her attention on Olivia but could feel the weight of everyone else’s stares. Even Damien had come in from his position bouncing at the door and now stood by Shane. “All of us working together all night and living right next door in the apartments downstairs. Besides, with everything going on, I thought you’d be happy to be rid of me for a while.”
“You’re one to complain,” Trixie interjected. “If I have to listen to one more Celine Dion song, I might scream. That shit seeps through the apartment walls and makes me crazy, but you don’t hear me complaining.”
“Trixie.” Olivia held up one hand but kept her concerned expression on Maya. “Let her finish.”
Maya straightened her back, finally voicing the frustration she’d been feeling over the past few months.
“I mean it’s different for you and Doug, Olivia. You guys are mates and have your own place at the Presidium’s offices, but…I don’t know…living and working together…it’s too much. I feel like I’m suffocating and the walls are closing in on me.”
Before Maya could respond, an unfamiliar voice boomed through the club.
“This isn’t the only joint in town, kid.”
Irritation flickered over Shane’s face at the sound of Rat’s voice slithering into the club. Maya didn’t have to look at Olivia to know how displeased she was by the vampire’s arrival.
Vampire Trouble Page 2
