Psychic Storm: Ten Dangerously Sexy Tales of Psychic Witches, Vampires, Mediums, Empaths and Seers

by Deanna Chase

  Hmm… cagey son of a bitch. What the hell were those bastards talking about while I was gone?

  Relax, Dria, we weren’t talking against you. Just exploring all angles. Both of us have doubts with your take on things, but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong.

  I’m not wrong. Time will tell.

  The three of us travel up the stairs and deposit Sheba in her suite. We proceed to the next wing where I use my master key card to unlock the door to suite six. The blood smell from last night is non-existent now that the rug and padding have been removed.

  “Sheeet!” Jon says. “That hole is big. No choice, huh?”

  “Nope,” Rafe answers. “It wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure.”

  I ignore them and cross to the window.

  “Poor bugger,” Jon continues. “What are we going to do with him? Bury him in the woods this spring or send him home with Sal’s group?”

  Crap, do we have to discuss this now? Why is Jon always so damn kind and sweet? I feel like an uncaring sod because none of that occurred to me.

  Rafe’s loving voice trickles in past my self-flagellation. Liebling, come now. The blood smell had you loopier than a bird hitting a window full speed. I’ll take care of the details. Don’t I always? Let it go and stay focused on why we’re here. Aloud he adds, “We’ll talk to Sal and see what he says. He’d be the one responsible for members of his seethe.”

  I squat, as best as I can in high-heeled boots without pitching ass-over-tea-kettle, and clear my mind. I’m not a damn Were and I’m not scenting prey, so this could be tricky. Closing my eyes, I block the men’s chatter behind me.

  Sheba’s recollections come into sharp focus and I see the scene unfold from her perspective once again. I bend forward and take a deep breath in. Shades of color bloom behind my eyes; a mix of scents, discernible to only the most sensitive nose, appear like clouds of rainbows.

  I match what I’m seeing and smelling with what I recall from my memories of Ivan over eight years ago. It isn’t the same. Perhaps I’m not picking up the same unknown vamp that Jon scented. Only one way to find out.

  Rising in one smooth motion, I call out to him. “Jon, come here. Tell me if this is the same scent you picked up yesterday.”

  He saunters over, giving me a semi-insolent look. “I don’t need to. I can tell from here. Yes, it’s the same.”

  My mind scrambles. Could Ivan’s smell have changed during his confinement? What does being imprisoned for years underground and bound by silver do to one’s internal scent? I saw the bastard in Sheba’s head, white hair or not. Angie was Drew’s wife. Dammit, Rafe saw it too.

  I can tell by the looks they’re exchanging the shock must be apparent on my face and they’ve figured out the scent doesn’t match my memories of Ivan. I’m right and his scent must have changed.

  Jon cracks a smile sending me over the edge. My power pushes forward and encircles both men in its grasp. The werewolf sways on his feet and Rafe squares himself, ready for what he knows will come.

  My voice comes forth in a violent hiss. “Fuck you both and what you’re thinking! I know I’m right. Scent or no scent, that bastard is Ivan.”

  Rafe clears his throat. “Relax, liebling, we don’t doubt you. But the evidence is different than what you got from Sheba’s thoughts.”

  “Don’t try to placate me, you son of a bitch! It’s Ivan! I know it!”

  “Could someone have messed with Sheba’s head and fooled you?”

  I speak before thinking, the instinct coming to the front before logical examination can raise its ugly head. “No. No one was in her head but Ivan and me. I’m sure of it.”

  They still don’t look convinced.

  Jon unwisely adds, “Maybe a call to the Tribunal of Ancients is in order, you know, just to check.”

  Prick! Good thing I’m not sleeping with him, or I’d be tempted to bite his cock off the next time it was in my mouth. Once glance at Rafe and I see he thinks Jon’s idea may hold some merit.

  Et tu, Brute? I send through our mental connection.

  Now, now, Dria, no need to sharpen the teeth and get angry. A phone call is not unwise.

  The phone clipped to my waist starts to play Bad to the Bone and I fumble to grab it.

  “Yes?”

  “The plane from New York landed. Asa will be here in fifteen minutes.”

  “Thanks.”

  I hang up and clip it back to my waist. I pull my aura back in and turn a fierce, toothy smile on my tormentors. “You two were saved by the proverbial bell.”

  They both look uncomfortable, and they should. I’m not some fledgling vampire, recently turned. I know what happened, and they are going to have to find the facts to match what I know.

  “Let’s meet Asa,” I continue. “He may be able to shed some light on the subject as well.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Together we traipse downstairs, the animosity a palatable thing hanging in the air between us. We’ve only got a little time before Asa arrives and I need to either smooth things over or alter the dynamics of the group.

  “Jon, I appreciate your help in suite six,” I say. “Do you really need to meet Asa or can it wait ‘til later?”

  “Vivian!” he says. “This is important! Why would you so callously push aside a powerful servant when meeting a possible adversary? You need me by your side to showcase your strength.”

  Okaaaay, where the hell did that come from? Christ, he’s acting like a spurned lover in front of a new man. I can’t handle all this prima donna bullshit right now. Tact has never been a trait I’m good at, but I do try my best.

  “Jon, I think you raise a very good point.” Yeah, validation should work, right? “But I do not think a show of strength is what we need in this instance. This young man has been sent to help us. I need to treat him with respect. If he truly could be a threat, don’t you think it would be wise of me to withhold some of my aces for when they are needed? Never underestimate the element of surprise.”

  The fight goes out of him and his shoulders relax. “Good point.” We reach the lobby floor and he grunts. “Okay, I hate to admit it, but I guess my leaving would be smart in this case.” Decision made, he walks past the front desk and takes the north hall leading toward a back exit, tossing over his shoulder as he goes, “Call me if you need me.”

  Rafe stares after his retreating form. Yeah, that’ll be the day, furball.

  Cut him some slack, love, I do need him. I just don’t need him like he wants.

  You want me to stay or go?

  I’m fine with whatever you decide, but we should check on the guests and the hotel this morning. I’m going to be tied up with Asa. Would you mind handling some of the minutia stuff today?

  Sure thing, babe. Rafe’s calm, unruffled voice fills my mind, soothing me. I’ll inspect the third-floor rooms for the tour and make sure we don’t let both dungeon rooms get reserved before noon. That was where you wanted Liam and Francesca to wind up, right?

  Yes, and thanks. We’ll catch up in an hour, ‘kay?

  Rafe angles to the front desk, and I move to the sitting area. Lowering myself onto a plush couch, I lean to grab a house phone and call Paul in the kitchen. Going on a hunch, I order refreshment for Asa and settle in to wait for him.

  Within five minutes, Paul carries in a tray, bearing a stainless steel carafe and two white porcelain mugs, one already filled halfway with black coffee. He sets everything on the low table in front of me and smiles. “Anything else?”

  “No, I’m good. Thanks.”

  Paul heads back to his domain and I can tell by his jaunty step, he’s feeling better than he did when I passed him outside the gym earlier. I grab the half-filled mug and let the delectable coffee aroma fill my nose before taking a long, slow sip.

  “Mmm, good stuff.”

  The front door opens and in walks a tall, handsome young man. I set my drink down and rise to greet him properly. He slowly scans the room, side-to-side, and top to bottom. I be
t he’s not missing a single detail in his perusal of the lobby. The click-clack of my boot heels striking the wood draws his steely-eyed gaze my way.

  His shaved head reminds me of the military, as does his ramrod posture and neatly pressed clothes. He’s wearing black fatigues, a tight black t-shirt with a beat-up, army-issue jacket. Holy crap, I think I see the butt of a gun peaking out of a shoulder holster. The combat boots on his feet scream, I’m a macho guy, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s got stashed in all those damn pockets on his pants. I wouldn’t doubt he’d have a hand grenade in one of ‘em.

  “Hello, Asa, welcome to The V V Inn. How was your flight?”

  Cool, dark blue eyes appraise me and he nods in greeting. “Long, but I’m glad to be here. Cy told me of your trouble. I hope I can help.”

  “Come, take a seat,” I motion behind me. “I can fill you in on what we’ve learned since I spoke to Cy. Bloodcoffee?”

  His face lights up and a dimple peeks out his right cheek. “Thanks.”

  I pour from the carafe into the extra mug, and the unmistakable scent of fresh blood spills out with the coffee. “You’ll need more nutrition to stay up ‘round the clock. I thought a little burst when you got here would be good.”

  “Ahh, I see why you’ve done so well in this business over the years. You anticipate before the need is even known—the sign of an excellent hostess.”

  Well, he’s surprising as well. He’s obviously traveled and done homework on me.

  “Thank you. I knew a touch of blood would never be turned down. Now let me catch you up on all that has happened since we called Cy…”

  Asa finishes his third cup, placing the mug on the low table in front of us. “I think you’ve been around long enough to know the complexities behind tampering in someone’s head. I’m more inclined to believe you should trust your gut on this one.”

  I’m liking him more and more by the minute. The fact he didn’t interrupt me in my retelling was key. I can’t stand it when men don’t let me finish a sentence.

  “How would you explain the different scent in the room?” I ask.

  “I would think being bound in silver and starved for years would change just about everything in a vampire. Not many could survive and remain sane.”

  “You’re assuming they were sane when they were imprisoned. I don’t think that’s always the case.”

  “I’d like to listen in later when you call the Tribunal, if I may?” His voice sounds tentative.

  I appreciate he’s not presumptive and didn’t come in here all bold as brass. Either Cy told him the best way to handle me or Asa’s got a really good head on his shoulders. Bluster and loud arrogance will make me boot his ass back to New York faster than blood will have a chance to congeal in the coffee pot.

  “Yes, Asa, we’ll include you on all aspects of the investigation as we move forward.” I stand up and wait for him to follow. “I thought a tour of the main building would be in order and we can talk more along the way.”

  “Sounds good, thanks.” He rises to follow and the gun winks out at me again.

  “That gun you have is a surprise. Do you find you need it much after you turned?”

  His face goes flat with no hint of an expression leaking in. “I have found my aim and ability with it is unmatched after my change, and that a silver bullet to the skull can slow down anyone.”

  “Good point, but a bullet won’t kill a vampire.”

  “It can detain one long enough for me to run him down and behead him.”

  I sharpen my gaze on him at that statement. He’d have made a good enforcer for the Tribunal with such cold detachment, but I wonder…“How many vampires have you beheaded since you’ve been undead?”

  His face relaxes. He dips his head down and looks over at me sideways as we walk across the lobby to the east wing. “None yet, but I’ve had to shoot a few at the club and use silver cuffs to detain them for Cy. He doesn’t think killing them is good for business.”

  I laugh at the understatement and motion ahead of us with my hand. “Up ahead, through those doors, is a vestibule to the pool. Care to go in or would you like to look around later on your own after I give you a basic rundown?”

  I have no desire to subject myself to Mikey in front of him, but I’ll be damned if I say it out loud. I’m sorry, as a joke my husband has trained the parrot to attack me on sight. Ugh, freakin’ kill me now.

  “No, I’ll go by later. I know it’s a big place and I don’t need a room-by-room tour. Besides, I like to explore on my own.” His mouth turns up in a genuine smile.

  I bet he likes the idea of the solitude he could get in a place like this, as opposed to the Manhattan club scene. Yeah, I don’t blame him for wanting out of that. It wouldn’t be my speed either.

  We change direction and walk back across the vaulted lobby, past the front desk. Asa comments as he looks at the chandelier, “I noticed from the air, this main building is laid out like a T, but with all equal segments coming from this central junction. Correct?”

  “Yes, the main lobby is the hub and all the wings branch from here like arms. We’re heading into the north-facing wing, or bottom portion of the T now.” We walk down the six-foot-wide, red carpet runner, with dark wood flooring peeking out on either side. The cream wainscoting on the lower half of the wall blends seamlessly into the detailed molding that divides it from the upper wall, which boasts a soft, pale yellow.

  “This first door to the left leads to the gym.” I nod my chin toward it. “The one on the right is a dojo or sparring room.” We continue down the hall that ends in an exit sign about sixty feet farther ahead. “Here,” I gesture to the left, “is the media room, where we screen movies daily. The last room to the right is the game room. Pool tables, Ping-Pong, air hockey, foosball, that kind of thing.” I pause and turn my head to face him. “So, Asa, how did you get out of the military after you turned?”

  He hesitates in his stride, but doesn’t miss a beat. “I didn’t, ma’am. I went AWOL and then faked my death.”

  Oh, is that all? My hand reaches for the locking bar on the metal fire door. I push it open and lead him into the hot tub grotto. “That had to have been hard.” The biting cold whips my long hair and I stifle a shudder as I step onto the paved path.

  I wonder about Asa’s age and family background. He hasn’t been undead for long and his parents and siblings may still be alive. His Aunt Cali may be the only one who knows he didn’t die overseas. What would I have done in his situation? What did I do, come to think of it? It’s been so long, only flashes leak here and there when I try to remember. At times, I think I’ve suppressed almost as much as I remember about my life. I wish more for this young vampire.

  Waving again with my arm, I encompass the whole area in a swift gesture, “Bunch of hot tubs out here. Oh, and there’s the shed with the dead John Pierre locked inside.”

  Asa lets out a bark of laughter behind me. “Man, Cy wasn’t kidding with how abrupt you can be.”

  I stop and spin around to face this young whip of a vampire. “There are a lot of things Cy doesn’t know about me, and lots of things he assumes.” Deciding in a split second to take no more chances with this pup, I do what I often do—act first and think later. Instinct is just that. Instinct.

  Reaching out, I brush against his cheek. The cold has not touched either of us deeply yet and he still feels passably warm. His thoughts and desires are like golden serpents tumbling over one another with no head and no tail. I touch on the largest coil, feeling his want push against my power.

  He loved the military and feels lost without it. His strong desire to protect and serve for the greater good of his country had not diminished during his five tours overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  An unbelievable feat in itself.

  Asa wants, more than anything, to be doing what he was doing—protecting others. I remove my hand from his face and continue on the path leading to a side entrance in the guest dining room.

 
; “What the hell was that? Why did you touch me just now?” Asa demands.

  I smile as I use my keycard and pull open the door to the dining room. “What was what? A lady can’t touch a handsome man when he’s standing in front of her?” I toss a playful glance over my shoulder, trying to diffuse his mistrust and redirect while stepping into the warm air.

  Without a shadow of doubt, Asa would make an excellent security addition to the resort. Rafe will be thrilled. Now, I just have to accept it.

  The young vampire follows me into the hotel and addresses the issue, yet again. “You’re trying to tell me that touch meant nothing?”

  Damn, he’s a wily bastard. I need to be extra careful around the smart ones. “No, I’m just not going to answer you.” I grin wickedly. “It’s my prerogative. As of today, I am paying your salary.”

  A loud throat clearing brings us around. “Morning, mate.” Tommy gets up from a nearby table, offering his hand to Asa. “I’m Tommy. Work the front desk.”

  The stiff demeanor of the former military man doesn’t bend. He extends his own hand in polite response. “Asa.”

  Once they shake hands, I note Tommy’s eyes open a bit in surprise. He knows what it means if Asa’s hand is cooler, even though we came in from the outside. The fact we aren’t wearing coats is a big tip-off too.

  Tommy looks in my direction, raising an eyebrow. “Guess Asa won’t be staying out in the employee apartments with the rest of us?”

  “No, he won’t, good guess. Asa will be close to the main building staying in one of the cabins.”

  Asa scratches his head and snorts. “Cabins? No, I’ll stay in the main building or all bets are off and I leave.”

  Jeesh! He sure is a pushy thing. I hear Paul choke on his drink in the kitchen. Damn, he’s laughing at this little drama.

  Remaining calm on the surface, I keep my face blank. “We can discuss things with Rafe. Nothing’s set in stone. Let’s continue on the tour.” Without a backward glance, I head into the kitchen, expecting Asa to follow. Which, of course, he does. If I could kick the smiling Paul on my way past him, I would. That would make me look childish though, so I refrain.