Shifters in the Shadows: Seventeen Paranormal Romances of Sexy Shifters, Dangerous Vamps, & Things That Go Bump in the Night

by J. K Harper

  “No problem, sir,” the gentry answered, looking down at the cash. “But I think you made a mistake.” She counted the money. “Wow. This is more than twice the standard rate.”

  I nodded for her benefit. My last gentry never had a problem with being paid extra.

  “It’s fine,” I told her, noticing a drop of blood on her t-shirt. Licking my lips self-consciously, I cleared my throat. The bone-deep hunger was not sated, but it would have to do.

  “Awesome! Thanks.”

  “You may leave now. I will call on you again soon.”

  “Yes, sir. Any time at all! Thank you so much.”

  I helped her to her feet, and she staggered, further proof she couldn’t handle my needs. No wonder some of my fellow vampires requested two or three gentry at a time.

  “Please help yourself to the juice in the kitchen before you leave. You’ll want to replenish your fluids.”

  “Okay, I will.”

  “You can also rest a while. There’s a sitting room down the hall. Please relax there before you go. Trying to walk in your state may not be safe.”

  She nodded. “Thanks for being so generous!”

  As she left the room, the young woman muttered under her breath that the extra cash would be a huge help with rent for her apartment in Red Ridge, Arizona. She chattered on that she could probably spare the extra cash now to fix her car, which she complained had broken down on the side of the road somewhere here in Mesquite, Nevada. She probably didn’t realize my kind had highly attuned hearing. To me, the money was insignificant. The gentry played a major role in our survival. Blood bags weren’t always accessible or enjoyable, and for many of us, feeding on unwilling humans was too barbaric to carry out, no matter how fiercely our primitive urges drove us to hunt and kill.

  The young lady managed to get herself to the hallway and in the direction of my mansion’s kitchen. She was sure to be dizzy come dawn. I winced at the thought, wiping the corners of my mouth with a handkerchief. It had been over three hundred and fifty years since I was turned, and I still didn’t have a taste for blood. I gave up on trying to get used to this repulsive need to feed a long time ago. Aside from it puffing up my dead tissues to make me look living again, there weren’t any other benefits, and certainly nothing about it pleased my pallet. I heard her exchange pleasantries with one of my servants, and I relaxed. Good. As long as she was in their hands, I wouldn’t have to worry about her getting home. My driver would take her back to Red Ridge, less than half an hour away, once she was more herself.

  Usually, I wouldn’t indulge in taking sustenance from a human. I stuck to a large stock of fresh blood bags that I was able to secure from a local hospital—as long as I kept up with my donation checks—so the cooler in the basement was ready whenever I needed a meal. This weekend coming up was different. On Saturday, I would be best man at a friend’s wedding, which in itself was not of serious consequence. I was happy for my most trusted friend, Axe, a bear shifter in the Beartooth Brotherhood Motorcycle Club. He was getting married to his human girlfriend, Angel. The real problem was they were getting married on Halloween weekend—in Las Vegas.

  A shifter-human wedding. On Halloween. In Vegas.

  With a full moon coming.

  And I was best man.

  A vampire.

  What was wrong with that?

  Everything.

  Which was why I needed to feed on the gentry’s warm, rich blood. Feeding on a live being was most effective in sating my hunger, so doing it now would keep me strong while I walked among humans. I could only hope to avoid all wolf shifters, werewolves and hunters this weekend. A smirk rose up on my lips as I thought of what Axe’s MC President, Silas, thought about my chances of getting through the Halloween weekend unscathed.

  According to him, I was already fucked.

  Sonya

  My phone rang the second I stepped off the plane and walked into the airport terminal. After traveling for almost twelve hours across nine time zones, I was beat. All I wanted was for Angel to pick me up and take me to the hotel so my body could adjust to the jetlag. So why was she phoning from her work phone line at this hour? Not a good sign.

  “Hi Angel,” I answered. I got to one side of the large corridor to avoid the surge of the international arrivals crowd, all rushing to get through customs and immigration.

  “Hi Sonya. How was your flight?”

  “Uneventful. I just landed. I’m heading over to get my luggage now.”

  “Awesome.”

  “Angel, hun, please tell me you’ve swapped your work number with your cell phone, and that you’re just outside the arrivals level waiting for me.”

  “Yeah, not quite. About that…”

  “You’re late, aren’t you?”

  “Sorry hun. I was all set to be there at two in the afternoon. I even took the day off. But remember Pattie-Jean in Archives? I think I told you she’s pregnant with twins?”

  “Yes. What about her? Oh, did she go into labor already?”

  “She wasn’t due for two more weeks, but her babies came last night. Don’t worry, the newborns and mommy are doing well, but I’m covering her hours until four today.”

  “I’m glad to hear they’re well, hun. That’s okay, hun. I think I can manage.”

  “I’ll be at the hotel by dinner hour at the latest.”

  “No worries. I’ll get a cab to the hotel. The Strip is less than fifteen minutes away.”

  “No no. Don’t do that. I’ve already arranged a ride for you.”

  “Oh, that’s great! I’m so beat, I can use all the help I can get with my luggage.”

  “How much did you bring? It’s only a weekend, you know.”

  “Trust me, I know. Get this. The big boss decided to wait until two days ago to tell me he was relocating me from Bulgaria to … wait for it … to Wyoming.”

  “What?”

  “I had precisely a day and a half to pack up all my worldly belongings to bring with me … which you know isn’t much, but it’s more than two suitcases.”

  “Wow. Where in Wyoming?”

  “The Killpecker Sand Dunes, but I’ll be stationed in Rock Springs.”

  “That’s not too far from me.”

  “Well, it’s eight or so hours’ drive from Red Ridge.”

  “That’s way better than before. You’re two states over, instead of two continents. I think it’s great.”

  “It is. I’ve missed you guys. I missed my pack too, but definitely you and my brothers.”

  “So no more puberty karma, then.”

  “It’s Pobiti Kamani, Angel,” I told her, giggling for a second at her pronunciation. “And that’s right. No more Eastern Europe desert stints for a while.”

  “I never understood why an American forestry company even has employees like you working out in Eastern Europe to begin with.”

  “Conservation Science has no real boundaries, hun. We’re losing forests all over the world, and studying deserts give us some insight into how to use land spaces, and protect forests and the environment at the same time. I probably wouldn’t have to leave Europe at all if it weren’t for all the instability in the area.”

  “I hear you, but I’m still glad you’ll be closer. More girl time for us. So anyway, Axe’s best man should already be at the airport to pick you up.”

  “Uh, Axe’s friends? I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not? You don’t know any of Axe’s friends.”

  “True, but Axe is a bear shifter. We wolves aren’t huge fans of bear shifters … and vice versa.”

  “The best man isn’t a shifter at all.”

  “He’s not?”

  “Nope.”

  “What is he, then? A regular old human like you?”

  “Honey, I’ll have you know that I’m neither regular nor old,” she joked. “About the best man, his name is Vincent. Is it okay if I text you each other’s numbers so he can tell you where in arrivals to meet him?”

&n
bsp; “Sure,” I told her, noticing that she had neglected to give me a firm answer to my question on what Vincent was. Still, although I’d brought it up, I wasn’t up for extending this conversation about supernatural or preternatural beings on my cell phone while I was standing in an airport terminal.

  “Great. He’ll be in touch soon. He can also get you settled in at the hotel.”

  “Aren’t the reservations in your name?”

  “They are, but … Vincent … he owns the hotel. Well, the chain.”

  “He owns the Regal Mount hotels? The five-star chain with hundreds of locations worldwide? And he’s Axe’s friend? Strange.”

  “Yeah. He’s a nice guy too. We’ll get the formal introductions all sorted out when Axe and I get there this evening, okay?”

  “Sounds good. Oh my gosh, Angel. You’re getting married tomorrow! Do you need me to work on anything when I get in?”

  “No, sweetie. You’re off the hook. It’s a tight schedule, but everything’s set. Tonight, we’ll have dinner and get the families together. Tomorrow morning, we’ll make a quick stop at the chapel and hotel ballroom to make sure everything is ready for the wedding and reception. After that, we’ve got a few hours at the spa for hair, makeup, massages … the works. We’ll have a couple of hours to get me in my gown, then the ceremony, pictures and the reception back at the hotel.” She took a breath. “Easy as pie, right?”

  “Wow. That’s a lot to do in precious little time.”

  “It is. Be glad that we got the shopping for your bridesmaid’s dress out of the way.”

  “No kidding. I still don’t know how that online bridal site did such a great job on it. It fits like a glove.”

  “It’s the magic of internet shopping.”

  “For sure. Hey, what about the bachelorette and bachelor parties?”

  “The bachelor party was last night. Axe decided to get wild and crazy at the clubhouse. He’s not too keen on mixing booze and bears here in the city.”

  “I’d bet.”

  “So you and I have to fit something in … tonight after dinner.” She chuckled. “Are you ready for male stripper dick in your face?”

  “Uh … I’ll let you take the hot seat. It’s your night! And I’ve got a stack of dollar bills all ready for whatever you want.”

  “I’ll be sure to put it to good use.”

  “I have to say … the guilt is getting to me that I couldn’t do more. I mean, this has probably been the easiest maid of honor job in the world.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m just glad you could make it from Siberia to be here.”

  “Bulgaria, but whatever. The spa sounds perfect. I still can’t believe it, hun. I’m so happy your wedding day is almost here!”

  “I’m relieved to hear you say that, hun. I know I was adamant about having this ceremony on Halloween—”

  “And on a full moon, hun. In Vegas, no less.”

  “Yeah. It’s just the weekend means a lot to me … you know … with Dad.”

  “No need to explain, love,” I told her, already hearing the sadness in her voice. She had lost her father just days before Halloween when she was only five. That was the only year we didn’t go trick or treating. Every Halloween after that sad day was more of a memorial to his memory.

  “Thanks, hun… If it’s any consolation, Axe is more anxious about it than you.”

  “I’d bet. We need to make sure no one shifts by accident tomorrow is all. Sure, it’s Halloween, but hell, a pack of bears roaming the Strip with a few humans and a lone wolf, let’s just say it does not make for convincing costumes.”

  She chuckled, and I could picture her smiling face from the gregarious sound. “Maybe I’ll dress like a circus animal tamer, complete with a whip and one of those unicycles for Axe to ride.”

  “Good God, no,” I laughed. “That won’t go over well, not even in Vegas.”

  “True. I believe Axe can keep his guys in check. Everyone I invited is human … well, everyone except you and a few others.”

  “Right. Well, for the record, I’m sorry I complained when we spoke a couple of weeks ago. It’s your special day, and I’m honored you picked me to be a part of it.”

  “Thank, love. Okay, I’d better get your details over to Vincent. Look for his call or text in a few.”

  “Will do. See you in a bit.”

  “I can’t wait to see you, Sonya.”

  Hanging up, I rejoined the surge of airplane commuters and wheeled my carry-on suitcase toward US customs and immigration. My phone buzzed with a phone call from an unknown number while I was in the US immigration line.

  “Hello?” I whispered. I turned away from the agent walking beside the lineup outside the cordoned off area where I stood. I couldn’t let him see me. There were large “No Cell Phones” signs on every wall I could see, so I was sure if someone noticed me on my cell I’d end up getting in some kind of trouble. Never mind that I’d flown in from Bulgaria and was already a prime candidate for a random body cavity search.

  “Hello,” said a man’s voice I didn’t recognize. I assumed it was Axe’s friend. “This is Vincent. Is this Sonya?”

  “It is, but I can’t talk at the moment. Just getting through customs. Can you text me?”

  “Completely understood, and no problem at all. Will do.”

  He hung up, and the smooth, baritone timber of his voice still echoed in my head. This was a friend of Axe? I had to wonder how a die-hard, patch-wearing motorcycle club member—and bear shifter—was friends with a wealthy, refined hotel magnate. This was sure to be one interesting wedding.

  By the time Vincent sent me his first text, I was waiting with a trolley beside the baggage carousels, hoping that my four suitcases and rugged bicycle travel case all made the trip safely.

  “Hi again. It’s Vincent.”

  “Hello. I’m at the baggage carousel in Terminal 3. Shouldn’t be long.”

  “Okay.”

  Two of my suitcases rolled around just then, and as I dragged them off, I remembered that Angel probably didn’t mention how many bags I had.

  “I have a bit of a luggage situation.”

  “What’s the problem?”

  “I have a lot of suitcases. Like, a whole lot.”

  I caught sight of the bike case and ran around to grab it. My two other bags came out right after.

  “No problem. Do you need help?”

  “Got them all. I should be okay.”

  “I’ll come in. What do you look like?”

  “Long black hair, blue eyes, denim jeans and a light grey shirt. You?”

  “Dark hair, grey eyes, navy suit, white shirt.”

  “Okay. Wait, I still have to take my bags through the last checkpoint. See you there?”

  “Sure.”

  “Look for the girl with too much luggage.”

  I was surprised that the customs officer didn’t give me a hard time for all the stuff in my cart. It looked like I lived out of it at the moment. I got a bigger shock when I saw Vincent standing outside. I didn’t have to guess who he was. He was the only man fitting the description he’s just given me. And God, he stood out from the crowd. Tall, handsome, wide shoulders, imposing, light eyes, light skin, and yet dark somehow. All that thick dark hair smoothed back. And those grey eyes. Even in the distance, I made out a keen, predatory expression. I absently bit the inside of my cheek and tasted a prick of blood. Why was I nervous all of a sudden?

  He came up the ramp to help me with my things.

  “Sonya?” he asked, reaching out his hand to greet me. “I’m Vincent Belmont.”

  “Hi, it’s nice to—” I froze. I didn’t finish my sentence, and I didn’t shake his hand. Something clawed at me from inside my chest, sending my wolf on high alert. The light around him seemed to shiver like a mirage in the desert heat.

  Vincent was no regular human.

  He was not human at all.

  God, I was so confused. All this lack of sleep didn’t help my clarity, either.
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br />   “What the hell are you?” I demanded right from my spot in the middle of the very public terminal.

  Sonya

  I stopped myself when I remembered where we were. Placing my hand back on the luggage cart handle, I continued pushing my cart down the ramp.

  Vincent fell into step beside me. “Calm down.”

  “Calm down? I won’t make a scene, but you’re … you’re not … I have no idea what you are. Shit, this was a bad idea.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll explain in the car. Let me help you with the cart.”

  “Fine.”

  I picked up my laptop bag and purse from the top of the luggage pile, and let him handle the cart. We walked the rest of the way in silence. Following a few strides behind him, I kept a sharp, distrustful eye on him. When we made it to his waiting stretch limousine, the driver opened the passenger door for us. Vincent motioned for me to get inside while the driver loaded my things.

  I scampered across the L-shaped back seat to the spot directly behind the driver’s seat, wishing there was more space between this Vincent character and me. He took his seat. I could swear the energy flowing from him felt like a blade piercing my chest.

  Swallowing hard, I went for it. I had to know before this vehicle took off. “Are you going to tell me what the hell you are? Warlock? Demon?”

  “Try vamp.” His voice was calm, as though he’d just told me the name of his favorite cereal or something just as banal.

  “Vamp … did you just say you’re … a … you’re a vampire?”

  “Axe and Angel didn’t tell you?”

  “Clearly not.”

  He faced forward and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps they thought it would be rude.”

  “Rude? Telling a wolf shifter she’s about to meet a vampire is not rude. It’s a goddamned necessity. It’s more dangerous not to. Do you even know how hard it was not to shift and rip out your throat back there in the terminal?”

  “You don’t mince words, I see. Yes, I believe I do, but I’ve had a while to adjust. Relax. I won’t hurt you.”

  “You won’t hurt me?” I looked out the window and shook my head. “You should be worried about whether or not I will hurt you. Hang on. It’s daytime. How are your even out in the sunlight?”