by KD Bond
Despite his many offers, Luke chose Fall Heights. He felt his talents could be put to better use at a new up and coming tech company. Now the business was creating head waves in their field and seemed everyone was progressing but him. Not like Luke hasn’t put in the time. It’s been over eight years.
Deep down, Luke knew why he wouldn’t get promoted. And it didn’t have anything to do with his bubbly personality. It was because his boss was an enormous, narcissistic, dick. A vain, self-absorbed testicular cancer that wanted his minions to kiss his ass daily.
Heights, his glutinous boss, wasn’t a man that favored those who could hold a logical conversation. Nope, the imbecile loved the ones that could tell him how nice he looked. Or how remarkable he was to be able to expand his empire in a failing market. Luke knew it was all lies. The guy never looked nice. No matter how much he spent on designer clothes. The success of his business was because he rode the coattails of people like him. Heights barely knew how to turn on a computer. But he was a trust fund baby, which granted him millions. To his credit, the walking whoopie-cushion hired the best people around him to show him. Thus, Fall Heights Tech Company, FHT, was formed.
In the end, Heights was just another rich white man who was dealt a better hand in life. Therefore, Luke refused to kiss ass. He’d prefer his work, as the best statistical analyst in data configuration, speak for itself. Luke couldn’t bring himself to fall at the bosses feet. Luke didn’t have a problem following a worthy leader, but Heights was not worthy.
Because of his unwillingness to cater to his manager’s every whim, Luke was stuck in the same position. He’d been junior VP of statistical analytics for years now. It wasn’t that Luke wasn’t proud of the title, certainly made good money. It just made him feel unappreciated, undervalued. As the company continued to thrive in Lake Placid, New York, Luke still felt stagnant. Probably the only thing keeping him sain was his love for technology. It was forever changing and enhancing itself as the years rolled. But damn how he wished there was more to life than his desk.
Unfortunately Luke didn't have many friends. One of the reasons for the lack of friendships was because Luke was kind of a nerd. No one hung out with geeks unless you were one, especially not women. Most women thought Luke was the friend type. Not the one you’d like to throw up against the wall and fuck until you couldn’t breathe.
Luke knew he was partially to blame for his persona. It was hard to be taken seriously when one was incredibly shy around the fairer sex. A reason why Luke didn’t try to form intimate relationships with women. The subdued style he’s had since college didn’t help either. The laid back comfortable look made him appear young and boyish. The daily image consisted of a shirt, blazer, tie, and slacks. All nude colors since Luke didn’t like to stand out.
In spite of his inability to stand-out Luke knew he was equitably handsome. With his short choppy dark-brown hair and average height at six-one. The guy was well built in the body department. The love of athletics gave Luke a swimmer’s body. Running during his free time while occasionally lifting weights; also gave Luke a more muscular toned shape. However, no one ever saw under his clothes just what’s on top, which was average. At least he thought that’s what Casey Dash saw.
Casey was the most stunningly beautiful blond he’d ever seen. Lucas had secretly loved his stoic friend and coworker for months. Height’s hired Casey as his secretary a few months back, and he’d been mesmerized ever since. The woman had gorgeous dirty blonde hair, sky blue eyes, and a body to die for. Every male in the building, himself included, wanted her. Casey, of course, saw Luke as nothing more than a friendly coworker.
Caught once again enthralled, Luke had to blink his eyes a few times to stop from gawking. Luke was able to snap out of his fantasy as his coworker's deliciously long legs glided up towards his desk.
"Hey, Luke. After work, everyone's going to Tony’s bar across the street. We’re going to take a shot to celebrate Justin’s Promotion. You coming?"
To Luke, her voice sounded like an exotic instrument; whimsically playing along with the wind towards his ear. Casey was lovely with her hair tied up in a bun at the top her head like a crown. She was wearing a form-fitting pencil skirt suit, with a blouse that showed a rather generous cup size. And those lips, goodness those beautiful, voluptuous lips. What he wouldn’t give to have those lips wrapped around his di...
"Luke, hey, Luke!? Did you hear me? Bar... Drinks… Are you coming?" Casey waved a polished manicured hand in front of his face. Oh yes, he was supposed to speak?
Clearing his thoughts, Luke looked up and spoke: "Ummm yeah sure why not. I don't have anything else planned tonight."
"Great, see you there, buddy."
Luke watched Casey sashayed away while that endearment was spinning in his head. Buddy, that’s what he was a buddy. Pretty much how all women saw him. What Luke wouldn’t give for a woman that viewed him as more than a friend. Alright, Luke, it’s time to stop wallowing in your self-pity and get back to work.
As Luke finished up his work, his boss, Roman Heights, walked out of his office and loomed in the doorway. Luke looked over at his obese boss' tight jacket button. If the hefty-sack took one deep breath that fucker would fly.
"I just wanted to congratulate Justin on his promotion," Luke’s boss began. " Well deserved, and there is more to come. The company is mounting, and we need more bright minds that will allow us to continue to cultivate. So make sure you show me you want it, and we may be celebrating your advancement next."
Yeah right, show him as in drop to your knees before me, peasants. Okay, maybe a drink is exactly what he needed. Luke was becoming cynical. It was time to become engrossed in his work once again. Because let’s be honest, that’s where he shined. Luke was doing what he loved and no one, not even Heights, could take that from him.
Hours seemed to roll by and as his coworkers started to file out, one by one. Luke was so preoccupied he didn’t realize there was no one left on his floor. He turned to the window and couldn’t believe how late it was. Luke, however, turned back when he heard someone coming towards his desk. Casey walked over to him with a smile.
"You know you’re always the first one in the office and the last one here,” the secretary spoke. Casey placed her hands on his desk, leaning forward towards him, “you’re so dedicated. I bet you’re the next one to move up."
Luke shook his head and smiled, locking eyes with her over the rim of his glasses, not going to happen. Roman liked Luke right where he was. Luke knew his boss couldn’t stand him, and the feeling was mutual. Heights only recruited Luke because his father told him Luke was the best. Hiring the best would help Roman’s company move in the direction he wanted.
Luke believed if he were promoted, Height assumed Luke would come for his position as CEO. And that was not the case at all. Luke wasn’t trying to run the company; he just wanted to use his gift to help advance technology. Who sought out to push papers and answering a thousand phone calls?
"So, you still coming out tonight?"
"Umm yeah. I got a few things to finish up here, and then I’ll be right down" Luke smiled again. "Don’t worry, you’ll have your wingman tonight, I promise."
Any time the group went out together, Luke was either Casey’s fake boyfriend. A partner that warded off the aggressive men or the reserved best friend who helped weed out the losers. If only Luke could be the one she was looking for. But for some reason, Luke couldn’t muster up the courage to tell Casey how he felt. Luke thought he’d be able to say to a woman he wanted to be romantically involved. But with Casey, Luke couldn’t.
"You’re the best. See you soon,” Casey ended.
As she waved and walked away, Luke pushed his comfy black leather seat back from his desk then swiveled to face the window. Damn, his life was in shambles. One of his closest friends was a girl he couldn’t have, his job was at a standstill, and his love life was none existent.
Lifting his hands, Luke removed his glasses and rubbed his
face. As Luke brought his hands down from his eyes, he saw something the color of fire fall out of the sky. Fuck, was that a body? Luke hurried to the window and looked down. Fortunately, Luke saw nothing but busy streets and luminous colors of the street lights. Weird. Luke really could use that drink but getting laid would probably be better. It had been months since Luke laid with a woman, but he knew it was not going to happen anytime soon.
Chapter Three
Damn, vampires were stupid. Kat fumed, as she stalked the prey towards the end of the alley. All the fiend had to do was feed from his victims then seal the wounds with his healing saliva. Vampires had the power to erase current memories with mind control. So it would be easy to send the unsuspecting mortals on their obliviously merry way. Vamps possessed multiple handy gifts if one were trying to keep their world a secret from humans. And that whole, burst into flames at daylight thing, a complete myth. They could blend in during daylight with no problem. The bloodsuckers just wouldn’t be at peak strength. But did that matter to some? Noooooo.
There were ones that hunted humans to the dark corners of the shadows and ripped their throats out as they fed. They got off on the terror they caused in their victims. Evil beings using their power to lord over their prey. They salivated in their object’s terror because vampires didn’t have to kill to survive. Hell, they didn’t even need to drink blood every day if they didn’t want to. Blood to vampires was like water to humans. They needed it for the nourishment of their bodies. While going long periods without blood would eventually lead to death, missing a day or two wouldn’t cause any lasting damage. Because of this, they were powerful, phantom creatures. And even harder to keep in check when they went astray.
Not all vamps were bad. However, even the phantom realm had its good and evil creatures like the human realm had moral and sinful humans. But the level of evil in the universe with the powers phantoms possessed were dangerous.
The earth would plunge into darkness if the Knights allowed evil to prevail. That’s where Kat came in. She’d been after this specific rogue for weeks. Sky pointed him out to the Knights in a meeting months ago, but Kat could never fucking find him. After countless hours of planning, tracking, and strategizing, Kat finally cornered her quarry.
The beast lead Kat to this dark alley behind Tony’s Bar. As she squared off with her alluded nemesis, Kat gave the vamp a good once over. The male was tall dark and oh so handsome, like so many of his kind were. They needed the glamor to lure their victims. The appearance made them droll worthy, and their smell made them nearly irresistible. And oh boy did the fiend smell divine. The scent, which caught in the breeze, caused a constant throb between her legs to pulse. And as the vamp caught Kat’s eye, he knew he turned her on. His devious smile said as much.
"Ahh harpy hunter. How fare thee tonight?"
Mmmm, even his voice was tempting. Kat involuntarily shivered. "So, you know who I am," Kat breathed on an exhale.
"But of course, my sweet. Everyone who’s anyone knows the warrior women dressed in black with wings."
Licking his lips, he cast his eyes down her leather-clad body. No catsuit like Sky, but she wore leather pants and a black muscle shirt. An entire that hid several blades. Kat wore black gun straps on each thigh that harbored her magnificent set of twin forties with steel bullets. Kat also carried her famous Kusanagi, which was sheathed at her back. Only a fool in her line of work would rely solely on their supernatural abilities to protect them. And Kat was no fool.
Sliding her hands down her hips, Kat slightly crouched, an inch. The movement abled Kat to rest her hands on the terrible twos.
"So, if you know who I am, we can just skip the formalities and get right down to business." Kat cracked her neck and took a step forward as the beast took a step back.
"Why must we battle my beautiful temptress? I’d much rather take you up against this building and plunge my cock into you instead of my fangs."
Yeah, Kat was tempted to take him up on that offer. Had he not been a murderous fiend, she would’ve been spread eagle right now. But Kat was never one to mix business with pleasure. Not even if it’s been forever.
"You know, I’d have thought that’d be possible if I didn’t just see you rip the throat out of that college girl two streets down."
"Ahh, come now sweet,” the vamp flashed his pearly whites. Giving Kat an “oh, I’m innocent” smile. “The girl was a mistake. It happens to the best of us," the bloodsucker smerked. But not before taking another step back as Kat stalked forward.
"Yeah but see, with you it happens a lot. I know who you are. And the mortal is not the only one I’ve heard you’ve killed. We would be here all night with your list of victims, and I don’t have all night."
Seriously she didn’t, Walking Dead was back, and Negan just showed up. Kat loved a bad boy. Maybe that’s why she was so turned on by Count Dracula over here. Kat had to end this fast; Sky would forgive another unscheduled vacation if she bagged, not banged, this big fish. Okay, maybe she would forgive… Probably…. Definitely not, but did Kat care?
"Well, since you don’t want to play…."
Count moved in a blink of an eye. Kat dodged the throwing star, with a backflip, as it sailed past her head. Recovering quickly, Kat spun away from the five other stars that flew past soon after. The dodging gave Count enough time to hit the roof at a dead run. Goddess, she loved it when they ran. Vampires were fast; however, harpies, her in particular, were faster.
Kat let her wings rip out the back of her shirt. Bending her knees, Kat jumped, landing smoothly on the roof. Once on top, Kat cast her eyes around in search of her target. Kat found him almost immediately. The male was just a white blur in the night moving faster than the human eye could detect.
Letting roar a battle screech, Kat fluttered her wings and took off after him. Vampires were one of a few phantom creatures that could rival their speed. But Kat always had an advantage on her fellow harpy sisters.
Kat caught the vamp fairly quickly, taking him down with a tackle to his back. Kat impaled him in the shoulder blades with two of the steel daggers kept under her belt. The steel was the only thing that could hold a vamp immobile, it wouldn’t kill them, but it hurt like a son of a bitch.
The beast yelped as the daggers struck flesh, and Kat smiled diabolically at the sound. Standing up, Kat kept a boot to the vamps back, then glanced down at her prey.
"Now why would you go and do that, hmm? I hate runners it’d been way hotter if you had stood your ground and fought me like a good little lamb."
The vamp struggled under her weight, which wasn’t much. Kat weighed all of one-hundred-forty-five pounds. Okay, fine, one-fifty-two. But Kat did take a week off a few days ago, so she had gained Walking Dead marathon weight. However, it wasn’t the Knights weight that helped keep down Count. It was the harpies extraordinary, inhuman strength.
"Now, now, now,” Kat tapped her index finger to her chin. “What’s a girl like me to do with a pretty little thing like you?"
The brute tried, unsuccessfully, to wiggle out from under her boot. So Kat applied more pressure to his back while pondering her choices.
Kat was so caught up in her own personal game; she never felt the unwanted company appear.
"Kill him, sister mine."
Kat swiveled around swiftly. And looky, looky. Sia, her infamous big sister, was standing behind her. Kat narrowed her sharp green eyes at her twin in greeting. Kat needed to be more vigilant.
"Well, hello, sister. And to what do I owe this privilege?"
"Sky put me in this quadrant, and you’re hunting on my turf," Kat’s twin spoke. Sia folded her arms across her chest with a look of annoyance.
The stated caused Kat to examine the surroundings. Yep, Kat was outside of her sector. Hmm, guess that’s what happens when the fuckers run.
"Sorry sister mine. I must have chased him further than I thought," Kat shrugged in indifference.
"Which means you wanted to chase him further. Bloodsuckers ca
n’t outrun you, Kat," Sia gave her an exasperated look.
Sia was right, of course. Kat loved running. The further away the prey got, the better. Enemies always seemed to believe they could get away by running, but they were wrong. Kat just wanted a few minutes to play. Damn, her big sister knew how to take the fun out of everything.
"As much as I love this conversation, I’d much rather you use those pretty tongues of yours to suck my....."
Kat didn’t give Dracula a chance to finish his sentence. Kat called upon her gift. The warming sensation coursed through her body, traveling through the palm of her hand. She created a fist and captured her prey. The electric pulse burned the vamp to nothing more than a pile of ash at Kat’s feet.
Goddess above, at moments like this, Kat loved her gift. There was nothing better than being able to end such vile creatures’ life. Using the abilities, the Goddess bestowed upon was never Kat’s issue. Out here, she was judge, jury, and executioner. Kat was the red queen.
Taking a deep breath, Kat turned to face her delightful big sister, Sia.
"Sooooooo, how ya been?" Kat spewed.
"You’d know if you’d returned any of my calls," Sia spat. Her body language still on the defense. Someone had a slight tude.
"Now, why would I do that?" Kat replied, cocking her head to the side in indifference.
"Oh, I don’t know?” Sia threw her hands in the air, “maybe because I’m your sister. Maybe because I haven’t seen or talked to you alone in months. Perhaps because mother and father are worried." Sia spews. The last part was spoken quietly. Because Sia knew, at that very moment, she'd fucked up.
"See that,” Kat jabbed a finger in the face of one that matched her own, “that shit right there is bullshit. And the main reason I don’t pick up the phone when you call," Kat fumed. “They don’t care about me. I haven’t heard from either one of them in months. Hell, if it weren’t for the meetings, I probably wouldn’t hear or see mom at all!”
