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Chapter 1
We climbed up the mountain and passed miles of surrounding forest trees before reaching the secluded area. It was as peaceful as it was beautiful. The sun hung low that afternoon, soon it’d lower and the moon would be in clear view and furry animals would take solace running. I took a moment and looked at the blues and bright pinks surrounding the burning star. These days it was hard to find peace when every waking moment was spent worrying over what threat might find it’s way into my life next. I turned toward my guest. “Your father could kill me if he found out about this.”
Jamie turned to face me and shrugged her petite shoulders. “He’s busy and after you almost died to help me I don’t think he minds anymore that we’re friends.” She had a bitter tone to her voice that seemed to be constant lately; I assumed it had to do with teenage years and boy troubles. She was dating a vampire—a huge mistake— and now she wouldn’t talk about him lately.
Part of the reason I invited her out was to try and get her to tell me what happened. The other part was to make sure the fifteen year old girl had some form of protection. I rested my bag on the floor and bent to open it. “I’m gonna ask, what happened with Ray?”
She shrugged again. “Dad got his wish, it’s over between us.”
I stood holding a 9mm magnum. “Why?” Her shoulders fell and her dark eyes took on a look of regret and fear. “Did something happen?” I asked, looking over her neck for any telltale signs while she glanced back at the skyline.
“He doesn’t think so. I just told him my dad was a pain in the ass and it’d be better if we didn’t see each other. But,” Jamie took a deep breath and that look of fear worsened. “I came into town a few days early this trip and I went to surprise him.” I said nothing and waited for her to continue. She took a moment to gather the words or maybe find the strength to discuss it. “He was with another girl.” The teenager froze there.
“That would piss you off Jamie, not scare you. Did you catch Ray biting someone?” I asked, sympathetically, as I remembered the night I saw Michael feeding. I grew jealous and pushed him the next night into biting me instead. It went too far and he was forced into turning me or letting me die but the virus didn’t fully take. I was immortal after being brought back to life with his virus but there were no other vampire traits or curses in my body.
“It was so….wrong. I heard stories that it could be something exciting but the girl looked so scared. I don’t think she had a choice. I left as fast as I could and broke up with him over the phone.” She was feeling cowardly about not being able to face him. I thought it was a smart choice not to anger a vampire face to face.
“Alright, you’ll feel better if you shoot stuff.” I’ve been bringing Jamie to the private shooting range and showing her how to use several small yet efficient guns she could carry with her. After she was kidnapped a few months ago I thought it was best to have her own way to help herself when no one was around. At first she wasn’t too happy with the idea but it grew on her, it was cool to know how to handle a gun, she quickly realized.
Jamie held the gun with both hands and aimed at the paper body outline. “I’m trying to convince my dad to let me stay with him full time.” She shot and hit her mark right in the center of the chest. “Mom agreed but he won’t because he thinks it’ll make me more of a target.” She fired again, it was a head shot that time. After two weeks of listening she was catching on quick.
“You know his life is complicated but I think if you keep asking and use sweet talk he’ll cave.” Caleb was a tough alpha werewolf but with his daughter he was a big ol’ softy.
“I heard him and Jared talking today,” she changed guns. “about you.”
I couldn’t stop the grin that rushed to my face. Jared was Caleb’s third in the pack and currently trying to get me to go out on a date with him. “And?”
“Dad doesn’t think you and Jared would be a good idea.”
“Of course not; I’m vampire bitten and no offense but Caleb can be an ass about vampiric things.” I sat down on a huge mountain rock and watched her practice. We stayed there shooting and talking for the next hour before heading back to the car. It was getting pretty dark and I didn’t want to encounter any trouble from a shifter with Jamie hanging around. I was glad to see she felt better by the time I turned the car down our street. I parked at my place and walked her three houses down to hers.
When I got home it was time to get ready for work. I worked as the hostess at La Amour; a restaurant/hotel for the Winston vampire family. I took a shower to erase the scent of pine tress and moss. My dress tonight was a strapless black number with matching short heels. I left my hair loose around my shoulders and rushed downstairs before I was late for my shift.
I opened my front door at the same exact moment someone was going to knock. “Michael.” I was shocked to see him on my doorstep of all the places we could’ve ran into each other. “I can’t remember the last time you showed up at my place.” I was usually at his and it always had something to do with work.
“I’m glad I caught you before you left for the hotel. We need to talk.” I stepped aside and let him into the living room. Michael was an intense man and I was used to that except that time was different. The tension was serious and it must be important for him to show up to catch me alone, rather than waiting until we saw each other at the restaurant. “I need to ask you for a favor.” The vampire began.
“Ok.” I said slowly while trying to understand what the hell was going on. I knew from past experiences when Michael was like this something I didn’t like was going to happen next.
“I need you to keep a close eye on Caleb and tell me what you see.”
I let out a big exhale. “You want me to spy on him?” It didn’t take long for me to get angry and before I could stop it the emotion slammed into me. “I can’t do that.” I wished I left three minutes sooner and missed our meeting. I’d normally be happy to see my ex but for something like what he wanted, he had the wrong girl. “You have an army of people willing to do whatever you want, so why ask me?”
“Because you’re closer and it’d be less suspicious if you’re hanging around. I was probably hoping you’d come back to my side.” Michael said softly, carrying a more hurtful tone than if he would’ve yelled.
I winced, it hurt how quickly he could make me feel wrong for trying to do the right thing. “There are no sides and there never has been. I just can’t help you with this. He saved my life, Michael.” It hadn’t been physical danger, it was more like he stopped me from mentally losing my mind. Although I’d never admit it to Caleb, he had helped me a lot when I had killed for the first time with the worries that followed and nearly drowned me. I still worried when I was alone in the darkness of my bedroom.
Michael’s disappointment filled the room. He was a lot older than his young handsome face showed, he lived his life a certain way and expected things to happen a certain way. He expected that if I was loyal to him I’d never question what he’d ask of me. He moved toward the door which I stood in front of. “Don’t say anything to him.”
“I wouldn’t do that but what are you trying to find out?”
Michael reached behind me and opened the door. “You’re late for work.”