Sara Humphreys - Vampire Trouble

Time stopped.

Eyes still closed, her body shivering uncontrollably, Maya listened to the exquisite silence. Franklin was gone…but she wasn’t alone.

Maya? The deep, familiar baritone rumbled around her gently. Are you alright?

Shane? His name escaped her lips on a shaky whisper edged with disbelief and confusion. Uncertain what was happening, and still afraid that Franklin might come back and continue what he’d started, she kept her eyes screwed shut. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, and she pressed herself against the wall, hoping and wishing she could simply disappear or wake up. What’s happening?

I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner, but you’ll have to forgive an old vampire for being a bit rusty in the dreamscape . Maya flinched as Shane’s large hand cradled her face with surprising tenderness. Her fingers trembled and she placed her hand over his, assuring herself that he was really there and she wasn’t imagining this entire experience. Sighing with relief, Maya curled her hand over his and pressed it further against her tearstained cheek. You are safe, youngling.

Finding her courage, Maya opened her eyes and found herself staring into the dark, intense gaze of Shane Quesada. Her brows knit with confusion because those were definitely the same eyes that had glared at her from the shadows the last time she relived this nightmare.

The line between his brows deepened and the sharp angles of his handsome, masculine face seemed even harsher than they did in the mortal plane. In spite of her situation, she wasn’t afraid of him. Even though he was a formidable warrior, the man had gentleness within him that she’d never seen until now.

His wavy, chestnut hair curled temptingly over the collar of the long, leather coat, and his square jaw was covered by that ever-present five-o’clock shadow. Those intense eyes stood out above all else, dark pools of brown, peering at her from beneath thick, furrowed brows. Maya shivered. It was like he saw past all of her mistakes, her bad choices, and her bullshit to the vulnerable part of herself that she never wanted anyone to see again. Her gut instinct was to run but she was too tired. Exhausted from fighting and running…just…tired.

Thank you , Maya whispered. Tears spilled down her cheeks, and a sob wracked her body. Shane gathered her into his arms and cradled her against the broad expanse of his chest. Weeping, Maya’s fingers curled around the lapels of his coat. Thank you for making it stop.

One strong arm linked around her waist, while his other hand cradled the back of her head, holding her while she cried. Shane said nothing, which was exactly what Maya needed. She didn’t need someone to tell her it was okay or that the pain would fade over time or some other load of crap. All she wanted was to be comforted, held, and cherished, to be allowed to weep and let it all out. He rocked her slowly in the shadow of the buildings, and Maya cried until she had nothing left.

Limp and exhausted, she sagged against Shane’s much larger form. When her sniffles subsided, she could swear the sound of the ocean was swirling around them. Calm and soothing, the gentle, lapping sound of waves washed over her. Swiping at her sore eyes, she lifted her head to look at Shane and was immediately distracted by their new surroundings.

They were no longer in the dark, dirty alley but standing on a white, sandy beach beneath a cloudless azure sky. Maya let out a sound of wonder, and her hand flew to her mouth in awe. They were in a stunningly exotic location, and the best part was the warmth of the bright yellow sun that blazed over them with balmy warmth. It didn’t burn. Letting out a laugh, she tilted her face to the beautiful tropical sky. Maya hadn’t thought she missed the sun—until now.

You did this? Maya looked around in awe. You made this place?

Yes, but my only regret was not being there sooner, Shane murmured, taking her hand in his and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. Maya’s stomach fluttered when his lips brushed over her flesh with the gentlest of strokes, and he held her protectively in the shelter of his body. I can assure you that won’t happen again.

Wh-which part? Maya asked quietly. The nightmare…or you watching what happened?

Neither. Shane’s voice dropped to low, dangerous tones and his grip on her tightened. A look similar to shame washed over his face. You will never go through that again. It has been centuries since I walked in the dreamscape, and until last night, I never thought I would again. I didn’t even realize what was happening at first, and by the time I did…you were gone.

So you weren’t there the night it actually happened? You don’t think I deserved it? Maya asked in a barely audible voice. She closed her eyes, terrified at what the answer might be. That I asked for it?

What? Shane’s body tensed against hers. One strong finger brushed along the line of her jaw and settled under her chin. Maya, look at me. Maya bit her lip and steeled herself before opening her eyes and forcing herself to look at him. She was prepared to see anger, pity, disgust…but not kindness.

What that animal did to you was indefensible. I would never stand by and watch a woman victimized like that, human or vampire, and if I had been there that night— a growl rumbled in his chest —I would have eviscerated that piece of shit until there was nothing left but a dry husk.

Olivia beat you to it. Worried that he might vanish, Maya curled her fingers tighter around his coat and pulled him closer. She looked out at the blue, rippling ocean that stretched out endlessly before them. She doesn’t know that I know, but Trixie told me that Olivia killed him while I was in the transformation sleep.

I’m not surprised. Shane reached between them and took her hands in his before cradling them to his chest. Olivia is one of the most responsible makers I’ve encountered in my four centuries, and that’s saying something. I didn’t even get the pleasure of ripping his throat out in the dreamscape. The son of bitch vanished into thin air, but then again, it’s not really him, is it?

What do you mean? A feeling of dread crawled up Maya’s back as she turned her eyes to Shane’s.

Your nightmare is a ghost, a memory from your human life that you’re reliving again and again. Like you said, the man who did this to you is dead. Shane lifted one shoulder. The dreamscape is your creation.

Are you saying that I want to go through this? Anger flared hard and Maya shoved him away from her. To her surprise, he allowed her to slip out of his embrace, and the look on his face was one of acceptance and patience. You think that I am controlling what happens?

No, at least not intentionally. Shane’s voice was even and calm. He held his arms out and gestured to the beautiful tropical surroundings. Do you see where we are? It’s a far cry from the streets of Manhattan, wouldn’t you say? I thought this environment would be a better place for you to distance yourself from what happened. I may have been pulled into your dream last time, but this time the connection was far stronger and I was able to manipulate the dreamscape.

You mean that there’s a way to stop the nightmares? Tears pricked the back of her eyes again . I can make it stop for good?