Sara Humphreys - Vampire Trouble

“What the fuck do you want?” Otto growled. “It’s five thirty in the fucking morning and I’m still drunk.”

“Well,” Maya purred, “isn’t that a charming way to answer the phone? My, my, my, aren’t you a cranky wolf.”

Silence filled the line and Maya’s confidence grew. She winked at Sebastian and Diego, a smile covering her face.

“Who the hell is this?” Otto barked. Maya could hear the sleepy voice of a woman in the background. “Shut up, Tiffany. Go back to sleep.” He lowered his voice to a rough whisper. “Answer me. Who is this?”

“I’m sure you’re surprised to hear from me,” she sang, putting on her most playful, seductive voice. “And I can’t say that I blame you, Otto. I guess your wolf boys weren’t up to the task, and sadly, they will no longer be able to run your errands for you—or do anything else, for that matter.”

“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about, lady,” he sputtered nervously. “Wait a minute. I know this number.”

“Yes, you do. Sebastian and Diego are rather upset by your behavior, so I think it’s safe to say that you should find somewhere else to hang out,” Maya hissed. Her fangs erupted as she fought to keep her anger under control. “I know we weren’t formally introduced earlier but my name is Maya, and if I’m not mistaken, I have something that you want.”

“I don’t want it. It’s not me,” he sputtered. “It’s that crazy little bastard Horace. Look, I didn’t want to have any part of it, okay? He’s blackmailing me, and unless I wanted my dirty laundry aired in public, I had to help him. He could destroy my entire business. Get it? He’s the one you want, okay? He believes that stupid story about some gypsy necklace, and the little shit thinks it’s going to give him absolute power. I think he wants to overthrow his old man. He’s nuts.”

“Yeah, I figured as much.” Maya’s eyebrows flew up with surprise to hear Otto throw Horace right under the proverbial bus. She didn’t think he’d roll over that easily, but she was relieved to have her suspicions confirmed. At least she knew exactly who she was dealing with. “I want you to give your boss a message for me.”

“He’s not my boss,” Otto hissed.

“Maybe not, but you’re his bitch.” Maya rolled her eyes. She turned her back on the brothers and walked away, keeping her voice low. “Tell Horace to meet me at midnight on the Gapstow Bridge in Central Park. I’ll give him what he’s after.”

“Gapstow Bridge at midnight. Got it.”

“And tell him to come alone,” Maya added quickly.

Turning around, she ended the call and passed the phone back to Diego. She was relatively sure that Horace wouldn’t show up alone, but then again, he wasn’t expecting her to be armed to the fangs, either. As far as Horace was concerned, Maya was just a silly little girl who flirted too much, not a sentry-trained vampire with a werewolf whammy.

“Not bad.” Sebastian nodded his approval. “You’re a feisty little youngling, aren’t you? No wonder Quesada chose you.”

“He’s trained a bunch of vampires,” Maya said. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, she adjusted her ponytail. “I’m not special.”

“I wasn’t talking about being a sentry, and believe me, my dear girl, you are most definitely special.” Sebastian winked. “We’ve known Shane for two hundred years, and through all of that time, I’ve never seen him with a woman. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I knew where his bread was buttered but—”

“What my dear brother is trying to say,” Diego interjected, “is that it’s quite clear why Shane chose you as his woman.”

“I’m not his woman.” Maya straightened her back, and guilt tugged at her when she saw the look on their faces. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve got more pressing matters to deal with. Can you direct me to the underground tunnels so that I can start heading back to New York? I’d like to cover some ground before sundown.”

“Of course,” Sebastian murmured. Linking his arm in hers, he guided her to the elevator. “But shouldn’t you wait for Quesada? I realize that he may not be at his best at the moment, but if memory serves, you are still a trainee, are you not?”

“Trainee?” Diego laughed and waved off Sebastian’s concerns. “The girl is packing enough silver in that coat to take down a stampede of vampires or werewolves. My nostrils are burning just from being near it.” He winked at Maya. “See? That’s why I could never be a sentry. I’d never get used to the constant stench of silver.”

“Speaking of Shane,” Maya said evenly as she cast a wide smile. “If he comes looking for me, please don’t tell him that I was here.” Sensing their apprehension, she added quickly, “Part of my final test to become a sentry is to handle a mission on my own. I’m sure you can understand how eager I am to reach the next level,” Maya said, praying they’d believe her lie.

“Of course.” Diego tilted his head in deference. “As you wish.”

“Thank you.” Maya smiled politely and stepped into the elevator with Diego’s comment lingering in the air. She hadn’t realized it until he mentioned it, but Maya barely even smelled the silver anymore.

Diego slammed the gate shut, and the gentle hum of the machine surrounded them. Maya kept her attention straight ahead, not wanting to give any hint that she shouldn’t be doing what she was doing. It was probably a foolish move to confront Horace on her own, but she had no intention of putting the people she cared about in harm’s way.

“I’m finished with training,” Maya murmured when the elevator came to a halt. “It’s game time.”

Shane awoke abruptly from the deep, healing slumber and instantly noticed the glaring absence of Maya’s soft, curvy body. He had slept alone for four hundred years—until he’d found Maya—and that was exactly the way he liked it. Solitary. Focused. However, being with her had turned everything upside down, and not having her with him felt wrong. He resented the hell out of it. He missed the scent of Ivory soap, the weight of her body against him, and the silky feel of her hair as it drifted over his shoulder.

Shane cursed under his breath, swung his feet over the side of the bed, and ran his fingers through his hair. Growling with frustration, he rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. This entire situation was his damn fault. If he hadn’t gotten close and allowed himself to feel something for her, then he wouldn’t be feeling so shitty now.

And he wouldn’t have hurt Maya.

He had hurt her. He knew he had, and that wounded look on her face would likely haunt him for the rest of his days. He shoved the guilt aside and kept reminding himself that it was for the best. How could he be with Maya when he was so obviously incapable of thinking clearly whenever he was near her?

Shane’s love for Maya blinded him, and that made him a liability. With all the changes that were happening in New York, with the arrival of Olivia and Doug’s child, the Presidium didn’t need an ineffective sentry in their midst. Neither did Maya. How could he protect her when she made him mad with worry?

After his egregious error with the wolves, Shane realized that loving Maya would mean letting her go. In the long run, she would be better off without him.

Rising to his feet, he stretched and moved his body, grateful to find all of his wounds had completely healed, although the werewolf bites left scars on both his leg and his shoulder. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and made a face of disgust. His clothes were bloody and torn, and he looked downright haggard. Shane pulled the bloodstained shirt off and tossed it aside before inspecting the scar that ran along his neck and shoulder. The scars would fade and eventually be barely noticeable, but at the moment they were still red.