Sara Humphreys: Vampire Trouble

Emily gurgled happily in Shane’s lap, and Maya could swear her ovaries actually buzzed with excitement. What was it about the sight of a big, strong man going gaga over a baby that was such a turn-on? Emily had one pudgy hand wrapped around Shane’s index finger while he bounced her on his knee and sang her “This Is the Way the Horses Ride” for the eight hundredth time. Her big blue eyes smiled at him, and her soft, red curls bounced while he pretended to gallop with her.

The Christmas tree in the corner was decorated with red bows and twinkling lights, and though Christmas was still a few days away, presents were piled high underneath. Most were for her and Shane, but there were several for baby Emily too. Other than spending time with Shane, there was nothing Maya enjoyed more than spoiling that cute little girl. Though Emily was only a year old, Maya had a hard time remembering what life was like without her…or Shane.

She knew the likelihood of getting pregnant like Olivia did probably was nonexistent but, hey, a girl could dream. Olivia and Doug were under the impression that Doug’s angel bloodline was the key to Emily’s conception. She could eat both human food and vampire fare, but she seemed to be partial to human food—Cheerios in particular.

Maya finished cleaning the dishes in the sink of their newly renovated apartment. Gone was the tapestry of pink. It had been replaced with cool tones of green and blue. Now that they were daywalkers, she and Shane could have found an apartment in a regular apartment building but Maya liked being here—with her family.

She smiled wistfully. Funny how just a year ago she was crawling the walls, and now there was nowhere else on earth she would rather be.

Life had changed significantly over the past year. Not only were she and Shane fully bonded and daywalkers, but her power had grown significantly. So much so that she could sense a werewolf within two miles. The only reason she’d figured that out was because Killian and some of his pack had moved to New York.

Killian told Olivia and Doug he wanted to expand his business on the East Coast, but they were convinced he wanted to keep an eye on Maya. Killian may not have told anyone else about Maya’s power, but the knowledge of it clearly haunted him. Maya wondered if he secretly blamed her for his brother’s death.

A few minutes later, Olivia and Doug swept into the apartment, both dressed elegantly from a night out at the theater. Emily laughed and clapped when Olivia gathered her daughter up in a flurry of hugs and kisses. That left Shane looking mildly dejected. He rose to his feet and shook hands with Doug before walking them to the door. After a few minutes of chitchat—all about Emily, of course—the czars left with their tiny charge giggling all the way out the door.

Maya waved and let out a sound of contentment as she went back to the sink. Shane’s arms linked around her waist, preventing her from doing more work, and he nibbled kisses down the length of her neck. She let out a sound of pleasure when he ran his hands down her arms and tangled their fingers together.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” Maya murmured.

“I’m trying to get fresh,” Shane said between kisses. Spinning her around, he hoisted her onto the edge of the sink. “But you seem oddly preoccupied with the dishes.”

“Well, perhaps I could be persuaded,” she said with a smile. “But…there’s something else I’d like to do first.”

With a wicked grin, Maya pushed Shane back, the muscles of his chest flexing beneath her fingers, and she slipped off the counter. “Come with me.”

Flying through the crisp night sky hand in hand, Maya giggled and Shane kept bugging her to tell him where they were going. When they approached Midtown, the series of lit-up snowflakes that lined Fifth Avenue came into view. Moments later, Rockefeller Center came into view and the massive tree twinkled brightly at the center of it all.

It was three in the morning and this part of the city was oddly quiet, which was exactly what Maya needed for what she wanted to do. They landed on the ice in the skating rink at the center of Rockefeller Center, and Shane looked around with more than a little curiosity.

“What are we doing here, youngling?” he asked. He linked his fingers with hers and tugged her body against him. “There are many things I would like to do with you and to you, but this place is rather…public.”

“I know.” Maya linked her arms around his waist and popped up on her toes before kissing his lips lightly. “I didn’t bring you here to have sex.”

“I see. I won’t lie to you. I find that disappointing.” Shane frowned briefly, which made Maya laugh and bury her face against his chest. “Did you want to go ice-skating?”

“No.” Maya pulled back and looked him in the eyes. “This is one of the most magical places on earth, and I wanted to be sure you remember what I’m about to say.”

“Alright,” he said warily.

“I never said thank you.” Maya fiddled with the buttons on his shirt and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before looking him in the eyes again. He started to say something but she pressed one finger to his lips, which he promptly kissed.

“I’m listening,” he murmured. Shane’s hands settled along the top of her butt and pulled her closer, almost imperceptibly. “Go on.”

“You saved me, Shane. I know you tell me all the time that I saved myself, but I couldn’t have done it without you.” Her fingers curled against his chest. She gazed at him through wide, earnest violet-blue eyes, her voice wavering with emotion. “You helped me rediscover my past, accept my present, and embrace my future. I’m a pain in the ass. I’m stubborn. Pigheaded and sometimes hotheaded. I think before I speak and leap before I look. I’m rash, impulsive, and occasionally childish. A lot of guys would have run the other way. So…thank you. Thank you for loving me.”

“I see.” Shane nodded and looked at her seriously. “You forgot a few things.”

“I’m a werewolf hunter?” she asked nervously.

“Maya.” Shane laughed and cradled her face in both hands. “Those qualities you listed are just a few of the reasons why I love you. But you’re forgetting a few things.”

“Like what?”

“You are loving, devoted, and fiercely protective of the people you care for. You are driven by loyalty and honor…and you are a wildcat in the sack,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

“Hey.” Maya smacked his arm playfully. “I’m being serious.”

“So am I,” Shane growled before capturing his lips with hers. He angled her head so he could delve deep. Maya’s stomach fluttered when his tongue rasped along hers. Far too quickly, Shane broke the kiss and suckled her bottom lip. “I love you, Maya, and you should know that you saved me .”

“Let’s call it even,” she whispered.

The snow began to fall, and cold, white flakes fluttered over them gently. Maya giggled and tried to catch some on her tongue before Shane swept her up in his arms and shot up into the sky. He carried her all the way home, and later that night while they lay tangled in the sheets, one thought went through Maya’s mind.

They had saved each other.