I could see from the look in her dark green eyes, she knew exactly what I was.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” I responded.
“Sure, you do. You’re a vamp. I sensed you the moment you crossed into town.” She whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise of the few customers in the place.
“I think you’ve been watching too many movies.” I scoffed, trying to continue the ruse that I was human like her.
“Whatever you say Mister, but this amulet doesn’t lie.” She rolled her eyes as she pulled on the chain that was tucked into her top.
“Of course, you’re a damn witch.” I seethed, cursing at the goddess yet again. That seemed to be a new tick for me, constantly cursing Nyx.
The chain that hung around Taylor’s neck held an ancient magic. The stone would change color in the presence of supernatural beings. I recognized it as similar to the wards the first witches had been gifted by their god. I wasn’t privy to all of their abilities, but I knew that when he had created man, he had left some of his magic behind in a few, whether intentional or not, creating witches. He allowed them to continue harnessing his powers, setting them up to hunt other supernatural creatures, and the talisman my latest soulmate held, was a tool he had given them to sus us out. Nyx had mated me to a witch, the line of human explicitly meant to hunt and kill me.
“Look, I’m not going to hurt you or whatever. I’m just curious. I’ve never met one of your kind before.” She insisted. “Besides, you intervened with that asshole John. I don’t think you’re the kind of threat I’m supposed to kill or whatever.”
“I’m only passing through.” I replied through gritted teeth. I definitely needed to get out of this town now that I knew my so-called mate was a witch.
“A rolling stone, huh? I bet you visit all kinds of interesting places.”
I had no idea where she was going with this. I needed to get away from her and out of this town before I did something stupid. I stared at her, trying to plan my escape, as she rambled on, rapid firing questions that she seemed content to leave unanswered. It dawned on me that I could tell her that I was being hunted, that might make her lose interest in whatever plan she was concocting in that pretty head of hers. The direction of her questions and ramblings had given me the distinct impression she was up to something.
“Look. I’m not sure what you’re after.” I interjected as soon as she paused to sip her coffee. “But, I’m on the run. A hybrid used my kind to start a war and now his enemies are hunting me.”
“Well, were you involved?” She asked, setting her cup down on the table.
“No. I’m too old to be concerned with petty squabbles between species. That hasn’t stopped them from trying to kill me for the actions of others though.”
“Have you tried telling them that?”
I rubbed my hand across my forehead in frustration. This woman was infuriating as much as she was desirable. For a witch, she clearly had no experience with supernatural beings to think my being hunted could be solved with a simple conversation. It seemed no matter what I said to her, she was only encouraged. Nyx really did have a messed-up sense of humor.
“I take that as talking isn’t going to work.” She chuckled at my lack of response. “So, where you headed from here?”
“Back to my apartment to pack.” I replied flatly, hoping she wouldn’t push any further.
“Well, let’s get going than.” She cheered. What the hell had I gotten myself into?
Exasperated, I stood up and led the way out of the coffee shop to my small apartment. Taylor had prattled on the entire walk, telling me a little of everything about herself. I wasn’t entirely sure why she had decided she was going to go with me to my apartment, and I was almost afraid to ask. Something told me I wasn’t going to be able to shake this woman too easily.
“So, this is your place huh?” She sighed, following me into my bare studio apartment. “Don’t have much do ya?”
Her words made me feel somewhat embarrassed that I had next to nothing to my name. I had learned eons ago that even material possessions don’t last through the ages. Now I only carried the necessities to pass as mortal. A few clothes and a small bag to store them and any blood bags I could steal were my sole possessions. I rented a mattress and bedding from whatever place was available in each place I stopped if I was going to be around long enough to justify an apartment.
“Why are you asking so many questions and why did you come back here with me? I demanded, my frustration and confusion reaching their boiling point.
“Oh. That’s simple. I was told about you.”
My mouth flapped open and shut like a fish out of water.
“A lady came into my bar and my amulet turned a color I’ve never seen or heard tales of in all my studies of witchcraft. She told me to wait for you and then to stick with you. Said we’re soulmates or something.” Taylor continued.
“And you listened?” I roared.
“Well, I mean, yeah. I’m not too sure about the whole soulmates with a member of the undead part, but I was intrigued.”
Fucking Nyx. Not only had she decided to give me another soulmate, she made a trip to Earth just to tell my latest mate about it. I wasn’t sure what the goddess was up to, or why she enjoyed torturing me like this, but I was not amused in the slightest. Now I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to shake this woman from my side until her curiosity was satisfied.
TaylorShe had appeared, seemingly from nowhere, perched on a barstool at the end of the bar. My amulet had suddenly become hot against my shin and I knew she was supernatural. I ducked down, pretending to situate something under the bar, so I could peak inside my top and see what I was dealing with. I furrowed my brow in confusion. My amulet was red, it was never red. Black meant vamp, golden yellow meant were, white meant fae, occasionally it would be a mix of those colors signifying a hybrid. I took a deep breath to steady myself and stood, making my way to her.&n
RhazianI stood over my bed in the dark, glowering. Taylor had made herself comfortable and was passed out faced down, her head turned toward the wall on my pillow. I watched the slight rise and fall of her body with her breathing, angry that Nyx had not only sent me another mate, but one that had no concept of boundaries. She reminded me of my last mate, Eliza. I plopped down in the sole chair in my apartment, my breath leaving me in a slight hiss, as I closed my eyes trying to shut out the image of my lost love. Memories taunted me, p
Taylor I rolled onto my back and groaned as the late afternoon sun streamed across my face. I didn’t want to get up, but someone had left the blinds open. I looked around, blinking, as the nights events came back to me. I sat upright with a start. I had fallen asleep in a vampire’s bed. A vampire who hadn’t seemed at all interested in me hanging around. The goddess Nyx had told me that it would be a struggle getting through to him. My emo
The wolves stayed, ordering drinks, well into the night. I had wracked my brain, trying to come up with a plan to free my vampire from their clutches. I didn’t want to risk putting myself in more danger by using magic. I wasn’t exactly skilled anyway; my mother had neglected to train me as well as she should have. I watched as Orchid’s advances towards the wolves were rebuked again and had an idea. “Hey hon.” I smiled as she pranced back to the bar for another drink. “One of those guys invited me back to their hotel after the bar closes down. I don’t think it’s a good
RhazianPride welled in my chest and I quickly tamped it down as I held Taylor upright by her arm. She had been idiotic to conduct a rescue mission on my behalf. She was brave, but a brave idiot was still an idiot. Her scent was now all over the hotel room where we left the dead wolf. I groaned inwardly as I realized I would have to stash her somewhere safe. I wanted to be done with this mate business, but it seemed Nyx had chosen a stubborn one I couldn’t rid myself of easily.
Taylor Whispering down the hall drew my attention and I moved toward the voices. My reflection in the mirror stopped me in my tracks. I’m dreaming, I must be dreaming. I thought as I stared at my mother’s face in the mirror. She was younger than I remembered her. Looking down I saw the slight swell of my belly. She was pregnant, with me. It wasn’t usual for my gift to show
Rhazian“What?” I sputtered, choking on the coffee I had been sipping to avoid drawing suspicious looks. “I said, who is Apollo.” Taylor enunciated each word as if I were too slow to understand without it. The waitress eyed us suspiciously as she refilled our drinks. I waited until she was out of ear shot to speak.&nb
Tyler POV“Find her!” I snarled as I gazed upon my warrior’s limp body. His head was twisted in an unnatural angle, the room flooded with the scent of human. The vamp was gone, and it was clear he had assistance from a human. My warrior, Shane, had been busy removing the girl from the bar. She had apparently followed us back to the motel, intent on continuing her attempt to get into someone’s bed for the night. He had linked Mark to stay with the vamp. We hadn’t been able to kill him, none of the normal methods fo