Page 1 of Guardians for the Vamp
Chapter 1 – Layla
I’m nervous as fuck.
I’m never nervous.
I hate the feeling of my stomach twisting and my nerves vibrating like a live wire.
If I had a heartbeat, I’d surely be dead from a heart attack.
I wasn’t even this nervous when I was crowned vampire queen of New York City just over three months ago.
It’s the highest honor for my kind. Well, in title only, I suppose. There are elders far more important than me; vampires who have reached four digits in age—like the first vampire who is so old, it’s rumored he rarely requires blood to survive. It’s been centuries since he’s made anysort of public appearance, only glimpses of the broody man lingering in the shadows.
My little promotion is nothing compared to those vampires, but that still doesn’t negate the fact that I, Layla Sofia Aldana, was chosen for this role.
I remember walking into the World Organization of Vampire Elites—WOVE—headquarters in Lower Manhattan for my coronation with my head held high. I was asked to arrive early so the Council of Vampire Elites or COVE—WOVE’s governing body—could inform me of unprecedented changes happening during my reign, including having a gargoyle head my security team that will be comprised of a variety of supernatural beings.
It’s not common for high-ranking supernaturals to have different species on their protection detail. In fact, I only know of one: my best friend Millie, and the former vampire queen, who has two griffin guards.
Even more unprecedented is asking agargoyleto protect another supernatural being. Gargoyles protect cities, towns, and small villages. They’re destined to protect innocent human souls, not vampire queens. They only assist us when a vampire goes mad with blood lust and threatens the lives of humans.
So why?
The elder vampires, and other supernatural leaders, are tired of living in the shadows. They want to reveal our world to the humans, but in order to do that, we all have to be on the same page. That begins with unification, working together in all aspects of our lives.
They’re testing this unification plan with me.
Tonight I’ve been tasked with asking King Basque if he’d lend me one of his soldiers. COVE was supposed to speak with the gargoyle king three months ago, but he’s canceled all scheduled meetings with them up until now. Understandable since he’s been dealing with the aftermath of his brother, Magnus, trying to steal his throne.
Magnus wanted to reign over New York City and cause harm, or death, to humans. It was eerily similar to the failed attempt by feral vampire Heinrich—Millie’s sire—who wanted to form an army of supernaturals and capture humans to farm them for blood.
Thankfully, both of those fuckers are now dead.
I’m not surprised COVE wants me to be the one to break the news to the gargoyle king. They know I won’t complain. They know I won’t try to back out. Because they know how badly I want to lead.
The role of vampire queen doesn’t typically involve much responsibility, mostly acting as a mediator or overseeing policy creations, even though new policies forvampires haven’t been constructed in decades. The queen can also decide the fate of a rogue vampire. Depending on their crimes, she can choose death by sun or stake to the heart or an eternity in a cell.
Millie hated being queen. She only agreed to the job because it was during a time when vampires needed rules. I became her royal advisor about one hundred years ago, offering her any support she needed. She claims I was the one in charge, but she’s wrong. She was a great ruler.
She left the role—naming me as her successor—after meeting her blood mate: A golden retriever man destined to a lifetime of love with a creature of the night. Blood mates are rare for vampires. We’re cursed beings not meant for love. We claim.Possess.We have no souls.
Yet my bestie found her soulmate.
Bonding with Teddy physically changed her. The sun’s rays can no longer kill her—though if she spends too much time in the sun, it will make her sick. Her heart also beats, even if those beats are slower than normal. Her tears no longer bleed.
I was overjoyed for her, but I couldn’t deny my jealousy. A vampire in love? It proves that we’re capable of the emotion... that maybe the curse upon our kind is wrong, and we’re not soulless evil abominations.
It doesn’t matter. The chances of me finding my blood mate, when Millie is only the third vampire to do so, are low. I’m 709 years old, and I’ve long accepted I will be alone forever.
Not that I have time for love... or to even fool around anymore.
A week after my coronation, COVE informed me that I’ll be leading a special committee comprised of representatives from every supernatural species living in New York City. Our sole purpose will be forming a plan to reveal ourselves to humans.
We have to prepare for the unknown,the council had told me.Humans are extremely emotional. There could be an uprising. The ones who hunt us, and other supernatural beings, could form an army. The human government could capture us to experiment. If that happens, the supes will retaliate, especially if it threatens their lives or that of their mates.
The heavy wooden doors to the grand hall open, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Lala!” a familiar voice calls out.
