Page 6 of Guardians for the Vamp
I place my hand over my chest as if that will stop the traitorous organ from beating so fast.
Can she hear me pining for her? Of course she can. She’s a vampire. Her hearing is even better than my own supernatural hearing.
Layla’s eyes hesitantly slide back to Xander. “King Basque… would you be interested in a partnership? One that involves having a gargoyle head my security team?”
The room is painfully silent for a few seconds, and I’m pretty sure the drumming of my frantic heartbeat has gotten louder.
Choose me. I would love to protect you.
I want to scream it out and claim this woman to be mine. If that means being her head of security, then I’ll gladly accept the role. Yet I don’t want to appear eager, especially after acting so strangely earlier.
Xander takes a sip from the glass of water in front of him and clears his throat.
“That’s... quite the request, Queen Aldana.”
She sighs. “Yes, and I understand if it’s one you would not be interested in fulfilling. However, it’s the 21stcentury. It’s time we finally stop hiding. The humans are ready, especially with all the television shows, movies, and books about us. But in order for them to accept our existence, we supernaturals have to show a united front. We can’t convince the humans we’re of no threat to them—no more of a threat than their fellow humans—unless we ourselves are amicable.”
It makes sense.
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have humans know about our existence. There are a few who already know, who work with us during the day when the sun turns us to stone, but to convince an entire population that we aren’t here to cause them harm?
It could end up being a disaster.
“Why a gargoyle?” Xander asks.
My stomach drops. Is he going to say no? Despite how badly I want to protect this woman, I couldn’t defy my king and accept the role.
Even if Ibegfor the role.
Layla shrugs. “I wasn’t given a reason, but I will say there’s no better choice. Gargoyles are why this city still exists. You are loyal guardians, fierce warriors, strong and intelligent, and I’d be honored to have one of your soldiers by my side, especially with all the unknowns that come with this unveiling plan.”
My chest puffs with pride. Locheran and Xander sit taller.
“After these two most recent incidents with Heinrich and your brother,” Layla continues, her voice softening. She’s beautifulandcompassionate. “The vampire elders and other supernatural leaders want to avoid another power-hungry monster from trying to take over the human world. We want to reveal ourselves peacefully,not forcefully. Elder supes have been discussing this for months. Did you not get the invitation to those meetings?”
Xander winces. “I was invited but being that I was months away from permanently turning to stone, I declined to get involved in any supernatural related business.”
My heart hurts for my king. He had begun to lose hope before his fated mate entered his life.
“When must I decide?” Xander asks.
Layla grimaces.
“Now? They want to present my new head of security at tonight’s ball.”
I swallow to wet my dry throat, not loving the idea of her working the crowd.
She’s the host. She’ll be networking, shaking hands with other supernatural leaders. There will be dancing and flirting and food—for the supes who can eat—and booze or intoxicated human donors for supes who can only get high off drunk or drugged blood.
I’ve been to enough supernatural parties to know that they evolve into heavy touching, middle-of-the-dance-floor make out sessions, and full-on sex on the stage for an audience of voyeurs.
Yet the thoughtof someone else touching Layla, let alone kissing or fucking her, makes my blood boil.
All heads turn to me. I lock eyes with Layla for a few seconds—her pupils expanding to black orbs—before she covers her mouth and looks away.
Did I see her fangs drop?
“You growled, bro,” Locheran says out of the corner of his mouth. “You look like you want to murder someone.”
