Page 74 of Guardians for the Vamp
“No. Absolutely not,” Layla says, pacing in front of me. Vara sits on the couch, legs crossed and appearing bored as she preens her feathers and sharpens her claws. “It’s what they want. I will not let them have their way. We’ve worked too hard for this. If someone wants to kill me, they’ll find a way. I won’t sit here waiting for them to attack. The conference will be secure and if they try to kill me there, they won’t succeed. You or Locheran will catch them.”
Supernatural Crime Investigators scoured the burnt-out SUV and watched surveillance footage from surrounding buildings but found nothing useful. SCI said it’s likely the bomb was installed hours earlier. Possibly even days. It could have happened when the SUV was parked while the driver got gas, or took a break, or parked it for the night in the garage at Layla’s building.
We checked the cameras in the basement parking garage too but didn’t find any movement to suggest a bomb was being attached to the SUV. The only thing the investigatorsnoticed was a slight glitch when the letter was being put on the windshield.
It could have been a witch or any other supernatural with cloaking abilities. Whoever it is knows about the supernatural conference since they threatened more deaths if the event proceeds. We’re wondering if a supe who knows about the unveiling plan, and is against it, is behind the attacks. If that’s the case, someone on the committee, or any supe that was invited to the unity event with humans, has been talking.
We’ve questioned the SUC members already, but they all denied leaking the sensitive information. Not that they’d admit it if they were, but Vara and I are both good at detecting lies and they all seemed genuinely concerned. We’ve tasked them with keeping an ear out amongst their species for any word of discourse over the plan.
It was inevitable that word got out before our announcement at the conference. There are rarely secrets with supernaturals.
The only thing that doesn’t make sense is the human shooting at us. We assumed he’s a hunter, but maybe he’s not. Maybe he’s working with supes to make sure this unification plan doesn’t happen.
“Then reschedule it for another date.” I continue my plea with Layla. “Let me find this asshole first and once the danger is over, the conference can go on.”
Layla pinches the bridge of her nose as if my insistence on protecting her is giving her a headache.
She's definitely being a pain in my ass.
Vara snorts.
Fucking mate thoughts.
“Thorne, look. The only reason you’re freaking out about this is because I’m your mate. Trust me, I’m scared something will happen to you and Vara as well. But isn’t this why we were brought together?”
“We don’t know that,” I growl.
Layla crosses the room in seconds, her hand striking out like a snake to take me by the neck. “First of all,” she says, using the couch as a stepping stool to hover her mouth over mine, “don’t fucking talk to me like that.”
She licks my lips, and I whimper.
Fucking bond always making me horny.
Vara snorts… again.
Glad she finds this entertaining.
“Oh, I am definitely entertained. I would love to see Layla hand you your ass,” Vara says, not even looking at us as she flips through a celebrity gossip magazine now that she’s done grooming herself.
Layla’s fangs drop, and she grazes them over my cheek and chin while still squeezing my neck.
“Second of all, my mate,” Layla says, licking up the blood from the cut she just made. “I am the vampire queen of New York City. I will not submit to those who want me to fail. I will get on that stage during the conference in a week and make it clear that anyone who revolts because of this unveiling plan, anyone who causes harm to humans and/or supes, will be punished by death.”
She releases me, and I adjust my painfully hard cock. There’s no way I’ll be getting any relief tonight after the way I raised my voice at my mate.
Layla collapses onto the couch next to Vara with an exaggerated sigh. “It’s clear this person doesn’t understand the hard work we’ve put into this plan. We’re not going to implement it unless the majority of our community is on board. It’s why we’re holding public hearings for supes to weigh in. They resorted to violence when all they had to do was come to us to raise their concern.”
“Maybe the attacks have nothing to do with SUP,” I offer.
“God, I hate that acronym too,” Vara laughs. “Who came up with it?”
Layla ignores Vara and holds out her hand for me. I join her on the couch, and she cuddles up to my side.
“I trust you and Locheran will find who’s responsible. I will be fine, I promise. I know it’s your job to protect me, but you do realize I was a warrior before I was a queen, right?”
I nod.
“I fought in armies against vampire hunters and ripped their throats out with my fangs. I can take care of myself. This security team I’ve been assigned is merely a formality as queen.”
