Page 10 of Guardians for the Vamp
Me?
I see desire and anger in a battle for dominance.
“IfI get word that you formally have the position, then we will talk.” Layla waves her hand, dismissing Vara. “Until then, you are not part of this meeting. That is all.”
Fuck.
My cock leaks at the vampire’s demanding words. I would love nothing more than to drop to my knees and beg her to smack me around.
Both women turn their heads to me, eyes wide, mouths open.
Okay. I clearly did something, but before either woman can question me, one of Layla’s guards whisks Vara away and Xander takes Layla aside.
“Why are you all growly?” Locheran asks, clamping a hand on my shoulder.
Layla turns her head slightly while half paying attention to whatever Xander is going on about as if listening for my answer.
But I say nothing. Because I can’t explain why I’m suddenly going feral for the new vampire queen... and strangely enough, the sphinx too.
Chapter 3 – Vara
Well, this is a surprise.
The moment I walked into the room, it was as if a force pulled me to the new vampire queen. I never expected that overwhelming need to include a gargoyle.
This is more than simple attraction.
I was drawn to Layla the first time we met when she’d accompanied a shifter to one of my clubs last year. She’s lived in New York City for a century, yet our paths never crossed. Of course, I’d heard about her since she was the royal advisor for former vampire queen, Mildred Maycot. She was Millie’s right-hand woman... her best friend. Layla was always by her side, so seeing her out and being social without Millie was surprising.
Layla was more beautiful than I could have imagined. The moment I took her hand in mine, I felt what can only be described as a current. Electricity lit up my entire body.
It was exciting but equally terrifying.
I’ve always been a loner. It’s hard not to be when you’re 2,000 years old, 2,056 to be exact. When I was younger and had family and friends—when I wasn’t one of the last of my kind—I cared about conversations and being a part of another soul’s life.
Then hunters murdered my parents and siblings for their golden feathers. I only survived because I was the youngest. The fastest. I escaped and hid for hundreds of years deep inside what is now called the Wadi Sannur Cave in Beni Suef, Egypt. When I emerged, sphinxes were merely a legend. My body evolved to survive, gaining the ability to mask so I can blend in with the human world.
I don’t trust easily. Love comes even harder for me. I enjoy sex and physical touch but not the emotion that comes with it.
So I didn’t immediately seek Layla out to explore this strange feeling. But over the past year, I couldn’t get that night out of my head. I regret not at least speaking with her. I reached out to Millie a few months ago and begged her to bring her royal advisor to any of the clubs I owned. Millie refused.
I asked for Layla’s number, or for Millie to give her mine… anything, but Millie said it wasn’t up to her. Layla clearly didn’t want to see me either or maybe what she felt between us also scared her. While I could have easily tracked Layla down, I wasn’t going to push her to see me without her consent.
Shortly before Layla was crowned, I heard about the plan to reveal ourselves to humans and how they wanted her to lead the effort. Apparently, the elder councils for all supernatural beings have been discussing it for months. I was furious that I was never included. The elders have no idea what they’re doing. Most of them are old-fashioned and refuse to adapt to the modern world. They needed me. I went to COVE and presented my case. I reminded them of my status amongst our kind and how I can sway any supernatural to my side. That’s all it took for them to create the human ambassador role for me.
It’s been a year since I last saw Layla and she’s just as beautiful, just as fierce.
Shedismissedme!
Rightfully so. I couldn’t wait for the party so I crashed the meeting. A meeting I didn’t know was taking place, only that my body knew where to go and led me to the war room.
She was surprised to see me… she was turned on… probably confused, too, which might be what angered her.
Now I’m being led away from her, and the gargoyle guard, feeling as if my heart is being ripped from mychest. That terrifying and electric connection I first experienced upon meeting Layla a year ago happened again the moment I put my hand on the massive, scarred monster whose name I still don’t know.
I don’t understand.
I need a moment to calm down—to think—and disappear into the bathroom. When I emerge fifteen minutes later and enter the grand hall, I glance around the room, searching for familiar faces. I spot Millie with her new mate, who is speaking animatedly with Xander, the gargoyle king. He listens intently to the hyper fledgling vampire.
