Here Be Sexist Vampires

Chapter Two

(Sam)

A giggle almost choked me. “You’re joking, right?”

He arched his brow and gave me a ‘are you scared?’ look. I hadn’t been giggling with nerves or fear, I just couldn’t believe my luck. Even if it turned out that the bloke had the most amazing gift in the history of the universe and beat me within a second, I’d still be a happy girl just to get one shot in.

He positioned himself at the Northern point while I took the Southern. Still he was mistaking my giddiness for nervousness. “I already told you there’re no points for being a pretty girl. You really should’ve run along home. I tell you what, I’ll give you one more chance to leave with your pride still intact.”

“And while I appreciate the warning, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ignore it.”

“Fine then. We duel until one of us is floored.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Well if you really must embarrass yourself...” Although he made the movement so fast that it was a blur, my mind registered his left hand rise and his fingers twitch and admired as beautiful blue sparks of electricity came predatorily toward me. But I didn’t move out of the way. The sparks invaded my body with such aggression that I was suddenly zooming backwards and landed awkwardly on my back. God it hurt. Like a burning hot sizzling fire spreading through my veins. It took a lot for me not to cry out.

Seconds later I bounced to my feet, feeling a little frazzled and slightly unsteady. Jared was laughing like a giddy kid in a fairground.

“Thanks for that,” I said.

“For putting you on your ass?”

“No. For this.” In a movement faster than his I expelled the sizzling energy from my body, sending blue electric sparks identical to his soaring at him. Although he made a dive to the right, his shoulder was briefly caught.

“What the hell?” he exclaimed. He then watched carefully as my fingers prickled at the air around me, drawing and manipulating energy to manifest my favourite weapon. A silvery-blue energy whip materialised in my hand.

“You’re a Feeder,” Jared realised.

“And you’re electrokinetic.”

He seemed to be talking more to himself as he added, “You can feed on the energy around you; absorb it and control it. Very rare.”

“Again let me thank you for allowing me to absorb that power of yours. I have to say, I prefer this though.” I flicked my whip in his direction, teasingly. “I can shape the energy into lots of different weapons. Bolts, beams, balls, but I like the whip best. It’s more fun.”

“It is,” he agreed with a nervous smile. “But it’s not going to do you much good against high voltage electricity.”

I snorted. “As you Americans say – duh! You’re forgetting that I can practice electrokinesis now as well.”

“So you’re planning on defeating me by using my own power against me? Sounds a little like cheating.”

“Oh I’ve no time for pretty sparks. I can do something much more interesting than that.”

“Oh yeah?” Doubtful, his expression said.

“Yeah,” I said as I let the whip fade away. “Feeding on energy means that I can tap into the natural energies, which means...I can do this.” I absorbed more energy into my palms and then sharply released it as a blast of air. The gust of wind swept him up like he was no more than a leaf on the ground and sent him crashing into the wall behind him. “By natural energies, I meant the classical elements; air, water, fire and earth.”

Jared was on his feet in seconds, looking somewhat bemused and confounded.

“That wasn’t even full force,” I told him. “Are you sure you want to do this? I tell you what, I’ll give you one more chance to leave with your pride still intact.”

He wasn’t pleased to hear his own words coming back at him. Unsurprisingly, the blue sparks headed for me again. The strong sizzles in the air told me that this discharge was double the voltage of the last.

One single, sharp step to the left took me out of the reach of the electrical discharge. I enjoyed the sensation of my palms sucking in energy which I used to generate a blast of fire. It tingled as it left my hands. I could have burnt him alive but I settled on simply setting his clothes alight. Then I took a brief, morbid moment to enjoy his dismay before easing more energy into me and sending a long swish of water at him, calming the flames. And drenching him.

“You alright, Commander?” My tone was mocking. “You’re looking like something off an appeal poster.”

Totally peeved now, Jared growled as he raised his hand high and projected a massive lightning bolt. The voltage was so high that there was a ripple in the air. But I’d pre-empted him.

I squatted on the floor, slapped my palm to the ground on my right side and raised my arm over me to then slap my palm on my left side. Simultaneously I had tugged at the surrounding energy, making a beautiful silvery-blue energy shield appear over me like a tent. The lightning ricocheted off the force field, slamming into the eastern wall.

Before Jared could act again I sprung up in less than a blink, remoulding the energy from the shield into a silvery-blue ball. I blasted it at him. He moved fast, but not fast enough. It struck his arm.

Trying to appear unfazed, he emitted another stream of blue sparks but using both hands this time. Wow he really wanted to hurt me. And that really would hurt.

I pounded my foot twice on the ground, absorbed the energy of the Earth into me and let it sprout out as a mound of earth that rose speedily in front of me, building a protective bolder. Jared, relentless, was zapping the mound of earth when I darted out from behind it – my energy whip back in hand – and cracked the whip around him, pinning his arms to his sides. I yanked hard on the whip, bringing a tied-up Jared toward me. Just for fun, I cracked the whip again, making him slam once to the ground before I then let the whip fade away.

I looked down at a coughing Jared and arched a brow. “Now who’s the pretty girl?”

Although he appeared a mixture of nettled, flabbergasted and stupefied, his mouth twitched slightly in some form of dark amusement.

I offered my hand to him but he bounced independently to his feet, still staring at me. He seemed undecided whether to be extremely exasperated or pleasantly surprised. Either way, there was some respect there in his gaze. It was hard for me not to look smug considering the way he had dismissed me earlier. But I didn’t give him an ‘I told you so’ look or a quirky grin. Disconcertingly, I was actually more caught up in this little silent exchange of respect than I was in the glory of having won the duel. He might be a chauvinist, but he was a gorgeous one.

“Didn’t I tell you she was fast?” said Green as he joined Jared.

Slap-head came next. “Definitely a disguised Pagori on crack,” he decided as he clucked me. “Know that you can practice on me with that whip anytime.”

Jared didn’t look amused by that and squared his shoulders. “Could you all return to the line while I consult with Commander Sherman and Commander Norton.”

“And I thought my gift was cool,” said Slap-head as we joined the end of the reforming line below the spectator’s box.

I glanced up at Sebastian. Grinning with satisfaction and pride, he saluted me. I smiled.

“I’m Max, by the way,” Slap-head told me as he held out his hand.

I took it. “Sam. I prefer to call you Slap-head though.”

He laughed. “Whatever turns you on. Hey, Feeders are really rare. I heard that most Feeders go crazy and die after a few years because all the energy overwhelms them.”

Distracting me from responding, I caught Jared swerve and meet my eyes. His expression was thoughtful. For a small moment I thought about smiling at him. I’m actually not much of a smiler so that was odd.

“Good luck,” said the thorn-exhaling Keja vampire who suddenly appeared on my right.

I win a duel and suddenly everyone’s nicey, nicey. I simply nodded.

Finally the three commanders came to stand before the line of potential recruits. Jared’s gaze settled on each one of us for a few seconds before he spoke. “Between the three of us, we have selected three of you to join my squad. The rest of you will be required to return home imminently.” He walked to the front of the line and then began a slow walk passed the recruits. He stopped in front of the Pagori with the power to deflect and pointed at him with a congratulatory look on his gorgeous face. “Well done.” Next he stopped at Max and pointed. No surprise there – Max’s power to cause sensory deprivation was really good. Then Jared came to the end of the line, standing between myself and the thorn-exhaling Keja. He looked at each of us, then slowly raised his hand, extended his index finger...and pointed at the Keja.

What a fucking little shit.

Instantly there were murmurs and gasps, whether those were of surprise or disagreement I didn’t know. I didn’t care to find out. “Congratulations,” I said to Max and the Keja beside me. Then I twirled sharply and paced away.

“Sam!” Max caught up with me and sighed. “You should have gotten a place. You deserved it more than any of us.”

“It’s alright,” I said though my tone made it clear that it wasn’t. I let my eyes track down Jared who was staring at me with a crease between his eyebrows. As I spoke to Max I continued to look hard at Jared, “I wouldn’t want to work for a sexist twat anyway.”

As I stormed away, I couldn’t decide what incensed me more; the fact that I hadn’t been given a place in the legion even after proving myself, or the fact that this bothered me so much. It was now that I realised that I hadn’t just wanted a place to spite Victor or to escape him, or even to annoy Jared. The truth was that I’d wanted to be a part of the picture that Sebastian had tried selling me, to make the most out of the life I now had whether it had been my choosing or not. I wanted to be part of something important, to have a purpose beyond Victor’s plans for me.

Sebastian travelled with vampire speed to my side. “Sam, I -”

“It’s fine. Really.” But I’d said it too sharply, I didn’t sound in the least bit convincing.

“I intend to dispute Jared’s decision. His judgement was impaired by his -”

“Really Sebastian don’t bother,” I advised him gently as we entered the museum-like house. “If I had to see Jared’s ugly mug every day, I’d probably stake him.”

“Yes, I’d imagine you would,” agreed an amused, unfamiliar voice before me. It belonged to a Latino-looking Keja, though he spoke in a very clear American accent, with shoulder length, thick, coal-black hair and the widest eyes. Everything about the way he conducted himself while he slowly circled me spoke of pure power. This had to be the Grand High Master himself. Flanking him were two Pagori vampires, both looked robotic and fearless.

Sebastian whispered down my ear, “This is the Grand High -”

“Oh I know,” I said, irritated, “I’m not thick.” I simply gave the Big Man a half-smile. I knew I wasn’t being very respectful but he couldn’t do anything worse to me than what Victor would do when he found out what I’d done. No doubt my good ole Sire would taunt me about how I wasn’t successful.

“Miss Samantha Parker,” he greeted. “I am Antonio.”

“Well, hi. And bye.” I proceeded to walk passed him.

“Might I have a few moments of your time?” Antonio asked.

I twirled round intending to tell him no, he could do a run and jump because I was getting out of this place that was stuck in the 1700s. But then he smiled at me and his eyes held tightly to mine. Suddenly I didn’t feel so angry anymore. Damn the Keja hypnotic beauty! “Look, I don’t mean to be rude, it’s just that I have to be getting back.”

“To Victor? I have to say that I don’t much approve of your Sire. Everything I’ve heard about him from my researchers has indicated him to be a vampire of cruelty.”

At that I stiffened. I felt defensive at the thought of people checking up on my personal business, especially considering what my life with Victor was like.

“You intrigue me, Miss Parker. Your presence. Your self-expression. Your determination. Fascinating.” He gestured for me to follow him. “I promise not to keep you long.” Instantly he began walking, all elegance and grace, down the everlasting hallway.

Sebastian nodded encouragingly at me. Rolling my eyes, I followed Antonio and his hefty bodyguards. Antonio didn’t halt until we reached the most eastern point of what was proving to be a gigantic mansion. The room he urged us into was bigger than mine and Victor’s flat. Some sort of parlour. Very posh. The walls were lined with books. The fireplace was marble. In the corner sat an old-style piano. In the centre were two black leather sofas that framed a glass coffee table. The room was a library slash sitting room.

Instantly two dogs dashed toward us, growling and barking.

“Quiet,” said Antonio simply. They quieted.

“I love Pit Bull Terriers,” I told him. One was reddish brown while the other was brindle.

“I would not approach them if I were you, they can be quite -” Antonio watched, stunned, as the two dogs approached me and nuzzled my hands, hinting for a stroke. “Oh dear.”

“What?” I said as I patted their necks.

“Well they are usually only so friendly with me. That is how I like it.” He frowned at the dogs.

Well it made sense that he’d want them to only be loyal to him. “I think it’s because I can absorb any excess energy they’ve got, it makes them more relaxed.”

His frown morphed into a smile. “Please sit,” he invited, gesturing to one of the sofas.

Feeling completely out of place among all the luxury I gingerly sat. Sebastian lounged beside me, fitting the atmosphere like he was an ornament.

Holding my gaze the entire time, Antonio sat opposite me and crossed one leg over the other. “You’re a Feeder,” he eventually said, his tone soft and curious.

“Yes.”

“Did you know that the gift has only ever run through Pagori bloodlines before you? This means that not only are you the first female Feeder, you are the first Sventé Feeder.”

“So I’ve been told.” Victor had been thrilled about it. I was his key to more territory.

“I observed the tryout from the spectators’ box. I deeply enjoyed your duel with Jared.”

I snorted on hearing that name.

Antonio smiled in amusement. “You’re not a fan of his? I do not think I have ever before met a female who was not.” The guards laughed at that – oh so they weren’t robots.

I snorted again. “I can’t think why. If you observed the tryout then you must have seen the way he carried on.”

Antonio jiggled his head. “Admittedly, he was a little discourteous.”

“Oh let’s just call it what it is, shall we? He’s an ignorant, arrogant, narrow-minded bigot.”

Again Antonio was amused. “He’s also my Heir. Out of hundreds, I made him my Heir six years ago.”

“Bad decision on your part.” I could feel Sebastian’s eyes drilling into me, cautioning me.

“It is fine, Sebastian,” Antonio told him, waving a hand. “I like her frankness.” Antonio looked at me again. “I know that Jared does still have things to learn. In fact, his biggest weakness is that he does not realise that there are still things for him to learn. But pride aside, he is an asset to me. He is very devoted to me and my legion. He, much like you, has great drive about him. And he is an excellent trainer. I could hand him a newborn vampire and within a month Jared would make him a model warrior.”

Antonio seemed to be waiting for me to respond, maybe concede that there’s more to Jared than what I’d seen. Hardly likely. “That’s great,” I said in a flippant tone.

“I want my new squad trained quickly. Physically, they will be prepared. I am confident that Jared will ensure this. However, with regards to learning the new recruits how to control and best utilise their gifts, I believe that Jared may...struggle to have them prepared so quickly. He’s an excellent motivator, but not the best teacher. You, on the other hand...I believe that you are just what I need. I want you to work with Jared.”

Oh this had been a surreal twenty-four hours. “Say again?”

His laugh was silent. “You will be thought of as an employee, a commander in your own right. An equal to Jared and the other commanders.”

I waited for the punch line but there didn’t appear to be one. “You think I’d make a good commander because I’m a Feeder?”

“No, because you have tremendous control of your gift. Not many can boast of that. For a Feeder, a type of vampire known for being too overwhelmed by their own gift to live much longer than two years, to have such tremendous control is astonishing. Yes, I am confident that you would be an asset to me and my legion.”

I cast a look at Sebastian. His face was all ‘go for it’. I looked back at Antonio. “You know that Jared would hate this, right?”

Antonio raised his brows. “You would allow that to influence your decision about accepting such a position?”

“No. But I don’t want to accept your offer and then later be told to go back home because Heir Boy had a tantrum.”

“Jared may be my Heir, but I cast all final decisions on every matter. He knows this. He respects this.”

The brindle Pit Bull Terrier laid his head on my lap and stared up at me with an almost pleading expression on his face. Don’t worry, I don’t think that the dog understood what was going on and was begging me to take up Antonio’s offer. But I felt like it was a sign – hopefully that sounds less psychotic.

(Jared)

I had my ass kicked. I had my ass kicked by a Sventé vampire. I had my ass kicked by a woman. The guys would never let me live this down. Neither would my brother or Antonio. Neither would she if she had stayed. Sam. It suited her.

I had to laugh inwardly at myself: the whole thing was so weird. She had kicked my ass, embarrassed me in front of God knows how many people, and even called me a pretty girl...and all I’d wanted to do was grab her, kiss her and bite her.

Why couldn’t she have come here to ask to be one of my consorts?! When I’d saw her at the pool I thought that might have been why she had come. Oh I’d have said yes. Who wouldn’t have? There was that amazing body, that great accent, that husky voice. Even her smart-ass attitude was a turn-on. I wouldn’t have cared if she was like the others; not interested in me, just wanting to be ‘the Heir’s’ consort. If it was the power and authority that got the women rolling up their skirts then fine, whatever. Just as long as they rolled those skirts up whenever I told them to, all was good.

But she would never have done what I told her to. Never have bowed down. Never have batted her eyelids. She hadn’t been impressed or intimidated by my authority. Sure, she wouldn’t have known that I was the Heir. But she knew that I was a Commander, potentially her boss. Did she care? No. She kicked my ass. All of that made her different. It made her interesting.

Nothing could have stopped me from offering for her to be another of my consorts. Nothing except for that look on her face when she realised I hadn’t chosen her for the squad. Pure hatred. And, strangely, that had got to me. So did the idea that I wouldn’t see her again. What had got to me even more was that it had felt so...I don’t know, wrong...to watch her go. Like I was watching something go that was mine.

Well, whatever. Maybe I was just horny. I’d get Joy to see to me once I was done in the office. Or maybe Daniela. Or even Tammy. Or maybe even all of them. Only one thing stopped all that from being the turn-on that it should be: I could make it happen so easily.

I shrugged it all off as I teleported from the Squads’ Quarters to my own personal office in the Command Centre. Kind of lazy that I was teleporting to the building next-door, but whatever. As I appeared at the bureau in my office, movement in my peripheral vision snatched my attention. A weird feeling circulated through me when I turned my head to the left. It was a feeling that made me feel sickly and energized at the same time.

It was her.

She was sat on an oak bureau swinging her crossed legs slightly. A tiny part of my brain registered that the bureau was new, and liked how it was situated to my left so that the bureaus together formed an ‘L’ shape. The rest of my brain joined my body in being totally preoccupied with the sight of her. It was weird how good it was to just see her, especially since I hadn’t expected to ever see her again. God she was too tempting. Like a trap. And I’d already stepped in it. With both feet.

She had her head tilted to the side as she returned my glare, but her expression was blank. I could guess why she was here. “Come to contest my decision?” I asked as I leant casually against the front of my bureau. “I thought you wouldn’t want to work for a sexist twat.”

“I earned a spot. And you know it. I suppose whipping you into place didn’t do anything for my chances seen as you obviously have an ego as swollen as a horse’s rigid dick.”

The laugh just burst out of me. “You’re powerful, I’ll give you that. But there’s a lot more to being in the legion than being agile and gifted.”

“Explain it to me.”

I sighed. “Some of the things that the recruits will be required to do...Let’s just say they’re not for the faint-hearted. There’s no space for compassion or even guilt.”

“So...because I’m a woman, I must be faint-hearted, compassionate and prone to guilt-trips?”

My smile widened a little. She couldn’t have any idea how much her attitude was making me want her right now.

“You know what, Commander Michaels” – there was no respect in the title, it was patronising, and I loved it – “I would have thought that today might have at least taught you one thing; women might just be able to handle things better than what you give them credit for. You held blood to my lips” – I’d wanted her to lick my finger badly – “and I didn’t even so much as twitch. You had me playing Tarzan in the forest with that giant ogre chasing me and I delivered on that task as well. Then you purposely left me ’til last for the third task so that I’d have to duel with you...and let’s not butter up the fact that I put you on your backside.”

“But those tasks are not nearly as bad as what tasks you get once you’re in the legion. Some will keep you up at night. Stick with you forever.”

Her eyes narrowed, she slowly slid off the desk with the smoothness of a snake and approached me in a predatory manner. With only a footstep between us, she spoke, “Well let me tell you something. I’ve done things in my time that would make the curly hairs in your pants go straight. Female or not, I reckon I’ve got bigger balls than you have.”

Her voice went even raspier when she was irritated and that just made me want her even more. I found myself wondering what it would be like to bury my fingers in that dark hair or claim her mouth. I didn’t bother masking my desire for her. I let my eyes wander to her full lips. I let the red tint to my irises be prominent. Then I watched her face as she noticed. She didn’t shrink away. Instead more defiance entered her expression as she shot me a ‘not a chance’ look. I strongly disagreed. A part of her wanted me, I could sense it.

“So, you want me to give you a trial-run in my squad?”

She tilted her head again. “No.”

The office doors then opened and in strode Antonio, his bodyguards and Pit Bulls flanking him. The dogs, to my complete shock, trotted over to Sam, sniffing and nuzzling her. Antonio didn’t seem surprised, which also shocked me.

“You have told him the news?” Antonio asked Sam.

“News?” I queried. Something told me that I wasn’t going to like this. Mostly it was her smug expression.

“You will both be working together.”

“We’ll both be what?”

“I’ve offered Miss Parker -”

“For the gazillionth time will you just call me Sam?” she stressed.

Antonio smiled at her indulgently, like a father. What the hell had been going on? “You’ve offered her...?” I prompted.

“The role of aiding you with training your squad to control their gifts.”

“Isn’t that great?” she said with fake enthusiasm.

Antonio looked as though he was stifling a chuckle. Great, the joke’s on me. “You made this decision without first speaking to me,” I said in a low voice, feeling overlooked.

He sighed. “Jared, you know that I hold you in the highest esteem. You know how valuable I consider you to be. You know that I trust in your capability -”

“But I’m apparently not capable enough.”

“I have my reasons for needing the squad properly prepared without delay. I will be holding a meeting tomorrow during which all will be explained to you, Sam and the other commanders. What I will assure you of now is that my employing Sam is not a reflection on you or my faith in you.”

“Yeah, right.” That’s when I walked out.

(Sam)

“Well that went well,” I said after Jared slammed the door shut behind him.

Antonio sighed. “After a little time alone with his thoughts he will be fine.”

“I certainly hope he isn’t.”

“In the meantime, please acquaint yourself with your personal assistant.”

“I have a personal assistant?”

“Fletcher has been Jared’s assistant for the past three years, and now he is also yours. A fellow Brit, too. Fletcher?”

In a blink Fletcher appeared, his hands clasped together and his eyes shining with enthusiasm. I realised that I had seen him at what looked like a reception desk outside the room. The feminine way with which he held himself and the fact that he was so colour coordinated to the extent that he sported designer glasses that had a navy frame to match his navy suit all told me one thing: Fletcher was homosexual. And so cute. He had the cutest baby face that looked almost perfectly circular and was framed by short, tight mahogany curls. The most adorable dimples decorated his naturally pouty lips. I just wanted to pinch his cheeks like a grandmother would do to a child.

“Yes you’re Grandness?” He was a Londoner too? Even better. I could tell just by looking at him that we were going to have such a laugh.

“Fletcher, I’d like you to meet Commander Sam Parker. You may have noticed a new bureau and leather desk chair being brought in here. Sam will be working with Jared, so I hope you will be just as valuable to her as you are to Jared.”

Nodding, Fletcher said, “That goes without saying, your Grandness.”

Antonio returned his focus to me. “Sebastian will ensure that your Sire is notified of your employment here. I’m sure he’ll be delighted about it.” Wearing a sly smile he and his entourage left the room.

Fletcher approached me and held out his hand, “’Ello Commander, I’m -”

“Let me stop you right there,” I said, smiling. “No Commander Parker – I beg you. Just call me Sam.”

“Oh my God, you’re a Cockney like me! D’ya know, I was the only Brit in The Hollow ’til now.”

“The Hollow?”

“That’s what we call the place, luv. Hmm, I suppose the teleportation process didn’t give you a great view. Come with me.”

It turned out that Fletcher had a feminine walk too. This Keja just got cuter and cuter. He led me up two flights of stairs to the roof of the building. “There,” he said, pointing down. “See?”

“My God.” The place was humungous. Like a holiday camp or something. Several buildings were scattered around, forming a rectangle shape around a man-made, white-sanded beach that had a bridge in the middle. It had a real relaxed Caribbean feel about it. “Where are we exactly?”

“A little island just south of St. Lucia, luv. You won’t find it on any map. The proper name for this exclusive community here is The Hollow. This here, as you know, is The Command Centre. It has ten offices; one for each Commander. You’re now the eleventh, but of course you share an office with Jared.”

“So there are ten squads in the legion?”

“Yes, with ten vamps in each one.” He gestured to the main mansion which was to our left. “That’s Antonio’s residence. The only other vamps who reside there are Sebastian, his consorts – the greedy git’s got about fourteen of them – and his Advisor. Oh and his personal guards, you might have noticed he’s got plenty of them. He mostly stays there. Then to the left of the mansion is the Guest House. We don’t get many guests as Antonio likes his privacy. Then there’re two Residence Halls for his general staff like the chefs and maids and maintenance people and what-have-ya. Then the row of buildings directly facing us are shops and cafes and restaurants and bars, oh and there’s a cinema and a bowling alley and even a nightclub.”

“You’re kidding?”

Fletcher grinned. “I’m glad I’m not. With all those bars and shops, this is my Graceland.”

“Is there a clothes shop? I’ve only got enough stuff to last me till tomorrow. Something tells me that my Sire will not nicely pass along my belongings,” I grumbled.

“Oh yeah, there’s nothing those stores don’t have. The idea behind Antonio’s design of The Hollow was so that he wouldn’t have to leave. As the Grand High Master, he has to worry about attempts on his life. If someone was to kill him then they would have the right to fight the Heir, which is Jared, for the position of the Grand High Master. So, Antonio built himself and his bloodline and his staff a nice little community. Or a world within a world, as he likes to call it.”

“So...anyone who works here can’t leave?”

“Oh don’t worry, luv, it’s not like a prison,” he giggled. “People can venture out if Antonio gives them permission. I’ve never met anyone who wants to leave. All staff gets full use of that lovely beach there and plenty of time off, and the pay’s good. Most important to them, they have the best vampiric protection they could possibly have. There’s no securer place to be.”

I gazed around me, astonished and in awe of Antonio’s little community. “What’re these buildings to our right?”

“Oh, that’s the Residence Hall for commanders and their consorts and personal assistants. Then you’ve got the Residence Hall for all the members of the legion, and another one for any humans. And that last building in the corner by the nightclub is the security lodge.” He twirled on the spot and then urged me to the opposite edge of the roof. “Last but not least, we have all this.”

The view overlooked the pool and gardens of Antonio’s mansion, the arena where the tryout had taken place, the small forest that I had not long ago been chased through, and also a beach. It was absolutely breathtaking with the azure blue sea and white sand. So inviting.

“Only Antonio, the commanders, and the legion have access to this beach,” Fletcher told me. “That’s why he has the man-made beach for the other vamps. So...what d’ya think?”

I smiled at him. “It’s alright, I suppose.”

He elbowed me gently. “Give over. It’s fabulous.”

Back at the office Fletcher handed me documents upon documents about the history of The Hollow and the legion. I made myself comfy on my leather chair, balancing my feet on the bureau, as I settled with the files while Fletcher was in the process of gathering as much available personal information as possible on the new squad members to create their own personal files. I was eager to read them and get a proper idea of who I would be coaching – a job that was in effect from tomorrow.

“Reading up on the history of the legion, huh,” said Jared, leaning against his bureau gazing at me. He was getting a good look at my legs, like he was trying to see through my pants. Self-conscious – not many people ever made me feel self-conscious – I was itching to drop my legs from the table. But then he would know that he had made me feel self-conscious, and he would get off on that.

Then a thought came to me: How had I not heard him or sensed him enter the room?

As if guessing my train of thought, he said, “I can teleport.”

“You have two gifts? How is that possible?”

“I have three, actually. My natural gift is electrokinesis, but Antonio has the power to pass on gifts. Twice he singled me out to receive two others as rewards.”

“So what’s the third?”

Telepathy, I heard in my head. It was like hearing him talk through a mobile phone.

“You can read thoughts?” I sounded horrified by the idea, which made him smile.

No, but I can communicate using my mind, he replied.

I was extremely relieved that he couldn’t read my thoughts; no way did I want him to know how gorgeous I thought he was, or that I was trying so hard to not ogle, or that I was hoping to get a good look at his backside the next time he turned around. “Good for you.” I tried to sound uninterested in him or his attempt at conversation and returned my attention to the documents.

“You could have said that with your mind, you know.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t read thoughts.”

“I can’t. But if you direct a thought at me, I’ll hear it.”

I looked up at him and smirked. I’d like to slice off your salami and shove it up your sexist arse.

His smile became a mischievous grin as he arched a brow. So you’ve been thinking about my salami?

I scowled at him and went back to the documents, but apparently he wasn’t finished teasing me yet.

Well, you’ve been thinking about my salami so I suppose I could think about you naked, and then we’d be even.

“No, no, I do not want you thinking about me naked.”

You really should’ve said something sooner.

I meant to scowl at him again but the intense red glow in his eyes froze me for a second. It was almost impossible not to get a kick out of someone as gorgeous as him wanting you, even if they were a sod. Recovering quickly, I asked, “So where’re our new recruits?”

“My new recruits are having a tour of The Hollow, and then they’ll get settled into their accommodation before dawn.”

“Oh they’re your new recruits, are they? So you’re still intent on being childish.”

He sighed. “Actually, I’ve been thinking.”

“Sulking would be more accurate.”

“Did you honestly think that I’d be thrilled that Antonio thought I needed help?”

“I knew you’d hate it. I knew you’d think you don’t need my help. And I knew you’d try to make my life difficult hoping I’d jib it. But here’s the thing Commander; you can’t possibly hate this more than I hate working for my Sire, and there’s nothing you could do that could be worse than what he’d do if I went back to him. So if I were you I’d stop the sulking and get over it.”

He tilted his head. “Is that why you took the job? To get away from your Sire?” He didn’t say it judgementally.

“That played a factor in it. But I wouldn’t have taken up Antonio’s offer if I didn’t think I could make a difference. If you’re really that immature that you can’t bring yourself to work with a woman then we’ll split the time. You can have the recruits from dusk till before lunch break, and I’ll have them from after lunch break for a few hours.”

“Sounds fair. But I still say I don’t need the help.”

“Anyone who’s so narrow-minded needs help, being prejudiced just holds people back.”

“Is that right?” he asked, smiling and crossing his arms over his chest.

“I can guarantee you that within seven nights you’ll see a difference with our new recruits’ control of their gifts. When that happens, you’ll owe me an apology. A public one.”

He strolled over, stopping only when he reached my bureau. The challenge in his eyes made me stand up. “Care to make that bet interesting?”

“Bets are always interesting.”

“If you manage to improve their control in five nights -”

“Five? I said seven.”

“What, you don’t think you could make a difference within five nights?” His smirk was triumphant as he knew I wouldn’t show any weakness.

“Fine. Five nights.”

“So, as I was saying, if you manage to improve their control in five nights, I’ll apologise. I’ll even make a public apology if that’s what you want. But if you don’t make any difference” – he leaned across the table, leaving only inches between our faces – “I get to taste you.” His gaze wandered down to my throat and his irises began to glow red again. I’ll reluctantly admit that I liked that tasting my blood was so appealing to him.

My instinct was to say ‘You can sod off.’ But that would be the equivalent of me saying that I wasn’t one hundred percent confident in my ability. His grin was smug; he knew he had completely cornered me. “Fine.”

“I’ll look forward to collecting on my bet.”

“Why would you want to give yourself false hope?”

In the space of two seconds there was a tiny knock on the office door, a female voice calling out ‘It’s only me, sweetie!’ and then a girl had barged into the office. Immediately I didn’t like her because she was obviously Jared’s girlfriend. With her shoulder-length pitch-black hair, her penetrating Keja-amber irises, chunky scarlet lips, and coal-black dress, she made me think of a witch. She was beautiful, yeah, but she was also so skinny to the extent that she was all bony. Her skimpy dress perfectly illuminated this fact.

I sent a thought to Jared. Oh come on, there’s no meat whatsoever on those bones. And she doesn’t even make up for it in the boob department – they’re like bee stings. I really thought you’d have better taste than that.

He looked amused. Jealous?

Of a stick insect? Yeah, right.

He didn’t look convinced, and well he shouldn’t. I was jealous, which surprised me.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she saw Jared leaning across my bureau, but she quickly pasted a wide smile on her face and paced over to him. She held my gaze as she planted a kiss on his cheek. Possessiveness twinkled in those eyes. I really didn’t like that. I was pretty sure that I’d later question why on earth it had bothered me so much.

I smiled pleasantly at her. “Hi, you must be Nancy.” Damn if I knew any Nancy. I just wanted to enjoy seeing the possessive twinkle become paranoia.

Her own smile faded. “I’m Joy,” she said emphatically before turning to Jared. “Who’s Nancy?” Although she had clearly tried to sound aloof, she hadn’t at all pulled it off.

Jared gave me a knowing smile. “One of the human girls.” No idea why he was playing along. “Joy, this is Commander Parker.”

She sniggered. “Since when does a woman – or a Sventé, for that matter – work here?”

“Since she kicked my ass.”

“So she’s the one who did that. But she looks so, well, ordinary.”

Before I could snap her head off her twig-like body Jared said, “Joy, it’s really not smart to irritate someone who could kill you easier than she can breathe.”

The phone on my bureau rang, snapping me out of my planning what would be the most rewarding way to watch her die. I answered quickly, “Hello?”

“Sam, luv, Sebastian’s here to see you,” Fletcher informed me.

“Send him in, Fletch. Thanks.” No sooner had I hung up the phone than Sebastian was stood before my bureau. Jared backed away with Joy nibbling on his ear. He was more interested in what Sebastian had to say, though, by the look on his face. I already had a pretty good idea what this was about.

“One of my assistants managed to reach Victor and inform him of your new circumstances.” I guessed right. Sebastian puffed. “He more or less indicated that...”

“I should get back there or he’ll hunt me down and drag me back himself?” I supplied. That was the kind of stupid thing Victor would say, considering he had always viewed me as a possession. Losing me also meant losing his consort and his main weapon.

“Something like that.”

Is Victor your Sire? Jared asked.

“The threat is pointless, of course,” continued Sebastian. “There is no way that Antonio will hand you over to Victor unless you wish to go of your own free will. However, Victor insisted on you being personally given the message and for you to respond imminently as to whether you will be going back to him.”

With all seriousness, I replied, “I’d rather lick my own arsehole.” Sebastian, apparently now accustomed to my occasional harsh language, only smiled. “You be sure he gets that message, word-for-word.”

Sebastian nodded his head obligingly. “I shall do so, Commander. With extreme pleasure. Oh, I almost forgot to inform you that your apartment is ready for you.”

“My a-what?”

“You didn’t think Antonio was going to ask you to stay in shabby accommodations, did you?” He threw me a key card. “I’m sure Fletcher will take you when you’re ready.”

“Thanks.” And I sincerely meant it.

Before leaving, Sebastian shot Jared a look of distaste, just as nauseated as me by how Joy was now moaning while dabbing Jared’s neck with noisy kisses. I decided to take a leaf out of Sebastian’s book and get out of there. Hearing Victor’s name had made my skin crawl, I just wasn’t in the mood to listen to some twig drool all over my colleague who I inconveniently found so gorgeous.

Tidying the documents on my bureau I spoke to Jared as one professional to another. “Fletcher said he’ll have the personal files on the recruits done by dusk, so could you leave them on my desk once you’re finished with them? I’ll need them before lunch break.”

“Where’re you going?”

He had asked that as though he actually thought he had a right to know. “Why? Do you need me for something?”

His brow arched suggestively as a devious smirk surfaced on his devastatingly gorgeous face.

I corrected, Do you need me for something that doesn’t involve tasting my blood?

Five nights and I’ll be tasting you whether you like it or not.

I snorted. You keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep in the day.