Page 2 of Master Slobozia

Tigers don’t change their stripes and neither do the witches. The last thing I remember before falling into a deep sleep is thinking I’ll have to keep a close eye on the witches and the sharp-tongued she-devil with the sexy little ass.

A day’s rest has done the group a world of good. The team gathers around the camp to eat a quick meal, courtesy of the witches before our journey to the cavern we believe Lucas to be hiding in. I put a quick polish on my trusty long sword, sheathing the magnificent piece of steel with the gleaming red gem at his end into my belt, letting it hang by my side. All while taking in the sexy little backside of the vampiress who has managed to weasel her way into the next leg of our journey and is preparing to go with us into a heated battle with a cunning adversary who has managed to fool all of us for some time.

Master Bistrita’s mate, Chara, and Master Oradea’s mate, Natalia, should keep their close friend, Taylen, on a very short leash because if she’s going to force herself onto the team and into this hunt, she’s damn well going to need to stand on her own two feet. There will be no time for coddling anyone on this journey because Lucas has nothing left to lose. He’s lost his alliances with the syndicate boys and the rogue shifters have all been killed at the end of our swords. He is out for three things only now, to get revenge on us, and on the syndicate for not aligning with him, and to get the key that will allow him the monetary reserves he needs to rise to power.

The evil bastard is not getting the key. I have faith in our fearless leader. He’s managed to keep that damn key safe for centuries while everyone in the underworld tries to find it and take over our riches. Time and time again they find nothing but empty caverns, instead of the gold and jewels they desire. Overmaster Descallia is far too smart to allow Lucas, or anyone for that matter, near the vampires’ greatest treasure.

Lucas is smart too, though. A vengeful man who knows far more than any of our enemies should and is downright determined in his effort to send us back to the dark ages where we ravaged the blood of unsuspecting passersby.

It's hard to believe we never saw how undermining and ruthless he could be, until he was crossed by Roman Mancini and Michael, Marcus, Antonio, and Frankie Benzini.

Master Oradea’s mate and the youngest sister of the Benzini brothers stands by her friend Taylen, the sexy little vampiress who’s managed to worm her way into this trip whether I forbade it or not. Their relationship to the syndicate boys has not helped matters any, that’s for damn sure.

My jaw locks tight with irritation. Another sharp-tongued female who won’t do as she’s told to worry about, to take care of when we have more than enough to deal with without adding her to the mix. The sassy female who won’t listen to reason bends to tie a hiking boot. Her long, dark, wavy hair falls to one side, leaving a clear view to her perfectly heart-shaped ass which is tightly and deliciously wrapped in a pair of expensive designer jeans. Unlike the little white thong she was wearing in my dreams just a few short hours ago.

Taylen feels my gaze, turns, and her bright red eyes flash with irritation, but it’s hard to miss the tip of her pink tongue as it slides seductively across her upper lip. The little gesture female vampires use to try and keep their fangs from descending is not working now.

I smirk even as my cock expands uncomfortably against the inseam of my jeans. The growl barrels up from deep inside of me, but I manage to stifle its intensity before anyone hears anything but a low grumble.

This could end up being a hell of a long fucking night. I’m not about to let the hot-headed little beauty have any more leeway than is necessary. She can come with us, only because I don’treally have a choice in the matter. The little she-devil is going to be on a very short leash though, one that I fully intend to hold the reins to myself, whether the testy female likes it or not.

She turns as though hearing every word in my mind. “Not likely, vampire.”

Chapter 2

Taylen

The dark vampire lord thinks he can subdue me with a look and a few harsh words? I don’t care if he doesn’t talk to me for the rest of the trip. Besides, Overmaster Descallia and the others think I need to come along, that I have value and can help. And I for one plan on keeping my skills sharp in case a spot on the elite warriors’ group is on my horizon. A chance to get out of the bar scene and into a position worthy of my combat skills. I’m going on this journey to hunt our enemy, and if the grumpy ass doesn’t like it, too bad. The dark-haired god probably thinks females should stay at home and not work side by side with the mighty vampire masters.

Master Slobozia can scowl at me all he wants. I’ve been around vampires like him all of my life. They come and go, in and out of Club Descallia, as though they own more than the club. He may be able to have any female he chooses there, but his charms won’t work on me. I’ve heard the rumors about him. The ladies with wet little panties all clamoring to obey the vampire master in the lower-level playrooms. Well, not this one, that’s for damn sure.

I’m not interested in his bedroom skills, nor impressed with his type. You can’t trust the ones who look like Adonis and who everyone wants. As soon as you turn your back, they’re in the back room making it with a pretty girl while you’re serving drinks to their friends, and you find out about it from people who feel sorry that you don’t already know.

Never again.

Way better to stay far away from him and those types. Work for them, yes, definitely. The billionaire vampire masters own half of this town, and the money is good working for them, even as a bartender. Get into a relationship with them, hell fucking no. Never again will I be the girl who blindly trusts a male. The pain is just too hard to bear when you learn that you’ve been duped by a smooth-talking con.

The dark-haired vampire’s red eyes heat my skin with his gaze. I ignore the tingles playing down the length of my skin. Master Slobozia may be every girl’s wet dream standing there in those snug fitting jeans but he’s not the boss of me. Even if they do everything to pronounce those long legs and powerful thighs. And that sweater clings to every muscle of his upper body just right. Damn he’s fine. But still he is a dangerous man. I know it, he knows it, and anyone who knows anything about him knows it.

Stay away from the powerful vampire master. It’s enough that we’ve already had words about me going on this trip. The arrogant ass. As though there was a chance in hell that I was backing down. He can scowl at me all he wants. I’m not changing my mind. But clearly, his opinion of me is probably shit. Not a very good way to make a first impression with someone who can put up roadblocks in getting on the team you’ve trained for years to join. I sigh… Maybe now, we can just keep our distance. Hopefully he won’t do anything to keep me from getting onto the warrior’s team when they put the group back together again. Isay a silent prayer to destiny, hoping that she can sprinkle a little bit of divine intervention my way. Just a little, please.

Chara taps me on the shoulder. “Hey, you look like you were a million miles away. About ready?”

I nod, tucking a dagger into the sheath at my ankle, before sinking the last two jewel-tipped daggers into the dual-sided chest vest that cost me more than a week’s salary slinging drinks at Club Descallia. “I’m as ready as any of us, with Lucas lurking around. I keep thinking about that evil laugh of his. I swear, I don’t scare easy, but that vampire is from the depths of hell. I’d love to be the one to send him straight back home.”

Chara’s eyes fill with concern as we head toward the pile of our provisions at the side of the woods. “You don’t have anything to prove, Taylen. Lucas would have taken any of us to destroy in his attempt at revenge for Natalia’s brothers siding with the vampire masters instead of him and the rogues.”

My new friend gently lays a reassuring arm around my shoulder as we make our way to join the others. I glance up at her with an appreciative smile. “I’ve wanted to be a member of the warriors for as long as I can remember. Training so hard I’d fall into bed exhausted after a long day’s work and not ever missing the gym unless something unforeseen at work came up.”

She nods. “I know, Natalia told me it is your biggest desire in life.”

My friends know me well. “I was devastated when the group was disbanded after Overmaster Descallia learned there were traitors in the group. It’s always been like a safe haven, a group of our own we could call upon to protect us when things got really ugly over the centuries. If there’s a chance it’s being rebuilt, I want a shot at making it on the team.”

My eyes stray to the three vampires at the edge of the water poring over an old map of the caverns in the mountain range. “Terrance, Clay, and Silver have been part of Descallia’s secretteam since the warriors disbanded. You think they’ll be shoo-ins to be on the new group they’re creating? It sounds like they were handpicked for Overmaster Descallia’s secret ops team. And let’s face it, there are only so many slots for females on the team.”

She gives them a once over. “I think Overmaster Descallia has always been fair.”

Sure, she doesn’t want to be in an all-male group with one token female. “We may be in the 21stcentury but it’s still a guy’s world when it comes to combat roles.” I shrug. “And Embry is already on the special ops team. Why wouldn’t they just slide her over into the warriors as they bring them up instead of me now that she’s back? They only need one to show the world they accept females on the team.”

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