Page 9 of Master Calabrea

Overmaster Descallia growls so loud it makes glasses on other tables throughout the club shake and the lecher leering at me with bloodshot eyes wide open scared. As he should be.

Master Calabrea places an arm around me, having me take his chair while he deals with the man who’s had way too many drinks for anyone’s good. "Come with me," he says to the man. "You'd do well to leave now before you've caused any more trouble."

He spins and tries to pull from Calabrea. "I'm not going anywhere just because some fucking vampire told me to,” he slurs, causing eyes from other patrons to return to our table.

Calabrea takes his arm and hoists it behind his back, grabbing his other and half pushes and half walks him toward the exit. It’s hard not to take my eyes off his tall and panther like frame from behind. He strides like a well-muscled machine underneath the custom-tailored suit he wears.

When he returns, he takes my seat and turns to me. “Do you know him?”

I shake my head. “I’ve never seen him before in my life.”

Lucas gestures to the large vampires positioned at multiple positions around all the exits. “They shouldn’t have been told to get him out of here. I’ll have a talk with them later tonight.”

Overmaster nods. “Good. Embry and Lucas, you’ll team up with Silver. Trentino, Angel, you can work with Romano tracing down any leads he gets from his people. Clay and Terrence willbe on the ready for anyone who needs them initially, but I’ve spoken with Master Calabrea about their skills, and he’ll plan to utilize them when he feels their help is needed.”

“I’ve got their numbers, and the minute we learn the direction we’re going I’ll give them a call,” he says, but the squared-off angle of his jaw doesn’t look like he’s very pleased with the idea at all, although he gives the table a nod of agreement.

Overmaster Descallia continues looking around and lowers his voice. “Lucianna and I will work with our contacts. Remember, they’re running shell games. The ones that want you to follow them won’t make it difficult. The ones who have Isala will do anything and everything to evade you. Marcus will send you the coordinates of the last sightings of each of the rogue teams. Any questions?”

He turns to Calabrea. "Get her home, pack light, and keep her with you at all times. I don’t want her or any one of our people by themselves. Isala has to be close if they’re putting this much energy into the game.”

I have no idea how I've managed to get myself into this mess. All of a sudden, things that I didn’t sign up for sound way more involved in the vampire business than I want or need to be part of. “Look, I really appreciate your generosity and the offer of the job as translator, but surely Calabrea can do this on his own. I mean, if he runs the region, certainly, he can speak to the locals.

Overmaster Descallia’s eyes go red, clearly his patience at the end, but Lucianna places a hand on his arm and turns to me. "There's more than locals involved, Tansia. The Vade Mecum tells us that the rogues will come, and with them they'll bring traitors from all factions. That's exactly what's happening now. They are recruiting shifters, witches, syndicate members and others, all with the goal of destroying the world the vampires have built.

“A safe world for humans.

“A world that doesn't include raids and bloody feasts on unsuspecting humans. A civilized world where both vampires and humans live in harmony. Maybe it's not perfect, but it's pretty damn close. We need your help, Tansia. This is bigger than us all. Help Calabrea, it is written in the Vade Mecum that a woman with powers of sight, red ringlets, and crystal jade eyes will partner with a fierce and noble vampire leader.

“I believe you and Calabrea are those two.”

My eyes grow wide. He may be a sexy as fuck vampire, but he's a vampire. “I don't even know what a Vade Mecum is, and I don’t have powers of sight.”

She smiles, and her eyes do that green glowing thing. “All in good time, Tansia. For now, go with Calabrea, stay by his side, and you will not fail. He will teach you about our ways.”

Teaching me about his ways is exactly what I’m afraid of, or drawn to…

Chapter

Seven

How this assignment got so messed up is beyond me. Now I need to play nice with the fucking syndicate prick and babysit the curly haired creature whose body calls to mine on the most primal of levels. Nothing but distractions on this mission.

Tansia’s heartbeat races and beats against the little tell-tale sign on her creamy looking neck. I feel a tinge of guilt, and my thoughts soften.

It’s not her fault that Overmaster and Lucianna are set in their opinions about the two of us working together. If the Vade Mecum says it, then I’ll support whatever I have to do with her. She tried to get us out of it. I put my hand on her shoulder. "Let's go, Tansia."

Embry gives her cousin a tight hug. "We'll be there as soon as we can. Be careful, and stay with Master Calabrea. He won't let any harm come to you." She narrows her eyes at me. “Right?"

None of us asked for this situation. Better to make the best of it, get through it, and then get on with our lives. "Of course, Embry," I tell her, trying to hide the slight upturn of my lips as Lucas joins the side of his spirited partner.

"But who will protect the mighty vampire from me?" Tansia asks so unexpectedly that the whole table turns to look at her, almost causing me to laugh out loud.

Embry does laugh. "My cousin can kick some ass, so you better treat her right."

“We should go,” I tell Tansia. She gives her cousin another squeeze. Hopefully this won’t take long, and we’ll be together again soon. “Stay close to Master Calabrea. All joking aside, he knows this area well. He’ll steer you away from danger,” Embry says.

“I’ve had your driver bring in your bags and put them in the locker room of the employee bathroom. Why don’t you get dressed in something like a pair of jeans and sensible shoes,” I tell Tansia, guiding her toward the back of the employee side of the club.

---