2. Taylen

Chapter 2

Taylen

T he 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. I say 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 secret team 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 21 st century 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."

Chara rolls her eyes at me. "Stop worrying so much. You'll make the team, Taylen."

I smile gently outwardly, and my heart beats with desire but doubts of that ever coming true. "A girl can dream."

My friend's eyes drift over to the vampire master whose dark orbs still heat my skin every once in a while, when he glances my way. She doesn't miss a damn thing, smirking as her eyes light with amusement. "Master Slobozia is nice. Maybe he'll put in a good word for you with whoever is selecting the warriors."

My mouth gapes. "Nice and bossy, nice and arrogant, and nice and assholish."

She laughs out loud, drawing the attention of the other females who saunter our way, all geared up with swords, daggers, and their weapons of choice. I give my friend narrowed eyes, but know it won't keep her silent for long. Lucianna, who wears two daggers tucked into her vest, looks from us to Raven, Willow, and Madria and then back again with those crystalline green eyes that see everything, as she laughs. "Fine, I'll ask."

I eye Lucianna and the group of witchy ladies with suspicion. "Ask what?"

Raven, the short dark-haired pixie-like one who's managed to wrap Master Romano around her little finger leans in close. "We heard you and Master Slobozia arguing earlier. No one stands up to him the way you did."

I grin. "I'm not usually that outspoken. The tirade just came spewing out of my mouth. I was so mad!"

She shakes her head with a smile. "He must like you. Otherwise, he wouldn't allow you to come along. No matter what you said. He doesn't even talk or put up with most people. Maybe he'll allow it."

Now it's my turn to gape. "Allow it? What are we in the dark ages? I don't know how you witches roll, but he is not my boss. He has absolutely no say in whether I come on this mission or not. I'm here to help the masters' cause, to defend the righteous vampires from Lucas and the rogues. I couldn't care less whether Master Slobozia the great pureblooded vampire wants me here or not. I'm staying. If he doesn't like it, he doesn't need to come along."

I don't need to see him to feel him, because he causes every neuron in my body to come alive.

My skin suddenly prickles with electrical energy. Slobozia's gaze rakes irritatingly slowly over the entire length of me, taking in every inch, causing the skin beneath my clothes to heat. I turn from the group of women who continue their conversation without a hint of what's going on between me and the dark-souled beast.

His dark black eyes are like magnets, as they change to a glowing deep blood red. He should know right here and now before we set out on this journey that I'm not taking orders from the likes of him. I work for Overmaster Descallia and all the masters, not him.

His eyes flash a warning of red, no doubt reading my mind, the arrogant beast. I huff internally at the intrusion. Fine, better that it's out in the open, then we can get on with what we need to do. You're not the boss of me, vampire.

A slow, wide grin plays along his lips, and his eyes brighten to a full-on red causing my heart to clamor against my chest at an unprecedented rate. You're on my mission, I am the boss of you.

My blood pumps with fury. The handsome beast is smug in his arrogance while I grapple for just the right words to put the asshole in his place. I'm not one of your playmates in the VIP dungeon. I do what I want, when I want. What do you say to that, vampire?"