Chapter One

“Girl, get your head out of the clouds. Mick is watching you.” The words jolting me back to reality, I look over at AliStacia. Stacie is my co-worker, and best succubus shadow demon friend on this planet. Her brown ponytail bounces back and forth as she walks off to deliver the customers’ orders. I glance over at Mick, but my mind is still on all the vampires pouring in here tonight. Don’t get me wrong, we cater to all the supernaturals, but this is different. 

A stern look from Mick, our handsome strawberry blonde warlock bartender, and I’m snagging my laden tray off the counter. I bob and weave through the tables, heading towards the wolf shifters’ table in the back corner. They are regulars, and for some reason they seem to be watching the vamps too. Our usual vampire population per night is two, maybe three, but tonight there are nineteen. I set the frosted pint glasses on the table, following it with the pitcher of our own personal beer brew. I find myself looking back at the dark corner by the pool tables.  Too many vampires in one place to have a good night.

A hand caressing my ass catches my attention. With the backswing of my tray, I nail the coyote shifter standing behind me in the gut. 

“Hands off, dog!” I smirk as he doubles over in pain, gasping for breath. Plastering a smile back on my face, I nod at the laughing wolves and head back to the bar. 

“Mick! Table eight wants a long neck domestic, a 7&7, two shots vodka, and-” A loud crash by the pool tables silences the whole bar. I slowly turn around, cold feet crawling up my spine. All the vampires are on their feet, staring down at someone on the floor. My eyes dart around the room. One, two. Looking again I only see two of the waitresses. Stacie is missing. Oh please don’t let that be her in the middle of their attention. 

I slowly start wading through the crowd with Mick hot on my heels. AliStacia is the only being alive who knows me, the real me, and I'll be damned some more if I let some bloodsucker touch her. Just as I get to the first vampire, a red glow brightens around me, opening a path all the way to Stacie standing at her five foot three inch height in the middle of the ring of vampires. I glance back and nod at Mick for the assist, his eyes reflecting the red glow of flickering flames from his brilliantly lit hands.

But what stops me in my tracks is the Seeth leader on his knees, picking up the shards of glass in a rather large pool of blood. Looking from face to face, I see shock and awe on each vampire's face.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you, little one. Next time I will not move so fast.” Knox slowly stands up to his six foot six inch frame, taking her tray and placing the broken glass on it. A cold creeping chill skitters across my neck, the only warning I have before a blur rushes past, bearing down on Stacie. Faster than any human eye can see, Knox's hand swings wide to his right. The offender flies above our heads, crashing into the wall by the front door, while a growl deep from within the Seeth leader's chest rumbles out. Silence falls over the crowd gathered. 

Stepping up, I slip around Knox to stand beside my best friend, scanning the crowd for any further problems.

“Last call! Finish what you got and get the hell out!” Mick’s grumpy voice echoes throughout the bar, with many mumbled complaints under their breath yet none are brave enough to truly voice them. I glance back at Stacie and gag playfully as Knox stands towering over her, a look of adoration on her face as she looks up at him. 

“Get a room,” I whisper, elbowing her playfully while knowing full well Knox can hear me. 

“Angel!” Stacie’s whispered response causes me to laugh outright as the crowd thins out. I walk back towards the counter and scoop my forgotten tray from the floor. Wonder above wonders, it’s not broken from the fall nor being stepped on, in everyone's rush to follow Mick’s orders. Tossing the tray behind the bar, I snatch a dry rag and cleaning spray up. Most everyone has left in a rush, so I grab the dish bin too. Tossing the glasses into the bin, I spray the table and get to wiping. 

Finishing the last table, I realize Stacie hasn’t put the chairs up behind me. With a shake of my head, I take the glasses into the back and start the miniature dishwasher. Snagging the broom on my way back out front, I look around for her, finally spotting her coming out of the ladies room; two perfectly round marks on the side of her neck. A small growl slips from my lips before I can stop it.

“You let him drink from you?” I do my best to keep my voice level, even though I want to scream at the top of my immortal lungs. A dreamy sigh is the only sound she makes until she looks me in the eyes.

“Yeah, and it was amazing. You should try it sometime.” She grabs the broom from me as she dances, yes dances, past me. Locking eyes with Mick behind the counter, I can see the concern in his eyes. Nodding, we agree to keep an eye on her.

An hour and one last swipe of the bar later, we all head to the back door. Stepping out, Stacie and I watch Mick lock up.

“See you two tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow night won't be as annoying.” Mick walks over to his dark blue Ford F150 Supercab, parked underneath the only working light pole in the back parking lot. He gets in and spins the tires as he pulls out onto Herman Street.

“So, did you tell Knox where we live?” We start our little trek two blocks east and one block south, knowing full well he can follow her blood back to our little two bedroom apartment. 

“No! How could you ask that? You know I would never do something like that!” Stacie stares straight ahead as she speeds up.

“Hells bells. Will you slow down?” Running to catch up to her, I catch the toe of my knee high leather boot on the crack in the sidewalk. I trip forward into her back, almost causing us both to fall. 

“Ooof!” Stacie exclaims as she feels the weight of me stumble against her from behind, and we both start to laugh.

“Sorry. These sidewalks just jump up and grab your toes. Didn’t you see it?” Giggling as we make it home, I unlock the door. Unhooking my bra without taking my shirt off, I pull it out of my right sleeve and toss it across the tiny living room to land on the floor under the end table. Stripping my boots off, I toss those over by my bra. Next my leather pants hit the hallway floor on my way to my bedroom. 

Walking into my little ten foot by eight foot bedroom, I grab a clean shirt from the laundry basket I never bothered to put away, hearing the thud as Stacie closes her bedroom door. Switching shirts, I fall face first onto my bed.

“Good night, Sis!” Rolling over onto my side, sleep claims me within minutes.