“Well, he’s refusing to leave until Olivia and Doug turn you over to them.”
“He must have recognized the necklace,” Maya said quietly. Dread settled in her chest because she knew what she had to do. “We have to go back, Shane. I’ll give them the necklace. I don’t want to cause any more trouble for Olivia or anyone else.”
“No. Aside from the fact that I’m not letting those wolves near you, we’re not going anywhere until we find out what the hell this necklace does and why the wolves hate the Vanator gypsy clan so much that they’re willing to start the war all over again.” Shane turned to Lottie. “What exactly did the Vanator clan do that incurred the wrath of the werewolves?”
“I got no clue.” Lottie narrowed her eyes and wagged a finger at Maya. “You’re full of surprises, young lady, and I have a sinking suspicion that you have even more to reveal.”
“The necklace hasn’t ever done anything magical, though.” Maya’s brows knit together and frustration crawled up her back. “How the hell are we going to figure out what kind of magic this necklace can do anyway?”
“In my experience, most objects don’t do the magic. The person who holds the object does. Chances are that the necklace is just a family heirloom passed down through the Vanator gypsy line. Based on what you’re saying about this Horace character, the wolves must have been keeping an eye out for the necklace and the Vanator gypsies.”
Lottie held up her left hand and wiggled her middle finger, which was adorned with a gold band with an oval ruby at the center. “This was passed down through the generations of my clan, and like your necklace, my ring is a symbol for the Fogg gypsy clan.” She let out a curt laugh and shook her head. “I’ll be damned. Not only do I have two wayward vampires stayin’ in my house, but one of ’em is a Vanator. My grandfather is probably rollin’ in his grave.”
“I’m sorry, Lottie.” Maya stilled and held Lottie’s stare. “Do…do you want us to leave?”
“My grandfather always was a crazy old bastard.” Lottie shrugged. “I’m a shitty gypsy woman. I don’t speak Romanian. I didn’t get married or make babies, and I use my magic to make money but have no one to teach it to. Believe me, he’s been rollin’ for so long, he’s probably been around the world twice.”
Lottie rose to her feet and padded across the room quietly, her sandal-clad feet whispering over the faded oriental rug before she came to a halt at the edge of the coffee table. She looked from Maya to Shane and then back to Maya before a huge smile cracked her face and she gently patted Maya’s cheek. “I don’t want you to leave. In fact, I’m as curious as you are to find out more about your kin and the dark magic that has the wolves so worked up.”
“I don’t think I have any kin left.” Maya’s brows knit together again. “My grandmother died. When you were doing the reading, it opened up more memories and I saw a funeral, but I’m pretty sure I was the only one there.”
“Yes.” Lottie nodded and let out a sigh. “Is that why you don’t think you have any other kin?”
“Well, after I became a vampire and my human life ended, no one came looking for me. It’s like I just disappeared and no one cared. There was no missing person’s report filed anywhere.”
“Well, of course not.” Lottie made a sound of derision. “You’re a gypsy. We live off the grid, girlie. Hell, I don’t have a social security number and there isn’t even a record of my birth. I was born out here, like the generations before me. In fact, my clan was considered freakish because we stayed in this house. Most gypsies are nomads and don’t stay in one place for long. Report a missing person to the cops? Ha! Gypsies take care of their own business.”
Maya had about a hundred more questions, but before she could ask them, a strong cramp flared in her chest. She grimaced and squeezed Shane’s hand tightly. “What the hell is going on?”
It’s the pull of the sun, Maya. Shane’s mind touched hers like a soothing caress. The blood exchange must have heightened and accelerated your abilities.
“Holy crap, that took me by surprise.” Maya gave him a weak smile. “This is not what I would consider one of the perks.” I guess that whole daywalking part takes a while to kick in?
For all we know, Maya, that may not happen for us. Our bloodmate bond may have different side effects than Olivia and Doug’s.
Maya didn’t respond but nodded her understanding and rubbed absently at her chest. Disappointment tugged at her briefly. It would be nice to be able to walk in the sun again, but when Shane’s fingers brushed over hers, a smile curved her lips and she reveled in the sweet feel of his mind touching hers. Nothing could be better than that, not even a day in the sun.
“Are you alright?” Lottie asked with genuine concern.
“She’ll be fine, but we should go to our room because the sun is rising.” Shane tilted his head toward the brightening sky. “Thank you, once again, for your hospitality.”
“Sure thing, but I don’t know how much sleep I’m gonna get. My mind is gonna be racing about all this, that’s for damn sure.” Lottie walked out of the living room with them and led the way up the stairs. When they reached the second floor, she stopped at her bedroom door. “I have an idea of how you might be able to find out more about yourself. I know someone else who might be able to help you.”
“Can’t you do another reading?” Maya asked hopefully.
“No.” Lottie yawned loudly. “We hit a wall tonight. Trust me. I saw all I’m gonna see out of you, but I have a friend who can probably see a bit more than I can. She’s a psychic human—palm reader.”
“I don’t know,” Maya said hesitantly and leaned into Shane’s comforting embrace. “I’m not sure if I should go around talking about this with just anyone.”
“She ain’t just anyone,” Lottie snapped. “Lillian is a damn powerful psychic and she’s married to an Amoveo man, one of them shifters. Anyway, Lillian and Boris own one of the bars I work in, and they know all about your kind. You can trust her the same as you can trust me.”
“Lottie’s right.” Shane gave Maya a reassuring look. “I haven’t met them, but I’ve heard Pete speak highly of both of them. His mate is an Amoveo from the Bear Clan, and as you know, Pete’s a liaison between the Amoveo and the vampires.”
“Maybe one night this week, you two could take a little break from…whatever you been doin’,” Lottie said, waggling her eyebrows, “and take a trip over to The Den. That’s their bar. It’s at the edge of the Quarter.”
“Could we?” Maya looked up at Shane, excitement lacing her voice. “I never have been to New Orleans, and we wouldn’t have to stay long. It would be a nice break from training.”
Shane paused as though he was weighing all of his options. After what felt like an eternity, he finally nodded his agreement. “Perhaps we could make a quick visit, but it would be a good idea to speak with the czars about it first.”
“Thank you.” Maya kissed his cheek and hugged him. “And thank you, Lottie. For everything.”
“Yes, well…I’ll see you after we all get some sleep,” Lottie said, before disappearing into her room.
Maya went to go upstairs, but Shane grabbed her hand, stopping her. He stared down at her with his trademark serious and intense gaze.
“Shane?” Maya teased. “What’s the matter? Can’t handle having a gypsy-vampire girl for a bloodmate?”
Shane’s hand cradled her face gently, and though she could tell there was something he wanted to say, he didn’t. He placed a kiss on her forehead just before he carried her up the stairs and tossed her onto the bed with a wicked grin. They removed their clothes in a blur of movement, and an instant later, Shane’s nude body covered hers. Wrapping her up in his arms, he trailed kisses over her shoulder and his deeply seductive voice floated into her mind. Gypsy or vampire…you are mine, and I would die to protect you.