“My parents,” Maya whispered. Her voice sounded far away, and for a second she wasn’t sure if she’d said it out loud. Tears spilled down her cheeks and the comforting warmth of love filled her chest, washing over her like the sun. “I can see them, Shane.”
The howl of a wolf shattered the golden moment, and the red haze of fear curled inside of Maya like a fire. Her father’s voice ripped through the fear and he screamed, Run, Elizabeth! Maya’s mother picked her up, running with Maya cradled to her chest. Her heartbeat thundered through Maya’s body, and her labored breathing surrounded Maya like a shroud.
Maya was covered in darkness, and the sounds of her mother’s crying filled her head. Snarls. Growling. A man’s scream. Silence. She could hear her mother whimpering while she cradled Maya’s small body to her shaking chest. Soon the darkness gave way to light and her mother laid her on a pile of blankets in a closet. I love you, Maya, she whispered before she closed the door and left Maya in the dark alone. I won’t let them find you.
Silence.
Darkness.
The scream of a woman amid the snarling and growling of wolves rumbled around Maya. The sharp sound of furniture breaking and then the triumphant howls of wolves filled the dark. The howl faded and the aching sound of silence filled the darkness…but only for a moment.
“They’re out there,” Maya whimpered. “I can hear them sniffing around. The wolves are looking for me.”
The terrifying sound of claws scratching at the door grated through Maya’s head, and just when she thought they’d break through the door and tear her to pieces, a door slammed and the wailing whine of a wolf in pain pierced the air. More growling preceded a high-pitched wail and then—silence.
Maya’s body shook with fear and anticipation. The door of the closet opened, temporarily blinding her. When her vision cleared, she saw her grandmother. She was younger than Maya remembered, but the necklace was draped around her neck as it always was. She cooed softly and picked Maya up, whispering gentle, soothing words.
Her grandmother carried her out of the cabin, and Maya peered over her shoulder at the wreckage of a battle. Broken furniture was strewn about the cabin, and in the middle of it, two men lay naked and bleeding. The last image Maya saw as her grandmother carried her outside was her mother’s lifeless hand covered in blood.
The memory blurred and spun. Lights flickered behind her eyes, and when Lillian released Maya’s hand, the past vanished and the present came roaring to life. Shaking, with Shane squatting next to her and rubbing her back with one hand in a sweet, reassuring gesture, Maya pressed her fingers to her eyes and wiped away the tears.
“They died for you,” Lillian said in a quiet voice. She sat back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap, looking from Maya to Shane. “Your parents were killed by werewolves, but your grandmother took the wolves to task. If it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
Maya nodded but couldn’t make any words come out.
“That necklace you’re wearing is the one your grandmother was wearing in the vision.” Lillian pulled her hair back and rested her hands on top of her head. “I don’t know exactly what she did or how she did it, but she kicked their hairy asses.”
“She killed the wolves?” Shane asked with genuine surprise. “How is that possible? Gypsies are human, and no human could possibly overpower a werewolf.”
“I dunno.” Lillian shrugged and pointed at Maya’s necklace. “But that necklace must harness the gypsy magic somehow. Maya’s mother and father were obviously no match for the wolves, but her grandmother, the one wearing the necklace, was.”
“The wolves don’t want me, Shane.” Maya grasped his hand and settled her other hand over the necklace. “They want the necklace, and I guess I can’t really blame them. How would the vampires feel if the werewolves had one item that could destroy vampires as easily as this necklace killed those two werewolves? My grandmother, an older human woman, killed those two wolves without even getting her hair messed up, and it had to be because she was wearing this necklace.”
“Thank you for your assistance, Lillian,” Shane said, rising to his feet. “I will be sure to inform the czars of your generosity and your willingness to help.”
“Cool.” Lillian stood up, stretched her arms over her head, and let out a sound of relief. “Man, that took it out of me and my muscles are way stiff.” She dropped her hands to her hips and jutted her chin at Maya. “I know that I’ve never read a vampire before, so I really don’t have anything to accurately measure it against, but you have a really funky energy. It’s different from a human and an Amoveo. It’s thick and sticky.”
“Sticky?” Maya said and laughed, rising to her feet on surprisingly steady legs.
“Yeah.” Lillian shrugged and headed toward the stairs. “Pushing into your memories was kind of like swimming through cotton candy. I don’t know if it’s because you’re a vamp or a gypsy…or both.”
“I agree.” Shane’s voice drifted over Maya’s shoulder. “Maya’s blood memories were next to impossible for me to read. I only get glimpses, bits and pieces. Granted, they have come more easily over the past few days, but they’re still not visible to me the way they should be.”
“Must be the gypsy in you, then.” Lillian headed down the stairs. “Lottie did say that the gypsies are a secretive group.”
“Well, it looks like the secret’s out now,” Maya said, following Lillian down to the bar. “I’m from some long line of werewolf assassins or something.”
“You may remember more as the night wears on.” Lillian slipped behind the bar and poured herself a shot of bourbon. “When we were done, that weird, sticky veil that I had to push through in the beginning was gone. Maybe we cracked the seal on whatever was bottling up your memories.”
Shane slipped his arm around Maya’s waist and watched Lillian throw back the shot of brown liquor. She squeezed her eyes shut and let out a slow breath before slamming the shot glass onto the bar.
“Sorry.” Lillian swiped at her mouth with the back of her hand, and Boris sidled up next to her, kissing the top of her head reassuringly. “Sometimes I need to take the edge off after a vivid reading, and yours was way freakin’ vivid. I don’t think I’ll ever look at the weres the same again.”
Maya nodded her agreement. “I know what you mean.”
“Can I get either of you something to drink?” Boris asked, raising one eyebrow. “I do keep your drink of choice on hand, just in case.”
“No.” Shane shook his head and tilted his head in deference. He slanted a sly glance at Maya, the one that made her stomach flutter. “I have made arrangements for us this evening, and we’ve taken up enough of your time.”
“Thank you, Lillian.” Maya extended her hand over the bar, but Lillian gave her a doubtful look.
“A handshake? Please.” Lillian laughed and came around from behind the bar before gathering Maya up in a warm embrace. “We’re practically family now. I have been inside your head, and we dug up all kinds of information. I think we’re well past handshakes and have moved right to hugging.”
“True.” Maya giggled and hugged her new friend tightly. She pulled back and smiled. “I mean it. Thank you, Lillian. You gave me more than information. You gave me back my parents and allowed me to feel their love again. I—I don’t know if I can ever repay you for that.”