2 Vampires, Warlocks, And Exes Read Online Free Page B

feelers, and found a lot of curiosity coming off of her, with maybe a hint of malice. Yeah, that didn’t help ease my anxiety at all. I decided I needed to figure out what her deal was. “Are you here on vacation?” I asked.
    She leaned on the bar, making the Swarovski crystal reflect brightly off of the huge diamond pendant around her neck. “You could say that.” She took a sip of her drink, looked at my nametag, and pulled back with a smile.  A fangy smile.   “Karli, you make one helluva drink. This is the best Bloody Mary I’ve ever had.” She laughed. “It’s almost as good as the real thing.” I suddenly got a quick flash of her standing in a dark room with blood dripping from her mouth.
    Damn, my imagination was going into overdrive. I shook it off. “Um, thanks.”
    I tried walking away from her but she started talking again. “I can’t believe how much Vegas has changed!” she exclaimed. “I haven’t been here in almost thirty years.”
    “What brings you back?” I asked.
    “I’m here to see…an old friend. I heard he’s had quite a lot going for him lately and I wanted to see for myself.”
    “An old boyfriend?”
    She licked her fangs. “Oh, he was much more than that.”
    Chad walked up to the bar before I could get more information.  He was clearly interested in the beautiful stranger. Being a human-demon halfling, his irises darkened and enlarged when he was aroused. Right now, I could hardly see the whites of his eyes. 
    “Hey, Kar, can I get a Corona?”
    “Chad, ” I said in acknowledgement as I grabbed a bottle from the fridge.
    He gave the blonde an appreciative gaze. “Who’s your delicious friend?”
    “Um, I’m sorry I didn’t get your name,” I said to her.
    She stood up, returning Chad’s appreciation, and offered her hand. “Chad, is it? It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Maria.” She turned her head towards me, giving me a terribly intense look. Her eyes sparkled with malevolence as she added, “Maria…Alexander.”
    “Oh fuck ,” I said as I dropped Chad’s beer on the floor.
    He leaned over the bar. “Oh shit, Kar! You okay?”
    Embarrassed, I looked away, immediately directing all of my attention to cleaning up the mess. I risked a glance at Maria and saw her giving me a satisfied smirk, clearly aware that I knew exactly who she was. What the hell is going on?
    “Chad,” s he purred. “Why don’t we get out of here and go somewhere a little more private?” She pulled a crisp, one hundred dollar bill out of her purse and set it on the bar. 
    Chad’s expression told me that he suddenly had a single thought on his mind, forgetting all about his beer. “Ah, sure. My place is only about ten minutes away,” he offered.
    Al l right, I knew Chad could handle himself, but I was worried about him anyway. “Chad, can I talk to you for a second?” I asked.
    He gave me a dismissive look, before backing away with Maria on his arm. “Later, Kar. Okay?”
    She made eye contact with me right before walking away, giving me a look that chilled me to my bones. “Thanks for the drink, Karli. I’ll be back soon.”
    Okay, that woman was scary. Very, very scary.
     

Five
 
    The last two hours of my shift were the longest hours of my life. I couldn’t get out of the bar fast enough. I needed answers and I needed them now. I drove to V ance’s house without thinking, got out of my car, and started banging on his front door.
    “Vance, open the door ,” I shouted. “I need to talk to you.” No answer. “Vance! Seriously, wake up! I need to talk to you!” I started ringing his doorbell incessantly.
    He opened the door a minute later, looking all disheveled from sleep. “ Karli, what’s going on?”
    I pushed past him and stormed into his house, past the foyer into the great room. I turned towards him as I said, “Vance, would you care to explain what the fuck is going on?”
    He rubbed his face. “What? What the hell are you talking