Reyna’s Vampyr: Chapter Four

Tariq Bastien left his penthouse lair by way of the private elevator coded to his voice command. “Third floor.”

“Yes, master,” the computerized voice said as the doors swooshed closed behind him.

His staff, comprised of members of his Clutch and the few humans he trusted, were more than capable of handling things and keeping everyone in line, but he preferred the hands on approach to business so he made a personal appearance in the club each night. His customers had come to expect it.

The music was loud and pumping. The place packed. As normal, business was booming. He knew the drinks, music, and atmosphere were only part of the appeal. The main lure was the Vampyr themselves. Humans loved them, loved the idea of rubbing elbows with his kind.

In the five years since their official unveiling, they were still just as much of a mystery as when they’d come out, and if he had anything to say about it, they’d remain one. As a result, he kept a close eye on the more…unruly of his kind.

They’d done a hell of a public relations’ job, making themselves seem the same as humans with the exception of a few special…enhancements, the result of their transition to earth. Sort of like Superman, with fangs. It took a while but the majority of the populace now believed they were exactly what they portrayed themselves to be instead of the powerful predators they really were.

It had helped when humans discovered a lot of the myths about them—myths they themselves perpetrated—were false. Unlike their fictional counterparts, sunlight didn’t kill them. Weaken their powers? Yes. And unlike the movies, they didn’t fall into a deathlike sleep as soon as the sun rose, but they were nocturnal, as were most of earth’s predators.

As he walked the three levels of the club he nodded to security, dressed as Roman Gladiators, whose job it was to ensure no mishaps occurred. Vampyrs didn’t solely depend on blood to survive. In fact, in large quantities Earthlings’ blood was highly addictive, providing the same buzz as opiates or narcotics in their purist form to humans.

The last thing he wanted was for some vampyr who couldn’t control himself to bleed out a human. Not on his watch, and not after all they’d done to convince humans the image of them as bloodthirsty killers was just a fable and unsubstantial as mist. For the most part it was true, except for when one of his kind first arrived on planet.

The gravity on Vampalien was much denser than Earth. After space travel in zero and artificial gravity, their blood volume was low when they first left the spaceship. For the first three days they’d drain dry any being foolhardy enough to come within clutching distance until their blood pressure gradient equalized. Unfortunately, it was during this time a lot of Vampyrs develop an unquenchable thirst for human blood, much like a cancer patient addicted to morphine.

Tariq stopped and stood at his favorite lookout spot, which allowed him an eagle’s view of the entire club. Things were quiet tonight. All the little Vampyrs were playing nice, abiding by Vampalien rules. He was about to turn and go back to his office when it hit him.

Emotions slammed into him. He filtered them through his senses: a human female, impatient, frustrated, and underneath it all, afraid. Then, almost before he’d finished processing, an overwhelming sense of relief. He hunted the source. Whoever she was, she was broadcasting loudly.

For him to receive it meant only one thing—his Heart’s Blood was near.

His cock hardened at the thought. A bloodmate, for him. But which one was she? As usual, a high percentage of tonight’s clientele were female. He scanned the crowd, lowered his shields until he locked onto the direction from where the emotions emanated.

There, near the bar on the second level.

A beautiful woman in a black, figure-hugging off the shoulder dress suddenly stood, pushed away from the counter, and strode determinedly toward the exit. It was her. Tariq couldn’t let her get away.



Reyna twisted and turned as she pushed her way to the exit. She kept her gaze averted to avoid accidentally making eye contact with anyone. She was congratulating herself on her success when she plowed into a massive, rock hard body.

“Excuse me,” she muttered, scowling as she tried to maneuver her way around him. Where’d he come from? The path had been clear a second ago.

A large hand clamped possessively on her elbow, halting her. “You want to dance with me.”

Reyna shivered as the deep voice went through her, causing her nipples to peak. Damn, a vampyr. Had to be. Despite the loud music, she heard him as clearly as if he’d spoken directly into her ear, except he’d never bent down and placed his mouth to it. Since her head was level with his chest, it had to be a display of vamp powers. She shook off the hint of compulsion embedded in his command.

“Actually, I don’t. I was just leaving.” Reyna yanked her arm free and as she did, the lighted dial of her watch swung into view. She still had seven minutes. She wouldn’t put it past Delaney and Caitlyn to be waiting outside to see if she’d stuck to the terms of their agreement.

“I insist.” He grabbed her forearm and began towing her towards the lighted dance floor.

High-handed bastard, she thought, glancing over her shoulder to see the exit grow further and further away.