The Stroke of Midnight: A Supernatural New Year's Anthology

by Amy Miles, Brandy Dorsch, Beth Dolgner, Bella Roccaforte, Connie Suttle, Danielle Bannister, F. F. McCulligan, Faith McKay, J. M. Gregoire, K. L. Brown, Kyra Dunst, Lola Rayne, Michael Siemsen, Susan Illene

  "Not a problem. Thanks and I am sorry about the door attacking you like that." She turns and heads into the room, letting the door shut behind her.

  Interesting little minx.

  ***

  Maggie leans back against the door and sighs. There is something about Lorenzo that leaves her aroused and breathless every time she's near him. Her grandmother would have called him her perfect mate. She always said that if you were so aroused by just being near someone that you couldn't breathe, you needed to make them yours. Maggie smiled at the thought of her frisky grandmother.

  "What's that happy grin for? Thinking of tackling the security boss and showing him your moves?"

  Maggie jumps at the voice and looks around. Noticing the attractive young woman lying on the couch in the corner, she stands up and heads toward her.

  "Hi, my name is Maggie."

  The woman swings her long legs down and pushes off the couch. Maggie watches as she tugs the drink uniform of bustier and skirt into place and meets her halfway. Stretching her hand out she shakes Maggie's and says, "I'm Mackenzie. Looks like I am doing your training tonight."

  "Thank you. Ellie has nothing but good things to say about you and Lorenzo, I mean Mr. Garcia as well."

  Mackenzie laughs. "Call him Lorenzo. All the folks that work here are on a first name basis. Did Ellie go over the dress code and conduct rules with you?"

  "Dress code, yes. Conduct rules?"

  Maggie follows behind Mackenzie toward the makeup and hair stations. Sitting down at the vanity that Mackenzie points to, she waits for her to elaborate.

  "The conduct rules are easy. Be respectful of the client and each other at all times. We are selling sensuality and desire at Everlasting. If there is any kind of problem, signal to security. Lorenzo or his boys are always watching out. It is their job to handle the situation. Yours is to be beautiful, sexy and tasty."

  "I think I can handle that."

  "Good. Did Ellie show you the time clock app for your phone?"

  Maggie nods as she pulls her phone out of her bag. "She helped me download it and set up my employee number."

  "Go ahead and clock in. The changing rooms are over there if you are modest or anywhere in here is fine. We kind of lose our modesty once we've been here a bit. You might want to darken your makeup a bit."

  "Lorenzo wanted me to come see him when I was done so we could go over security issues since I am training as a bartender as well."

  Mackenzie grins devilishly. "He wants to see you after you change? That man wants a drink, girl! Are you going to offer him one?"

  Maggie blushes deeply at the teasing from the other girl. "I might. I would rather my first drink as an employee be with someone I work with so I don't embarrass myself on the floor."

  "Makes sense to me. Head on down to his office and just meet me on the floor when you are ready. I'm going to go help Ellie get started on some of the decorating for the New Year's Eve party tomorrow night."

  Maggie watches as she heads out the door. Turning and looking at the woman in the mirror she murmurs, "Here is to the beginning of a new me."

  Chapter Four

  "Hey, Mackenzie! Come over here and hand me those lights."

  Mackenzie looked up at the voice calling her and is surprised to see Ellie hanging from the rafters of the club.

  "Don't you know that's what we are paying the party planner to do?"

  Ellie laughs as she comes down. "I know but it was driving me crazy. The party is tomorrow and I want to get it all started!"

  Rolling her eyes at Ellie's behavior she nudges her toward the bar. Pulling her onto one of the stools, she waves two fingers at the bartender.

  "So, I met Maggie."

  Ellie glances at her, "What do you think?"

  "I think she is a sexy girl and is going to fit in here nice with us. I also think that there is something brewing between her and Lorenzo. She was heading to his office after she changes. I told her he was going to ask her for a drink and she seemed intrigued by the idea. Does she know about Hunger Mates, El?

  "Yes, she does. We have talked about it before. She is an interesting person. She told me about her grandmother on her mom's side. Apparently this woman has talked about bonding and a mate, that's the term Maggie said she always used, to discuss the relationships in their family. I am beginning to think that there might be more to Maggie than we realized."

  "You think her family is supernatural?"

  Swallowing the drink that was set in front of her, Ellie shrugs. "I don't know but I think it will be interesting to see what happens with those two."

  ***

  Maggie tugs the corset up and laces it into place. With one more touchup of her makeup she steps back and looks in the mirror. Liking what she sees she pulls her hair up and pins it with chopsticks. She turns and heads out the door and down the stairs to Lorenzo's office.

  Coming to the door, she hesitates before knocking on the door.

  "Come in."

  Turning the handle she pushes open the door and steps through. "Do you have time to see me right now, sir?"

  Lorenzo looks up from the papers on his desk and is stunned at the beauty before him.

  "Yes, Maggie come on in. Have a seat and just give me a moment to clear this mess up a bit."

  Fidgeting slightly in the chair that he had pointed to, Maggie takes a deep breath.

  "Maggie, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

  Maggie looks up in surprise at the question. "Well, my name is Maggie Wilson. I just turned 23 and finished up my degree. I met Ellie a few months ago and we struck up a friendship. When I told her that I wanted to get out of retail to find something more fun and that would help pay off some of my loans she offered me a position here. I am interested in bartending because I like people and it looks like fun."

  "Do you have any family? Anyone that is going to be upset that you are stepping into the world of vampires or working in this bar?"

  Maggie tilts her head to the side in question. "I assume that you already ran a background check on me, right?"

  Lorenzo leans back in his chair before answering. "Yes, we did. However, I like to see people's faces when I ask them these questions to see if I get the same answers."

  Maggie nods at his response. "I get that. May I ask a question?"

  "Of course, Maggie."

  "The things I discuss here with you, do they stay between us? I understand that some things will be reported to Ian and Jasper but it won't become common knowledge among the employees, will it?"

  "No. I value discretion when it is warranted. The owners will be informed if it is needed but you can be assured of my discretion."

  "My family is aware that I am working here. We have known about vampires for a long time, longer than society has been in the know. They are supportive about it." Maggie laughs.

  Looking at her smiling, Lorenzo asks, "What's so funny about them being supportive?"

  Maggie shakes her head in amusement. "It's not that. When I was talking to my grandmother about Ellie's offer, she got so excited. She has been livelier in the past month than I have seen her in ages. She keeps talking about how I am going to meet my 'mate' and discover my destiny. I love her to death but she has been talking like that since I was a kid."

  "Do you know why?"

  "Yes, I do. She thinks that I am destined to be a mate to a vampire and change the world. Those were her words to me on my eighth birthday. My grandmother has been known to have visions. I am telling you this because as a vampire, I know you won't think that she's crazy. What she sees has been known to come true. I just think she's crazy when it comes to me."

  Standing, Lorenzo walks around the front of his desk and leans against it. "I don't think she is crazy. I think she knows exactly what she is talking about. What do you know about a prophecy?"

  Maggie looks up into his eyes and shakes her head in confusion. "What prophecy?"

  Lorenzo sits in the chair opposite of Maggie. Tu
rning the chair more towards her, he replies, "How about we start with an easier question? What do you know about witches?"

  Maggie takes a deep breath and ponders her answer. "I'm trusting you with something important to me, Lorenzo. My family is descended from a long line of women who were considered 'witches.' I am not fond of the term. It makes it sound like they stand around cauldrons brewing up spells and potions. That's not what it means it all. Magic flows in everyone and everything. For some it is a little closer to the surface. My family helps keep the balance with Mother Nature and the magic that we have access to. A few of the women like my grandmother; have had access to visions."

  "I would never abuse your trust, Maggie. Those of us who have been around for a while are familiar with the magic lines. The prophecy that I mentioned was given to Ian, Jasper and I a few hundred years ago. I think that it pertains to you and me. You remember the things that your grandmother has told you over the years, would you like to read it and give me your thoughts?"

  Maggie can feel the change in the air at his words. Sensing the power under her skin begin to flow, she knows what is about to happen. "Show me."

  Lorenzo pulls her around the desk and nudges her into the chair. Pulling up the word document for her, he steps back as she begins to read.

  Maggie can feel the desire racing through her body at being so close to this man. It seems like the longer she is in his presence the more she wants to have him do naughty things to her.

  Sitting back in his chair after reading the prophecy, Maggie weighs her words carefully.

  "Before I tell you my thoughts, may I ask you a few questions?"

  Lorenzo leans against the corner of his desk, "Of course."

  "Are you a bonded mate?"

  "No."

  "Are you confidant that you are the man in the vision that the Seer showed you?"

  "Why would you use that word, Maggie?"

  Sighing deeply she answers, "That is what we call the women in my family that have access to the magic. They see things that others don't so we prefer Seer instead of witch."

  "Then my answer is yes. I believe that I am that man. I also believe that you are my mate. I have felt drawn to you since the moment that you hit me with the door."

  Maggie stands and moves closer to him.

  Tugging her to stand between his legs, he leans forward as he whispers, "We can have forever…"

  Feeling the warmth pooling between her thighs, she runs her hands up his chest and places her palms flat against the broad expanse of muscle at eyelevel.

  "This is a lot to take in, Lorenzo. I need a little time to work out what all this means."

  Staring into the eyes of the woman he knows he is going to spend forever with he answers, "Time is something we have plenty of."

  Stepping out of his embrace Maggie inhales and struggles to put her emotions in check.

  "I am going to the floor so I can get started with Mackenzie. I'll see you later."

  Chapter Five

  Heading back up to the main bar floor, Maggie detours to the employee lounge when her phone starts ringing with a familiar ringtone.

  "Gran, don't you think that 'Witchy Woman' by the Eagles is a little cliché?"

  "No, my love; I find it hilarious that it gets you riled up." Maggie smiles at the woman on the other end of the line. Her gran always knows what to say to make her laugh. Pushing open the door to the lounge, she walks in and sits down on the couch.

  "Gran, something happened today."

  "I know, dear. You met him, didn't you? I had a feeling it was going to be happening soon."

  "I am not questioning your crazy right now, Gran. I just need to know what I should do. His name is Lorenzo and he is the security officer here at the club. I'm attracted to him. It's like you always talked about. The warmth under my skin is intoxicating and it sings when I am near him."

  "That is the draw of the mate, my love. This is a good thing. It is a day to celebrate. When do we get to meet him? Have you thought of a wedding day?"

  "Whoa, Gran! We barely met and you're planning a wedding? We haven't even kissed yet!"

  "I raised my girls better than that! When it is something that you want with all your heart and it isn't going to hurt anyone, you go after it!"

  Laughing at the thought of her spirited little gran getting worked up, Maggie answers, "I plan on it. I was going to call you today because I need to ask you something. What do you know about the prophecy?"

  Silence rings out on the other end of the line and for a moment Maggie wonders if she dropped the call.

  "Child, are you telling me that you are the woman in the prophecy?"

  "According to Lorenzo, I am. He was given the prophecy on a battlefield along with my bosses. He says he knew I was his mate from the moment he met me."

  "That's very possible. Most vampires know or at least have an inkling of who their mate is at the beginning. There are a few that struggle with the bonding but there are reasons behind that. This is the part of the vision that I was not given access to, Maggie."

  "What do you mean, Gran?"

  "I have seen you meet your mate and I saw the connection made with him. I have glimpsed enough of your future with him to know that you are happy but there were blank spots in my visions. I chalked it up to getting older but I think these are a direct relation to the prophecy."

  "Does that mean that I should take a chance on him or walk away?"

  "My dear girl, if there is one thing that I hope you manage to learn from me; it is that you never turn your back on love. Lorenzo is a special man and your life will change. You will have to make choices you never thought you would have to and those decisions will have consequences. My question to you is this; would you rather have a life of ordinary or a forever of unimaginable?"

  "Gran, you know my answer to that question. You taught me well. I have to go to work now. I am sure they are looking for me."

  "I love you, Maggie. I have seen beauty and happiness in your future."

  "I love you too, Gran. Bye."

  Moving off the couch she heads to her locker and puts the phone in her bag. A quick touchup to her hair and makeup and she heads out to find Mackenzie.

  Chapter Six

  "I am stunned at the tips we made last night."

  Maggie glances at the woman in the next booth. "Aren't most of your nights like that?"

  Laughing in delight, Mackenzie answers, "I wish! Don't get me wrong, we make awesome tips here but I was a little surprised at how good they were. I think you are going to be good for my credit card bills."

  Turning back to the mirror to finish her makeup she replies, "I am just happy to be making some strides on my student loans. How did I do last night on the floor?"

  "You did great. I know you have been to the club so you knew how things worked, but it's always different when you are the Drink. A lot of the regulars were impressed at how beautiful you are out there. I did notice that security kept an eye on you," Mackenzie said with a devilish grin.

  "Funny. If you are talking about Lorenzo, well, he believes that we are mates."

  "Damn! I was wondering how long it would take for him to make his move!"

  Maggie and Mackenzie both turn to see a grinning Ellie coming through the lounge door.

  "If it's one thing that I have learned from working here and being with the boys, it's that they move quickly. That and no is not in their vocabulary. Has he had a drink yet?"

  Maggie watches as Ellie curls up on the couch behind them with a coffee mug in her hands. "No, he hasn't. I wanted a little bit of time to think through some things and talk to my gran before I made any decisions."

  Both women look at her as Mackenzie asks, "What did you decide?"

  "Forever is too long to be without love."

  Ellie leans forward with a serious look on her face. "Do you have any questions about Hunger Mates?"

  "Actually I do. I know how the bonding works. I get that it is a mutual drinking and that doesn't
bother me, I've had blood before. I also get the whole death scene but I don't fear death so I am not even worried about that. I know that you and Jasper can speak to each other in your minds but don't you and Ian have that capability? I know the guys don't have a problem with jealousy but you were human. How do you deal with them making love to other women and drinking from them? I would think that it would be heartbreaking."

  Sighing deeply, Ellie leans against the leather couch. "I think a lot of women would be insecure or feel like a slut. I know my relationship with the boys was fast and almost out of control. Ian and I thought we were bonding but then things with Jasper spiraled into play. I don't regret anything and neither do they. The bond works the way that it is supposed to. Who am I to gainsay magic? I can only tell you that it always felt right. I had been in relationships that had broken me but I felt complete, powerful and in control of my life when I was with them. I can't imagine not having both of them in my world. The sex with others doesn't bother me either. I know that in modern literature vamps are monogamous but blood and sex go hand in hand in our world and I need both to survive. Why should I feel guilty because I enjoy the same perks they do? I am not held to the same moral fiber that I would have been as a human and that is the difference. I am vampire and I don't care what anyone thinks of me or how I live my life with my boys."

  Mackenzie claps, "Way to go, Ellie! Tell it like it is."

  Ellie laughs. "Does that help, Maggie?"

  "Yes, it does. I should not feel ashamed for being attracted to Lorenzo or that fact that I love being a Drink. It's my life and my choice to make. Now let's go find some drinks and start celebrating a new year and a new life!"

  ***

  "Wow, Ellie! The club looks amazing. You and the planners know how to throw one helluva New Year's Eve Party." Maggie turns in a slow circle looking at all of the celebrities, pseudo-celebs and guests that are having a great time at Everlasting.

  "I feel like I have found myself on the cover of People magazine or something,"