Ways in the Guardian: A Menage Romance Book Collection

by Barbara Downey

  “Simon, wake up.” Leola's voice was barely a hiss.

  Vampire's didn't 'wake' not the way human's did. There were no hazy moments between dreams and reality. One moment they were gone, just bodies lying on a bed, the next they were there, aware and ready for the night.

  It wasn't night, not yet. It was a sunny winter afternoon in South Carolina. A single ray of sunlight peaked out from the edge of one of the heavy curtains, spilling across her least favorite chair.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “I heard something.”

  He didn't argue. They slid from the bed, careful to avoid waking Caleb. Two bites into his transition, he wouldn't wake until there were explosions going off. She carefully settled the blanket around him to keep him warm before her and Simon went to investigate.

  At first it seemed like nothing, that she had perhaps imagined a sound. The house was just as it should be. The many windows closed to shut out the daylight, all the lights from the Christmas decorations were casting their cheerful glow. Nothing seemed out of place.

  Then the whisper of a bullet roared through the room. Leola ducked, Simon didn't. He crumpled behind her as she dove behind a couch. Another bullet followed her, but missed. It came from a different angle, there were at least two other people here. She couldn't see them, but she could sense them. She could hear their hearts, far steadier than they should have been, moving through the house. They weren't staying, they were moving deeper into the house.

  Simon crawled behind her. There was no blood, but she could tell that he was hurting.

  “Blessed bullets,” he whispered.

  “Hunters.” Leola tugged him after her. “Do you think...oh God...Caleb.”

  A sudden understanding tore through her. There were Hunters in her home. Simon dug at his shoulder, seeking the holy bullet. She could smell the scent of his flesh burning as he plucked the bit of metal out of his body and tossed it to the ground. His arm hung uselessly at his side.

  “We have to get to Caleb.”

  He nodded. “I'm right behind you.”

  Simon and Leola started to run for the bedroom, putting every ounce of supernatural speed that they possessed into the movements. It wasn't as fast as a shape-shifter, but it was faster than human.

  Then she heard the distinct hum of her automatic windows opening. Light poured into the room. She screamed and flung herself away from it. Her toes were caught in the brilliant rays, and she felt them start to burn.

  “Go, Leola, go!” Simon called.

  She tried, she tried to move, but the pain was snaking up her legs. It hurt, it hurt so bad. She stumbled and fell bodily into the light. Simon leaned over her and pulled her from the ground.

  “Simon, they are here for Caleb.”

  “I know,” he whispered. “Come on, Queen. Protect your people.”

  That shook her. He was right. Caleb was hers. He wasn't a full vampire yet, but he was, in every way that mattered, hers. A new emotion flooded through her body. One leg moved, and then the other, again and again as she made it down the hall.

  The bedroom was still blissfully dark. A man, who looked too similar to Caleb to be anything but his father was hefting Caleb out of the bed. A woman, petite and pretty, had a gun leveled at Leola's chest.

  “Stay back, vampire-bitch.” The woman's voice was cold and flat.

  “You have no right to be here,” Leola spat. “We've done nothing wrong.”

  “Turning someone against their will is wrong.”

  “It's not against his will,” Simon panted. “You can't take him; he will die without the last bite.”

  “He's going to die no matter what.”

  Simon shoved Leola forward an instant before the gun went off. The second holy bullet was better placed than the first and took him in the center of his chest. If it got him in the heart, he'd be dead.

  “Simon!” Leola screamed as his body crumpled to the floor. “Simon, no!”

  “Leola?” Caleb's voice was thick with sleep. “Leola, what's wrong?”

  “They shot Simon.”

  Simon wasn't moving, she couldn't even feel him. He was dying and she knew it.

  “Hmm?”

  “Shut up, son.”

  “Dad? What...what's going on?”

  Caleb tried to push against his father, but his arms were weak from the transition.

  “They are trying to take you away, Caleb.”

  “Don't....don't,” Caleb grunted, pushing against his father. It was a pitiful thing to see such a strong man fight so weakly. Still, Caleb wasn't an idiot. He was smarter than his slow draw intimated. She watched a flicker of understanding run across his features. He stopped fighting. He let his body sag suddenly. The sudden shift in weight had his father toppling. His mother glanced to the side. That was all Leola needed.

  She sprang. Her wounded feet were screaming in pain, but she ignored it. She wasn't a meek woman. She was Queen here, and no one hurt her people without recompense.

  She slammed her bulk into the smaller woman. Grabbing the gun and flinging it behind her with enough force that she knew it was broken. With her unarmed she sprang again, scrambling over the bed towards Caleb's father who had let his son fall to the ground. He was leveling his own weapon at her and she smacked it from his hands.

  “You dare come into my home and seek to hurt my people?” she demanded.

  “He's our son.”

  He tried to swing at her, but she ducked out of his reach. “Then where have you been for months? Why are you hurting him now?”

  “You're killing him.”

  She grabbed his wrists and felt the small bones beneath her fingers. She clamped her hands down and shove them both back towards the wall.

  “I'm saving him you fool.”

  She shoved him again, this time hard enough that the wall started to give. He fought her, kicking out with his legs, trying to shove her back. But it didn't matter. Her hands slid up to his neck. He had hurt her people and rage fueled her. Everything took on a red haze. Her hands synched tighter and she felt his body start to weaken.

  “Lies!”

  She'd forgotten about the mother. Small hands wrapped around Leola's neck and hauled her backwards. It was more surprise and the sudden movements that had Leola stumbling.

  She snapped her jaws and shoved herself backwards, sending both her and the smaller woman to the floor. She let the bulk of her weight land on the woman's middle, and felt the air go out of her assailant's lungs. She went limp beneath her.

  “Stop,” Caleb's voice was so soft she barely heard it. His hand went to her shoulder. “Stop.”

  His eyes were dull copper and misty. He ran his fingers down her arm.

  “They hurt you.”

  “I'm okay.”

  He wasn't, they both knew it. She crawled towards him and wrapped her arms around him. His parents weren't moving, but neither was Simon.

  “What do we do?” Caleb asked.

  “What any law abiding citizen does with a home invasion. We call the police.”

  *****

  New Year's was for jazz. The slow steady thrum of it wafted over the Eros Club, filling Leola's world with the hazy and the delightful. His gown was saxophone gold and it shimmered with her every step.

  “My Queen.” Arik stood there with a list of things that she needed to attend to. It was her first night out since two rogue Hunters had attacked her house, and the men she loved. It was strange how death and pain could make you admit to things you didn't fully understand.

  “What is it, Arik?”

  His gold hair fell over his mirrored shade as he looked down at a handwritten list. “I know that this week was hard for you, but there are things that need to be attended to.”

  “As far as I can tell, Arik, there are always things that need to be attended to.”

  “Yes but-”

  She held up one hand, and let the pain fill her voice as she said, “Arik, I suffered a great loss this Christmas.”


  “Yes, I realize that but-”

  “Don't let her fool you, boy-o. That rug was ugly to start with, and she loved buying a new one.”

  Leola felt a slender familiar arm wrap around her back. Simon leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

  “Do what needs doing love, I'm not going anywhere.”

  She glanced up at him. “You always go somewhere.”

  He ran his fingers over her hip. “Not this time.”

  So she handled it. She went through all of Arik's notes and made decisions.

  “And finally we have the shipping documentation.”

  “Arik, your diligence is commendable, but it is less than five minutes before midnight, go find someone to kiss.”

  She waved him away and looked around.

  “Looking for me?” asked a soft slow drawl.

  He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and he looked just perfect. When he smiled his fangs showed. That was alright, he'd learn to hide them.

  “Maybe.”

  Leola wrapped her arms around Caleb's neck. He swirled her towards the dance floor as the music shifted to something slower.

  “You saved my life, you know.”

  “I know.”

  “I love you.”

  She smiled. “I know that too.”

  He kissed her softly and she didn't even hear when they started counting down the seconds to a new year.

  THE END

  See the next bonus story at the next page!

  4 of 25 Bonus Stories

  The Choice

  It was a bright, sunny day after a long spell of rain and misery, and it seemed as though everyone in the city had come out to enjoy the weather. Stephanie sat on a warm bench in the park and watched two small children play with a dog. She smiled and turned her face skywards, relishing the feeling of the sunlight gently kissing her face. “Hey, sunshine princess,” a voice called out mockingly, “let’s get back to work.” Her friend Natasha walked over to her, carrying two ice cream cones. She handed one to Stephanie and licked the other so it wouldn’t drip off the side, sitting down next to her. “Can’t we just enjoy the weather? All the rain was driving me crazy,” Stephanie whined. Natasha shook her head and said, “I actually happen to love rain; also, don’t let the sun distract you from your employment status. Come on, I went online and printed out all the available listings, keeping in mind that you have no experience and barely any skills or talent.”

  Stephanie rolled her eyes and took the folded paper that Natasha handed to her, “Thanks- you’re a real friend.” She unfolded the paper and peered at it as she licked the ice cream cone; there were plenty of listings that Stephanie knew weren’t right for her, but she feigned an interest simply because she knew Natasha wouldn’t leave it alone. “This one sounds cool,” she said, picking one at random and Natasha looked where she was pointing, nodding enthusiastically. “Yeah that would be perfect for you- bartender at the Stratford Country Club.” Stephanie frowned…bartender? But she didn’t say anything, hoping they would move past the topic of jobs so she could just relax and have a nice time with her best friend. “Great, now that we’ve sorted your job problem, let’s fix your love life.”

  Stephanie stood up and said, “I’m going to go far away and enjoy this beautiful day on my own if you don‘t shut the hell up right now.” Natasha laughed and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back down as she said, “Alright, alright- I won’t say anything else about jobs or men. I promise.” Stephanie finished off her ice cream cone and then said, “Do you really think I’d make a good bartender?” Natasha smiled and said, “It’s not a sleazy bartender gig, I mean it’s a country club, so you’ll be making drinks by the pool for rich old ladies.” Stephanie nodded and then closed her eyes, focusing on the pleasant warmth in the air. The two of them stayed in the park until Natasha had to leave for a date, and Stephanie walked home alone, thinking about how she hadn’t been on a date in over a year.

  Stephanie just didn’t put herself out there as much as Natasha did and sometimes she was afraid that she couldn’t. Where Natasha was tall and graceful with her long, tanned legs and tiny waist, Stephanie felt short and dumpy. When people saw her, they often used words like

  “curvy” and “voluptuous”, but Stephanie often wondered if they were just euphemisms for “fat”. The sun seemed to disappear and grey clouds rolled in. A couple walking past her said, “Looks like it’s about to rain again,” before running off to find shelter. Sure enough, within seconds the heavens seemed to open up and soaked Stephanie as she plodded towards home. She pushed her wet, dark brown hair out of her eyes and fumbled in her pocket for her keys, unlocking the door and letting herself into her empty apartment.

  She emptied her pockets and found something squishy inside. Feeling grossed out, she pulled it out and realized it was the piece of paper Natasha had handed her. She unfolded it to find that the ink had started to run, but the number was still readable and she quickly dialed it on her phone. She meant to save it, but accidentally called it instead and before she realized what was happening, someone had answered. “Hello, Stratford Country Club, how may I help you?” She cursed herself before pressing the phone to her ear and timidly saying, “Hi, I’m calling about the bartender opening.” There was a pause before the voice said, “Yes, may I have your name please?” She gave her name and contact details and hoped they would tell her that they already had someone for the position, but instead they said, “Great, can you come in for a test?” Stephanie frowned, “Test?” she repeated. The woman on the line laughed and said, “Yes, we just want to see if you would gel with our customers and how well you can serve behind the bar.”

  Stephanie knew that it was a good thing to get her life in order, agreeing with Natasha about the urgency of needing employment but she still felt miserable at the prospect of starting this job. Maybe I’m just a miserable person, she thought to herself as she stepped into the shower, trying to get the rain water out of her hair. She put a copious amount of soap on her body, feeling her large hips and breasts and wondering if she would ever meet someone who would help her feel less self-conscious about her body. She stepped out and wrapped a towel around herself, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. Ever since she had graduated from college, she didn’t feel like herself. It was the same face- the same almond shaped brown eyes and the same small nose and the same thick lips- but something was different. She felt older, somehow, and less happy. She dressed herself in warm, thick clothes and made a cup of coffee, which she nursed in her hands as she walked into the living room and turned on the TV. It’s the damn weather- it’s making me feel like shit. She flipped through a few channels and then tossed the remote aside, deciding that from tomorrow onwards she would start making more of an effort.

  *****

  “So this is the bar; see, it overlooks the pool so you’ll have a nice view.” The woman who was showing her around the country club had introduced herself as Elizabeth, and she was so smiling brightly that Stephanie wondered if her face hurt. Stephanie nodded and then Elizabeth said, “So you’ll be behind this bar and when customers come and order their drinks and such we’ll ask them to review you and see how you do.” Stephanie smiled and then Elizabeth said, “Oh, and dear, this is a country club, you shouldn’t dress like that; maybe wear something more fun like polo shirts and shorts, or sun dresses?” Elizabeth walked away as Stephanie looked down at her skirt suit and felt ridiculous. She got behind the bar and took off her jacket, feeling a little better. From behind the bar, only her sleeveless blouse was visible, and she looked much more dressed down.

  She waited for someone to approach her, but nobody did. She looked around; there were a couple of older women sunbathing by the pool and a few little kids splashing in the shallow end. She was sweating her makeup off and was in the middle of tying up her hair when someone said, “Hi.” She glanced up and nearly fell off her stool as she saw who was speaking; it was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. He had black hair that hung till the
nape of his neck and piercing green eyes. “H-Hi,” Stephanie stammered, “What- what can I get you?” The man smiled and Stephanie felt herself go weak in the knees. “Are you new? I think I would have remembered a face like yours.” Stephanie fought hard the urge to giggle like a little girl and said, “Yeah, it’s my first day here.”

  He smiled one of his desperately charming smiles again and said, “I’m Nate,” extending a hand. She took it, feeling very hot and bothered as she said, “Stephanie, pleased to meet you.” Nate laughed and said, “Oh, trust me, the pleasure is mine.” His eyes slid from her face to her bare rounded shoulders and then to her large breasts. “I’ll have a rum and coke please,” he said, and Stephanie slid off her stool and turned around, still feeling his eyes on her as she poured him a drink. She handed the drink to him and he took the glass, resting his fingertips on hers for a second before he winked and then left, heading towards the pool. She watched him as he settled into a deck chair and sipped his drink leisurely. She fanned herself with a menu lying on the bar and wondered if there was any more where he came from.

  As the day wore on, many others came to the bar and Stephanie found herself so busy she didn’t even have time to crane her neck and check on Nate. She wondered if he was thinking about her as much as she was thinking about him. Late in the afternoon, Elizabeth came to check on Stephanie and asked her how she was getting on. Stephanie handed a vodka and tonic to one elderly man and smiled as another man ordered a piña colada. She said, “Hi, Elizabeth; I think everything is going okay, um, I’m gonna get back to work though; there are so many customers.” Elizabeth nodded, dumbfounded; the poolside bar had never been this popular before and she wondered whether a curvy new bartender had anything to do with the number of men crowding up the bar.

  The sun was setting as Elizabeth came to see Stephanie again and said, “Good work today, all the customers were very pleased.” Stephanie smiled and thanked Elizabeth as she said, “Well, I guess you can start regularly from tomorrow. Why don’t you meet me in the café in a few minutes and we’ll go over your package details?” Stephanie nodded and donned her jacket, letting herself out from behind the bar. She was looking for the café when she bumped into someone. “Excuse me,” she said, feeling embarrassed, but the person she bumped into said, “No, please; it was my fault.” Stephanie looked up to find herself staring at a terribly handsome man. He looked older than her and seemed very distinguished with his well-groomed sandy hair and bright blue eyes. “Are you a member here?” he asked, glancing at her skirt suit and Stephanie said, “I’m-” she paused, not wanting to say that she was bartender and simply said, “I’m new; my name is Stephanie.”