Blood Casino: Vampires & Vices No. 1

by Nina Walker

  Also, not exactly lying because I did like that part.

  My words cause the reaction I was hoping for. Pure unfiltered jealousy creases his brow and fires up his eyes. It ignites something primal in me. Before I can react, he jumps to his feet and stalks away. I guess this is his way of not wanting to show me his true feelings, but it’s too late, I already know what I saw. Meanwhile, Kenton is busy laughing his head off from the sidelines.

  I get up and brush myself off, ready to go another round, when Seth shows up.

  “Evangeline, can I speak to you about something?”

  His request catches me by surprise, but I decide to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Also, I don’t want to look as guilty as I feel today.

  “Sure. Here?” I nod toward the mat. “Wanna talk while we spar?”

  “No, let’s go somewhere more private.”

  I follow him back up the stairs and into one of the smaller classrooms. We turn to face each other. I almost expect him to tell me to back off Felix, and I’m prepared to lay out all the reasons why it’s none of his business who I date. Of course, I know that’s a load of crap considering he’s the leader of our little novice team.

  “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” He levels me with that all-seeing gaze of his, and I try to appear causal.

  “What’s up?”

  He studies me and it feels like he’s looking into my soul or something. Geez, this guy is so freaking intense for only being twenty years old. “That night at the party when you tracked that vampire from Kenton’s fraternity house all the way into the city . . .”

  “Yes?” I let out a little breath.

  “How did you do that?”

  This isn’t what I expected. In fact, I hadn’t given much thought to that night since it happened. I’ve been so busy. “I don’t know,” I shrug, “I just did it.”

  “You have no idea how you were able to do that?” He’s skeptical. “I wish I was there to see it for myself. Kenton and Felix told me about what happened. Felix has been going on and on about it. ”

  I shrug again and realize that’s what Felix was talking about earlier. He’s been upset because I ditched him to track that vamp. “I don’t really know how I did it. The sucker pissed me off, I knew he was a threat, and when he ran, I followed him. It was like I just sensed where he was. Hunter’s instinct, I guess.”

  He frowns. “Instinct?”

  “Well, I don’t know what else to call it.” But now that he brings it up, it is kind of odd. I thought it was normal but now I realize it’s anything but normal. People can’t just track vampires like that. So, why me?

  “Do you have any idea where Tate could be? Do you think you could track him, too?”

  I try to keep my face clear of any guilt I feel when I think about Tate and shake my head. “I don’t know if it was a one time thing with that particular vampire, but I don’t have any idea where Tate is or any kind of instinct as to where to look. I’m just as worried about his disappearance as you are.”

  And for more reasons than I’ll admit.

  “Okay.” He nods once. “Well, if you think of anything, or if anything else comes up, will you let me know?”

  “Sure thing, boss.” I don’t say it sarcastically, but maybe he takes it that way because he frowns.

  “I didn’t choose to be the group leader, you know. Tate assigned me.”

  “Tate’s a smart man.” I pat him on the shoulder. “I’m sure you’re a great leader.”

  He hums to himself and frowns. “Actually, I don’t think I have been the best leader. I’m sorry I haven’t been more welcoming to you. I’ll do better.”

  “I definitely wasn’t expecting you to say that, but I’ll take it.” I try to hug him but he escapes me by ducking under my arms and makes a break for the door.

  “Baby steps, Eva,” he deadpans, and I snort.

  We go back downstairs with the others and train like we normally do, all the while wondering about Leslie Tate’s disappearance and what that might mean for our futures.

  A couple days later and things have almost returned to normal, except for the fact that Tate’s still MIA. I’m back to getting rides to and from hunter practice with Felix and the guys whenever Felix has availability. Sometimes they have lacrosse practice that intervenes with our gym time, and I hate those days, because I hate to train by myself. I’m so used to doing things independently, that this feels different and special. I like that I’m not all alone in this thing. Being on a team has become a lifeline.

  Felix has dropped his attitude and I suspect Seth has something to do with that. Today I’m sitting in the front and sneaking glances at the boy whom I’ve had a not-so-secret crush on for ages. He’s still as gorgeous as ever. He’s still this mysterious code I’m dying to crack. He’s still fun and alluring. But… but I’m starting to get tired of waiting for him to make a move. I deserve someone who wants me as much I want them.

  I know, shocker, right? This is what Ayla’s been preaching to me forever, and it’s what I’ve believed too, but I still couldn’t shut my feelings off. Maybe it’s time I find the switch and stop worrying about him like that. I have enough going on without having to add a complicated romantic relationship to the mix.

  The thought makes me a little sad, but a little relieved at the same time.

  Mostly sad.

  When we pull up to the duplex, my entire body goes cold.

  “The door is open,” I croak.

  Felix and the guys are out of the car in all of two seconds flat. I follow behind as we quietly creep up to the duplex. Sure enough, our front door has been kicked clear off the hinges. It lays in our tiny living room, parts of the painted red wood splintered across the beige carpet.

  Chapter 19

  Seth points to Kenton and he takes off to run the perimeter of the house. Then he and Felix escort me inside.

  Our stuff is everywhere––literally everywhere––and tossed about like trash. A couple of our kitchen cabinets have been kicked in. Our round hallway mirror is smashed in the middle, splintering out like spiderwebs. I catch my stunned face in the reflection, a fractured image of a girl I can hardly recognize.

  Something’s happened to Mom. I’m sure of it.

  We edge along the hallway into her room, but she isn’t there. It only takes a few more minutes to case the rest of the tiny two bedroom duplex and realize she’s not here at all. Am I too late? Is she dead somewhere?

  “Mom?” I call out, helpless.

  Silence.

  At least there doesn’t seem to be anyone else here, namely whoever destroyed my house.

  “I’m going to call her,” I croak and then dial her number. To my surprise, she answers right away.

  “Evangeline, baby,” her voice is breathy, like she’s been running. “I was just about to call you.”

  “Mom, what happened? Have you been home? The house is a disaster. Were we robbed?” My mind starts racing, imagining her hurt. “Do we need to call the police?”

  “No!” she barks out. “Do not call the police.”

  “Mom, what’s going on?”

  “Listen, baby, I did something stupid.” She goes silent. “I’m okay though. I wasn’t there when they came to the house, but––”

  “Mom! What did you do?”

  “I borrowed some money from the wrong people, that’s all. I’ll pay them back. I’m working on it, but in the meantime I’m hiding out with a buddy, and you should hide out, too, okay? Go stay with Ayla.”

  I’m shaking. Shaking with fear. Shaking with rage. I want to yell at her that Ayla isn’t even in the state anymore, but then I have to remember that this addiction isn’t all entirely Mom’s fault, even though it certainly feels like it right now. I still don’t believe Adrian when he said they don’t compel people because they don’t need to. Maybe I’m looking for the best in people instead of looking for the truth.

  “Are you okay?” Felix places a gentle hand on my shoulder.


  I don’t know what to say. He carefully removes the phone from my hand and finishes up the conversation with my mom before hanging up.

  “You’re coming to stay at my parent’s house,” he says, “you can take Ayla’s room. It’s fine. My parents will be happy to have you. They’ve been super weird about being empty nesters anyway.”

  My face has got to be candy apple red by now. I don’t know if I’ve ever been more embarrassed, which certainly doesn’t make the anger or fear feel any better. While Felix tells Kenton and Seth what’s going on, I go to my room to pack up what I can from the mess of my things. I don’t have much to begin with, but a lot of my stuff has been destroyed by whoever is after my mom. Tears burn my eyes and stream down my face but I force myself to work through them anyway.

  Once I’m all done, I go to the air conditioner vent where I’ve got my sock of money hidden away, but when I reach inside, there’s nothing there.

  Of course, it’s gone. What did I expect? The whole house is a mess, they probably took anything of value and whatever money they could find. It’s not like a vent is the most original hiding spot. I want to scream, to riot, to find whoever stole that money and demand it back. But I know it’s hopeless. There was only a grand left in the sock but I was counting on that money. I should’ve put it in the bank. I should’ve been smarter.

  “What happened here?” I recognize Mrs. Maybee’s shrill voice and cane thumping against the floor from the duplex entrance. My heart sinks. And as usual, I’m the one who has to fix this with the landlady. Just great.

  I wipe away my tears and go out to the living room. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Maybee,” I say. “I’ll clean this up.”

  “Where’s your mom?” Her face is scrunched up like a prune.

  “Umm––I don’t exactly know but she’s safe.”

  “Were you robbed?” She thumps her cane against the floor to emphasize each word. Her face is no longer a prune and has turned ghost white.

  I should lie, I know I should, but I freeze up and don’t say anything.

  “Get out,” she finally snaps. “Just get your things and get out. Consider this your eviction notice!”

  I don’t know if she can legally do that because it’s not like we’re late on rent anymore and we still have plenty of time left on our lease, but I’m not going to stick around for her to call the cops and try to deal with this legally. If Mom is worried about the police then there must be a reason. Whoever she owes can’t be happy with her. This isn’t my mess, it’s hers, but once again, here I am trying to clean it up.

  “Now!” Mrs. Maybee growls.

  Mortified, I glare at the woman but pick up my duffle bag and scurry from my house, the guys at my side.

  “And don’t bother coming back,” she yells after me. “I’m fixing the door, changing the lock, and using your security deposit to repair these damages.”

  “You could fight her on it,” Seth says, “there are laws to protect you in these situations.”

  “I’m sure there are laws to protect her, too,” I reply, dejected, thinking about all the damages. “But it’s a moot point considering my mom has taken off and my name isn’t on the lease.”

  “It’s going to be fine.” Felix wraps an arm around my shoulder and leads me back to his SUV. He’s trying to be nice, but even he can’t make everything better. I’ve lived in that duplex for four years, and before that, in an apartment building a few streets over. This neighborhood is my home, my stomping grounds, and now what? Now I crash at Ayla’s? Felix isn’t even living there anymore now that school’s started. And last I’d heard from Ayla, her parents are trying to make sense of their new life as empty nesters by remodeling a bunch of stuff. They’re talking about turning her room into the guest room and have started transforming Felix’s into a home gym. Ayla’s been sending her mom mock-ups and helping them design everything. Who am I to come in and ruin their grand plans? I’m going to have to figure something else out. And in the meantime, Mom is heaven knows where, with heaven knows who, and loan sharks are after her.

  My life is a mess, but I’m not going to cry about it anymore. I hate crying. I’m going to fix it. It was the last of Adrian’s money that I had stashed in that vent, over a thousand dollars now gone. Luckily everything I’ve been saving for a car is still in my bank account. I’ll just have to use that money to find an apartment rental instead and keep taking the bus and bumming for rides.

  When we get to the Moreno house, Felix runs inside to discuss the situation with his parents. Not surprisingly, his mom Yanet comes out to usher me into their home like I’m their long lost child and there’s nothing they’d rather do than take care of me.

  “Eva, honey,” she says, pulling me into a warm squishy mom-hug. “I’ve always thought of you as a second daughter anyway. Don’t even worry for one second.” She’s the middle-aged version of her kids. The whole family looks like gorgeous Cuban cookie cutters of each other. I sink into her for a second and then we’re walking into the house.

  “You don’t know where your mom is?” She glances around, as if looking for something or someone. Who am I kidding? Of course, she’s worried. My mom is an idiot and people are after her. They could be watching us right now. Yanet has to be wondering if her house is a new target.

  “I’m sorry,” my voice cracks, “she won’t tell me where she is but she sounds okay.”

  “Well, that’s a good sign.” I can tell she doesn’t believe her own words. “Come inside.”

  Yanet begins cooking dinner for our crew, and while they all hunker down on the couch to watch football, I go lay on Ayla’s bed and begin searching online for rooms to rent but don’t find anything. I was hoping maybe someone would need a roommate near the college, but it’s looking like it’s too late and everything is filled.

  I could stay here. I could use the Moreno’s generosity until my mom shows up with a solution. But what if we bring trouble to their doorstep? Whoever is after my mom could decide to use me as collateral to get her out of hiding. I can’t risk their safety. I would never forgive myself if something happened to anyone in this household. I shouldn’t even be here at all.

  My bag is still packed.

  I open the window, toss the bag with everything I own onto the lawn, and crawl out, leaving the comforting smell of Yanet’s signature arroz con pollo dinner and the cozy feeling of family behind.

  Chapter 20

  “Back so soon?” Kelli raises a perfectly groomed eyebrow from where she sits at her receptionist desk. She sniffs the air and cringes. “Humans really should shower everyday, you know.”

  “Is your boss in?” I drop the duffle bag at my feet and rub my aching shoulder. “I need to talk to him. It’s important.” And yeah, I wanted to shower after practice, but things took an unfortunate turn, none of which is Kelli’s business. I totally want to punch the nasty smirk off her perfect face but I’m not going to fall for the bait.

  She rolls her eyes and sighs dramatically, like it’s such an imposition to do her job. “Is he expecting you?”

  “I know you don’t like me, Kelli,” I snap. “But I’ve had a hell of a day and I’m not going to put up with your attitude. Just get me Adrian.”

  She stands and her fangs extend. “Do you know who you’re talking to, little girl?”

  Maybe I should feel fear, but I don’t. I have a stake strapped to my stomach under my baggy t-shirt and I could end her if I wanted. Of course, that would be the end of me too considering where I am right now. And anyway, I’m tired, I don’t want to fight her. I just want to get Adrian’s help. That’s it.

  But dang, I’m in a pissy mood. I can’t help myself.

  “I said please. Are you his receptionist or not?”

  “Executive assistant,” she growls. “There’s a difference.”

  “Oh, so you pick up his dry cleaning as well as answer his phone? My bad.”

  A dark voice chuckles.

  “Two things,” Adrian’s voice cuts through the
tension and I turn to see him standing not a foot behind me. I didn’t even sense his approach. He holds up a finger and whispers low in my ear. “First, you’re foolish to bring a stake in here. If a vampire catches you with one of those, you’re dead.” He leans back.

  Note to self: the vamps must not have the amazing hearing I assumed they did. Or maybe that’s only for when they’re hunting? Or maybe he wanted to whisper in my ear for dramatic effect and Kelli heard every word. Whatever it is, I don’t ask.

  “And second,” he says aloud, “you two need to get along.”

  Kelli scoffs.

  “Because you both work for me now.”

  I elbow him in the stomach and then immediately regret it because I hit my funny bone and it burns like a mother. “Ouch!” Kelli laughs as I lean over and try not to cry. His chest is hard as rock, no exaggeration. Vampires are too strong for their own good. Also, how does he always know when I have a stake? The man is too good at spotting them. Maybe that’s why he’s managed to stay alive for so long.

  “That’s between us.” I glare up at him.

  “Kelli can be trusted.” Adrian shrugs. “She’s my protégé. She is bound to me.”

  Again, creepy.

  “So you’re saying I can trust you, then?” I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I’m not dumb.”

  “Do you have information for me already? Because if you don’t, then I’d beg to differ.” He stares down at me, his blue eyes swirling with excitement.

  “Unfortunately, I do.” I pick up my bag. “But we need to chat in private.”

  He eyes my duffle bag, curls his lip, and nods to the elevator bay that leads to his office.

  “Let me guess,” he says once we step inside. “You need a place to stay.”

  I pat my trusty old blue duffel bag with it’s frayed edges. It’s seen better days, but I still love it because I associate it to years of fun track tournaments. “Unfortunately, I’m currently homeless. It seems my mom borrowed some money from gangsters and now I have to hide out.”