Vampire Lane (2 page)

“Natasha, Natasha Wasko, and like I said, I don't want to dance with you.”

He liked her spunk. She was difficult and he was never a man to back down easily. “Please, Natasha, if you give me one dance it would make me so eternally happy.”

Natasha nodded. “Fine, but just one dance. Like I said, I’m not interested.”

Tanek took her hand as a slow song came on. Natasha didn’t get too close, so he pulled her in closer, as he leaned up against her and he put his arms around her. They started dancing to the music and Tanek was overcome with something he’d never felt. He felt a knowing desire. He had always heard stories about just knowing when you meet your eternal mate, but this couldn’t be it. He didn’t even know her; she was just a stranger, a beautiful stranger but still just a stranger.

Natasha looked up and him and then placed her head on his shoulder. It surprised him how good it felt just to feel that simple gesture on her part. The song ended, much too soon, and they parted ways. Tanek rushed back to his office. He needed to be away from her and fast.

Chapter 2

Natasha replayed the night before in her head. The way Tanek felt against her as they danced. She hadn’t really dated that much, so she wasn’t an expert in the details. Maybe her feeling toward him wasn’t that unusual. He was just some random vampire, a random hotter than fuck vampire, but still just a guy. Once the song was over, he said goodbye and left like his pants were on fire.

It was fun going out and getting out of her comfort zone. She never did things like that when she was with Godfryd, her sire. He told her the key to survival was to keep to the shadows, and at first, she believed him, but then realized most vampires lived very full and fairly normal lives. It was at that point she knew she needed out and was able to finally convinced him she was ready, and left as soon as he gave her permission.

She smiled as she looked around her new house. She finally did it. She had a normal house in a normal neighborhood. Well, as normal as you could get being surrounded by other paranormals. When she heard about the Paranormal Subdivision, she had to see for herself. As soon as she arrived in New Orleans, she felt right at home—the music, the people, everything felt right. She bought her house right away, as the builder had a couple homes move-in-ready.

Natasha looked up at the clear evening sky. The moon was full and bright, her favorite kind of moonlight. Most people thought that every night sky looked the same, but she had learned to appreciate the night and all the small differences. Like all vampires, she could venture out in daylight, but she never really got used to it and preferred the night.

The sound of footsteps preceding a knock at the door made Natasha wonder who could be at her door at that time of day. She had no friends yet, and vampires weren’t known for being overly friendly. Perhaps she should have just moved into a human neighborhood instead of Vampire Lane. She
was
trying to be more human, after all.

She opened the door to find the realtor who sold her the house standing there. The first time she ever encountered the perky vampire she bought her house from, Nora helped her every step of the way since Natasha hadn’t known much about the process.

“Natasha, I thought I saw you in here. I just wanted to pop on over and welcome you to the neighborhood.”

“That’s so kind of you. It’s a great feeling having everything built with a vampire in mind.”

“I know, right? Those automatic blinds are a godsend. And having the finished lower lever is also great for guests who like to live the old fashioned way in a coffin underground. I just never understood the old timers and their need to sleep in a coffin.”

Natasha nodded, still remembering when she was forced to sleep in one just like Godfryd. It had felt like being buried alive each night. She hated it and hated him for making her suffer like that.

“Yes, well, it was so nice of you to stop by. Please come in.”

She led Nora into the living room, and they both sat on the brand new sofa. It was a black microfiber with colorful red stitching and matching accent pillows. Natasha loved it the minute she saw it at a local furniture store, and with a little extra cash, it was in her living room within hours. Nora brought in a big gift basket and set it on the coffee table.

“This is a little welcome gift for you, from the local Vampire Council. We hope you will become part of our little vampire community.”

“Thank you, it’s very thoughtful and unexpected. I think, for right now, I just want to get settled. I need to find a job and all the normal stuff before I get too involved in anything extra.”

“I completely understand. Have you seen that new website just for paranormals? It has job postings, singles ads, and has listing of all the paranormal friendly businesses in the area. I still have your number. I will text it to you.”

“That would be wonderful. Oh, my manners … would you care for a synthetic beverage?” Natasha asked.

“Oh, Honey, I have a live-in. Nothing better than a live feed. If you’re interested, I can give you the number for the service I use. They have many different services from one time feedings to a live-in weekly swap out.”

“I will take that into consideration. Right now, I think I’ll stick to the bagged or synthetic.”

“So I am on the local Vampire Council and wanted to invite you to a mixer we have coming up. With all the new vampires moving in, we wanted to get everyone together. It will be so much fun. There will be a live band, door prizes, and alcoholic blood drinks. Please say you will be there.”

“I appreciate the invite, Nora, but I just moved in and, honestly, I’m not very social.”

“Fiddlesticks, it’s not until next week … plenty of time to get settled. I’m going to leave you with the flier, so just think about it. Okay?”

“Well, I will think about it, but I’m not promising anything,” Natasha replied.

“That is all I ask. This will be so much fun! Oh shoot, look at the time. I have to get to work.”

Nora left and Natasha just sat and looked at the flier. She walked over and put it on the fridge, fastening it into place with the free magnet from her welcome basket. Just the idea of a bunch of vampires in the same room made her uncomfortable. She never liked most vampires she met, but she was lonely and had a desire to be around others like her. Maybe others wouldn’t be like Godfryd, and maybe she owed it to herself to try and see. What did she have to lose?

Chapter 3

Shane Algood walked along the streets of New Orleans, as he watched the tourists and locals alike. It was a pleasant evening and the hot spots buzzed with activity. His intentions were anything but good; he wanted blood, the blood of the innocent.

He heard some up-tempo jazz music coming from a small bar, and decided to go inside and see who he could find to eat.

Shane waved down the bartender, getting his attention, and he ordered a beer—not his normal drink, but he decided to act like a tourist. He wanted to blend in. He looked around at all the whores with slutty outfits getting drunk for any man to take advantage. He knew he only had to wait. The women always came to him with his handsome good looks. He took after his mother with clean cut blonde hair and blue eyes. His muscular build and square jaw he got from his father. They never suspected with his boyish good looks, he was as dangerous as they came.

“Hi there, mind if I sit?” a woman asked, sitting next to him at the bar.

He nodded, and looked at her. Her dress was extremely short and low cut, and it was pink, covered in sequins, and showed her abundance of cleavage. She was pretty with long brown hair and wide hazel eyes. She was asking for trouble the way she dressed; women in this decade had no self respect and she would be a delicious meal.

“I am Shane,” he said, disinterested, and signaled the bartender for another drink.

“I’m Patty. I’m on vacation from Orlando,” she slurred.

He wondered what she would look like covered in her own blood as he drank from her.

“Well, Patty on vacation from Orlando.” He smiled forcefully. “What if we get out of here? I know a place much nicer with a much better band.”

“Really? That would be so fun.”

“Trust me, my dear.”

More for me than you
.

Shane took her hand. She was very drunk and would go with almost anyone at that point. She had no idea what a bad choice she made. Women were so stupid and trusting he almost never had to put much effort into getting dinner. They walked together away from the action toward an alley he spotted earlier.

“Are you sure this is the right way? It looks kinda creepy.”

“It’s only a little further. Trust me, you'll love it." He smiled his most charming smile, and she nodded and started walking again. Once they reached an alley, Shane grabbed her, put his hand over her mouth, and dragged her into the alley against the wall.

He put his nose against her neck, inhaling the scent of her skin, as his fangs came out immediately, ferocious with hunger. Shane stuck her neck, his fangs sinking deep into her skin. He drank greedily and without regard for her life. Patty tried pushing him away, but she was no match for him. Within minutes, she lost enough blood that she passed out. His long blonde hair concealed what he was doing and passersby just assumed they were kissing in the alley.

Shane didn't want to stop. He would drain her of as much blood as he could consume. He considered changing her. She was pretty and would be fun for a while, but changing someone was a long and painful process. He didn't think it was a good idea so soon after his arrival.

Shane still needed to find a temporary place. He pulled out her wallet and found some cash enough for a motel. Tomorrow he would need to find a local victim for a more permanent residence. This place was just what he needed, and ripe with victims.

Chapter 4

Natasha woke with her automatic blinds rising. She looked out her bedroom window to her new neighborhood. She smiled as she saw other vampires waking and looking out, too. After the visit from Nora, she visited the vampire website and found a job listing. She sent off an email and immediately received a reply to come in today for an interview. She was surprised to find out it was
Bite Me
, the same bar she visited the other night.

Natasha jumped into the shower, washing quickly, and then set forth with the difficult task of deciding what to wear. It had been a while since she had an actual job and wasn't sure what she should wear. She finally decided on a simple black pencil skirt and a light pink, silk blouse. She never liked high heels much, but thought a black pair would complete the look. She decided to leave her hair down, but pinned up one side with a clip. Once her make-up was applied, she looked into her full length mirror. Natasha decided she looked good enough and she was ready to take on the world, the human world.

Natasha arrived at
Bite Me
and looked around, remembering Tanek, the man she danced with the last time she was at the bar. Maybe working here she would run into him and she could figure out why she couldn’t get him out of her head. She spotted a waitress and walked over. The woman was a cute blonde and her tag said Laya.

"Hi, I’m here to interview for the job."

Laya smiled at her and responded. "Oh yes, thanks to the gods, we could use more help around here."

Natasha looked around at the almost empty bar and wondered if this was just a slow time.

"Trust me, it will get super busy later, and on the upside, the tips are great. Let me go find the boss and he can talk with you."

Laya ran off, and Natasha decided to sit at the bar and wait.

"Would you like a drink while you wait?" the bartender asked. He gave her a flirty smile, and as much as she thought he was hot, she just wasn’t interested.

"No, but thanks for asking."

The bartender was cute, she thought. "I'm Josh," he said, introducing himself.

"Natasha, nice to meet you."

"Natasha … I like that name, it suits you."

"I think so."

"Natasha." She turned around and saw Laya standing there.

"Come on, he’s waiting in his office."

"Right now?"

"Yes now. It'll be fine; don't be nervous. He's the owner, and trust me, he's the greatest boss."

Laya led Natasha to the back office, and then led her inside then left. Natasha almost groaned when she realized he was the vampire she danced with from the other night. She should have known better. She just hoped he would look past their little dance and still give her the job.

"Hello, I'm Natasha," she said then remembered he knew her name already, unless he didn’t even remember her.

"Come sit, please."

Natasha heard his voice, a slightly accented English, and everything came back to her from that night. His voice was sexy and deep. She tried to calm her over active libido. He was just so gorgeous with that long black hair and dark smoldering eyes.
Pull it together
, she sternly told herself. "Thank you for seeing me today."