Page 14 of The Guardian's Curse

The redhead jumped, then stared down at her cleavage. “My tits are buzzing. Just a sec.” She fished into the snug dress and took her phone out. “Yeah, she’s okay. Obviously, Dom. Hey, bring me a snack. Please? Dammit,” she swore. “Do you have blood here?”

“Sorry. How about coffee?”

She expected Safira to scoff, but she nodded. “Caffeine is a close second to hemoglobin,” she said. “Black and strong, please.”

Ten minutes later, Shoshanna had prepared a respectable espresso for the vampire woman and wrapped a warm, wet towel around her bloodied feet. While Safira sipped her coffee, Shoshanna swept up the shattered glass and propped a chair against the broken front door. As long as she kept busy, she wouldn’t panic. She was about to make her third attempt at extricating the cat from under the bed when Dominic shoved the door open. Paris was on his tail, eyes sweeping around the apartment.

Both men were poised to kill, with eyes glowing furious red. She could see the point of a wooden stake at Paris’s palm, barely concealed in his sleeve. Things changed quickly, because she’d never have thought she’d be so pleased to see two angry vampires barging into her place.

“I told you we had it under control,” Safira said mildly. She shot Shoshanna a look. “Men. They don’t listen.”

Dominic brushed past her and gave Shoshanna a once-over, red eyes skimming from head to toe. “Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head. “Just threatened me.”

“Tell me what happened,” he said.

“Did either of you bring snacks?” Safira asked. “I’m starving.”

Paris rolled his eyes. “Priorities, Saf. Jesus.” Then he gave her another slow, scraping look and smirked. “You look great, by the way. That neckline is delightful.” Safira beamed at him. Then he sniffed at the air. “Is there coffee?”

“What. Happened?” Dominic repeated. Shoshanna gave him the quick version of the story, up to the moment when Safira arrived. Dominic wrinkled his nose. “Did you burn him?”

“A fire spell,” Shoshanna said. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You don’t keep stakes?” Paris asked. He had already made himself at home and poured a cup of coffee for himself. Watching him sip from the bright pink coffee cup, she was keenly aware of her kitschy décor and how it probably looked to a couple of centuries-old vampires from Europe.

“No,” she snapped. “Vampires stalking me home wasn’t a problem until I started working for you two.” Then she tilted her head. “Did you tell him where I lived?”

Dominic scowled. “You are dangerously easy to find.”

“I am not,” she said.

Safira winced and nodded. “I literally just typed your name into Google and came up with your address to get here.”

Dominic sighed. “Pack whatever you need for a few days. We’ll take you to a safehouse.”

“Wait, what?” she spluttered.

“He knows where you live and he clearly wants you,” Paris said. “We can’t stay here to protect you round the clock.”

“Can I bring my cat?”

Dominic closed his eyes as if he was in pain. “If you must.”

Paris smirked. “Bring your witchy things. I have an idea.”

* * *

An hour later, Shoshanna had packed a suitcase with enough clothes for a week, a bin full of spell supplies, and another suitcase filled with Magneto’s bed, treats, and toys. Dominic’s expression was incredulous as he watched her zip the huge bags. “That’s all for the cat?”

“They’re creatures of habit,” she said, her cheeks heating. She spritzed catnip spray in his carrier and coaxed the cat from under the bed. After some nips and swipes, she got him into the carrier and was rewarded with a baleful glare.

“A witch with a black cat,” Paris mused. “You are a delightful cliche, Shoshanna.” He grabbed one of her bags while she tucked Magneto’s carrier under her arm. After doing her best to secure the broken door, she followed the two vampires down to the parking lot.

It was dark and quiet, with night finally settling over the city. A couple of her neighbors stood outside, chatting quietly as they smoked. She surveyed the concrete expanse, wary of Elliott lurking in the shadows.

A black SUV was parked directly behind her car, one door open and interior lights still on. She suppressed a smile. It was nice to have such intense backup. Paris loaded her bags into the back, then opened the back door. She hesitated with one foot into the car. “Where are we going?”

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