Academy of Protectors (The Protector Guild Book 1) Read online

  The vampire threw Fido across the alley and I used that moment to slam my blade into the vamp’s heart. Judging by the monster’s sudden stillness, my aim was true this time.

  The vamp’s death confirmed, I allowed myself to slide down to the ground, leaning against the body as a makeshift pillow, while the dog walked up to me and started licking my wounded neck.

  It was like I’d traded in one bloodsucker for another. I absentmindedly patted him on his head, hyper aware of the feel of his soft fur between my fingers. It was so much easier to focus on something pleasant than the amount of bright blood coating my body. My vision blurred in and out as I saw the club door swing open and several angry voices surrounded me.

  And then, finally, everything went black.

  Chapter Nine

  Eli

  “Yeah, baby, that’s it,” Everly or Eilene, whatever the fuck her name was, moaned in my ear.

  It wasn’t as seductive as she thought it was, but that probably had less to do with her and more to do with the fact that I couldn’t get a certain someone out of my head. It’d been a day and still the only thing that I’d been able to think about since meeting Max Bentley was, well, Max Bentley.

  Which, to be honest, wasn’t the most unusual thing for me. I was very easily distracted by a pretty girl. And something about the weird mix of awkward, naive, and badass just put Max into her own category. So no, I wasn’t entirely surprised that I was super attracted to her. I was, however, surprised to be thinking about her so obsessively while buried into Emily. And it wasn’t like I could exactly get her out of my system either.

  My dad had already given me an hour-long lecture before Max and her family even arrived about how I had to keep it in my pants where she was concerned. Maybe he was worried that I’d hook up with her, get sick of her, and then scare her and, by extension, Uncle Cyrus away. He’d been angling to get Cyrus back to The Guild for as long as I could remember. Hell, the man was my father’s brother and I’d only met him maybe twice in my whole life. So I was under strict orders not to go scaring him or his adopted daughter off.

  And of course, the fact that I couldn’t have her, wouldn’t have the chance to get her out of my system, just made her even more appealing. Which was so unbearably annoying.

  So, until I could distract myself with someone else, the salesgirl from the mall would do as a nice secondary option. If I closed my eyes, it wasn’t completely impossible for me to pretend like I was burying myself into someone else. Someone else digging fingernails into my back. Someone else tightening around my dick. Someone else—

  “Yes, Eli, just like tha—”

  I pumped harder, hoping the new rhythm would shut her up. The girl was pretty, and her voice was husky and filled with all the right moans, but she was ruining the fantasy my brain was conjuring up. And it was a great one, even by my standards.

  The lights came on, but I kept going, not wanting to break the momentum just to start back up again. Whoever it was would hopefully just turn around and leave us at it. Or hell, they could even stick around and watch for all I cared.

  A soft intake of breath and then a familiar quiet chuckle had my muscles clenching and my eyes suddenly delving into Ellen. Nope, still the same red hair, red lipstick, and red dress that I’d entered the club with. Damn, my fantasy was more realistic than I’d thought. I’d have fun with that later, when alone in my room.

  “Shit. I’m so, so sorry. I thought this was the bathroom, and clearly it’s not so I’m, you know, just going to go now. Good to see you again, though! You, you know, carry on. As you were. Happy orgasming and what not.” The voice was coming from behind me and my muscles tensed at the now-definitely-familiar rambling. Even when she was bumbling and caught off guard, she was appealing. Was everything about her so damn endearing? It was infuriating.

  With a laugh, I turned around to see her. “I thought that was you, beautiful. Care to join us?” I teased, relishing the surprise on her face, and the reddening shade of her cheeks. I could see embarrassment, but also a touch of intrigue as well. Her mouth opened, and I forced my eyes to move away from the parting of her tempting-as-fuck lips, only to get a glimpse of what she was wearing.

  Her deep red dress wasn’t nearly as revealing as the girl I was fucking, but that somehow made it hotter. Which was weird. It hugged her small frame, showing off the curves of her chest and hips just enough to tease, to make me want to rip it off altogether. Just one look at her, standing there, and I could feel myself growing harder inside Evelyn.

  And the thought of Max watching me screw took me to a completely new level. I’d been half kidding about her joining in, but not anymore. Forget my dad’s rules. “Or, you know, you can wait maybe two minutes and then have me to yourself, if you prefer?” Her dark eyes widened with shock as they met mine. I could tell she was trying like hell not to lower her gaze. “Or, tell you what, I kick her out right now, and no waiting necessary. Your choice, really. If you’d like.”

  And I meant it. It was her choice and if she’d take me up on the offer here and now, my promise to good ol’ Seamus would be well and truly forgotten. I’d probably regret it in an hour, but at least she’d be out of my system and I could go back to my regularly scheduled programming.

  She turned back towards the door, clearly at a loss for words, and started to search for the light switch and door. Guess my promise was staying a promise, at least for a little while longer, anyway. Dear old dad would be pleased about that.

  “Seriously?”

  I looked down, surprised to find the salesgirl still beneath me. I smiled sheepishly.

  “You’re being such a fucking pig, you as—”

  I gave a few thrusts, shutting up her quickly, the pace sending her into a fit of groans.

  “Leaving now this is me leaving, La La La, can’t hear anything,” Max sang, her voice

  wobbly with embarrassment. She cast the room in shadow once again and I had to bite back another laugh as she tried finding the handle in the dark.

  All too soon, she was gone. With the lights off, I turned back to the salesgirl, capturing her lips in mine. It was the first time I’d kissed her, and I caught her moan with excitement, imagining it coming from a different set of lips. The girl came, and the visual of Max thrashing around like this, tongue tasting mine with eager intensity, instantly pushed me over the cliff and I quickly followed her orgasm with my own.

  Giving myself a second to gather my thoughts, I zipped up my pants and reached for the lights, shame filling me as I saw the adoration-filled eyes of the girl next to me—the girl who was most definitely not Max Bentley.

  “You’re a bit of an ass,” she said, her snarky smile made macabre by her messy lipstick, and I unconsciously swiped at my own mouth in case there were any traces of it. “But still, that was pretty incredible, so maybe I’ll call you again sometime for a pick-me-up.”

  With a quick peck to my cheek, she left the room. I was glad neither of us had any illusions about what this was. There was nothing more awkward than when a girl had the wrong idea and went and got too attached. Especially when I was always so clear to explain ahead of time that it was just sex.

  I thought back to the blush coloring Max’s face and groaned. My father would kill me if I’d embarrassed her too badly. Now that I wasn’t currently balls-deep in someone, my head was less foggy. And I was fairly certain that I’d been way too forward with her.

  Circling back into the club, I scanned the crowd, looking for a pair of dark, almond-shaped eyes and long wavy hair. I saw her brother and Izzy, expecting to find her with them, but she wasn’t. Catching sight of Atlas, I walked up to the bar, ignoring Reza who was draped like a curtain over his arm.

  I rolled my eyes. Everyone knew that Alleva and Reza were deep in the throes of plotting for a matchup with Atlas, but it still turned my blood cold to not see him fighting it more. He wasn’t overly affectionate with her, and I knew he only entertained the possibility because he wanted to stay here with our team. And after Sarah, he was fairly certain he could draw the bond out for a couple of years. But Jesus did it suck to see him put in that position. Especially after everything he’d been through this year.

  “Hey man,” I said, grabbing a fresh beer. “Have you seen Cyrus’s kid?”

  Without a word, he nodded towards Rowan. He was on the dance floor with Arnell and most of the Ten team. As far as company, it wasn’t the worst sort for him to get mixed with. Arnell was a pretty cool guy.

  I shook my head, downing half of my beer in preparation for my apology. Liquid courage was a real thing and I was man enough to admit I needed it. “No, not him. Max.”

  Atlas’s nostrils flared slightly, but he didn’t say anything more. Interesting.

  “I know she’s here, but can’t find her anywhere,” I said.

  He narrowed his eyes as he disentangled himself from Reza’s grip, studying the people in the crowd. He moved away from the bar and I followed, confused by his precision and silence.

  “Atlas, don’t be ridiculous,” Reza pouted, looping her fingers around his and tugging him back towards the bar. “Just have another drink. It’s not our job to babysit the newbie.”

  Without bothering to respond, Atlas peeled each of her fingers off of him, one by one, breaking the link between them. Reza was left standing there with nothing but a pout and a brewing promise that he’d regret his choice—that, or Max would. If she really wanted to bond to him though, she’d need to learn one thing: Atlas never took a night off.

  “Where did you last see her?” he asked, his voice more gravelly than usual. There was a warning there, and a frustration I wasn’t accustomed to. Atlas wasn’t exactly all fun and bubbles, but he usually wasn’t quite this intense around me. The last few days he’d been especially unbearable and gruff. It was starting to make my homelife absolutely miserable.

  Maybe I’d see if the salesgirl wanted to pay him a visit later. She seemed like she was generally down for a good time and Atlas could use a little…fun.

  “Eli,” he bit out, reminding me that I hadn’t answered him. His jaw was pumping with impatience as he continued studying the room.

  “Jeez dude, sorry, chill. I’m sure it’s not that big of a deal. She just—er—encountered me while I was preoccupied with my date in one of the backrooms.” I scratched the back of my neck, both of us scanning the crowd now. She didn’t exactly know a lot of people yet, so it shouldn’t have taken long to locate her. Then again, she was a lot shorter than most protectors, so it made the search process a bit more difficult. “I wanted to apologize. You know how Seamus is about Cyrus. Last thing any of us needs is for my dad to get on my back right now.” Good old Uncle Cy might’ve been the more intimidating of the brothers, but my dad was no slouch.

  Atlas looked at me, the tension in his face softening a bit as he processed my meaning. He nodded. “Maybe she’s in the bathroom.”

  We walked towards the back, but after watching several girls enter and leave the girls’ room, it became clear she wasn’t there.

  “She wouldn’t leave solo, would she?” I muttered to myself, feeling guilty for making her uncomfortable. “I mean, would she even know how to get back by herself? Pretty sure she arrived with her brother and he’s still here.”

  Atlas paused, running a hand through his hair. “Good point. She’d need a car.” He blew out a slow breath as he leaned against the wall, watching lazily as a couple of girls walked by. I tried not to get annoyed that they were ogling him and not me. Not the time. “It’s not like there’s much trouble for her to get in around here. Maybe she just went for a walk or to take a call outside or something.”

  I scrunched up my nose, considering. “I guess.”

  “Wade was coming on a little strong too,” he added, the words clipped. “So between him and you, maybe she wanted to call it a night and take the long way back. She’s fast enough, could probably make the run in under an hour.”

  Tapping a finger on my lips, I took a few breaths, trying not to be insulted by his point. “Did you get a look at what she was wearing though?” I grinned at the memory. “Not exactly the sort of thing you take an evening jog in, you know?”

  Atlas pushed the wall, not willing to engage with me anymore on this. “I need air, you should just head back in and try to salvage the rest of your night. Maybe see if you can distract Reza for a bit. I don’t have the energy for her shit tonight.”

  “Yeah man, sure.” I’d drunkenly hooked up with Reza once or twice last year and lived to regret it. She wasn’t worth the drama. And I was especially uninterested in her tonight.

  He took a step towards the back door and froze, every muscle in his body visibly tensed through his shirt.

  “What’s up? Change your mind about heading home? Want to just head across the street and play a game or two of pool?”

  In a flash, he moved to the door and opened it, before stopping dead as soon as he crossed the frame. Curious, I followed him.

  “Jesus,” I said, my stomach churning with acid. “You don’t think—she’s not dead is she?” Max was draped against a guy, a giant dog guarding her with low, menacing growls. I moved towards her before running into Atlas’s hand, which he’d pressed hard into my chest. “Is that—oh my god, is that a fucking hellhound?”

  “And a vampire,” Atlas added, his voice low and filled with steel. He was staring at the hellhound, their eyes locked in a weird battle of wills. “We won’t hurt her, we’re here to help. You have my word.”

  Was he seriously trying to have a conversation with a hellhound?

  As if Atlas had uttered the magic words, the dog let out a little whine before nuzzling her hand. Sparing me a brief glance, Atlas moved slowly towards Max. There was blood—so much fucking blood—everywhere. What the hell was a vampire doing this close to our territory? They weren’t ever that dense.

  I watched her until I saw the almost imperceptible rise and fall of her chest. I breathed out in relief.

  She was alive.

  Chapter Ten

  Max

  I ran through a lush forest, my bare feet sinking into the dirt. As I moved, the dark trees became mere shadows against the night. The vamp was on my heels, and though I couldn’t see him, I could feel him—my skin tingling like a beacon. The scent of warm spices drifted through my nose.

  Recognizing a familiar metallic glint, I stopped short, skidding along the dirt and brush. My knife dangled from a tree branch, the soft moonlight reflecting against the obsessively shined silver. Cyrus had gifted me that blade on my tenth birthday. I paused, jumping up to try and reach it. The pounding of footsteps behind me was getting closer, but I refused to look back, stretching my limbs as far as they’d go. But I still couldn’t do more than ghost the tip of my fingernails against the handle.

  I never thought a day would come when I’d wish for a pogo stick, but here it was.

  Or maybe a ladder. That might be more practical. Or really, really high stilettos. Why was I barefoot?

  “How were all three of you at Vanish last night and not one of you was aware there was a vampire hanging around outside? What the hell were you doing?”

  That was strange, I didn’t remember the vamp being a woman. Or having an Irish accent. He was dark and brooding, sure. His voice was strong and sensual...but this, this was different. With a solid push off the ground I overextended my arm, my finger just barely brushing the tip of the knife. This was infuriating.

  “We were in a club. You know, loud? How were we supposed to know she was hanging around in the back alley by herself. What kind of girl does that? I mean isn’t it part of the cultural zeitgeist that chicks are supposed to stick together in places like that? Besides, how the hell could we know that a vamp was going to attack so close to protector territory?” A pause, some throat clearing, “plus I was, er, occupied at the time.”

  He was gaining on me. Two breaths away. One. His long slender fingers reached out and grasped at my throat. I punched him in the gut and climbed up his body, which was almost a full foot taller than mine. If I couldn’t get my hands on a pogo stick, a tall vampire would have to do. My hands clasped against the hilt of my knife. A moment went by until I paused. Why hadn’t the vamp thrown me off or fought back? Instead, he’d let me use him like a rock wall.

  And just as the strangeness of the moment sank in, I went sailing through the air, an awkward and flailing ball of limbs.

  Okay, maybe he hadn’t forgotten about me.

  “Yeah, it’s definitely unusual behavior for them. I’ve never seen one of the humanoids get that close to Headquarters. Wade, where were you?”

  “I, uh, left a bit early. Had a bit too much to drink.”

  The thought of this vamp having too much to drink had my heart pumping hard in fear, guiding him to my arteries like a bat signal. He crawled over to me, moving along my body like a snake, until he held my hands above my head. I was struck by the realization that my right arm no longer hurt to the touch, and smiled. It was a strange thought to have moments before dying. But if I had the choice of dying with or without an injured arm, I’d happily take the latter.

  Well, maybe not happily.

  I tried to resist, thrashing around like a Magikarp, but to no avail. So this was going to be how I died? I’d always hoped it would be while doing something adventurous, like skydiving or zip lining. Or poking fun at Cyrus until he lost all control. This felt so...boring. An anticlimactic end to a frustratingly anticlimactic life.

  Sharp teeth pierced my skin like I was nothing more than an apple, but it didn’t hurt. Still, I screamed. Because vampire.

  “Uh, why is she screaming? Jesus, go get Cyrus Dec, or my dad—and hurry. He already wants to wring our necks. She’s here one day and almost gets killed.”

  “It’s a dream, you bumbling shithead.”

  A black pony sailed through the air, dragging the vampire off me. The animal circled back and nudged me with its large head, prodding me with its hooves before calloused hands started to shake my shoulders—somehow both rough and gentle.