Working Class Vegas Vamp is a free urban fantasy serial, usually publishing on Tuesdays. It is unedited and subject to change. If published later, it may differ significantly, and will probably include additional material. Typos and English errors are likely; feel free to leave a comment or write me at am {AT} amscottwrites.com (revised as a standard email address. Pesky bots!) Available for a limited time only!

Haven’t started yet? Chapter 1: https://www.amscottwrites.com/2024/10/29/working-class-vegas-vamp-chapter-1/ ‎

Chapter 13

I kept my seat, but it took some effort. If the Alpha wanted to kill me, it would have been easier to dispose of me in the desert. But his house bordered the desert, so maybe disposing of bodies was easy. They knew the territory and the scavengers. “That’s why I drink blood now, so yes.”

He sat back. “You’re a cool customer. Good.”

I didn’t bother holding back my sigh of exasperation. ”You can stop testing me any time now. I’m not hiding anything from you. I’m here because you’re the lesser of evils and fighting you is a waste of time. Plus, freeing your sister means tweaking Theo’s nose, which I’m always happy to do. That’s why I helped—“ I clamped my mouth shut. He might not know about the gargoyle and badger raid, and I wouldn’t betray them. “Others.”

His thick, dark brown brows rose. “Others?”

I nodded once. “Others.”

”Those others wouldn’t happen to be the gargoyle who shot me full of sedatives and a bunch of badgers, would they?” His lip curled. “They made everything worse.”

He probably hadn’t enjoyed the knock-out drug hangover. “Worse for them, for you, or everyone? Or Theo? Because if a bunch of badgers made things worse for Theo, I’m on Team Badger.” I raised my arms like a cheerleader with pom-poms. “Go Badgers!”

He frowned. ”Theo wasn’t happy, but their actions didn’t hurt him. He’s increased his security, which will make my mission more difficult.”

I scoffed. “Breaking into Theo’s cell block is impossible. Getting out is harder.” I’d spent my first two weeks as a vampire in those cells, learning to control my bloodlust.

“I don’t have to break into his cells. My niece is enthralled, living happily trapped in Theo’s apartment.” His fists clenched. “The badgers tried to get her to come with them and she refused. Got hysterical about it. That’s why things are worse.”

That explained why the gargoyle had a human-size harness. But in that case, he shouldn’t have helped me until the badgers returned. Maybe he’d known it was a lost cause. But the Alpha had bigger problems. “The longer she’s enthralled, the harder it is to break.”

A low growl sounded. “I know that. Fighting it doesn’t help, either.” A series of pops followed.

I looked at the couch—the Alpha had ripped holes into the cushion on either side of him with his claws. Time to change the subject to something more positive. “Okay, so how can I help? Because I have a few more hours before I pass out for the day.”

“How does enthrallment work? And how can I break it?” He leaned forward.

I sat back and looked at the ceiling for a moment. “I wish I knew. I have to capture a person’s gaze, then think hard at them.” I shrugged. “I don’t have better words, really. I think at someone, telling them they want to please me, make me happy and they’ll get their greatest desire in return. It doesn’t always work.”

“Can you turn it off?”

I wasn’t doing anything right now, so why was he asking? “I’m not doing it all the time. It takes effort.”

“Are you sure about that? Because it feels like you are.” His thick black brows wrinkled and his eyes squinted. But even the squished, skeptical look couldn’t diminish the effect of his rugged good looks—that jawline could cut glass.

“No.” I tsked. “If I was trying to mesmerize you, you’d never know.” Although I wasn’t sure I could do anything to an Alpha were. Or any were. I’d only mesmerized humans, and only when I absolutely had to. “Ask Janet. I’ve never tried to enthrall her or anyone else who worked with me.”

He leaned back. “I have asked Janet, Troy, Matias and others. They all say you’re the best boss they’ve ever had and they love working for you.” His lip curled up. “But none of them can tell me why they feel that way. They just do. Sound familiar?”

I mirrored his position, relaxing into the chair. He was trying to anger me, and it wasn’t going to work. “I am a good boss. I’m fair and I protect my people from stupidity when possible. They may not be able to articulate what I do because I protect them from that, too. It’s my job, not theirs.” I was proud of my management skills.

“Can you mesmerize someone who’s already been mesmerized? Take over from another vampire?”

I scoffed. “I don’t hang out with other vampires. They’re not nice people.”

“Including you?” One brow rose.

“Yes.” I lived by taking from people. Of course I wasn’t nice. Humans might be near the top of the food chain, but I was an apex predator.

He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “If I can retrieve my niece, will you try? Because I’d rather have her in your clutches than Theoden’s.”

He seemed awfully trusting. “You don’t know me. I might have a basement full of enthralled humans.”

His full lips flattened and he huffed. “I know where you live, where you work, and where you have storage units.” He lifted a brow when I objected. “Probably not all of them. But enough that I was able to put a tracker on your current vehicle. I hadn’t found the one you drove on your original escape. But my point is, you don’t have a basement. Or anywhere else to store humans. And you go through a lot of blood boxes.”

I wanted to snarl, but held back. “So you were bribing my roommate, too?”

”Didn’t take much. You chose poorly.”

“I was aware, thank you.” But I hadn’t realized she’d sold me out multiple times. I hope she ended up living on the streets. At least for a short time. She deserved it. ”Why would you bother?”

He gave me a half-smile. “Because if Theoden’s interested, I’m interested. I started tracking you a very long time ago.” He shook his head. “And you should have known that a long time ago, too. Seriously, why do you think Janet’s wasting her talents as a cocktail waitress?”

”I though she liked the money.” I took people at their word too much, evidently.

He snorted. “Her tips don’t pay for an hour of her salary. She’s a financial wizard. My CFO, actually.” His lips clamped tight and he scowled. “Are you sure you’re not trying to mesmerize me?”

I held up both hands, palm out. “Definitely not. But I’m told I’m easy to talk to. One of the reasons I’m a good bartender.” I’d known Janet was smart but I didn’t pry into my people’s lives.

He shook his head. “You’re a manager, a leader, not simply a bartender. You’re holding yourself back. Trying to make a smaller target for Theoden?”

”Yes.” It was my turn to clamp my mouth shut. He was too easy to talk to, making it hard to keep up my guard.

“Stop. It’s not working and it only hurts you. If you want him out of your life, you’ll have to get rid of him and take over.” His gaze bored into mine. “If Theoden’s successor takes over, they’ll want you under control, too. No master vamp will allow a baby vamp to thumb her nose at their commands. And if they believe in the prophecy, they’ll want you under control even more.” He jabbed his forefinger towards me. “Step up. Take charge. Take the fight to Theoden.”

I shook my head. “That’s a war. What happens to your niece in a war? I’ll tell you.” I leaned forward. “She ends up dead. Collateral damage. War is hard on bystanders.”

His mouth twisted for a moment. “I’m aware. Fought in several, each one uglier than the last.”

A military veteran—his hypervigilance and air of command came from real wartime experience. Several wars also implied he was even older than I’d thought. But he’d kept up with technological advances. He was a highly intelligent and motivated man. But I’d lived through the mob wars and drug dealer territorial fights, and I’d lost friends and colleagues. Regular people in the wrong place at the wrong time, not mobsters or police.

He tapped the coffee table once. “My niece isn’t living now. Death might be kinder. But regardless, prophecy is a double-edged sword. You can be used, you can use it, or you can actively refute it. Ignoring it won’t keep the true believers away and it makes you more vulnerable to those attempting to use it.” He smirked. “I’d bet that group includes Theoden. He’s too smart to believe in hokey religions and ancient weapons when he’s got so much money on his side.”

I couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Are you misquoting Star Wars at me?”

He shrugged. “If the fandom fits…”

“A closet Jedi? That makes sense.” It did. He was a hero for his people, and probably others. But I had to remember he was on the list of people who wanted to use me. “Back to the current hokey religion. Do you have a copy of this prophecy?”

He grimaced. “Not a complete one. I have a blurry shot pulled from a video. I’ve had several people and artificial intelligence programs try to reconstruct it, but confidence is low.” He pulled out his phone, scrolled, and selected a page. “This is the most likely version.”

The Prophecy of the Unbound Queen

When the dusk bleeds into an endless bright,
And battles rage over control of the night,
One shall rise—a queen of shadow’s creed,
By choice alone, not by chains decreed.

In mortal flesh, her fierce heart was concealed,
Yet by her will, service for all is now revealed.
With fangs unsheathed, she claims her boundless might,
A sovereign born to rule the endless night.

None who stand in her path shall be redeemed,
For her command reigns supreme.
A tempest fierce, she leads her kin with grace,
The unchained dawn none can hope to replace.

She brings no peace, no mercy to the fray,
Yet freedom fierce as stars keep threat at bay.
The world shall know her rule, unbent, serene,
When black night turns bright and towers turn the desert green.

Behold the rise of the queen freely turned,
Her power flows where hearts and heavens burn.

I couldn’t hold back a laugh after reading this piece of nonsense. “Why in the world did Theo think this was related to me? I get that Vegas is dusk bleeding into endless bright and towers turning the desert green. Mob wars might fit the second line, but there’s nothing here that says Charlene Flammen is the chosen one. This could be any woman. Or considering where I work, any man.”

The Alpha shrugged. “I don’t think we’ve got all of it. Supposedly, there’s a whole book, all in elegant, handwritten script.”

I snorted. “Something about a crone with hair of silver?”

A growl rumbled—emphatic enough to feel and hear. “Don’t put yourself down. Enough people will do that for you. You might look older than the average vampire, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t gorgeous.” He grimaced. “Looks aren’t important anyway. What’s important is that Theoden believes you are the Unbound Queen. You are a leader, even if you’ve never embraced the role. And the only way you’re getting out of this alive, and my niece gets free, is if you take over.”

I didn’t like the sound of that at all. “If Theo really believes this thing, why has he let me be all these years? Why push me now?”

“I don’t know. I can only speculate that there’s more in the prophecy that details the timing. Maybe something about the comet that just appeared?” He shrugged. “Or something else related to the night sky? That’s always a popular choice for ancient, hokey religions.” His mouth twisted.

“Do you know where this prophecy is located? Getting a hold of it might be a good way to start.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think that’s the place to start. We start with you stepping up to lead your fellow vamps through the endless bright.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?” I wasn’t a miracle worker or a cult leader.

He leaned forward, with his elbows on his knees. “You stop Theoden’s people from rampaging through the humans. Spin it as doing it for their own good, that you are the protector of the people. Lean into the unbound queen myth—lead them down a path of longevity with less excess.”

I frowned at him. “That’s not exactly what this prophecy says. It’s more about ruling and might than control.”

“It’s a prophecy.” He smirked. “You can make it say what you want to say. I know you’ve warned Theoden about the Lost in Vegas group and he ignored it.” He tilted his head. “Which is odd. Theoden is quite selective and rarely mesmerizes anyone.”

I sniffed. “Of course he doesn’t. He’s a billionaire; he’s got people falling at his feet constantly. Why work for anything when it’s offered freely?”

“True. But he’s still very picky and precise. He used to control his people tightly, too. It’s only been in the last five years that they’ve been allowed this level of freedom over the tourists.” He huffed. “Now I get it.” He stared at the far side of the room.

“Get what?”

His gaze met mine, his brown eyes lightening to an amber glow. “He’s waiting for you take control. He wants the unbound queen to appear. Since you haven’t changed, he’s making you move.” His smile was unsettling. “He’s making sure you’re free of every chain. He knew you’d quit when he bought the Royale. You’d do anything to stay out of his grasp.” He leaned forward again. “I’ll ask you again. Charlene Flammen, do you want to live?”

***To be continued***

Working Class Vegas Vamp Copyright © 2024 by AM Scott. All Rights Reserved.

Cover by Achlys Book Cover Designs