Free Vampire Trouble by Sara Humphreys Page A

that’s saying something. I didn’t even get the pleasure of ripping his throat out in the dreamscape. The son of bitch vanished into thin air, but then again, it’s not really him, is it?
    What do you mean? A feeling of dread crawled up Maya’s back as she turned her eyes to Shane’s.
    Your nightmare is a ghost, a memory from your human life that you’re reliving again and again. Like you said, the man who did this to you is dead. Shane lifted one shoulder. The dreamscape is your creation.
    Are you saying that I want to go through this? Anger flared hard and Maya shoved him away from her. To her surprise, he allowed her to slip out of his embrace, and the look on his face was one of acceptance and patience. You think that I am controlling what happens?
    No, at least not intentionally. Shane’s voice was even and calm. He held his arms out and gestured to the beautiful tropical surroundings. Do you see where we are? It’s a far cry from the streets of Manhattan, wouldn’t you say? I thought this environment would be a better place for you to distance yourself from what happened. I may have been pulled into your dream last time, but this time the connection was far stronger and I was able to manipulate the dreamscape.
    You mean that there’s a way to stop the nightmares? Tears pricked the back of her eyes again . I can make it stop for good?
    Yes. Shane nodded and closed the distance between them. Taking Maya’s hands in his, he pulled her to him. At least, that is what I suspect. I think that the nightmare will continue until you are the one to eliminate your attacker.
    Th-that’s impossible, Maya sputtered. I—I can’t.
    You can, Shane insisted in a gentle tone. His fingers curled around hers and his thumb brushed over the top of her hand. You have far more control than you think you do, Maya. You crave it. I know that your desire for it drives you when you hunt. You are motivated by the need to dominate, to have power and maintain control over your body and your life. That is what feeds you, youngling. Let me show you, Maya. Let me show you where your true power lies.
    He tugged her closer still, the hard planes of his body matching hers in all the right places. Maya’s stomach fluttered again, a feeling that reminded her of what it was like to be human—to be alive. He leaned close and kissed her cheek, his lips nuzzling her ear.
    Yes, Maya whispered.
    She allowed her body to lean into Shane, and her eyes fluttered while he trailed kisses down her throat. Her hands wandered up his chest and curled over his shoulders as he murmured seductive promises between kisses. When Shane pulled back, his hand cradled the back of her head gently and the look in his eyes made her wet. The long-forgotten feeling of lust and desire burned low and deep in Maya’s belly. The evidence of his need for her pressed against her insistently, which only made her want him more.
    She couldn’t recall the last time she desired a man sexually or when the very idea didn’t scare the shit out of her. Staring into the dark, seemingly endless depths of Shane’s eyes, she felt the soul-stirring rumble of desire bubble up and spill over. Maya’s fangs erupted on a gasp, and a slow smile cracked Shane’s handsome face.
    This is your dream, Maya. A growl rumbled in Shane’s chest and reverberated through her. He splayed his other hand across her lower back and his lip lifted, revealing his razor-sharp fangs . Tell me what you want.
    Maya’s body tensed and she wrestled with actually asking for what she wanted. Unable to make herself utter the words, she simply acted. After all, this was a dreamscape—not reality—and according to Shane, she had all the control. Maya decided it was time to test that theory.
    Popping up on her toes, with sand squishing deliciously beneath her feet, Maya threw a silent prayer to the universe, then retracted her fangs and