Sleepy Willow's Heartless Soul (The Narcoleptic Vampire Series Vol. 2)

By Dicey Grenor

Willow’s existence is not easy. Having narcolepsy is bad enough without her bond to an arrogant maistre, vampire extermination agents eradicating her kind, and “friends” with ulterior motives. Being undead could seem more of a hassle than being alive.

But Willow has had enough.

After all the betrayals and abuse—even with her sleep disorder—she refuses to take things lying down. It’ll take more than performing for necrophiliacs at a fetish club to make Willow’s existence worthwhile. Now, she’s on a mission to get her heart back. A mission that may liberate or destroy her...and everyone around her. With the help of powerful supernatural colleagues and Remi, her lover with a personality disorder, she faces danger. And she's determined to win this time.

THIS IS PART TWO OF THE NARCOLEPTIC VAMPIRE SERIES. BE SURE TO READ SLEEPY WILLOW'S BONDED SOUL FIRST, AS THIS ONE PICKS UP RIGHT WHERE IT LEFT OFF.

Same warning applies: This book is not for the easily offended or squeamish. Bad language, explicit scenes, and gore abounds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dicey Grenor
• Release date: Feb 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311755469

Dicey Grenor

Wife to my best friend and biggest supporter. Mother of two handfuls. Attorney in Houston, Texas. Author of sexy, daring, wild and risky books.

Book preview

Prologue

~Last episode of Sleepy Willow’s Bonded Soul~

So now I was meandering around Hades’s Graveyard room, chatting with patrons, encouraging them to spend more money on booze and aphrodisiacs…and prophylactics. Suddenly, I started choking, gagging. Not wanting to gross anyone out, I ran to the bathroom and took a long look at myself in the mirror. I was no longer gagging and nothing seemed amiss. Making my way out again, I stopped halfway to the door. My body was buzzing, vibrating low and then more intensely until I was trembling like Hades was in the middle of a California earthquake. What the…

My vision blurred. My mouth went dry.

Then I smelled sweet vanilla.

No way.

I took off fast…down the hall, out the back door, out into the lot, into the trees…

But there was no outrunning it.

No outrunning him. I just needed to get him away from Hades. Away from humans. Away from my friends.

I finally dropped to my knees and rolled around in the damp earth.

No, no, no. Go away! I said in the darkness.

I came for you Willow, he said from inside my head.

It was just a whisper, but it made my whole body tremble as if he was right next to me. And then I knew he was.

Buzz, buzz, buzz. The buzzing of mosquitoes got louder as he formed on the earth next to me. In the flesh. Mercedez formed next to him.

I could see nothing but her eyes and teeth as she grinned. Maximilian the Great on the other hand, I could see clearly since his Celtic skin glowed in the moonlight. Even the twinkling stars kissed his blond hair.

Aren’t you glad to see me? he whispered.

Not really.

Is that any way to greet your maistre after I’ve come from such a long way to see you?

No. I guess not. If you would have given notice, I could have been more prepared.

His laughter rumbled through the woods. Then in his most menacing Max way, he said, Well, I’m here now. And don’t worry. I won’t be leaving without you.

Chilled me to the core.

I didn’t know what I was going to do about Remi and Aaron. Didn’t know how I was going to continue working at Hades. Didn’t know how I would keep Max away from everyone I cared about, including myself.

How in the hell could I keep him happy enough to not punish me while I strategized how to get my heart from him?

’Cause as ominous as it was to have Max here in the flesh, it would be much easier to figure out how to find the first thing I needed to gain my freedom. I could find it, steal it, and finally release myself from this unwanted bond.

In that regard, Max had come to visit right in the nick of time.

Only those who will risk going too far can

possibly find out how far it is possible to go.

T.S. Eliot

Chapter 1

Buzz, buzz, buzz. Mosquitoes flew from everywhere with their irritating noises and bloodsucking proboscises. Very fitting in a way, since Maximilian the great maistre vampire was controlling them. Guiding them. In my direction.

He was pissed and he had every right to be, considering he’d been demanding I return to the clan. He’d also forbidden me to give my blood to Remi, but I hadn’t listened to that either. I’d been feeding Remi my blood and feeding from his and fucking him every chance I got. Bonding myself to a human. So I deserved whatever punishment my maistre was here to dole out.

Buuuuuzzzzzz.

But those damn insects were the worst.

Saybree had been right about Max being able to do more than change his form to mist. I’d seen him do pretty disgusting things with leeches. Now, I was beginning to wonder if he could control all bloodsucking creatures. Scary thought. Although after over two thousand years of existence, he should have a few more tricks than say…me, someone who’d only been turned a few years.

Willow, you are coming back with me right now, Max said in his authoritative I-dare-you-to-fuck-with-me voice.

Mosquitoes rushed me in swarms, entering my nose, eyes, ears, and mouth. Filling my stomach and chest cavity. They were everywhere at once. Lifting me upwards from the inside out. Steering my body towards Max as he lay on cemetery dirt next to me. He rose as I rose, his arms extended like we were long-time loves finally reuniting.

I wanted to barf, but I couldn’t move. Not of my own volition.

Mercedez, the vampire clan human whore willing blood donor, who lay on the other side of him, jumped to her feet to get away from me as I slammed into Max. Into the arms I’d been avoiding for the past couple of years.

Max grinned, his eyes changing from emerald to glowing neon green, as he wrapped his Celtic arms around me like I was a prize he’d won.

It is so good to finally have you back, my love. This time, I will never let you go, he said as we continued to levitate. As the mosquitoes continued buzzing. As the last of my freedom was snatched from me.

Mercedez walked towards us as a large green and black swirling wormhole opened a few feet away. It was Max’s preferred mode of transportation. And it was here to transport us back to the clan house. Back to where all the vampires in Max’s bloodline lived. Where hundreds of his brides were. Away from my friends, my job, my lovers…my independence.

Buzz. Buzz. Buuuuuuzzzzzzzz.

Knowing it was no use didn’t stop me from fighting back against Max. The closer we got to the hole, the more I struggled in his grasp. First, it was only in my mind. Particularly since the mosquitoes had taken over my body. But I was too strong-willed. Too focused on resisting. My body had no choice but to respond. Then I tried kicking him where it counted and missed. I tried head-butting him and missed. None of it was any use because he could read my mind. Knowing what I was going to do before I did it gave him the advantage.

Mercedez stood next to us, her feet firmly planted on the ground while Max and I were floating in the air. Getting nearer to the hole. Stop fighting, Willow. Don’t make him hurt you, she said.

I would have yelled for help if not for the mouthful of insects. Or maybe told her to shut the fuck up. Or to take her ass on through the hole. Or moisturize her damn ’fro. But there was no sense taking my anger out on her. She’d only been looking out for me, and she’d be the first to offer her blood once we made it back to the house.

Just as we were about to go through the hole that would separate me from all that was important in my undead existence, time stood still. Literally. The three of us froze. All movement and sounds ceased, even buzzing from the mosquitoes. Remembering one other moment when the atmosphere had been manipulated in the same way, I felt great joy. Help was here.

Evening, Maximilian, said Franco in his sexy Spanish accent, as he leaned against a tree directly behind Mercedez.

I felt relieved. He wouldn’t let Max take me back.

This has nothing to do with you, demon.

I was shocked Max was able to talk, but it got worse. He was able to move too. In fact, after removing his arms from around me, he effortlessly lowered himself to the ground. Then he turned to face Franco.

Franco didn’t seem surprised at all. Al contrario. You appear to be taking my employee back to your clan, and I still need her to work.

Mercedez and I were still frozen while tension between Franco and my maistre grew.

Hire someone else, Max said coldly.

Franco shook his head. "Ever since the extermination order, it’s hard to find a vampire to blend in and please my necrophilia clientele. He stood up straight, his long dark ponytail blowing in the wind. Many indescribable tattoos were visible since he was shirtless, wearing only tight black leather pants and pointy toe boots. Besides, she agreed to work at Hades until the end of the fiscal year. And I’m afraid she’s still under contract."

You are aware she belongs to me and had no business making any such agreement.

Nevertheless, I don’t agree to release her from it. I know you’re a man of your word. You will see to it that she remains a woman of hers.

It felt very 1950ish that these two men were deciding my fate without my input, however, I was grateful to Franco for his interference. He knew how badly I wanted to stay. How badly I wanted my freedom.

I will buy her out of the contract. Name your price, Max said matter-of-factly, while running a hand through his short blond curls.

Well, this was getting interesting, considering Franco was making this shit up. There was no contract.

Franco clicked his tongue three times and walked closer to Max, until they were face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball. You know I only make deals in exchange for souls. And since you don’t have one… He left the sentence hanging, raising his arms outward, which apparently broke whatever demon magic that had Mercedez and me frozen like popsicles. My insect-infested body fell to the ground as Mercedez turned around to face the two oldest men I’d ever known.

"Perhaps there is something else I can offer…or someone else. You may take another of my brides in her stead. There is one in need of banishment."

Another bride in my place? He couldn’t be serious. We were all his property. His trophies. What could she have done that was worse than me bonding with Remi and refusing to return? I’d bet anything he was referring to Mayhem. Though not as rebellious as I was, she embodied her name fully, and liked to stir it up.

Franco shook his head again and rubbed his chin. Not until Willow has satisfied the terms of our agreement. Then you can send whomever you wish.

Suddenly, the mosquitoes disappeared. Tension in the air eased. And as the glow in Max’s eyes diminished, I had hope. Franco had a comeback for everything. He had the most sensible response for each of Max’s suggestions. At this rate, Max and Mercedez would leave the way they came—as a duo.

How much longer? Max said. I risked a lot to be here.

Surely, you can wait another few months, my friend. Especially after years of putting up with her insolence.

Hey, wait a minute…

Max nodded. She has been that. Believe me, she will be punished.

I gulped. At least, Franco had stalled whatever hell Max had waiting for me. With Max gone, I wouldn’t have to worry about—

Perhaps I can offer you sanctuary in the meantime, Franco said. For as long as you want. Tonight. A week. The duration of her contract…

What?! Noooo! Though screaming inwardly, I remained silent, trusting Franco to know what he was doing.

Max’s eyebrows raised skyward. Sanctuary?

Yes. In the basement of Hades. I’ve been preparing a safe haven for supernaturals to peaceably coexist. A place for us to band together against humans in preparation for the revolution. We could use your power. He glanced at me. Plus, you will be able to watch Willow more closely since she’s been staying there.

I couldn’t believe it. First, Franco knew I’d moved in with Remi and Aaron and had no intention of moving back into the basement. I’d been shielding my thoughts from Max so he wouldn’t know. Secondly, why the fuck would Franco encourage Max to stay at Hades to watch me!

Fury turned my eyes to glowing red and elongated my fangs before I even knew it was happening. But just like it was no use fighting Max, there would be no winning against Franco. Then again—forget winning. Once my vampire instincts took over, I had no choice but to react. It was a matter of biology. And my vampire biology, my nature, had me fuming for an opportunity to strike Franco right across his pretty, tanned, dimpled-chinned face.

Franco was supposed to look out for me, which meant sending Max’s evil ass away. Not inviting him over for tea. He knew the kind of damage Max could inflict on Houston residents, on my lover, on ME while he was here. Why ask him to stay? What the fuck!

Maybe Max would decline. It was too risky, after all. He had been a high-profile celebrity type vampire before the Human Preservation Act made vampirism illegal. If anyone recognized him while he was here, the Vampire Extermination Team (VET) would be on his ass to execute him. Which would kill his whole clan, including me. Surely, he knew staying was not an option.

And like nails scratching down a chalkboard, so were Max’s next words. Well, old friend. Thanks for the invitation. I would be happy to stay awhile.

Chapter 2

Premiere fetish club Hades was just a hop, skip, and jump away since I’d been at work when I first felt the summoning call of my maistre vampire. I’d run out and into a nearby cemetery to steer Mad Max away from patrons and colleagues. It was freakin’ unbelievable that I found myself escorting him and Mercedez back now.

Franco was soooo going to pay for this.

At least Remi wasn’t in the club tonight. He and Max under the same roof would be a hornet’s nest of drama.

Willow, I am excited about seeing where you display your talents, Max smirked.

I rolled my eyes. They’d finally reverted back to hazel by the time we got to the back entrance of Hades. And my fangs had all but disappeared, considering they would do nothing but get me into more trouble.

Once inside, I stormed down to the basement and slammed the door to my old room. It was just as I’d left it: windowless, soundproof, and sparsely decorated in all black.

As I lay on the bed, there was a knock at the door. Franco entered without announcement, which was interesting because it was locked.

Willow, I know you’re upset, but—

Franco, I trusted you! How could you! I jumped up with balled fists, for no reason at all. Because after the last time I’d touched his skin in anger, I knew better. I’d learned the hard way that Franco could heat up to…oh, about three thousand degrees, and blister my skin.

He closed the door, shaking his head. Women are so fucking emotional, he mumbled. You don’t even get a period anymore. No PMS. Yet you act like a hormonal idiot! He paced the floor. I folded my arms. Pouting. Think about it, Willow. THINK! If Maximilian goes back to the clan now, how are you going to get your heart back? Huh? He stopped right in front of me. Where I could see the anger, the exhaustion…the concern on his face. Don’t you need to get your heart back from him in order to secure permanent freedom?

Oh, my Lord. He was right. That was the first step on a long list of ungodly things that needed to be done.

Plopping back down on the bed, I rested my face in my hands. I am a fucking idiot.

Listen, I will never come between you and your maistre. That’s not my place. Plus, he’s a powerful ally. I’ve merely allowed you more time to get your shit together. If you’re still planning to break your bond with him, you better get smart and start working on it. NOW. Then the door opened on its own as he stormed towards it and exited. The door closed behind him.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I thought about my next step. And thought some more. And some more. What was I going to do?

First, I called Remi to warn him. Aaron answered. Though human, he was aware of the control my maistre had over me. Unpleased with Max’s surprise visit, Aaron promised to stay away until I got things sorted, and to pass the message on to Remi. I certainly didn’t want anything to happen to the sweetest, most beautiful man I’d ever known. Or the craziest one. If Remi or Aaron ever met Max, I hoped to high heaven whatever spell Saybree had placed on their protection amulet would work. That small piece of jewelry hanging around their neck could be the difference between life and death for them.

What’s up, love? Ivan said as his translucent body sat on the bed next to me. His sapphires illuminating the room before his body fully formed.

Hey, yourself. I’d gotten use to my ex-boyfriend popping up whenever he felt like it. While I showered. While I slept. During my leisurely strolls at night. Even though I wanted his soul to have peace in the afterlife, I’d begun to feel comforted by his presence. Especially since he was the first on the scene to tell me everything was going to be okay when I’d been captured, tortured, and raped. And he’d been right.

Unfortunately, things had not gone as well for him. He’d been murdered before achieving his heart’s desires, so we were stuck with each other. Indefinitely. My very own friendly ghost.

I see you’ve got problems. He ran his hand across the last trace of mosquito bites on my arm. They’d covered my whole body, but had almost completely healed. My caramel brown skin was almost flawlessly smooth again.

I’d meant to agree with him. To ask for suggestions. To throw a pity party. But my illness had other plans. And it was a good thing I was already on the bed. Made falling asleep much easier.

Moments later, when I opened my eyes, he still lay next to me. Quietly. Patiently.

You mean more than my usual set of problems? I asked, rolling over onto his chest, picking up the conversation where I’d left it off. Any suggestions?

"Have you tried asking him for your heart back?"

I laughed. There’s no way he’ll do that. Whoever controls my heart, controls me. And he relishes control.

How about tricking him into giving up your heart? Or better yet—make a deal with him. Your heart goes to the winner.

I thought for a moment. After the way your deal went with Franco, why would you suggest something like that? Don’t you know bargaining over souls and hearts isn’t something you should take lightly?

Oh, I know. That’s why I was never turned into a vampire, he smirked.

Touché. I lay back on the pillow as he lay next to me, his hand holding mine. His skin solid now, so real to touch. What if Max’s stakes are too high? What if I ended up on the losing end?

All Max has to do is snap his fingers and you have to do whatever he says anyway, Willow. Think about it—you have nothing to lose that you haven’t lost already. Just think of something he wants and bargain with it. Leverage yourself.

Taking Franco and Ivan’s advice, I did think about it. Long and hard. Until I finally decided there was nothing to it, but to do it.

I went down the hall to the room Franco had given Max and Mercedez, but they weren’t there. Stretching out my brain waves to Max, I followed his energy upstairs to the oversized hot tub, where he and Mercedez were grinning from ear-to-ear as they cozied up to two beautiful female patrons. The women had frozen looks of adoration on their faces as if Max had already captivated them and was planning to feed.

Houston, we have a problem. Franco had better get a grip on his newest guests if he wanted to maintain peace at the club because Max didn’t believe in just feeding. He killed.

His eyes were hidden under a ball cap pulled low over his eyes, but I was certain they had changed, and that his fangs protruded greedily. Not caring that I had no swimsuit, I stripped all my clothes and sank in next to him, hoping to be a welcomed distraction.

Fixated on his meal, he didn’t turn to me until Mercedez tapped his shoulder. It appears Willow is making an offering to you, she whispered.

Go! he said to his prey.

As they scrambled away quickly, with no idea from what they had been spared, I turned to Max and smiled like I was the friendliest vampire...or he was. Max, I’ve been thinking. A lot. I’m willing to go back with you now, if you’d grant me a favor.

After throwing his head back so far I thought it would fall off, he laughed. Loudly. The demon has quite the establishment here, Willow. Wish I had visited sooner. A sex den. Where all are welcomed. Why did I not think of that? Then his laughter died so quickly, I thought I had imagined it altogether. I am not interested in leaving anytime soon. He pointed to the stage on the level below. "Work. Enjoy. And when I am ready I will let you know. Suddenly, his Celtic face distorted into something that would scare Freddy Krueger on Halloween. Rest assured, when your contract is up and I am ready to part, you are coming with me. Willingly or not. There will be no negotiation. No mercy. No fucking favors."

So much for thinking. I needed a more action-oriented plan. ASAP.

All that old friend stuff between Max and Franco told me Franco knew more about Max than he was letting on. He may not have been willing to come between me and Max, but any insight he could give would be more than I had at the moment.

Busting into Franco’s office like I paid rent, I got all up in his face. Where does Max keep the hearts of his vampires, and how do I go about getting mine back? When Franco opened his mouth to speak, I cut him off. Don’t even think about telling me you don’t know when I know you do.

Chapter 3

You have some serious trust issues, Willow, he said as he moved to shut the door. He was always careful not to show his powers when were on club floors, unless the gargoyle statues that spit fire along the main room walls were empowered by him instead of their own engineering. Wouldn’t surprise me none. I thought we’d gotten past all this.

Never mind how Saybree had totally whacked my head when it came to trusting folks, Franco was suspicious right by his damn self. Yeah. That was before I realized you and Max were such good friends.

"Just because I have known him for millenniums, does not mean we are good friends. He has been one of the few who has adapted well to each era and he’s smart enough to survive