I looked at Faye, who I sensed wasn’t a vampire, and was only doing this for some kind of twisted pleasure. Her malice gave me the strength that I needed to resist. I released the girl and stood up.
“What in the hell are you doing?” snapped Faye, standing back up.
I pulled the girl to her feet and scowled at Faye. “The real question is what are you doing and why?”
Ignoring the question, she turned to her henchman. “Lucas, take the girl out of here. Bring her downstairs and give her to the Roamers.”
I pulled the girl back, away from Faye and Lucas. “I don’t think so.”
“Oh, what a gallant gesture,” sneered Faye. “You do realize that she knows too much now, don’t you?”
“She doesn’t have to remember anything,” I replied. “I can make her forget all of this.”
Faye stared at me and I could see the wheels turning in her head. I wasn’t sure why she’d wanted me to confess something she’d already known. “What exactly do you want?” I asked, positioning the terrified girl behind me.
Her face softened. “You know, I believe that we started this conversation on the wrong foot.”
I waited for her to go on.
She licked her lips and smiled. “I want you to fire your manager, move to Shore Lake, and let me take care of your career from this day forward.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “You’re joking.”
“Not at all. As you already know, I’m a very wealthy and successful woman. I have connections all over the world with people who can take your career to an entirely new level of success. Slade, I can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams.”
“I’m already rich.” I’d accumulated a lot over the last three hundred years and our band did pretty well. Money wasn’t even a motivator for me. Never had been. I performed and sang, because it made me feel almost human.
“Maybe, but you haven’t reached superstardom yet, Slade.” Her eyes glittered. “I can help you get there.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. We don’t need you.”
She smirked. “Is that right? Well, the rest of your band has already agreed to this. They want me to be your new financial advisor and manager.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “What? Bullshit.”
She went back around to her desk and turned on the laptop computer. “They even picked out a cabin already. Slade, moving here is the best decision for everyone. Vampires do need to stick together.”
“Are you saying that you’re a vampire?” I asked.
She snorted. “Hell no. I’m a Shifter.”
Fuck, now that was bad news. If I went against her, she’d go after me with a vengeance. Shapeshifters were dangerous and most of them were known to have violent, crazy tempers. I sensed that she was among that particular lot.
“It would never work. We don’t like to stay in one spot too long,” I replied. “I’d suffocate here.”
“You wouldn’t have to live here permanently,” she replied. “Hell, the Roamers have already proven to me that they are unable to settle anywhere for too long. But, when we move, you’d move. Eight months tops in Shore Lake and then we’ll move on to the next town. Together.”
I folded my arms across my chest. There was no way in hell I’d live near this psychotic bitch. “What do you get from all of this, besides more money and fame?”
“To be honest, I like to be in control. You’re relatively new to the U.S. and obviously don’t understand how things are done here.”
“What exactly does that mean?” I asked.
Her face darkened. “Fine, I’ll tell you the truth - I run this part of the country. Me. Nothing happens without my knowledge or approval. There are those immortals who would challenge my authority and like more than anything to take away all of the power I’ve acquired. Of course, they always fail because I have an army to back me up. An army of your kind.”
“Then why do you need us if you’re so damn powerful?”
She smiled. “Let’s just say that I like you Slade. I want you on the team.”
What she really wants is to control me and the band, I thought. Along with anyone else that poses a threat. There was no way I’d let that happen. “I need to speak to the band about this. Quite frankly, it would be inconvenient for us to settle here. Really inconvenient.”
Her eyes gleamed a purplish hue. “It would also be dangerous if you didn’t. Really dangerous.”
That bitch just threatened me?
“I don’t take intimidation well,” I replied sternly. I’d survived a century in Romania, where vampires were hunted and crucified by both humans and other immortals. I’d been beaten and tortured by more than the likes of Faye Dunbar and there was no way that I’d allow her to push me around.