Reyna’s Vampyr: Chapter Two

“What are you doing tonight after work, Reyna?” Lexy asked.

“Going home to tend to her cats,” Caitlyn said.

“A lot you know. I don’t have any pets,” Reyna said. There might be felines living in her home but only a fool would mistake them for house cats.

They were at a table in the glass enclosed, rooftop atrium where they usually gathered for lunch. Office personnel who worked on different floors in the building, they’d met and become fast friends in the course of doing business for their respective bosses.

Delany airily flicked off Reyna’s response. “You might as well. With your boring lifestyle, throw a few cats into the mix and your picture could feature in Webster next to the word ‘spinster.’”

“Hey! My life is not boring. Just because I’m not a ho’ like some folks I know.” Reyna directed a pointed look at Delaney. “Or a swinger like other people I could name but won’t,” she gave an arched look at Caitlyn, “does not make me dull. I happen to like my life just the way it is.”

Lexy pointed a finger at her. “So what are your plans for tonight? It’s Friday. Surely you don’t intend to sit home.”

Since she planned on doing exactly that, Reyna remained silent. After the hectic week she’d had, all she wanted to do was go home and curl up with a bowl of ice cream and a good book. She might even watch a movie. The possibilities were endless.

At her silence, Caitlyn said, “Reyna, no. You can’t stay in tonight. You need to go out and live a little. Do something other than hole up in that warehouse you call a house.”

The others nodded in agreement. Reyna frowned. She liked staying home. Home was safe. Home was her sanctuary, where she could relax and be herself.

“I know!” Delaney snapped her fingers. “She can go to that new club, the one everyone’s talking about. I hear it’s all the rage, especially on Fridays.”

“The Gladiator? Yeah, that place is totally blazing,” Lexy agreed, a dreamy expression on her face.

“And packed,” Reyna inserted dryly. “Everybody who is somebody—or thinks they are—tries to get in. The line wraps around the block and stays that way for hours. I’d never make it to the door, let alone get inside, even if I wanted to, which I don’t.” Reyna shook her head. While she’d never been to The Gladiator, she’d heard others speak of it and seen reports of it on the news. Just the mere thought of being trapped in a building with so many vampyrs made her shudder.

“Aw, come on. It would be fun. Just standing in line would be better than sitting at home,” Delaney said.

“Says you. No way.” As far as Reyna was concerned, the conversation was over. She wasn’t going anywhere near the place. Driving past it on the way home was bad enough.

“I can get you in.”

All eyes swung toward Jacey, the quietest and newest member of their group, at the calm conviction in her voice.

“You?” Caitlyn voiced what they all were thinking.

Reyna was shocked and a bit dismayed.

“I’m pretty sure I can get Reyna in if she wants to go,” Jacey said.

“How?” Lexy demanded to know.

“You’ve been to The Gladiator?” Delaney questioned at the same time.

“It’s not important. Reyna?” Jacey dismissed them both, showing a calm sense of self-possession Reyna had never seen her display.

As Jacey stared at her, obviously waiting for a reply, the others continued to taunt Reyna, like bullies on a playground.

“Oh, she’s too chicken to go,” Delaney said with a dismissive wave of her hand in Reyna’s direction. “Let me go. I’ll enjoy the experience way more than Reyna.”

“I’m no coward,” Reyna vehemently protested. “Just because I don’t enjoy bouncing from club to club every night doesn’t make me a chicken.”

“Really? When’s the last time you went out? To a club? On a date? Out to eat? The movies or theater? Hell, how about a museum? Anywhere other than home?” Lexy asked.

Reyna opened her mouth, but nothing came out. What she did on her off time was private, not something she could share with this group, no matter how much she enjoyed their company. Besides, she couldn’t remember ever doing any of the things Lexy mentioned, unless it somehow pertained to business. How pathetic.

“I knew it,” Delaney crowed. “Reyna’s a big scaredy cat.”

“Am not. You take that back!” Reyna demanded.

“You know, I have to agree with Delaney,” Caitlyn murmured and Lexy nodded. Jacey just sat quietly and watched.

Reyna glared at them all. She didn’t have to defend her lifestyle. She had valid reasons for living the way she did.

“Uh-huh. Prove it. I dare you,” Delaney taunted.

She could feel her blood pressure rising as her temper began to boil, but tried to play it cool. Arching an eyebrow, she asked, “You dare me? What are we, still in grade school? This whole conversation is stupid.” She shook her head and then tried to change the subject. “Anyone heard the latest? They say we might all be getting a cost of living increase. I hope so. There’s also talk the cost of our benefits might increase.”

Caitlyn nudged Delany. “She’s trying to avoid the issue. She’s frightened.”

“Terrified,” Delaney agreed.

Grinning broadly, Lexy said, “If she was a horse, the whites of her eyes would be showing.”

Reyna rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I just can’t believe how childish you three are being.”

Lexy leaned forward in her seat and pointed her fork at Reyna. “Come on, Reyna, I double-dare you. Break out of your rut and get out of the house for once.”

“Who knows, you might actually meet someone nice,” Jacey said.

“And get laid, something you obviously need,” Caitlyn threw in.

Delany frowned at the others. “Can’t you see you’re wasting your breath? Women afraid of their own shadow rarely come out in public and socialize.”