Sergej Khakimullin
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Hello, folks! Sorry about my lengthy absence…I’ve been busy. I requested time to interview Kane Kayrs, but he just couldn’t make the time. I guess being the smartest guy in the Universe tends to keep one busy. So I contacted Amber, Kane’s mate, and she said they’d love to sit down with me. This time I chose a brand-new coffee shop in town. They haven’t heard of us there, which is a good thing. Those Kayrs men get me kicked out of places every darn time. Here’s the transcript of the interview, with a couple of my thoughts thrown in:
Oh, wait a minute. I guess I should give you some quick background. I arrived early and found a nice booth toward the rear of the shop. Then, since I’ve hung with the Kayrs men before, I sat with my back to the door and left the chair that faced the door for Kane. Yeah. Not my first rodeo.
Kane and Amber arrived, both carrying tons of shopping bags. Kane wore his customary black slacks and silk shirt, while Amber wore a long, flowing skirt and lots of Celtic jewelry. They reached the table, Amber scooted in, and Kane took the chair I figured he’d take.
ME: Thank you so much for meeting me here! I know how busy you are. Been shopping?
KANE: You could say that. He gave Amber a look. Apparently my mate loves after Christmas sales.
AMBER: Oh, I really do. You have to check this out.
At that point, she reached in a bag and pulled out the most adorable little hoodie with a picture of Einstein on it. I got all excited…OMG – a Kayrs baby? My heart actually leapt into my throat. Honest.
AMBER: Isn’t this the cutest? It’s for Walter.
I coughed. Yeah. I coughed.
KANE: Walter is the monkey I use in my lab.
ME: Um, yeah. Okay. So…how about any Kayrs babies? You know? I’m just curious.
AMBER: I think a baby would be wonderful! But, it usually takes vampires quite a while to procreate for some reason. Usually a century or two. Well, except for Talen.
KANE: It’s probably because we’re mostly immortal. I mean, since we live so long, it makes sense that there shouldn’t be too many of us. From a universal perspective, that is.
ME: I see. But I notice you’re not saying no.
At this point, three waitresses wandered into view from behind the counter. As one, they all saw us, and they all sucked in breath. Then, not caring of their associates, they all tried to rush forward at the same time.
Two of the waitresses smacked into each other and went down. The other leaped several feet to land at our table.
TRIUMPHANT WAITRESS (to Kane): Hi. What can I get you?
He lifted that eyebrow in total Kayrs fashion.
KANE: Are your friends all right? (She nodded and didn’t take her eyes off Kane). Okay.
AMBER: Maybe we should help them get off the floor.
KANE: Stay put, sweetheart.
Yep. Kayrs male all the way. Then Kane smiled at the waitress. Her eyelids fluttered, but to her credit, she didn’t swoon.
KANE: Izzy will have a double caramel latte, Amber will have an organic bean, all natural, vegan Bobby Bill, and I’ll have a cup of coffee–black.
ME: Um…how did you know what coffee I like?
A Kayrs eyebrow rose. Oh yeah. Smartest. Guy. On. The. Planet. He probably actually knew what I’d had for breakfast, how much money I had in the bank, and my secret dreams nobody else had ever guessed.
AMBER: Kane remembers everything. So, how are things with you, Izzy?
ME: Um, fine. Thanks. How’s life as a vampire mate?
AMBER: Terrific. I mean, Grandma Hilde is getting along fairly well with the vampires, though she does try to run things sometimes.
Kane flashed her a look.
ME: So how is life at Realm Headquarters?
Just then, the outside door jingled. Always a bad sign when meeting the Kayrs men. So I turned…and it wasn’t Talen or Jase, the two who usually cause me problems. It was a large, hulking, sexy, dark-haired guy. I’d never met him. But the air vibrated around him in a way I’ve come to recognize as shifter-tension.
Kane instantly stood and planted himself between the table and the door. Yeah. The big guy wasn’t going to let anything happen to little ole me. Well, and Amber. I’m sure he wanted to protect Amber, too.
The guy prowled forward, his gaze on Kane.
KANE: Terrent.
Terrent: Kane.
Oh. I figured out quickly that the guy must be Terrent Vilks, the sexy as hell wolf shifter who’s the hero in TWISTED. I began to stand because hey, I needed to interview him. One look from Kane (over his shoulder no less) had me sitting back down. Darn it.
KANE: Why are you here?
TERRENT: I need your help. Maggie’s in trouble, and it’s time for her to move to wolf headquarters.
KANE: We can keep her safe.
TERRENT: Not like I can…and you know it.
Kane rubbed his chin. Have you talked to Dage?
TERRENT: No. I figured I’d get you on my side first.
KANE: Good plan. But I can’t guarantee I’ll agree. Let’s talk.
TERRENT: I’d love to. But there’s a cadre of werewolves just outside of town, and I figured…
KANE: We’ll talk while we hunt. He looked at me and gently drew Amber out of her chair. Izzy? I enjoyed our chat. We’ll meet again after we take care of the werewolf problem. Pure anticipation lit his sizzling eyes. Yeah, the guy wanted a good fight.
AMBER: I’ll just stay and chat with Izzy.
KANE: No.
Just as easy as that, all three of them disappeared through the door. I felt a little bereft until I noticed a hulking shadow by the door. Gathering my courgage, I marched over to a huge, blonde guy with eyes the color of a midnight storm. “Who are you?” I asked.
HUGE, BLONDE GUY: Your bodyguard. The king wants you safe.
Well, now. It rocks to be Izzy, doesn’t it? 🙂
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