Eternal War Rising to the South: The Beynok Vampire Series by Erika Bradshaw

to the kitchen for some coffee. I went ahead and put on my jogging suit. I usually jogged after a small workout in the downstairs gym. Then when I came back, I’d do weight training and spar with whoever was left in the basement. I had to go on my “morning run” first thing because the guards had been told that was my routine.
    It was still early, but Vladimir, Irena, and Boris were in the kitchen when I turned the corner from the stairs—not necessarily the people I would have chosen to see first thing in the morning. Vladimir wanted me to love him, and I didn’t even know where to start with that. Hi. I love you. You love me. Our future is written, and we’ll be happy together forever. Hah! I don’t think so. Boris was unapproachable, and his scars were strange looking. He intimidated me, so I had nothing to say to him. Then there was Irena. When I was around her, I felt our estrogen levels spike and fight one another for the right to scream, “I am woman. Hear me roar.” Plus, her clothes irritated me. I figured she’d probably be wearing slut sleepwear without bothering to cover herself up.
    Nope. Not in the mood to deal with any of them this morning, especially since they’re the reason for this “morning run” that screws up my schedule.
    “Good morning,” I said. “Just here to get some coffee, and then I’m off.” Irena wasn’t wearing a total slut outfit but a jogging suit in a hideous lime green color, tight, of course, and her zipper was down to show way too much cleavage. Any outfit for her wouldn’t be complete without cleavage. Why was she wearing a jogging suit anyway? I thought, It had better be for comfort and not an activity like, let’s say, jogging.
    All three said, “Good morning,” while I poured coffee in my favorite purple hippopotamus mug. Kind of kiddy, but it was cute and fit perfectly in my hands.
    “Would you mind if I jog with you this morning?” Okay, was that really a question coming from Irena? It sounded like one, but the outfit she wore said, “I am going jogging with you this morning.” I realized she wasn’t wearing it for comfort. Shit. “Boris and I usually run together, but he stayed up all night on guard duty. He is turning in shortly, and I was hoping I could join you.”
    I thought that sounded convincing. “Of course, you can,” I said. “I could definitely use the company. The others prefer the treadmill, so I never have a partner to run with.” I hoped I wasn’t wearing my cheesy “I’m lying” smile.
    “Vladimir, I’m surprised you allow Anya to go off on her own. Especially with the fear of our kind coming under attack by the werewolves and…” And what? I couldn’t believe Irena was questioning Vladimir’s leadership. She said nothing more. What else was she going to say?
    “Anya is the last person on my team I feel needs protecting. She has always made wise decisions.” If Vladimir knew I had made out with a vampire last night and the night before that, he definitely wouldn’t be standing up for me right now.
    “Still, Boris and I are here to help protect you, so I feel it best if no one leaves the premises alone. At least until we can figure out if a war is starting or if the attack was an isolated event.” Irena was confident in her little speech to Vladimir, and it was not a question but an order.
    “You are correct Irena. I agree with you 100 percent. Times have changed, and we need to try to understand them.” I couldn’t believe Vladimir went along with her ordering him around. She was right, but the tone she used was an inappropriate tone to take with an elder. I thought Vladimir must really respect her and view her as an equal. “You guys should go ahead and leave for your run. Elizaveta is arriving from Canon City in a couple of hours. She’s no longer needed in the investigation there.”
    I had totally forgotten about her planned arrival. “Is there anything I need to do to help get ready for her?” I was so