Burning Ash

by N. J. Walters

  …

  She’d been relaxed—or as relaxed as she ever got—and enjoying herself. Yes, he’d let himself into her home and slept with her. She was still annoyed at his heavy-handedness, and if he pulled a stunt like that again, she would make him pay dearly. But his intentions had been good. And they’d only slept. Nothing more had happened. The kiss was just that. Nothing to get worked up about.

  Her body disagreed, her lips tingling and her skin heating. Down, girl. This isn’t a date, just two colleagues sharing a meal. But he was interesting and fun and knew more about pop culture than anyone she’d ever met.

  Getting another anonymous email had spoiled her good mood, but at least she was now certain that it wasn’t Asher sending them. Impossible with him sitting right in front of her.

  The more cynical voice inside her whispered that, as a hacker, he could have set it up earlier so it would send now. Not much of a challenge for someone with his reported skills.

  Was she looking for trouble where there was none? Was she suspicious because he’d gotten close to her?

  Didn’t matter. She was on her guard, regardless. Playtime was over. Time to get back to work. That was what she understood. That was what made sense.

  Ignoring the relief that washed over her at focusing on what was familiar and safe, at least emotionally, she read the email. “The address is in a commercial district not too far from here,” she told him, unsure how familiar he was with Brooklyn. “Do you think they know we’re together? Or are they banking on both of us showing up like we did at the church?”

  It creeped her out to think of someone spying on her without her knowledge. Her awareness of her surroundings was vital to her safety. Had she missed something?

  His frown deepened as he studied the text. “I’d wager the latter.”

  “They expect both of us to show up independently?”

  “Yes.”

  “What’s the plan?” It was odd to ask someone else’s opinion. She was used to handling the details on her own.

  “That’s up to you,” he told her, his dark eyes steady. “I have no trouble meeting them on my own.”

  And putting himself in danger. “No way. They want both of us, they get both. Or they don’t get either.” On that she wouldn’t budge.

  The corners of his mouth tilted up. “I thought you’d say that.” He nodded at her empty plate. “You done, or do you want more?”

  “I’ve had enough. No sense in loading up before a fight.” She checked her watch. “We’ve got a couple hours before the targets are supposed to show. What do you want to do?”

  “Same as you, I imagine. Check out the place.”

  Her heart thumped faster as adrenaline pumped through her veins. As dangerous as the situation was, there was nothing quite as exhilarating as a hunt.

  Maybe sex with Asher is more thrilling.

  She wouldn’t know and planned on keeping it that way. Sure, he kissed like a god, and was built like one, too, but there were more pressing matters to deal with. Jo shoved all thoughts of sex aside and put her attention on what was important—the task at hand. This time she wasn’t alone. She had backup, very capable backup.

  “Let’s go.” Before she could dig money out of her pocket, Asher dropped a fifty-dollar bill on the table.

  “You carry a stack of those tucked in your pocket?”

  He’d left a fifty with the gas station attendant as well.

  “Money always helps smooth the way.”

  She didn’t disagree, but you had to have it to throw around. As soon as they were outside, she turned to him. “Just exactly how do you make your money?”

  “How do you make yours?” he countered.

  Okay, she got it. Don’t ask questions unless she was willing to answer some in return. She’d never cared before, but she’d also never been this close with a man for it to matter. It was important. And right now, all sorts of illegal and nefarious schemes were running through her head.

  “I do some jobs for a local bail bondsman,” she admitted. Not work she particularly enjoyed, but it gave her a flexible schedule and a decent paycheck. Her real job was expensive and rarely paid. “I also buy and sell the occasional artifact I come across when I’m tracking a target. How about you?”

  “Real estate.”

  That took her aback. “Real estate? Like houses?”

  “I own buildings all over the city, but mostly in Manhattan.”

  Her mouth was hanging open, but she couldn’t help it. She was having a hard time wrapping her head around this bombshell. To actually own buildings in Manhattan… He wasn’t just well off. He was filthy rich. “How is that possible?”

  He hesitated for the briefest second. “It’s a family thing. The land and buildings were bought when they were still relatively cheap.”

  While it was totally plausible, her gut was telling her it wasn’t the whole truth. He was entitled to his secrets since she had every intention of keeping her own.

  Colleagues, nothing more. With that reminder firmly in place, she squared her shoulders. “Let’s get going. We don’t have time to waste.” Leading the way, she strode down the busy sidewalk.

  …

  Jo was quiet as they walked away from the more populated areas toward the commercial buildings, which were all but abandoned at this time of the evening except for the occasional security guard or homeless person. They still had a couple of hours until the vampires were expected at the location they’d been given.

  The fact he was rich bothered her, and she didn’t know the half of it. Given how long he’d lived, he had real estate interests all over the world, controlled by a single company with various hubs in major centers. He employed hundreds of people to handle all his concerns, which freed him to pursue other interests.

  Not to mention what he earned through contracts with the Forgotten Brotherhood. Assassination was always lucrative.

  But the money was another brick in the emotional wall she was building between them. Did she think he’d look down on her because her income was less? She’d have to suck it up. He wasn’t about to allow her to shut him out. Fortunately, he was much too determined, not to mention stubborn, to be deterred.

  “How does the sender of the email know where the vampires are going to be?” she asked. “How could anyone know for sure? Once, maybe. Twice? I’m not buying it.”

  “That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?” And one he’d been considering. “You want my take?”

  “Yes.” They turned down an alleyway, leaving the traffic farther behind. A cat yowled in the distance, someone yelled, and a bottle smashed. None of which seemed to bothered Jo in the least.

  “A very old vampire may be sacrificing his children.”

  “Those he turned? Why?”

  He skirted a discarded sneaker and kept walking. “Another excellent question.”

  “I have my moments.” The sarcasm was ripe in her voice.

  He stifled a smile. “If we knew the answer, we’d know why we were being sent these emails.”

  “You don’t think it’s another hunter?” Looking badass with her open coat flowing behind her, she strode competently forward, totally unafraid to face whatever was before them.

  “I don’t see how.”

  “I thought it might be one looking for backup at the church. You know, maybe he or she had overheard something and was sending out word to ask for help.”

  “Then why make it anonymous?”

  She stopped and surveyed her surroundings, hands on hips. “That was the only thing that didn’t add up. Why us? Why you? Why me?”

  “I have no idea.” Taking advantage of her slight distraction, he hooked his arm around her waist and dropped a kiss on her sweet lips.

  Shock kept her immobile for no more than a second. Then she responded, kissing him hard in ret
urn before shoving him away with both hands.

  “Not the time for this.” Her breathing was fast, and he could hear her heart rate was elevated.

  “Sorry.” He gave her his best innocent look.

  “I’m on to you.” She pointed a finger at him. “This is why I don’t work with men who are attracted to me. It muddies the water. A distraction could get one or both of us killed.”

  A hurricane of fury rose inside him. The thought of her with another man fired his anger and bloodlust.

  “Hey, you okay?” Her voice penetrated his dark and dangerous rage.

  “Don’t talk about other men.” His voice was low and gritty, almost a growl.

  She took a step back, hands raised. “Sure. No problem. But you’re not going to stand there and tell me you haven’t slept with a whole bunch of women because I sure as hell won’t believe you. And don’t say it’s different just because you have a dick and I don’t.”

  “I would never say that.” Think it? Absolutely. Say it? Never. He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, unsure how to deal with the unfamiliar emotion. Jealousy wasn’t something he’d ever experienced. Anything that threw him off-balance was dangerous to him and to those around him.

  He owed her an apology. “Look, I’m sor—” He broke off when something skittered on the ground in the distance. Raising his head, he sniffed the air.

  She immediately melted back toward the shadows, alert and scanning the area. “What is it?” she whispered.

  “They’re early.” And he and Jo weren’t in position. That was on him. Thinking about her with other men had consumed him, and he had stopped paying attention. He’d have to do better. If something happened to her because of his lapse, he’d never forgive himself.

  “Ambush?” She drew the short sword from the sheath at her back. He was grateful they’d stopped at her apartment long enough for her to grab her blade and the crossbow, which was hidden beneath her coat.

  Concentrating, he peered around, searching for heat sources, finding them easily. “Yes, four of them.”

  “Four? You sure?”

  They weren’t nearly as warm as humans. “Yes.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “I just can.” There was no time to explain. He only hoped she’d trust him. He moved stealthily forward with her right behind him, keeping watch at his back.

  “We are so going to talk more about this later.”

  “Come out, come out, wherever you are,” a singsong voice called. Hard to tell if it was male or female. Likely male. Females tended to be smarter and rarely involved themselves in petty wars. They’d rather keep their heads down and enjoy life, far away from the attention of hunters.

  Of course, some of the most diabolical and brutal vampires he’d ever put down had been women.

  Asher raised two fingers and pointed to the right, then two to the left. Jo nodded and faced left.

  It was the age-old technique of divide and conquer. And it worked as well today as it had a thousand years ago.

  “What do you want?” he demanded, his voice carrying through the darkness. He and the other vampires would be able to see just fine. Only Jo was at a distinct disadvantage. There was some light from nearby streetlamps, which helped break through the growing gloom.

  “World peace,” the disembodied voice shot back. “Okay, not really. I’m hungry.” The creature dropped from the top of a three-story building, landing in a crouch, teeth bared. Dressed in black leather pants and an open leather jacket, which displayed a bare chest, he could be a poster boy for bad-boy vampires, especially with the black hair and reddish eyes. Not to mention a line of silver hoops in both ears and single piercings in both nipples.

  Personally, he didn’t get the appeal. Too many things to get ripped off in a fight. “To quote the legendary country singer Shania Twain, ‘that don’t impress me much.’”

  Beside him, Jo gave a snort of laughter. The male scowled and slowly stood to his full height.

  “You won’t be laughing for long.” He raised his hand and signaled. Three more jumped down to join him.

  “Look, darling,” Asher told her. “He brought some little friends with him.” Taunting them served a purpose, one Jo would understand. Vampires were volatile creatures, many thinking themselves superior to a mere human. They wouldn’t easily read him as one of them unless they were very old or he allowed it. Right now, they thought him easy prey.

  “Walk away,” the one who seemed to be in charge said as he pointed at Asher. “You’ll make a nice snack, but it’s her we want.”

  “Why me?” She stood beside him, sword by her side, ready to swing at a moment’s notice.

  That’s what he wanted to know. If she was the target, why draw both of them here? It didn’t make any sense.

  The one in charge laughed. “Contract on Jo Radcliffe is worth a cool two million. But I’d do it for free.” He licked his lips. “You look tasty.”

  “Give me a break.” There was just enough derision in her tone to make the guy frown. “I recently ashed Vlad the Impaler. You guys are nothing more than rejects from a punk rock band from the eighties.”

  Asher couldn’t help but smile. His hunter was ballsy.

  “Now, darling,” he reminded her. “I was there that night, too.”

  “Yes, you were. And you did a wonderful job.” She said it in a cutesy voice as though placating a child, making him chuckle.

  “You think this is some kind of joke?” The vampire hissed, fangs flashing. He curled his fingers to show off the long claws extending from them. “I’m going to drain her dry while you watch. Then I’m going to do the same to you.” Raising his arms in a dramatic fashion, he yelled, “Kill them!”

  Chapter Seven

  “You didn’t tell me you were so popular,” Asher got out just as they were attacked en masse. He retrieved two knives and threw them in one single motion, impaling two of the assailants in the chest, narrowly missing their hearts. It slowed them down but didn’t stop them.

  “What can I say?” She ducked beneath the arm of one and came up swinging her sword. It cut a swath across her opponent’s back but didn’t dig deep. The wound healed almost as soon as the blade was lifted. “It’s a gift.”

  Fighting was something he’d always done alone. A burden he’d carried for more centuries than he cared to remember. Fighting alongside Jo was completely different. Knowing he’d have to kill didn’t weigh on his soul as heavily with her beside him.

  But it did give him something to lose.

  Asher attacked the two he’d knifed. They had to die as fast as possible in order to even the odds. He might be old and almost invincible, but she wasn’t.

  Throwing caution to the wind, and assuming she was too busy fighting to notice, he allowed the nails of both hands to morph into long, deadly claws.

  One of the guys stopped trying to yank the knife out of his chest and stared. “You’re one of us.”

  “I’ll never be one of you.” He rammed his fist through his opponent’s rib cage, driving the knife out the other side of the guy’s body, gripped the heart, and yanked it out before tossing it aside. The man went down.

  The second one tried to run. Asher almost let him go, but he had to die. He’d come here tonight to kill Jo. There was no coming back from that.

  The vamp took a quick look over his shoulder as he ran, fear etched on his face. It was always a shock to the newly turned to realize they still weren’t the apex predators on the planet. Too bad this particular one wouldn’t get the chance to learn from his newfound knowledge.

  Putting on a burst of speed, Asher ran down his prey. He didn’t bother trying to get in front of him, but simply slammed his fist through the runner’s back. It didn’t matter how he got the heart, only that he did.

  By the time he spun back around, less than a minute had passed.
/>   Jo was still battling and holding her own, but there was no way she could win unless she got in a lucky strike. Fatigue would eventually take a toll as there was no letup. Sweat beaded on her brow but she didn’t even try to swipe it away. The sword whipped through the air, slicing at each of her attackers in turn. With her back to the wall, they couldn’t get behind her. It was a clever tactic, and one that proved her experience.

  “I’m going to enjoy your blood,” the vamp that had originally spoken said as he licked his lips.

  “Not the first time I’ve heard that,” she shot back.

  Asher went straight for the other guy while the big talker was occupied. He slammed his fist through the guy’s back and yanked out his heart. Fast and brutal and very effective.

  Unfortunately, it drew the attention of the remaining vamp. He released a howl and jumped toward Jo. Distracted by what Asher had just done, she wasn’t able to avoid the attack.

  He dragged her in front of him, one arm wrapped around her neck and the other around her waist. “Whatcha gonna do now?” he taunted. “And why the fuck are you with this hunter bitch? You’re like us.”

  Now that was downright insulting. “As I told your former colleague before he so suddenly passed, I’m nothing like you.”

  “The question you need to ask is not what he’ll do to you,” Jo interjected, “but what I’m going to do.” With that, her arm shot up and back. The knife she’d retrieved while he’d distracted the vamp slammed into the guy’s neck. A gurgling sound escaped his lips, but he didn’t release her.

  The muscles in his arms constricted. He was going to slay her and take his chances.

  “Stop!” Asher threw every ounce of might and ability at his disposal into the command.

  The vamp froze in place. So did Jo. Her eyes were wide, her face pale.

  His eyes were blazing red, an unfortunate side effect of using that much power. “Release her,” he demanded.

  The attacker strained with everything he had, but his arm slowly moved away from Jo’s throat. Asher reached out and yanked her toward him.

  “Everything will be fine,” he assured her as he cradled her against him. “But I need answers. We need answers.” There was no way he could release her. She’d either try to kill him or run. He’d make it up to her later.