“Aaaaaaaaahhhh!” My scream echoed into the dense forest. Heart thumping, stomach roiling, fear prickling, I made a U-turn and ran back the other way. The growls gave way to fierce barking.
I shot past the pine tree. He was still there! My grave-digging safety man! His puzzled expression switched to alarm. His eyes went wide and he dropped the spade, which was a good thing, because I launched myself at him.
He caught me, staggered backward, and then tried to let me go.
“Pick me up! Pick me up!” I screeched. “Save me already!”
Chapter 2
The man scooped me into his arms and held me close. I pressed my face into his shoulder and held on to him like he was Superman. I wished he was Superman—then he could fly me away from danger.
“Are th-they gone?” I asked. My purse dangled from my right side, slapping at my hip. “Did you s-scare them away?”
“No.” His hands twitched underneath me. “Um . . . oh. You’re . . . uh, breathing hard on my neck.”
“So what?” I was terrified, and he was complaining about my breath control?
He swallowed heavily. “It’s a sensitive spot.”
“Here?” I asked, allowing my breath to roll over his skin again. Why was I asking him about the area under his left ear? Knowing where not to breathe on him wasn’t all that relevant.
“Hm-mmm.” He sounded discombobulated.
Well, so was I. I lifted my head and glanced down. The wolves were a couple of feet away, pacing. Their fur was thick and glossy—shimmering like black silk in the moonlight.
“What are they doing?” I whispered.
“Deciding whether or not to eat you.”
I squealed and tried to glue myself to . . . to . . . “Who are you?”
“Ralph Genessa. And you are?”
“Scared out of my freaking mind.” I tightened my grip around his neck.
“That’s an unusual name.”
“Ha ha ha. Have you done Leno yet?”
His brows rose. Oh, right. My name. “I’m Libby Monroe.”
The wolves snapped and snarled.
I screamed. Jamie Lee Curtis had nothing on me.
Ralph almost dropped me. He staggered back a few steps, his hands gripping me hard, but he managed to keep us both upright.
“Would you mind not doing that again?” he snapped. “They won’t hurt us.”
“You’re an optimist, aren’t you?” Death was three feet from us. Stinky, slobbery death. My heart tried to escape, first by trying to pound out of my chest, then by attempting to climb out of my throat.
The wolves continued to show their teeth and growl, but they didn’t try to maul us. Why wouldn’t they leave?
“Please, Ralph,” I begged. “Make them go away.”
“I’m not the Dog Whisperer.”
“Jeez! Give it a whirl!”
He laughed.
Startled by this reaction, I peered up at him—and felt socked in the stomach. How could I have thought he was only pleasant-looking? That smile transformed his face, which would’ve given Brad Pitt a run for his money.
Despite our thick clothing, I could tell he wasn’t soft and flabby, either. My rescuer was better built than I thought. His muscles flexed under my legs and back where he held me. An electric thrill zipped up my spine, which was far better than the fear still doing the jig in my stomach.
“Don’t worry,” he said.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I was talking to them,” he clarified.
To them? To the wolves? Uh . . . why had I thought leaping into his arms was a good idea?
The wolves barked.
I squeaked and threw my arms around Ralph’s neck. My purse smacked him on the back and he grunted.
“I’ll take care of her,” Ralph said. “If she doesn’t kill me first.”
They barked again.
“Yes, I’ll call Patrick.”
Who was Patrick? And why did he need to be called? I ventured another look down. The wolves stared at me, their teeth still showing in that we-will-devour-you-with-hot-sauce way, and then took off.
I looked at Ralph, stunned that he had somehow communicated with the animals. His blue eyes glittered with humor and with concern and . . . ooooooh, what was that? Interest? Of the sexual kind? My heart skipped a beat.
“What just happened here?”
He shrugged. “I gave it a whirl.”
“Nice.” Now that the wolves were gone, I felt a scooch more courageous. As a bonus, my heart decided to stay put and resume its normal beat.
“What are you doing here?” He sounded curious, which was far better than accusatory.
“My car broke down.” The lie rolled off my tongue easily, even though my heart stuttered. I stared at him, trying not to look away. I hated telling fibs, but PRIS wasn’t always welcomed with open arms. Some people thought we were a joke, and others a threat.
“You’re a liar,” he accused softly.
I couldn’t stop my flinch. I averted my gaze, which probably just confirmed for him that he was right.
“What are you doing here, Libby Monroe?”
His voice did the sex-you-up thing again, and I found myself gazing deeply into his gorgeous blue eyes. What was with the Dracula tone and the come-hither glance?
“Tell me your purpose for coming to Broken Heart.”
I couldn’t look away from him. I swear there was a flare of red in his eyes. Fear flamed for an instant. No, no. My imagination had gotten the better of me.
“Not that I’m weirded out by it or anything, but why are you channeling Bela Lugosi?”
He looked surprised, then worried, and then uncertain. His confusion afforded me the opportunity to ask a question of my own.
“Who are the flowers for, Ralph?”
Oh, hell. Had I really just asked that? I felt as shocked as he looked. Hadn’t I meant to quiz him about Bigfoot sightings? Maybe even cop to my real reason for snooping around Broken Heart?
Ralph dropped my legs, which thunked to the ground. Pain shimmied up my calves. As soon as my footing was secure, he let the rest of me go. My heavy purse nearly tipped me over. I righted myself, heaving the bag over my shoulder.
“Forgive me,” I said, feeling guilty. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“You’re right. You shouldn’t have spied on me, either.”
“Yeah. That, too.”
His lips thinned. Then, as if he was compelled to tell me, he said quietly, “Therese was my wife. She died three years ago.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, meaning it. I didn’t say anything else because no words could really comfort the grief-stricken. When I was thirteen, my uncle Archie died during an investigation. An explosion killed him instantly. He wasn’t really my uncle, just a key member of the PRIS team. But I’d known him my whole life and I missed him every day.
“C’mon, let’s go.” He sounded weary and resigned. Ralph pointed to a silver Honda, which was parked on the narrow road that cut through the cemetery. “Get in the car.”
“No way.” I unzipped my purse and felt around for my can of pepper spray. Vaguely, I recalled a tenet from my self-defense class: If someone tries to kidnap you, fight. Never go with them to a second location. The can rolled under my fingertips and I yanked it out, pointing the nozzle at his face. “Back off!”
“Two minutes ago, you begged me to save you.” He studied the can. “Now you’re threatening me with hair spray. And Aqua Net, no less. Does this look like the 1980s to you?”
“Shut up. It was on sale.” I looked at the trial-sized can and grimaced. “Aqua Net stings, buddy. And it’ll glue your eyes shut.”
Ralph sighed.
“You know, just because—” I stopped, peering at the copse of trees a few yards away. A strange man rounded a tree and shuffled toward us. He dragged one leg, his arms were crooked oddly, and his clothes were disheveled.
“Who is that?” I asked.
Ralph turned, took one loo
k at the weirdo, then grabbed my arm and hustled me toward his car. I looked over my shoulder. The man hit a pocket of moonlight. His skin was flaking and gray, and his hair patchy. Worse, two sunken holes were where his eyes should’ve been.
I shrieked. Yanking my arm out of Ralph’s grasp, I sprinted toward the car. I scrambled to the passenger side, flinging open the door. We both got inside and locked our doors. I watched the man move relentlessly, if slowly, toward the Honda.
“What is that thing?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“Zombie.” Ralph started the car and put it in gear. I dropped my purse on the floor and clutched my hair spray can. I felt cold and it wasn’t because of the weather. My whole body trembled.
Thwump!
Something heavy landed on the roof. I looked up and saw indentations. What could crush metal that easily?
Ralph slammed his foot on the gas. The car shot forward, but our rooftop companion was not tossed off.
Whatever-it-was leapt onto the hood and faced us. The man crouched down, his fingers hooked into the gap between the windshield and the hood. Sickly pale. Ragged clothes. Bloodred eyes.
“Okay. Who is that?” I asked, my voice rising in panic.
“Vampire,” said Ralph.
Right. Vampire. Ooookay.
I almost preferred the zombie.
The road curved to the right, but Ralph missed the turn. The Honda darted across the grass and spun through a row of graves before he managed to get back on the road.
“Why don’t you hit the brakes? He’ll go flying!”
The man punched the windshield, shattering the glass. He ripped the whole window out and flung it away. Shards scattered across the dash, into the floor, and on my lap.
Ralph slammed the brakes hard.
The car died.
Worse, our nemesis did not go flying. Jeez! Was he superglued to the hood?
His insane gaze ravenous, the vampire (no, really?) reached for me like I was a juicy steak. His grin revealed blackened teeth and sharp fangs. I stared at his mouth, horrified.
“Libby!”
Ralph’s shocked cry shook me out of my numbness. I aimed the Aqua Net and sprayed the dude. He yelled and clawed at his eyes.
I dug around in my purse until I found the object I wanted.
I held up the candle lighter, clicked on the flame, and sprayed the Aqua Net. Flames shot forward and encompassed the man’s grimy hands, which were still pressed against his face. His greasy hair was instantly flambéed.
He fell off the car and rolled around on the ground.
Ralph kept trying to start the car, but the engine refused to turn over. The vampire was still yowling and cursing. Ew. He smelled like burning mold.
I heard a long, low moan and looked over my shoulder. Through the back window, I saw the zombie shuffling toward us.
Hysteria burst through me. What was going on in this town? Killer wolves, zombies, and vampires. . . . Jeez!
Ralph shoved his door open. He looked at me over his shoulder. “What are you waiting for?” he yelled. “Run!”
Chapter 3
I scrambled across the seats and out the driver’s side door. Ralph grabbed my hand and we took off. He ran faster and faster, and soon I couldn’t keep up. My hand slipped out of his as he sped toward the main road.
My heart pounded wildly and my legs ached. I slowed to a walk, and gulped in cold air that did little to get oxygen into my burning lungs.
“What are you doing?”
“Aaaaaahhhh!” I stumbled back and glared at Ralph. A minute ago, he was at least twenty yards away. Now he was standing in front of me, his blue eyes filled with impatience.
“How did you do that?” I asked. “You should try out for the Olympics.”
“Watch out!” He grabbed my arm and yanked me forward.
I went sailing through the air. Ralph didn’t know his own strength. I landed a couple of feet away and collapsed to my knees. My purse fell off my shoulder and spilled its contents. As I picked up all the objects, fear battered at me. I sucked in a steadying breath.
Okay. If I were to believe my eyes and twenty-three years of parental insistence, then I’d just met my first zombie and vampire. Broken Heart was paranormal central. Was that guy who’d jumped on the hood really a vampire?
I was starting to freak out.
“Om mani padme hum.” I drew the syllables out like I’d been taught to do. Chanting was as automatic to me as breathing. “Om mani padme hum.”
I repeated the mantra as I shoved keys, coin purse, lighter—oh, there’s the pepper spray—gum, magnifying glass, pocket dictionary, and Sharpie into my bag. By the time I finished, I felt more in control.
I zipped up my purse and got to my feet. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and hit the button. “Mom? I mean, Ruby Two?”
No response. I pushed the button again. “Hey! Ruby Two! Sapphire Three! You there?”
Neither Mom nor Dad picked up. Panic fluttered again. I had to get to the Thrifty Sip. I had to find my parents.
I turned around. Oh, crap. Ralph was fighting the . . . uh, vampire. And he was losing. The creep had him on the ground, his hands around Ralph’s throat.
Ralph kept punching him, but the man didn’t budge. Heck, he didn’t even flinch.
“The cure!” he rasped. “I want the cure!”
Ralph gurgled.
Terror was too mundane a word to describe how I felt. Knees wobbling and stomach churning, I marched over and whapped the assailant upside the head with my purse.
He yowled. The distraction was enough for Ralph to get the upper hand. But he needn’t have bothered. The vampire leapt off Ralph and grabbed me. With one hand clenched on my coat, he hoisted me off the ground and hissed.
Oh my God! My feet dangled as I stared at him in shock. Even though I had set fire to his face, the damage was minute. I gaped at him, staring at his fangs.
He jerked the purse out of my flaccid hands and threw it over my head. Then he pulled me down until my face was a mere inch from his. His rank breath feathered my lips. Ugh.
“You smell delicious.”
I screamed. I was seriously starting to feel like a heroine trapped in a horror movie.
“Let her go!” Ralph wrapped his arm around the vampire’s neck and pulled back hard. The vampire’s red-tinged eyes went wide as he made squeak-cough sounds.
He didn’t release me. Those pale, thin fingers were embedded in my coat. He wasn’t going to let go.
Neither, apparently, was Ralph.
We engaged in an awkward dance. Ralph kept squeezing on the guy’s neck while hitting him in the back. I rained blows on his shoulders, which had no effect other than making me feel better. I kicked him, too, but my flailing feet didn’t inflict any damage. This guy was made out of stone.
A deep, haunting moan arrived just seconds before the zombie’s big, gray hand landed on top of the bad guy’s head. We all stopped fussing and turned to look at the fourth party that had joined our gruesome threesome.
“Hiiiii,” said the zombie. “Saaaaave yooooou.”
He grinned at me. At least I think he did. His mouth was mostly gone so it was hard to tell. Some of his teeth were missing, and those left were black and rotting. His breath was worse than the fanged guy’s. I breathed through my mouth, but the stench still made my eyes water.
The zombie twisted the vampire’s head. I heard bones snapping. Oh, now really. Yuckyuckyuck!
To save his own hide, the man let me go. But he didn’t just drop me. The bastard threw me.
“Libby!” cried Ralph.
Once again, I found myself airborne, only much higher and faster. I let my body go completely limp. I hit the ground on my back, flopping onto the hard-packed earth like a rag doll.
For a moment, I imagined I was lying on the softest bedding in the world. I focused on the pearlescent moon perched in the black-velvet sky and breathed deeply. I assessed my body and, though it ached, I was glad I hadn’t broken any
bones.
Thank you, Yogini Shivali. Ten years of yoga lessons had paid off. Whew. I closed my eyes and took several more deep breaths.
“Oh my God! Libby!” Ralph’s voice startled the hell out of me.
My eyes flew open and I looked directly into his concerned gaze. “Seriously. You should try out for the Olympics.”
“You’re okay?” His hands traveled over my arms and ribs, and then fluttered over my hips. His fingers lingered a smidge too long there, and my happy spot perked up. “Whoa there, bucko.”
He chuckled as his hands tested my thighs, calves, and ankles. “Nothing broken.”
“Yeah. Like you’d know.”
“I would know,” he said. “I was studying to be a paramedic before . . . well, before.”
His wife died. Had his dreams died with her, too?
Gah! What was wrong with me? My thoughts seemed to go all mushy around this guy.
Ralph helped me sit up. I felt shaky and cold. I really wanted to go back to the hotel and forget tonight ever happened. So what if the proof that validated the existence of PRIS and my parents’ lifelong dreams had been chasing me around a cemetery?
Ralph’s hands took mine and, though they weren’t warm, I still felt heat tingle through me.
Well, maybe I didn’t want to forget everything.
Ralph helped me to my feet and we looked at each other for a long moment. Every nerve ending prickled in anticipation. I saw Ralph’s gaze dip to my mouth, and my ever-so-subtle response was to lick my lips.
“Hiiiii,” said the zombie.
I nearly jumped out of my skin. “Jeez! Would you people stop sneaking up on me?”
We turned and looked at our unexpected friend. He dragged the vampire by his leg. The guy wasn’t protesting much. I looked down and saw that his head had been turned 180 degrees. Had he been alive, he’d be staring at his own ass. He’d be eating a lot of dirt, too.
“Mm-mmph-mmph.”
Neither Ralph nor the zombie had spoken.
“Mm-mmph-mmph!”
“What’s that noise?” I asked.
The zombie dropped the pant leg clutched in his gray fist and leaned down to roll the dead guy over. It was really weird to see a head on the wrong side of its body. Believe it or not, that wasn’t the weirdest part.
Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home Page 2
