by Parker Blue
We entered the large room. It was dark inside, but my eyes soon adjusted, and the illusion was so complete, I felt as if we’d entered another realm. Moonlight played over the pastoral scene, several sheltering trees shaded a bower that looked soft and inviting, and the scent of some fragrant, musky flower wafted by on a warm breeze.
Lorenzo lounged with practiced ease on the blanket, patting the space next to him invitingly.
Fang growled. LET ME AT HIM.
I waved him back. Lorenzo hadn’t done anything wrong . . . yet. He thought we were willing blood donors, looking for a thrill.
I surreptitiously drew a stake from my back waistband and held it behind me as Dan said, “We aren’t here for the game you think we are.”
“Oh? And what would your game be?”
“The game is, we ask the questions and you give the answers.”
Annoyed, he snapped, “That’s not the way it works here. What are you playing at?”
I glanced at Dan and he nodded, knowing what I needed to do. I dropped to my knees on the vamp’s chest, shoved my forearm across his throat so he couldn’t move, and held the stake in my other fist, poised over his heart. “No, we ask the questions.”
Anger flashed in his eyes as he tried to buck me off. When it didn’t work, he tried to control my mind, even as his body responded to Lola’s seductive force field.
Now I had him. “Okay, Dan, ask.”
Dan sat on the vamp’s legs so he’d stop kicking. “Do you know Jennifer Anderson?”
Lorenzo fought the lure of the succubus, which wasn’t too difficult since Lola wasn’t all that interested. “Go to hell,” he snarled.
But the answer was clear in his mind—he did. I nodded at Dan to signal that the vamp did know Jen. It was easier if he asked the questions while I concentrated on reading the vamp’s mind for the answers.
“Do you know where she is?” Dan asked. “Who’s controlling her?”
I read the answer clearly. “No, he doesn’t,” I said. “And Alejandro has put the word out to find out who’s doing it.”
Lorenzo gaped up at me. “Who are you?”
“The Slayer.” Dan loved to say that, apparently. Seeing recognition in the vamp’s eyes, Dan added, “But if you’re a good little vampire and tell us what we want to know, we may let you live.”
Lorenzo frowned but stopped fighting. I read in his mind that Alejandro had told them to cooperate with me. He didn’t want to, but he said, “Depends. What do you want to know?”
Since the vamp was being reasonable, I let up on my stranglehold.
I nodded at Dan who asked, “Did Jennifer’s father come looking for her here last night?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?
“He made a big scene, tried to drag her out of here, but she wouldn’t go.”
I nodded to signal Lorenzo was playing it straight.
“So you killed him?” Dan asked.
“No! Alejandro wouldn’t allow—That is, it wouldn’t be right.”
“So what did you do?”
“He was annoying the customers, scaring people away, so we tossed him out, told him never to come back.”
He was telling the truth, but there was something else . . . . “What aren’t you telling us?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Lorenzo assured me.
But he lied. There, clear in his mind, was what had really happened. Lorenzo had watched out the window as three vampires he thought of as the disenfranchised ones grabbed Rick. As they dragged him off, they laughed, saying they were going to bless him.
Bless him? What the heck would blessing mean to a vampire? Crosses and holy water were pure torture to them. With fear leaping in my chest, I asked, “What does that mean? What is a vampire blessing?”
Lorenzo gave up the information readily, obviously hoping it would hurt us. “That’s their slang for bringing him over.” Then, in case we didn’t get it, he explained, “They plan to make him one of us.”
My skin turned clammy and my head spun. Ohmigod. They turned the only father I’ve known into a vampire.
I had foolishly feared he would be dead, lying drained of blood somewhere. I thought that was the worst thing that could happen. But this . . . No, I couldn’t even conceive of this.
My own blood drained from my face and I felt cold and clammy, a bit nauseous, and totally shell-shocked. I must have looked it, too, because the vampire just sprawled there staring at me, apparently pleased with his bombshell.
Dan questioned him some more, getting descriptions of the vampires, then took me gently by the arm and led me out a side door to the truck. Feeling numb, I sat huddled against the door, trying not to think, not to feel. I barely noticed when Fang cuddled up to me and licked my arm.
“You okay?” Dan asked.
“Yeah,” I lied. “I just want to find them—somehow.” I couldn’t think beyond that. Wouldn’t think beyond that. I stared straight ahead and Dan finally cranked the truck.
We drove around all night, trying to find more leads at the blood banks, on the streets, anywhere we could. No luck. Finally, exhausted and disappointed, I realized it was nearly dawn and the vamps would be holed up somewhere until the sun went down again, so we went home.
Depressed, I felt as if I were wandering in a fog. It didn’t lift until Dan settled me on my sofa and sat next to me. “Talk to me, Val.”
But it wasn’t his words that penetrated my daze, it was his gentle touch as he brushed the hair from my face.
I glanced down at Fang who had curled up next to me on the couch. My hands had tightened in his fur without even realizing it. I loosened my death grip on the poor dog and stroked his wiry fur. He hadn’t even complained. “It’s all my fault,” I said in a tight voice.
Dan took me into his arms. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he murmured as he held me close. “It’s not your fault.”
Oh wow, this was so nice. I snuggled into him like a child seeking comfort. But he was wrong. “Yes, it is,” I said, my voice muffled in his chest. “If I had found Jen, none of this would have happened.”
“You don’t know that,” Dan protested.
“Oh, please,” I said and pulled away slightly. “Like being turned into a vampire is something that happens to just anyone.”
“Didn’t you say becoming a vampire has to be voluntary, since they have to drink the blood of the person who turns them?”
I stiffened. What was he getting at? “Usually, though it’s possible that it could be forced.”
“Then . . . maybe it was his choice,” Dan suggested.
I expected Fang to respond to that, but he was so tuckered out, he’d gone to sleep.
I pulled away to look Dan in the eye. “What are you saying? That my stepfather wanted to become a vampire?” Ridiculous.
“Maybe. Maybe they gave him no other choice.”
“You mean die or become one of the undead?”
Dan nodded.
I thought for a moment. “No, I can’t believe it. He helped me learn about them, helped me learn how to fight them. He would never become one. Who would make that kind of choice?”
“A lot of people have. From what we hear, more each day.”
“Not Rick,” I said with conviction.
Dan stroked my hair again. “Well, maybe he’s not a vampire yet. Maybe he got away.”
I’d like to believe that, like to believe it was possible, but I’d stopped believing in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and magic wishes a long time ago. And I could tell Dan didn’t believe it, either. He was only trying to calm me. “Nice try, but I doubt it.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll find out, one way or the other.”
Yeah, that’s what bothered me. I closed my eyes against the pain. How had everything gotten so messed up? Just when things were looking up, when I’d gained a wonderful dog, a partner who stood up for me, and an incredible new family member who liked me for myself, fate had to dump on me and rip away my joy.
; Worse, just when I’d finally found someone to care about, the universe had ensured he was the one guy who would never care about me.
What the heck did I do to deserve this? Was it payback for thinking I was stronger, faster, better than others? Or for being not quite human?
Dan kissed my forehead and longing surged within me. Not desire, but a yearning for normality, for a lasting bond with someone, like the one he shared with his sister.
Even if I couldn’t have my cake, I was willing to settle for a few crumbs.
I tentatively put my arms around him, accepting the comfort he seemed to be offering. When he returned the favor, I clung to him, soaking in the wonderful feeling. In his arms, I felt safe, cared for . . . almost human.
Lola wasn’t interested in these kind of feelings, but I could feel the desire rising within him—undoubtedly a purely physical reaction. “Aren’t you afraid?” I asked into his neck.
“Afraid of what?”
“Of Lola. Of what she could do to you.”
“No, Micah explained some things. I know that if you wanted to, you could force me to make love to you.”
“Actually, I could only force you to feel desire. What you do with that desire is up to you.” It was important he understand that I hadn’t made him do anything.
“Point taken.”
“But of course I wouldn’t ever force you intentionally,” I assured him earnestly.
“I know that now.”
He sounded sad and more than a little tired. All of a sudden, I realized how horrible this must be for him. I sighed heavily. “I’m so sorry, Dan.”
“For what?”
“For getting you involved in my messy life.”
His gave me a little squeeze. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not. You need me now.”
“Thanks.” This was getting way too emotional and I sounded like some wimpy crybaby. I wanted him to feel safe, to not worry that I might be crushing on him or anything.
Reluctantly, I pulled away and injected some mischief into my voice. “Friends are good. But maybe Micah can introduce me to a nice part-demon boy, one who can tolerate Lola. Shade is kind of cute, when he’s not all dark and swirly. You think he might be interested?”
I glanced up at Dan who looked a little weirded out by the whole idea.
I laughed. “Never mind.” I woke Fang and headed on home to get some sleep before I had to be the big bad vampire slayer again.
In bed, worry settled over me like a blanket. Was Rick really a vampire? Had they turned Jen as well? If not, what did they want with her? Were either of them still even alive? And how the hell was I going to find them?
I knew one thing for sure. I’d rise before the vampires and be there for Jen . . . the way no one ever was there for me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
I woke up in the early afternoon to a knock on the door. It was Dan. He hadn’t even taken time to shave, and the dark shadow on his face made him look dangerous and rather sexy.
He thrust a crumpled piece of paper at me. “Someone threw a rock through my window. This was attached to it.”
TELL THE SLAYER TO STOP HER INVESTIGATION NOW, OR SHE’LL LOSE MORE FAMILY MEMBERS.
The sender of this note probably intended to cause fear, but all I felt was rage.
Dan’s expression turned grim. “You aren’t giving up.”
I shoved the door closed behind him. “Not a chance.”
“Good for you.”
“Any idea where it came from?”
He shook his head. “Anyone could have printed it off on a computer.”
“Yeah. I—” I broke off as I noticed the hellhound sniffing the note. “What is it, Fang?”
I SMELL HUMAN.
I relayed the info to Dan and asked Fang, “Do you recognize the scent?”
NO.
“Could you follow the scent?”
I AIN’T A HELLHOUND FOR NOTHIN’, BABE.
“He can,” I told Dan.
Dan frowned. “If the guy who left this used a car, you might not get very far. And it’s still daylight, so it must have been left by a human servant, not your sister’s actual controller.”
All true, but . . . “It’s worth a try.”
I dressed in record time and we hurried over to Dan’s townhouse. I turned to Fang. “Go to it.”
The terrier put his nose to the ground beneath the window and sniffed, then sped eagerly across the small lawn to the curb where he stopped and ran in circles for a few moments, whining.
Stopped already?
Dan sighed. “I was afraid of this—”
I’LL GET IT, I’LL GET IT. JUST HOLD ON.
“A hellhound’s nose is supposed to be far more sensitive than a normal dog’s,” I explained. “If the scent isn’t too old, maybe he can still follow it.”
YEAH, I GOT A LINE ON IT. LET ME TRY.
“Come on, let’s use the Valkyrie. It’ll be easier.”
We had to take Fang’s seat off the back to accommodate Dan, but he held onto Fang. They both gave me directions as I slowly followed the scent trail on the motorcycle, ignoring the rude comments of the other motorists who objected to our slow speed.
It didn’t take long to figure out where we were going. “Betcha we’re going to end up at Alejandro’s mansion,” Dan yelled above the wind.
Sure enough, we did. When we got there, Fang jumped down and sniffed furiously around the gate. “Did he get out here?” I asked.
YES, BUT HE DIDN’T GO INSIDE THE GATE. THE SCENT STOPS OUTSIDE IT.
I relayed the info to Dan, asking, “What does that mean?”
“Maybe he stopped here and got out, but didn’t go in.”
“Why?”
Dan shrugged. “Could be he picked up the note here and we followed him to his point of origin.”
“Or he got into another car.”
“Possible. The problem is, we don’t know if we were following his trail back to where he came from, or after he left the note off.”
I glanced down at Fang. “Can you tell?”
NOPE. SORRY.
“Should we continue following the scent?” Dan asked. “Either way, we might find him.”
“No.” I glared at the mansion, which looked innocuous and innocent in the daylight. “Everything always seems to come back to Alejandro. Let’s see if we can get some answers.”
I punched the code in and the gates opened. Either no one had bothered to change it or Alejandro thought he had nothing to hide.
Two beefy no-neck guards clad all in black met us at the end of the drive, arms crossed and expressions glowering. And if I wasn’t mistaken, they were packing quite a bit of firepower under those loose jackets.
“Hi,” I said cheerfully, staying on the bike. “Guards are new. Is Alejandro having some problems he hasn’t told us about?”
The guard on the right said, “This is private property. You’re trespassing.”
“How can we be trespassing if we had the code to get in?” I asked, still keeping my tone light.
That seemed to stump him, but guard number two said, “Alejandro didn’t say he was expecting visitors today.”
“True, we’re not expected, but can’t old friends drop in and see each other? He said we were always welcome.”
“Not during the day,” number two said. “No one is welcome until after dark. If you want to see him, come back then.”
“But—” I dropped what I was going to say when number one reached inside his jacket.
Dan tightened his grip around my waist. “We’ll be back at sunset.”
“So long.” I played along, waggled my fingers at them and did a one-eighty on the bike to leave the property.
About a half block away, I stopped and looked back. Was Jen inside? Was Rick?
“Don’t even think about,” Dan warned. “There are probably two more at the back of the house, and there’s no way we’re getting in through those shuttered windows. Do what he said—come back tonight.”
“Either the attacks at the blood banks have escalated and he fears for his life or he’s doing something he shouldn’t.”
“You think the increased precautions have something to do with Jen and Rick?”
“There’s no way of knowing. I’d rather worry about something I can control. Maybe we can follow the rest of that scent?”
Fang tried, but lost the trail when it crossed Loop 410. There was just too much traffic on the highway and too many exhaust fumes to follow one individual scent.
Just in case I’d ticked off the person who sent that threatening note, I called Mom. I warned her not to leave the house and to not, under any circumstances, invite anyone in.
When I was certain Mom understood how important this was, Dan and I got the latest skinny from Ramirez and Micah, then stocked up on weapons. I wasn’t really planning on fighting my way into the mansion, but I wanted to be ready if I had to.
When the sun set behind the horizon, Dan, Fang and I were already waiting at Alejandro’s. Once the shutters on the windows opened, we figured it was safe to make our move.
The two guards glared at us but didn’t stop us from ringing the doorbell.
After a few minutes, Alejandro’s lieutenant, Austin, answered and tipped his cowboy hat. “Howdy, ma’am . . . sir. Nice to see you again.”
He was so pleasant, I suddenly wondered if I’d overreacted. “Can we see Alejandro?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He opened the door wide and let us in.
I couldn’t resist shooting a triumphant glance at the no-necks guarding the door outside. But the glance was wasted—their attention was turned outside, to the grounds.
Austin led us to the very masculine study where we had been before. When Alejandro spotted us, he broke off his conversation with two underlings and waved them away. Smiling, he gestured us to chairs. “To what do I owe this honor?” he asked, charming as always.
Dan deferred to me with a glance.
