The Serpent's Kiss (The Hunter Chronicles Book 4)

by Claire Marta

  Flinging the overly freakish amount of unopened bubble gum packets she found on the floor, she continued to rummage. When her hand curled round something familiar, she gave a hum of success. Finding the dark glasses she knew Gemma kept there, she yanked them free.

  “My eyes are sensitive. I don’t generally go out in daylight hours. I prefer the night. It takes a while for a Vampiria to adjust to the sun. I have never bothered to try.” Asier told her quietly as he accepted them and slipped the glasses onto the end of his nose.

  “Am I your guide human now?” Jasmine joked waggling her hand in front of his face. A small squeak let her lips when his own shot out and grasped her wrist. His grip was firm. The heat he was always radiating warmed her skin.

  “My eyes are closed bella, but my other senses are still sharp.” Asier informed her sardonically. “I would also prefer to drive in silence. I can see you are not used to driving and I do not want to risk an accident.”

  Tugging her hand free she returned it to the wheel. “Wow that’s one way of saying I’m a shitty driver. Thanks.” Jasmine muttered back with a sniff.

  Asier’s only answer was a chuckle.

  The northern line of the tube had many deep abandoned tunnels. Here it was more than likely the creature was making its nest. It needed space to move. How it was getting from place to place without being seen was still a mystery.

  Jasmine suspected it was travelling between train stops. Slithering its way along the passages when there were gaps in travel time. It was the only thing that made sense. Not only lethal and deadly, the giant snake seemed to be intelligent too.

  By the time they reached Euston, the Master Vampire was a little more comfortable with the natural light. Well, as much as he could be. Arms folded over his muscled chest, the dark glasses remained firmly on his nose. Jasmine found it odd not being able to see his eyes. She was used to them now. The bright changing colour which always entangled her in their depths.

  They had no problem finding their way to the sealed doors. A worker from the fully working metro station nearby was there to help them. The guy was smart. He did not asked questions. Nor did he hang around once he let them inside.

  Darkness surrounded them the moment the door swung shut. Ominously its thud echoed along the walls. Jasmine could sense Asier beside her. His presence set tingles of awareness across her skin. An urge to step closer rushed through her but she remained on her spot. Fear. It was a natural response in a situation like this. But she could not give into it. The knife she was wearing in a sheath inside her leather jacket was some comfort. At least she was not without a weapon. Snapping on her torch, its narrow pale light cut a path through the blackness. Her cheery illumination eased something in her chest.

  “Here.” Jasmine pulled the spare one from the pocket of her jacket. Glancing at the vampire’s shadowy form she held it out. Asier did not move.

  He stared down at it as if he found the thing offensive. “Jasmine I do not need it. I can see in the dark.”

  Oh hell. She was doing it again. Forgetting what Asier was, just like she had with….NO. Jasmine did not want to think about Eric. Not now. Not ever again. They had a job to do.

  “Oh right. I forgot.” Clumsily, she stuffed it away.

  Something squeaked somewhere in front of them. Small beady eyes gleamed in the beam before the rat scurried off. Jasmine took a deep breath. Rodents were not her favourite animal, but at least she was not as phobic about them as she was with spiders. Treading carefully, she began to venture into the unknown. It was quiet. Too still. As Jasmine was discovering lately, these were the best places for monsters to hide. The stale air was humid. Just as it had been the first time she and Gemma had encountered the giant snake. A good indication they were on the right track. But she needed to be sure.

  “You seem preoccupied cara. Is there something on your mind?” Asier asked as he casually strolled beside her. The vamp was relaxed. No doubt the darkness did not hold any fear for him. Jasmine envied his ability to see in the dark. She had to concentrate hard to make sure she did not trip and fall on her arse.

  “Look, I’m not sure we should have sex again. In fact, maybe we should pretend it never happened.” She told him keeping her voice hushed. “The other night was just a huge mistake.”

  “Why?” Asier asked back without even a hesitation. Almost if he had been expecting it.

  Sweeping the ground with her light, Jasmine kept her attention on her task. “It will just complicate things. I don’t need that in my life right now. We should just stick to your bite. I never should have slept with you.”

  Asier drifted closer. She did not see it, but sensed it from the way the hairs on her arms rose up in goosebumps before his hand brushed hers. “I didn’t hear you complaining the other night. Don’t you think you’ve already burnt that bridge bella?”

  “I agree with Jazzy. You should not go anywhere near the vamp’s dick again. God know where it’s been, or who has been on it.” Twitch pipped in through the earwig making Jasmine jump. How long had he been listening into their conversation? They had been wearing the devices since leaving the club.

  “Shit. I thought you weren’t patched in yet.” Jasmine snapped. She knew how nosy the mage liked to be.

  “Mark wanted me to keep an ear on you.” The techno mage purred back. “I was hoping the giant reptile had eaten the Italian cockwaffle by now, but it looks like I will have to wait for that to happen.”

  She did not miss his bitter tone. Ok. That was it.

  Swinging around Jasmine aimed the light at the vampire’s face. “What the bloody hell is going on with you two?”

  Asier did not even flinch. With the dark glasses gone his violet eyes were luminous orbs. They shone. Unearthly they stared down at her.

  “I told you. It does not involve you.” The Italian replied impatiently. Brushing past her he strode ahead. He was getting uptight and aloof. Completely different from his usual seductive, easy going manner. It reminded her a little too much of Eric.

  Barely suppressing a growl, Jasmine continued to move. She did not know what was going on, but she was going to find out eventually. Both males might be stubborn but so was she. They had come to a fork in the path. Two tunnels. One to the left and one to the right. Both were unappealing. The brooding darkness stretched endlessly in either direction.

  “Fine. But you better not let it affect this mission. Let’s split up.”

  Asier paused at her words. Jasmine took the opportunity to pass him. She felt his intense attention shift to her back in the dark. “Jasmine, what if you find the creature first?”

  Not bothering to turn she took the left passageway with slow sure steps. “With your sensitive hearing I’m sure you will be able to hear my scream.”

  “And get there before it eats you?” Asier called sardonically.

  “Maybe I’m asking too much.” Jasmine muttered as she pulled a childish face.

  “Asier?” No response. Jasmine frowned.

  She had made it along her route in one piece. So far she had found nothing. Checking her wrist watch she noted they had been apart for an hour. Magic tickled her skin. It always did when she used it. Twitch had made it with tech and spells. Not just your standard piece of fashion jewellery, the watch was full of the mage’s enchantments. It always came in handy.

  “Twitch, have you heard anything from Asier?” Jasmine murmured as she swivelled so go back. Irrationally she felt as if the darkness around her was thickening. The beam of her light from her torch seemed to be more muted, dimmed. It was making her jumpy.

  “No, everything’s gone quite his end.” The techno mage muttered. “I’m not picking up anything at all. Maybe if we’re lucky, he’s gotten himself staked.”

  Worry had Jasmine chewing on her thumb nail. “That’s not normal right? I mean you get background noises?” Carefully she began to backtrack. The quiet chilled her. Apart from the occasional rumble and shake of a passing tube on another level, there were no other soun
ds. Even the rats were scarce.

  Twitch gave a little sniff. “Yes. It could be damaged because I can’t hear a damn thing or...”

  “He might have taken it out.” Jasmine finished for him grimly. “I can’t believe he would be that stupid.”

  If that was the case, then what was the vamp up to? Roaming down here without being in communication was dangerous. She doubted even he could stand up against the creature alone. Did he want to get eaten? It did not take long for her to reach the section with the other passageway. Jasmine had only taken her time before as she had been searching for clues. Now she paused.

  Standing still, her ears strained to hear anything through the impenetrable blackness. Silence. Jasmine gave a grunt of annoyance. Where the hell was Asier? Maybe she was going to have to save him from the serpent instead. The corners of her mouth kicked up with a smile. She bet that would be embarrassing. Asier, Master Vampire of London, being saved by a human.

  Placing the flat of her hand on the wall she crept along the route. The tunnel veered sharply. Tiles lay beneath her palm, dusty yet still smooth, then rough brick as she used it as a guide. Jasmine gave a squeak as her torch light flickered abruptly, and then blinked out.

  “Fuck. Not now.” She muttered as she smacked it with her hand. The batteries had to be dead. Frowning she tried to recall the last time she had replaced them. Then she remember the spare torch. Trying not to panic she reached for it in her pocket. Flicking the switch, nothing happened. Growling Jasmine released a long shaky sigh. Seriously? It was not possible. The batteries were newer. It had to work.

  “Jazzy you ok?” Twitch’s voice was a reassuring sound in her ear in the pitch black.

  “Both my torches just died.” She whispered back, suddenly feeling vulnerable. It was a safe bet the monstrous snake could see in the dark, which meant it would easily find her.

  “Get the fuck out and wait for the others.” The mage suggested helpfully in his familiar purr. “Have you got any weapons on you?”

  “Yes. I’ve got a knife but I can’t leave Asier, what if he’s hurt?” Jasmine grumbled back knowing her friend did not give any fucks when the vamp was concerned. Unfortunately Jasmine did.

  The Italian was growing on her. It did not feel right abandoning him down here. Alone.

  “He’s a vampire, he doesn’t need your worry. Trust me, Asier is more than capable of taking care of himself, and if he’s not then that’s his problem. You’re more likely to be the one to get killed.” Twitch muttered back. “And I would never forgive you if you did.”

  “I promise to be careful but I can’t just leave him here.” Carefully Jasmine drew her blade from its sheath. It gave her a little boost of confidence. Finding the surface of the wall again, Jasmine used it to move along. She could only hope that she would find some kind of illumination later on. Maybe the Italian was just simply lost? Some of these tunnels were like a maze.

  It was getting warmer. The moist atmosphere growing thicker the further she progressed. Jasmine felt dread churn in her stomach. Asier had to have found the creature. Was he hurt? Dead?

  A blood chilling hiss broke the quiet which had descended so heavily around her. It confirmed her fear. Holding a breath, Jasmine flattened herself against the dusty wall. Instincts inside her were screaming for her to run. Primitive urges to escape a predator on its hunt. Squeezing her eyes tightly closed, she tried to calm her racing heart. It was going like a jackhammer. A moment passed. The sound had been in front of her. Not close but further down.

  Asier had to be down there. Jasmine knew she had no choice but to continue. Leaving him behind was not an option. She would never leave a teammate behind, not even at the risk of her own life.

  Edging along, she tried to tread soundlessly. Another sharp bend greeted Jasmine’s hands. For a moment she was disorientated and groped blindly. As she manoeuvred herself around, she became aware of a warm welcoming glow. It was further along, and appeared to be coming from an opening.

  Trying not to trip over her own feet, she eagerly made her way toward it. This was not artificial light. No. It was from torches. Jasmine could tell from the dancing shadows it cast along the floor.

  Eyebrows pinching together Jasmine stopped to listen. This did not add up. Why would torches be down here? The faint sound of voices drifted from the doorway. Gingerly, Jasmine adjusted her grip on her knife. Sneaking closer she peered inside.

  The serpentine body of the creature was the first thing she saw. It was huge. Armoured scales gleamed in the flickering light. Green as a forest in the middle of spring. This was the first time she had seen it so clearly. Jasmine couldn’t deny it had a certain deadly beauty. Again, she wondered where it had come from. Something that size must have taken years to get that big. What had it been feeding on? And why in hell had no one discovered it sooner?

  Coiled, it lay so still someone might mistake it for dead. Only the occasional flick of its long forked tongue gave an indication it was very much alive. Its black reptilian eyes were open. They were embedded among its scales. Unblinking stare fixed on the humans who were moving uneasily around the other end of the chamber.

  Jasmine noticed then the thick chains which were looped around the beast’s neck. They were attached to the walls by broad metal bolts. It was imprisoned. Shifting her attention she examined the men. Six in all. They were all familiar.

  “I’ve found the creature.” Jasmine whispered, knowing Twitch could hear her. “It’s with the protesters we keep seeing outside the club.”

  The techno mage gave a little hum. “Those fucknuggets are involved? I’ll let Mark know. Go hide somewhere Jazzy, don’t let them see you.”

  Tables had been set up. On the surfaces were some kind of make-shift laboratory. Jasmine could see beakers and test tubes. Wires connecting things were flowing with a multitude of colourful liquids. Large green eggs the size of an ostrich’s were sitting nestled in plastic. It looked like they were extracting fluids with needles through the shells.

  Jasmine’s glance flickered to the boxes in a corner. More eggs were packed in polystyrene ready to be shipped out. What were they doing? Did this have something to do with the drug? Twitch said the tablets contained reptile DNA.

  “They seem to be using its eggs for something...Hang on, I thought snakes gave birth to live young.” Jasmine’s brow creased in confusion. She was not an expert, but she remember seeing something on the Discovery Channel. “What does that make it then? A lizard?”

  “I’m not a zoologist, but I think grass snakes lay eggs.” Twitch replied dryly. “Where is your purple-eyed expert?”

  Jasmine could see no sign of Asier. The vampire had just vanished without a trace. “I don’t know but I’m going to have to find him...”

  “She’s going to have our neck if the fucking thing escapes again.” One of the guys across the room suddenly said loudly. It was the beefy guy who had tried to hit her in the club.

  “It’s chained. I don’t understand how it keeps getting free.” Another one grumbled. He was thinner and smaller than his friends. “Look at it. The way it stares like it knows what we’re thinking.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s a reptile and dumb as shit.” The bigger guy snapped. His voice was firm but the look in his eyes was frightened.

  Every hair on the back of Jasmine’s neck suddenly sprang to life. Her sixth sense began to pound in her head like a native drum. Vampire. She recognized the signature. Even before she had a chance to turn she felt a presence behind her. It was not Asier. By now she was used to his energy. With a feeling of dread Jasmine spun around. Knife raised in her hand she was ready to defend herself.

  Kane. The mountain like Vampiria loomed from the shadows. He was silent. Eyes glazed and unfocused, they were pinned to her like a wolf’s on a rabbit.

  Asier came to slowly. Pain radiated from his arm sockets. It took him a moment to gain his bearing as his brain kicked into gear. He appeared to be handcuffed. His arms were above his head and attached
to some kind of metal hook. This left his feet inches from the ground, and him dangling like a piece of meat.

  The last thing he remembered was seeing what looked like a nest of eggs. Humans had been harvesting them. Then he had sensed the presence of Kane. After that everything was a blank.

  Tilting his chin he examined the hook he was hanging from. It looked solid and was fixed to the stone ceiling. Asier let his gaze wander down. He was in a stone chamber. It was cool and dusty. Light was coming from a torch which sat in a metal bracket fastened to the wall. Taking a calming breath Asier reached for his powers. Nothing stirred. The familiar heat which always warmed his body when they rose was absent.

  “Don’t bother. I have bound your powers temporarily. The fire calling and your lust won’t work, nor will your Vampiric strength.” An all too familiar voice informed him from the shadowy doorway. Slowly, Shell slunk into the room with a seductive sway to her hips. “You saved me the trouble of snatching you from your club. The planning alone was becoming a headache, but now that doesn’t matter.”

  A knife which was held tightly in her elegant little hand glinted in the light. Asier eyed it grimly. What did this bitch have planned? Not many had the knowledge to bind a Vampiria’s abilities. It, like their existence, was steeped in secrecy. That she had such insight was dangerous.

  Shell slid the flat of the blade lightly over the front of his t-shirt. Asier could feel the press of the metal. Staring at her passively he waited. If she thought to frighten him, she was mistaken. He had no fear. He’d been cut before, and enjoyed it. Pain was something he was used to, and his threshold was high. She could torture him all she liked, but he would never break.

  “Once you’re under my spell like Kane, I’ll have you at my beck and call.” She murmured huskily. “The Vampire King of the City as my slave. And I will have you on your knees Asier.”

  Using the weapon she carefully cut open the material. When his tattooed chest and abs were on display, she smiled. Raising her hand she caressed him. Her touch though left him cold.