Blood and Bite (Rune Alexander)

by Laken Cane

  Rune sighed. “Owen. If you’re going to be Shiv Crew, I’m your boss. Here’s the first of many pieces of advice you’re going to get from me. Don’t fucking challenge the berserker.”

  She had his attention. “Lizzy wasn’t sure you were going to take me on.”

  “Lizzy?”

  “Elizabeth Peel,” Strad said. “Owen is her cousin.”

  Ah. It made sense now. She lifted an eyebrow at the cowboy. “I see.”

  His grin was white and somehow contagious. “I doubt you do,” he said. “She didn’t bring me in because she knows me. She brought me in because she needs me.”

  She crossed her arms. “RISC has a lot of crews, main one being Shiv Crew. She doesn’t need anyone else. If she brought you in, it’s because you’re related.” He started to speak and she lifted a hand. “Doesn’t mean I won’t try you out. Just means if you fuck up, you’re out—no matter what Lizzy says. Got it?”

  He inclined his head and his uneven, long hair slid over slim shoulders. “Yes, ma’am.” And he was still amused.

  “Dude.”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t call me ma’am. My name is Rune.” Without waiting for a reply, she nodded a goodbye to a scowling Strad and strode away, uncertain about taking on the lanky cowboy. But that’s what her gut told her she should do.

  Owen Five. She scoffed, but was uncomfortably aware of how close she’d come to feeding from him, and how that memory caused her mouth to dry up and her hunger to get a little closer to the surface.

  Chapter Sixteen

  All eight members of Shiv Crew lined the hall, waiting for her. They’d strapped on more weapons than usual—Even Lex, who always carried light. Owen and Strad stood at opposite ends of that line.

  Raze stood beside Lex, and when Lex heard Rune coming she must have remembered their talk about reading Raze—she shot out a small hand and wrapped her fingers around Raze’s wrist. She grinned in Rune’s direction and Rune couldn’t help but grin back.

  Raze looked startled, and when he noticed Rune watching him, his face reddened. Raze blushing? She shook her head. The whole world had gone crazy.

  “Okay, everybody. We’ve got our locations, and we’re going to stick together until fucking Llodra is captured. There’s only one rule. If you see a vampire, kill its ass.”

  “And,” Strad added, “keep an eye out for my son. If you find Llodra, don’t kill him. We’ll need to question him.”

  They all looked at Rune. “Yes, he’s right.” But Llodra would never talk. Strad knew that, they all knew that, but he was desperate. The same way she’d been desperate a few weeks ago when she’d needed her father alive.

  She led her crew to the exit doors but just as they reached them her phone rang. Eager to be off, she answered impatiently.

  “Rune,” Elizabeth said. “Have you left the building?”

  “Just heading out. What’s up?”

  “Three dead humans were found on Creeper’s Point. Obvious vampire killings. I need you to change your location and go there as quickly as you can.”

  Rune clenched her teeth, furious. “He’s fucking killing humans.”

  “You’re not surprised.”

  “No, just pissed. We’ll head to the Point, but I doubt they’d have left the humans anywhere near their nest.”

  “Llodra likes playing games.”

  “I’ll let you know what we find.”

  “Please do.”

  Rune hung up and told the crew what Elizabeth had reported. “Let’s go find the bastards.”

  She could feel Strad’s contained rage as she walked beside him to her car. “You want to leave your truck and ride with me?” she asked him.

  But he strode on toward his truck. “No,” was all he said.

  “I’ll catch a ride with you,” Owen said.

  Strad stopped in his tracks.

  Shit, Rune thought.

  But the berserker clenched his fists and stomped away.

  Rune let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Trying to stop a fight between Strad and Owen wasn’t something she wanted to attempt.

  “I heard,” Lex murmured, as Owen ambled to the back driver’s side of Rune’s SUV and climbed in, “that those two hated each other almost from the very moment Elizabeth stuck them together.”

  Yeah. Ever since the berserker yanked Owen away from my fangs in the Moor. She was not happy. The last thing she wanted was a couple of dick measuring men clashing every time they got near each other.

  But she had more important things to worry about. Llodra was keeping his promise. Three dead humans—and if Rune hadn’t stopped the vampires last night, there would have been three more added to that count.

  If she had time before she had to fight the wolf, she’d have a chat with Gunnar the Ghoul. Maybe he’d heard something through the Other grapevine and would share his knowledge.

  “I’ll ride with you, too,” Lex said.

  “Okay, baby.”

  Creeper’s Point was a high, wooded hill north of Spiritgrove where kids sometimes went to make out or ride four-wheelers. Now, it was also where vampires went to kill.

  She felt Owen watching her all the way there. Once she looked into the mirror and met his stare, and wondered what secrets those eyes held. What had happened to Owen Five?

  They all had a story to tell. But even after working with her men for years and later, with the twins and Lex, she still didn’t know everything about them. Maybe she never would.

  She did know they could be trusted. She’d trust any one of them with her life.

  Except Owen.

  She was going to have a talk with Elizabeth at the first opportunity.

  Owen’s cell rang. “Hey, Lizzy.” He listened for a couple of minutes. “I’ll tell her.” He hung up without so much as a goodbye.

  “What?” Rune asked.

  “Sherry’s body was found in Texas.”

  “Fuck,” Rune muttered. She wouldn’t miss the traitorous bitch, but she felt for Amanda.

  And now Sherry could never answer their questions. The secret of who had taken Matthew had died with her.

  Lex turned halfway in her seat and reached a hand back to Owen. “Hold my hand.”

  He laughed. “No, kid. You don’t want to read me. Your head would explode.”

  Somehow, Rune didn’t doubt it.

  She made an emergency stop for coffee which Lex and Owen both declined, and arrived at Creeper’s Point twenty minutes later.

  The crew was already there, milling about with the SPD. The media had arrived as well, and SPD had posted cops to keep them back and away from the crime scene.

  “Cruikshank is here,” Lex murmured.

  “I saw.”

  “Who is he?” Owen asked.

  “Newspaper reporter who follows me everywhere. Doesn’t talk much, doesn’t get in my way. Just follows me around.” Rune shrugged. “I have no idea why.”

  “Maybe he finds you interesting,” Owen replied, his eyes steady.

  “Yeah, and maybe he’s bored.” Rune climbed out of the car. “Vguns loaded, guys?”

  Her day would be made if they could find a nest and destroy some vampires before nightfall.

  Z and Jack came to meet her.

  “It’s fucked up,” Jack said, adjusting his eye patch. “The vampires bled them out, torturing them first.”

  Were the undead mad or just evil? Rune stood at the edge of the police tape. In the center of the large square lay the three bodies. They’d been arranged in a circle, feet touching, arms spread out.

  She knew immediately that Llodra himself had committed these murders, or at least helped. The victims had no faces. It was the work of a mad, enraged vampire.

  She motioned an officer to her. “Were they killed here, or killed somewhere else and brought here?”

  “They were killed here,” he said, his young face pale. “I hope you find the fucking bloodsuckers, Alexander. I wouldn’t mind having a minute alone wit
h them.”

  She looked up, studying the area. To the north of the Point was nothing but deep woods. About fifty feet in front of the victims was a drop off—you could stand at the edge and watch the tiny cars far below on the highway.

  There were caves, too, deep into woods that seemed to go on forever. “This is going to take a while. Let’s get started. I want to clear as many caves as we can before it gets too dark.” She paused, looking around. “Where’s Strad?”

  “He glanced at the bodies and disappeared into the woods,” Denim said.

  Rune sighed. The berserker was not a team player. But she’d never met anyone more capable of handling trouble. “He’ll be okay. Let’s go.”

  With vguns out and ready, Shiv Crew trekked into the woods of Creeper’s Point. Please God let us find a nest.

  They all needed a kill. Not just Shiv Crew but the people of River County. Tremors of fear had started shaking the entire county. What if the vampires couldn’t be put down? What if the vampires—the Others—took over?

  If that fear became stronger, chaos would ensue. People would panic. What people feared they hated—and then they went out and started killing. Others, people, animals. Themselves.

  So it was with a feeling of desperation the crew began combing the woods for mad, sleeping vampires. Time was running out.

  They found nothing except for a single note from the master, and it was again addressed to Rune.

  Maybe I will take everyone you love, Rune. Why? Because misery loves company, or so it is said. I do enjoy your company and would even were you not miserable. But misery lives inside you, doesn’t it? Just as it lives inside me. We are alike, though you will not want to admit that. But you know the truth. I am not alone in my madness.

  And that terrifies you.

  I will leave you more dead humans tomorrow.

  She avoided the eyes of her crew as Z read aloud the new note.

  “What he does is not because of you,” Jack said, watching her. “Don’t get that shit into your head.”

  “He’s fucking insane,” Z agreed. “It’s not your fault, Rune.”

  Right. “You all have to be super vigilant. If he can hurt me through you, he will.”

  “You be careful,” Lex said, vibrating slightly. “You’re the one he’s going to want. In the end, you’re the one he’s going to take.”

  They were all silent as they absorbed the truth of her words. Chilled, Rune trembled and rubbed her arms. Even a jacket wasn’t enough to warm her as she was caught in the mad master’s radar.

  “Let’s get out of here,” she said. “We’ll check the remaining caves and the rest of the woods in the morning.” She nearly groaned when she realized she still had to meet the wolves later that night.

  She hadn’t seen Strad in the woods, but Raze said he had. The berserker was doing things his own way and that was fine with her. For now.

  Lost in her thoughts, she ignored both Lex and Owen all the way back to RISC. She left them to find their rides and their dinners and went to report to Elizabeth.

  She handed over the note. “He’s going to kill more humans. You need to encourage a curfew until we find him.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Already in place. The news will run a segment tonight and the papers will have pieces as well. Everyone who doesn’t have to be out after dark is urged to stay inside. And if they’re driving, not to stop their vehicles for any reason.”

  “That part doesn’t really matter,” Rune said. “Vampires can stop a car.”

  “Only if it’s a small, slow car.”

  “It depends on the vampire. One as old—and mad—as Llodra could stop a bus. And I—” She cut herself off, horrified by her close admission. Sure, she could cause some damage to a moving car, but she didn’t want to put herself in the same sentence with fucking Llodra.

  “I want you to choose some of Shiv Crew to take the night search, Rune. Then they can sleep while the others take the day search.”

  Rune nodded. “I was going to suggest that myself. I’ll divvy up the crew tonight.” They could no longer afford to search only when the vampires slept.

  Elizabeth stood with the note in her hand. “I’ll get this logged into evidence. You should have some dinner and relax. You’ve earned a rest.”

  Rune wanted to laugh. Rest wasn’t an option. She needed to visit Tina, Gunnar the Ghoul, and meet with the wolves. There would be little resting.

  She stopped by Ellis’s desk to remind him about the coming night. “Hi baby.”

  “Hey Rune.” He held up a hand before she could say anything else. “I haven’t forgotten. I don’t like it, but I haven’t forgotten.”

  She grinned. “It’ll be good to get that behind me. I can’t carry the wolves.”

  “I know. I just don’t like that you’re going to get hurt.”

  “It has to be real for the new alpha’s sake.”

  “Have you met him?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. But if he can take care of the pack and I can give up the title, I’m happy. I need you to call Denim, Levi, Raze, and Owen. We’re starting a night search. I’d like them to take tonight. I’ll do the wolves tonight and take Lex, Z, Jack, and Strad with me to search in the morning.”

  “You got it. Back to the Point?”

  “Yes. Thanks, Ellie.”

  As she left RISC to visit Gunnar and Tina, she realized happy might have been a reach. After all, as Nick Llodra had written, misery had taken up residence inside her soul and didn’t seem to be in a hurry to move out.

  But she saw Strad as she was walking out and when she met his gaze, a seed of hope began to sprout.

  She could stomp the melancholy down.

  Fuck Nicolas Llodra.

  Chapter Seventeen

  She let herself into Strad’s apartment after her knocking failed to summon Tina. She worried Tina might overdose on the sedatives she’d been given or open a vein.

  But Tina was in bed—Strad’s bed—the shades pulled and not a single light on in the entire apartment.

  Rune sat down on the edge of the bed and shook the woman’s shoulder. “Tina.”

  Tina finally sat up, pushed her hair out of her face, and stared blankly at Rune. “What is it? Is…did you—”

  “No, no.” Dammit. “Not yet. I just wanted to check on you. Have you eaten?”

  Tina lay back down. “I’m not hungry. You should be out searching for my son, not sitting here with me. Go. Please.”

  Tina’s grief was overwhelming and Rune stood, pacing the room. “We’ll find him, baby. I promise.”

  “I shouldn’t have brought him here.”

  Rune pulled one of the shades and stared out the window. It was nearly full dark but even the night was better than the stifling room. She breathed a little easier once she could see the streetlights and the world outside the window.

  “Get dressed and I’ll make you some dinner.”

  “I couldn’t eat, Rune. I want to be left alone.”

  Rune grabbed the remote and flipped on the little TV in the corner of the room. The sound of canned laughter filled the room. It was better than nothing. “I’ll be right back.”

  She ran down the stairs and into the kitchen, putting together a sandwich while coffee brewed. Coffee made everything a little better.

  She loaded a tray and carried it upstairs. “Tina, sit up. Don’t make me drag your ass out of that bed.”

  Tina sighed but sat up, pushing herself back against the headboard. Her hair was a bristly mess, tangled and matted, and her eyes were large, dark pools of despair in her pale face. “I know you think you’re being helpful but—”

  “I’ll leave after you’ve had a cup of coffee and eaten at least half this sandwich. Otherwise, I’ll stay here. All night if I have to.” She was bluffing, but Tina didn’t know her well enough to be sure.

  Tina grudgingly picked up the sandwich, took a bite, and then swallowed it down with a gulp of too hot coffee.

  “Good,” Rune said. />
  Tina didn’t speak until she’d eaten the entire sandwich. “Where’s Strad?”

  “Still at work.”

  “Will he be home soon? I really don’t want to be here alone, now that you’ve forced me awake.”

  Rune took the tray and set it on the nightstand. “I don’t know. I can call him…”

  “No, I will if he’s not back in a while. Are you going to look for Matthew tonight?”

  Rune hesitated. “I have a meeting tonight, but I will first thing in the morning.”

  “Do you think you’ll find him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Alive?”

  Again, Rune hesitated. “I hope so, baby.”

  Tina patted the bed. “Talk with me for a few minutes before you go.”

  Rune sat. “Do you want to take a ride with me tomorrow, get out of this apartment for a while?”

  Tina plucked at the sheets. “No. Not really. I’m afraid to leave. The kidnappers might bring him back here.” She looked at Rune. “They might.” As though Rune had argued.

  “Okay. Whatever you need.”

  “When I first heard about you and saw you on the news, I thought…” Tina pressed her lips together, then hurried on. “I thought of you as an Other. You looked so terrible. Terrifying. And I…” She blushed, then dropped her gaze before continuing. “I was disgusted that Strad let you drink his blood. I got so angry at him.”

  Rune stared at the wall. “I am Other.”

  “Yes. But now that I know you, I don’t think of you as a monster. You’re everything I wish I could be. You know, brave, confident, in control. Badass.”

  Rune looked at her, surprised.

  Tina threw her a quick, wan smile. “I think we can be friends.”

  “Okay.” Rune cleared her throat. Damn. She was not good with the whole girl talk, BFF shit. “Sure.”

  “But Alexis Love—Lexi—frightens me. There’s something about her.”

  “She lived through hell.”

  “Yes, I’m sure.” She grabbed Rune’s arm. “Rune, I was once involved with a man who was a zealous member of the Church of Slayers. I was in love with him.”

  Rune forced herself not to pull away. “Fucking COS?”

  Tina started nodding and couldn’t seem to stop. “Because of our relationship, I got involved with the church as well.” Tears welled up and spilled over, but she gazed steadily into Rune’s eyes. “I needed you to know, but I’m afraid if Lex finds out she might…” She gestured wildly. “Do something.”