Paranormal After Dark: 20 Paranormal Tales of Demons, Shifters, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Witches, Magics, Ghosts and More

by Rebecca Hamilton

  I stepped back, leaned against the wall, and panted. My hand moved to the burning wound on my neck, and my hand came away wet with blood. Surprising. My blood felt frozen inside my veins. I didn’t know how it could even flow. Adrian pushed the other vampire against the wall and staked him. He turned and his gaze sought mine. He moved to me, pulled my hand away, and inspected my wound.

  “I have a first aid kit in the van,” he said in a faraway voice before turning away.

  I used the wall to prop myself up as we made our exit. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, the chill had returned, and I seemed to have a perpetual shiver. The night air drove me to my knees. I tried to stand but my legs wobbled and I collapsed to the ground again. Adrian glanced back me and shook his head with a sigh. He wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me up. His arms radiated heat and I leaned as close as possible as we hobbled back to the van. I pressed my hands against the full blast of the heater as he drove for several streets before stopping to tend to my wound. At the touch of alcohol on the bite, I sucked air between my teeth.

  “You’re experiencing symptoms of hypothermia,” Adrian said. “It’s common from a Strigoi’s bite.”

  “S-so, b-blood loss and hypothermia,” I muttered. “I d-don’t see how their victims survived.”

  “Many didn’t. In the past, Strigoi used to be rare. They controlled their numbers in order to stay hidden. That’s changed now.” Adrian pressed his lips in a thin line.

  “How?”

  “Erebus, the parent company of Acesco, has taken to hiring groups of humans whose main purpose is to feed them.”

  I blinked. “So they’re paying humans to allow vampires to feed off of them?”

  His lips twisted in a wry smile. “Well, that and the possibility of immortality. Supposedly everyone has a price.”

  “How do you know so much about this company?” I asked.

  “They’re vampires,” he said. “I’m a Van Helsing.”

  “So are Esais in Tres, and they sure as hell don’t know about this.”

  “Are you sure about that? Why do you assume you know us that well?”

  I swallowed hard and crossed my arms. I hadn’t noticed when my hearing had started return to normal, but it had left an ache in my head that only compounded the chill and my sluggishness. Adrian could have told his brothers about this, and this was their way of handling it.

  “I know you well enough,” I said. “Esais would have taken more active interest if he knew humans were being used as food.”

  “And he would have gone riding in to save people who chose that path?” Adrian taped the bandage to my neck and started the car again. “They made their choice. We need to focus on destroying the vampires and the drug.”

  I shivered at the possibilities Synergy could have on the populace, or was that just the hypothermia. Wait. “No, it’s more than that. You know Raina Benson. Who is she to you?”

  “Another vampire to kill.”

  I sighed. “You’re not going to tell me.”

  “It’s none of your business.”

  “What about Esais and Tres? Is it their business that you’re running off to fight vampires by yourself?”

  “I don’t have to answer to them. Or anyone. Despite what you think, I am a grown man.”

  “Really? Because you were all set on coming on your own tonight. What if you had dealt with those two by yourself?”

  “You were the one bitten.” Adrian pulled into the garage of the office. “You should see Tres and see if he can do anything.”

  He slammed the door as he exited and headed up the stairs. I hopped out and sprinted to catch up. The parking garage blurred around me, and the world tilted. I leaned against the back of the van and swallowed hard.

  “This isn’t over,” I called after him.

  “Yes, it is.” He disappeared behind the closing elevator doors.

  Chapter 18

  WITH A DEEP breath, I knocked on John’s door. My heart thudded in my ears as I leaned against the doorframe and rubbed my upper arms. The chill from the vampire’s bite lingered despite Tres’s touch. By the time he had allowed me to leave, Adrian had disappeared again. I’d been commanded to go home and rest, but how could I sleep with these questions burning in my mind?

  John pulled open the door and blinked at me. “Gabby, hi.”

  I took in the wet tips of his hair and the way his shirt clung to his chest. “Did I interrupt anything?”

  He glanced behind him and back to me. “Nothing that can’t wait. What’s up?”

  “I thought I would drop by and see if you could help me get to sleep.”

  His eyes smoldered, but he frowned as he studied me. “You’re shivering.”

  “Long story,” I said.

  He wrapped an arm around me as he guided me through the door and to the bed. “One that’s obviously on your mind. Sit and I’ll make you something warm. Then you can tell me.”

  I sat down cross-legged and pulled the blanket up around my shoulders. The thought of hot liquid coursing through my body sounded delightful, but even more, I wanted John’s body against mine. He moved to the small coffee maker and pulled out several packets from the little stand.

  “Coffee or tea?” he asked.

  “Tea,” I said. “That coffee is awful.”

  He grinned. “You are such a food snob.”

  “Wouldn’t this be a coffee snob?”

  “But I know you.”

  I chuckled. He turned back to the coffee maker. I brought my knees up to rest my chin on them as I watched him. What had I been thinking in suspecting John? He’d always been one of my staunchest allies. He constantly put himself in danger just to find information I needed, and he always listened to me drone on about my problems.

  He had secrets, but he wasn’t the only one. Adrian’s face flashed through my mind, followed by the picture of Raina. I shook my head and smiled up at John as he approached with a steaming mug in his hand. I wrapped my hands around the porcelain and breathed in the sweet scent of cinnamon and apples.

  “I think the hotel stocked it special for the holidays,” he said.

  I laughed. “I forgot that is was almost Christmas.”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t think you paid attention.”

  “I don’t really.”

  He walked to the window and pulled aside the curtain. The lamplight reflected off the glass and obscured the city he stared out into. I sipped the tea, and the hot liquid spread through my frozen body.

  “What are you looking at?” I asked.

  “Nothing.” He turned back to me with a smile. “So, do you want to tell me what happened?”

  “Vampires,” I said.

  He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve pissed off that corporation?”

  “Adrian and I snuck in to get more information. Humans aren’t the only guards they have.” I rubbed the tender spot on my neck where I’d been bitten.

  “You’re upset at being bitten?”

  “I’m cold, not upset.”

  He sat down beside me. “You are. It’s why you showed up at my door.”

  I sighed. “Adrian is hiding his previous relationship with Raina.”

  John gave a soft chuckle. “Of course.”

  I glanced at him. “What?”

  “Nothing. So, he’s got secrets. This isn’t news.”

  “These are dangerous. She’s trying to distribute the brimstone, and he’s holding back. I think he wants to deal with her on his own.” I stood up and set the empty mug on the table.

  “He’s a vampire hunter, Gabby. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”

  “Not with Faust.” I crossed my arms. “I feel like I’m dealing with this in the dark, and it might get one of us killed.”

  He came to stand a few inches away from me. “Some things you just need to let go of.”

  I met his gaze with narrowed eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “You have issues with not being in control. You’re upset because
he’s handling this on his own.”

  I threw my hands up. “Which is what I just said.”

  “You’ve said he was brilliant.” He put his hands on my shoulders. “You need to trust in his skill. Or is there something more to this?”

  I glanced away from him. “It just makes me uneasy.”

  “If it was one of the others, would you worry this much?”

  “Of course I would.”

  He gave a sad smile. “All right. You need information. Leave it to me.”

  “I didn’t come here to ask that of you.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  I opened my mouth and shut it. Maybe I had subconsciously. I’d relied on John for information so many times in the past. Lucy would have been too cryptic, and Adrian was family to her. For the most part, I could rely on John and not have to worry about the familial outburst that would happen if I told the others.

  “Yes,” I said. “I could use your help.”

  “Done.” He brushed his thumb along the line of my jaw. “You know, there are other ways to warm you up if you’re still cold.”

  My coat brushed against his shirt as I stepped closer. “And what do you suggest?”

  His breath tickled my ear, causing a shiver to race up my back. “This room has a very large tub…”

  “You look like you may have enjoyed it already.” My voice came out with a slight burr.

  “Not as much as I will with you.”

  In one swift motion, he scooped me up and carried me into the bathroom. John set me on the edge of the tub and kissed me on the cheek as he reached past me to twist the faucet on. A rush of water echoed against the crème-colored walls and white tiles, and stream rose, filling the room with lavender.

  When I reached to pull my coat off, John’s hands covered mine.

  “Let me do that,” he said. “I’m here to take care of you tonight.”

  My lips parted with a trembling breath as he slid my coat off my shoulders and tossed it to the floor, followed by my shirt. I lifted my hips, balancing on my hands, as John tugged off my jeans and silk panties. He crawled between my knees and trailed tiny kisses along my thighs, up my stomach, and to my breasts. His tongue darted out, tracing along the edge of my bra while he unhooked it from the back. I climbed in the tub and sighed as the heated water enveloped me, but it was nothing compared to the flame erupting within as I watched John drop his robe and walk toward me.

  “Is there room for me?” he asked.

  I scooted forward. “It wouldn’t be any fun if there wasn’t.”

  He climbed in behind me with his thighs cradling my hips and his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer so I could feel his growing hardness. The hair on his legs rubbed against my soft skin, sending delightful shivers through my body. I tried to turn around, but he held me still, and something wet and spongy caressed my shoulder blades. I gave a small moan as the tension in my muscles eased under his expert touch.

  “Do you like that?” He nibbled on my earlobe, sending another shudder through me, and the sponge stroked across my ribcage and down my hip.

  I turn so that I straddled him with my hand braced against his firm biceps. Beneath me, I felt his cock stir to full attention. I arched my back so my breasts thrust forward with my rosy nipples hardened to stiff buds.

  “I thought I should make it easier for you to get the front,” I said in a husky voice.

  With a grin, he leaned forward and took one of my nipples into his mouth. I gasped and let my hands trail over his shoulders and down his chest. He caught them before they reached his waist.

  “Oh no,” he murmured. “I’m in charge tonight.”

  His hand slid down to toy with my clit as his mouth found my nipple again. My fingers dug into his chest, and through sheer willpower, I managed not to lower them. How I wanted to explore every inch of him, though.

  I bucked my hips slightly, sliding my slit over his shaft. His groan mixed with mine as my slippery lips rubbed over the head and my nub brushed against the silken skin of his cock. I lifted up so I positioned his cock at my entrance, but he grabbed my hips before I could thrust down.

  “Not yet.” His gaze locked with mine.

  “I can feel that you want me.” I wiggled my hips against him.

  He sucked in his breath. “This about you giving up control.”

  He shifted me so I once again glided down his shaft, and his thumb found my clit again while his other hand held my hips still. My blood raced in my veins at every flick of his fingers as the pressure in my loins began to build, sending an aching need through every molecule of my body.

  “Please,” I whimpered.

  His chuckle vibrated against my ear. “I’m here to please.”

  He lifted me up and, with one powerful thrust, he impaled me. My rejoicing cry bounced off the mirror and walls as we became one. He cupped my neck and brought my mouth to his for a bruising kiss, and our tongues danced and swirled as he pounded into me, causing the water to slosh over the lip of the tub. Our fingers twined together as I rode wave after wave of pleasure, letting him guide me to the heights of ecstasy.

  Chapter 19

  MY DREAMS WERE interrupted by ringing. John’s arm lay sprawled across my stomach, trapping me against the soft satin white sheets. He gave a soft groan and rolled away as I sat up in my bed, and, after wiping the tears from my eyes, grabbed my phone.

  “Hello?” My voice sounded hoarse.

  “Gabby, are you still in bed?” Lucy asked.

  Pale sunlight streamed through the thick white curtains. I ran a hand through my hair and licked my dry lips.

  “I had a long night,” I said.

  “Well, get up. I found her,” Lucy said.

  “Found?”

  “The lamia. But we need to move now. I don’t have enough blood to track her again.”

  I flung the blanket from my body and hopped out of bed. “We? Are you going?”

  “I thought I would. I need to get out of this hotel room,” Lucy said. “And I want to try out these new knives Adrian made for me.”

  “Fine. Where?”

  “Meet me in the abandoned Subway tunnel on Worth Street.”

  “I will try and call people see if we can get more backup.”

  “Just hurry.”

  I dialed Marge’s number as I pulled on my jeans and hiking boots. The phone went to voicemail. I slipped my shirt and jacket on and tried Tres and Esais. No answer. I grabbed my sword and my bag of supplies. John raised up on his elbows and stared at me blearily as he pushed his rumpled hair away from his face.

  “Off to save the world so early?” He cleared his throat.

  I smiled at him. “Something like that. Lucy has a lead.”

  Hi sighed and collapsed back on the pillows. “Damn, I was hoping to spend the day with you.”

  I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over to give him a long soft kiss. “Duty calls and all that.”

  His hand cupped my cheek as his tongue ran across my lips. “I guess I’ll have to dig up the dirt you want so you’ll come back sooner.”

  “Or you could just call.”

  “As long as no demons threaten the world.”

  “Right. But you knew that came with the package.” I headed to the door.

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His voice softened as he watched me turn the knob. “Gabby, be careful.”

  “Don’t worry about me.” I gave a two fingered wave and left.

  “Esais, can you hear me?” I sent out mentally as I sprinted down the stairs.

  Silence greeted me. Strange, usually he answered me. I pulled out the tiny communication device and stuck it in my ear, pausing at the door that lead to the lobby.

  “Are you listening?’ I asked.

  “I wouldn’t say I’m waiting to hear your voice,” Adrian said.

  I breathed a long sigh. “At least I got someone. Look, Lucy found the lamia.”

  “Excellent. You can now redeem your poor re
cord.”

  “My record’s not poor.”

  “One lamia. Zero Gabby. I’d say that’s a poor record.”

  Bastard. “Are you coming?”

  “No, I am in the middle of something.”

  I hailed a taxi on the street, hopped in, and gave directions. “Would that something be staring at your computer screen and a certain red head you refuse to give information about?”

  “Either way, I will not be joining you. But I will be here to speak if you need advice.”

  “I think I can handle it, thanks.”

  The cabbie pulled up on the corner of Worth Street. I handed him cash and climbed out. The street was slightly busy for this time of evening. I stuffed my hands in my pockets and headed to the abandoned subway. I slid past the barriers and flicked on my flashlight. Lucy waited for me at the bottom of the stairs. She bounced a little on the balls of her feet and waved me over.

  “Which way?” I asked.

  She pointed left down subway tunnel. “Down there.”

  “Lead the way.”

  She climbed off the platform and waited for me to follow. “Careful of the third rail, Dearie, we don’t want to electrocute ourselves before we find the demon.”

  I trailed the light over the graffiti on the walls and down the dark tunnel. I took a long, deep breath and climbed in after Lucy. We walked close to the wall, and I concentrated on Lucy’s back. After twenty minutes of walking, she stopped and held up a small silver pendant. It was an inverted teardrop, the point stained with a dark substance. It quivered pointing to a maintenance door covered in rust. She pushed at the door several times before it opened with a creak that echoed through the tunnel. I followed her in and down a set of metal stairs that quavered and squeaked under our weight.

  “What are you expecting to do to her?” I asked, trying to focus on something beside the walls that were so close together.

  Lucy stopped and grinned at me. She pulled out two small, round punching knives sheathed in her belt. She fit them between her middle and ring fingers and curled her hands into fist so the blades stuck out. I shone the light on them. A small round symbol was engraved at the base where the blade met the handle. I’d seen it before.