by Mary Abshire
Evernight Publishing ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2016 Mary Abshire
ISBN: 978-1-77233-818-8
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Brieanna Robertson
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
LOVE CONQUERS ALL EVIL
Soul Catcher, 4
Mary Abshire
Copyright © 2016
Chapter One
Tension claimed every muscle in my body as I sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window at the large snowflakes falling from the sky. Wiper blades squeaked as they swept the flakes aside. Although heat blasted from the vents, ice gathered along the edges of the windshield outside. The unplowed road ahead looked like one big, white blanket. I hadn't seen a single car since we arrived in town. Considering we were driving in blizzard conditions, I wasn't surprised we were alone.
The SUV fishtailed, and I braced my hand on the dash. "Shit. I hate this weather."
Drake braked in spurts and spun the wheel, trying to straighten the vehicle. "Anthony's house is only a few miles away. We will be there soon."
Given the present weather conditions, I doubted we'd arrive quickly enough. Still, his calm voice eased my worries as much as his vampire energy cooled my heated skin.
Drake gained control of the car. I relaxed a little as the tension within me lessened. So far, he'd been a great driver and hadn't complained, especially about the climate. Gloves hid his hands while a black hat fit snugly over his head. The long, black leather jacket gave him an attractive yet deadly look. I loved it. Once we settled into his secret hideaway, I was going to enjoy kissing and touching every bit of him.
Drake veered his eyes from the road and took a quick glimpse at me. "Your heart is beating faster."
My temperature was on the rise, too. "Just admiring the view."
Grinning, I hit the button on the side of the door. The window made a cracking sound as it lowered an inch. Small chunks of ice blew away. A frosty breeze rushed in, decreasing my chances of perspiring. Even in the freezing weather, my body maintained a temperature above normal standards, courtesy of my demon blood.
I tilted my head back, then filled my lungs with the crisp air and watched the pretty snowflakes fall. Glowing holiday lights decorated many of the buildings. A new smile emerged on my face. Christmas was approaching and I wondered what I could give to my vampire lover.
"Jessie," Drake said, and I gave him my attention. "Eagle River is a safe place. We can stay here for a while, if you decide you like it. There are many different communities and people are more accepting. I am certain you could find a job, make some friends, and acclimate."
Eagle River, Alaska. Though the small city was a short drive from Anchorage, it seemed so far from the rest of the world I knew.
I gave him a light shrug. "I'll give it a try."
Drake continued to console me, and I appreciated his efforts. Since we had run away from the VETOV—Vampires for the Ethical Treatment of Other Vampires—we had moved four times in the last five months. I stayed inside days and nights, fearing someone might recognize me. Many might find the confines of home appealing, but I could only tolerate the restrictions so much. Oh, I definitely enjoyed spending endless hours in Drake's loving embrace, no question about it, but boredom plagued me the rest of the time. I needed to get out, do something, feel useful. When I’d worked as a computer technician back in Indianapolis, I felt responsible and in control. And when I sent evil souls to Hell, I felt as if I had a purpose in life. Everything changed once Drake and I took off together. I hadn't worked a day or sent a single spirit to the fiery pit of eternal damnation. Needless to say, I wanted to find a job, and I had a burning desire to catch the first evil spook I encountered.
The car skidded, forcing Drake to tap the brake again. I reached for the dashboard and faced him. "And this is a safe place?" I joked.
He clenched his jaw as he swiveled the wheel, trying to steer. "Safe from vampires."
I'd learned a few details about vampires since Drake and I had started living together, one of the more important ones being they detested low temperatures because they had cold blood. According to Drake, a frosty climate made him feel numb and hollow. Yet, we needed a secure place to hide. The Alaskan weather would bother him, but the lack of sunlight would give him more opportunity to move about. On a side note, I had enough body heat to keep him warm wherever we went.
"Maybe we should get a boat and sail away to some island," I said as the vehicle crawled through the flashing red stoplight. Tropical temperatures would be better for him, but the long hours of daylight would prevent him from going far. However, he had plenty of funds to afford a luxury home to suit his needs if he had to stay inside. He could probably survive well enough.
"The VETOV would expect us to do that," he replied. "Besides, you don't need more isolation. You need less."
Two points awarded to him. I couldn't argue.
The suburban area Drake was driving through reminded me of my old home in Indiana. Little strip malls, restaurants, fast food joints, and businesses lined the street. With plenty of entertainment and Anchorage nearby, I could probably find a decent job and mix in with the locals. Perhaps Drake was right. Eagle River would be a safe place to call home for a while. He hadn’t led me astray yet.
"Are you sure Anthony will be okay with us popping in at such a late hour?" I asked as we passed all the businesses closed for the night.
Drake slowed the SUV as we neared an intersection with flashing yellow lights. "Yes, he enjoys visitors."
Slowly and carefully, he turned the wheel. I gripped the handle on the side of the door as the vehicle crawled to the next street. Snow crunched under the tires and, for a change, the car didn't slide.
I inhaled a relieved breath. "And you trust him?"
"Yes, he is an old friend and very trustworthy. He is actively involved with the communities."
I shot Drake a quizzical look. Actively involved? What did that mean? Was Anthony human? Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Drake certainly had a variety of friends, including a gypsy I'd met once.
Drake kept his focus on the window. He increased the speed of the wiper blades, though it helped only a little. The snow was falling too fast. "I had a home in Los Angeles once and met Anthony through the local vampire community. After I assisted him with a problem, he decided to relocate here in Alaska. I helped him settle down, then every year after that he sent a letter to my California home. He pleaded to return the favor to me. After five years, I realized he wouldn’t stop asking, so I took him up on his offer. I have always had an interest in acquiring property in various locations around the world. He purchased a house and takes care of it for me."
What an easy favor to repay. "And the VETOV doesn’t know him?"
"No, I never mentioned him or what I did. There were many, many times I assisted people and never told the VETOV."
Yeah, and I would’ve been one of Drake’s secrets too, but Kuri witnessed me send Alexander’s soul to Hell back in Chicago. The Asian vamp blabbed his mouth to the VETOV. From that point on, my life steadily declined until Drake and I ran away together.
"Did you ever stay at the house in Eagle River?" I asked.
"In the last forty years, I have stayed in it twice."
Forty years? How old was Anthony?
Drake leaned forward, closer to the steering wheel, and peered through the window. Flashes of bright colored lights gathered my attention.
"Police?" I asked.
"It would appear so."
The scene on the side of the road became clearer as we approached. I counted three cop cars. There were men gathered near the side of one vehicle and others were scattered. One man with a large gut was dressed in a thick puffy coat and wore a big fluffy hat. A scarf hid the lower portion of his face. He walked toward us, holding a flashlight up and waving his arms in the air. The badge on his chest glimmered from the SUV's headlights.
Drake slowed the car. When he lowered his window, it made the same horrific crunching sound mine had made earlier. He stopped the vehicle a few feet from the officer.
Cold air filled the car, but felt good to me. I exhaled and a fog formed in front of my face. I watched Drake and noticed nothing came out of his mouth. Shit! I needed to warn him. He'd have to manipulate the cop's mind to make him think he saw Drake's breath.
"Drake, your breath isn't showing," I said urgently.
He pressed his lips together, then met the officer standing near his open window.
The cop tugged his scarf down to his chin. "Evening," the man said with a hint of a French accent. His furry hat covered most of his head and ears. "What brings you out in this weather?"
"We are on our way to check on a friend," Drake replied, staring at the policeman.
The officer's eyes became glassy.
"What happened?" Drake asked.
"It appears someone from the neighborhood was murdered," the cop replied.
Murdered? In such a small, quiet town?
"How did the person die?" Drake asked
"The victim was stabbed multiple times in the chest."
Stunned, I covered my mouth with my hand.
"Do you know who the victim is?" Drake asked.
"No name yet." He sniffled. "We suspect the male victim lives nearby. Animal tracks lead us to believe he was walking his dog. We should know who the victim is soon."
"Did you find any footprints?" Drake asked.
"No. We found only two sets of car tracks. The snow is falling so fast, we can't make out any other details." The policeman wiped his hand under his nose. "Who are you checking, if I might ask?"
"Anthony Rennochet," Drake replied. "We need to pass by."
The cop nodded. "Sure. Be careful." He stepped back from the car, then tugged his scarf up to cover his nose and mouth.
Drake raised his window. "It's okay. He believes he saw me breathing." He pressed his foot on the accelerator. The car skidded forward before gaining traction.
"How horrific and sad. An innocent man takes a stroll with his dog and some fiend attacks him." I shook my head in disgust.
"From what I picked out in the officer's mind, he thinks the victim resembles other ones."
"Other ones?" I asked, my voice slightly elevated. I leaned back in my seat as we passed by the cop cars.
"When we get to Anthony's house, I will ask him if he knows anything. We can research online too. I didn't want to stay too long. It would've raised the suspicions of the other cops."
"Ah, good idea." If there was a serial killer lurking around, maybe we could put an end to his deadly game. Better yet, I could send a soul to Hell.
Drake navigated the vehicle deeper into the neighborhood. The houses were a mixture of ranch style and multileveled homes. Many were lit up with colorful decorations. As he turned a corner, the back of the car slid far to the side. We nearly ended up in the opposite direction. I held my breath while he righted the SUV.
"Is his house much farther?" I asked, growing impatient and irritated with the snow.
"A few houses up." He held a tight grip on the wheel.
"When was the last time you visited Anthony?"
"I believe twenty-five years ago, give or take a few."
The timing of events left me stumped. I presumed Anthony was at least twenty when Drake helped him forty years ago. By my estimate, Anthony would be a senior citizen today. I sure hoped he remembered Drake.
As the car crawled to a stop in front of a small ranch house, I glanced at myself one last time in the mirror located on the back of my visor. The puffy blotches under my blue eyes were small and my makeup hadn't smudged. Smiling widely, I checked for any food lodged in my teeth. I found no remnants of dinner. Satisfied, I brushed the bangs out of my face. The highlights in my black hair gave me a much different look.
Drake brought the vehicle to a halt, then shifted the gear into park. He leaned toward me, bringing his face closer to mine. "You are perfect." His velvety voice lit a flame within me.
I lifted the visor, then twisted to face him. His light pink lips were inches from me. I couldn’t resist him. I placed my bare hands on his cheeks and brought him closer for a kiss. "You are so cold."
He wrapped his arms around me, then squeezed me to his body. After a brief, delicious kiss, he said, "And you are so very warm."
Getting warmer by the second.
"We better go if we're going to make it to your property before the blizzard really hits," I said.
"Mmm," he said, his mouth close to mine.
He pecked my lips, then pushed a button on his door to raise my window. After the glass was secured up, he cut the engine.
Leaving the cozy confines of the car, we stepped out into a cold, wintery mess. Flakes hit my eyes and my feet disappeared in the snow. A vest jacket covered my back and chest. It would keep me dry, but the rest of my clothes would be sopping wet if I didn't get inside fast. After shutting the door, I dashed around the front of the car. Drake led the way up to the house. His large feet made deep footprints. I stepped in each one, hoping to reduce the amount of snow clinging to my jeans. Once we reached the front porch, we stomped our feet on the concrete. Anthony must have heard us because a light inside flashed on.
"Guess he knows he has company," I said.
Drake balled his gloved hands. He stood stiff as an icicle. The frown on his face along with his mannequin pose gave a clear impression of just how much he hated the weather.
The wood door behind the glass screen opened. An older man with white hair, several wrinkles, and white bushy brows appeared. He studied us, first Drake and then me, while he clutched the blue robe over his pajamas. He returned his gaze to Drake and a smile formed on his face.
"My word. Drake? Is it really you?" He pushed open the glass door.
"Anthony, I apologize for the late hour. I came for the keys."
"Please, come in." Anthony backed up. "Come in."
Drake tapped his shoes on the cement porch one last time before going inside. I followed behind him.
Two steps into the house, a wave of nausea overcame me. My temperature climbed faster than a shooting rocket. In a matter of seconds, it seemed as if rabid squirrels were having a grand ol' time in my stomach. Something was wrong with me, terribly wrong. I stood to the side, arm over my belly while I took several quick breaths. I really didn't want to vomit in the home of someone I barely knew. It wouldn't make a good first impression.
"You can visit me at any time," Anthony said as Drake shut the door. "How long has it been? Twenty-four years? You haven't changed a bit."
Drake lightly chuckled. "I see you have." He removed his gloves.
While the two shook hands, I surveyed Anthony's small home. Framed artwork of religious portraits and scenes hung on the walls. Jesus appeared in most. The Virgin Mary was shown in others. A cross was plastered above the kitchen entryway. Still scanning the room, I spotted a large black book with gold trim on a table next to a recliner.
"And who may I ask is your friend?" His gaze met mine.
"I'm Jessie Garr—"
"Murphy." Drake corrected. "Jessie Murphy."
I shook my head to clear out the marbles. I often forgot I had a new last name to go with my new look.
"
Jessie, it is a pleasure to meet you." Anthony drew closer, his arm extended.
I shook his hand and my stomach retched. Recognizing the message, I yanked free from his touch. Bile crept up in my throat. I swallowed it back down. Next time, I doubted I could keep it in me. And next time would come soon.
"Uh, Drake," I said as a trickle of sweat rolled down the side of my face.
"What's wrong?" he asked, brows crooked.
"Young lady, you look flushed," Anthony said, eyeing me with concern. "Do you need some water? Would you like to sit down?"
A gleam of light from the area under his neck stole my attention. Anthony was wearing a gold cross.
"Are you…are you a priest?"
"Well, yes, I am."
Oh no, not good.
Chapter Two
Drake sat next to me on the sofa, holding my hand while I rested my head on the cushion behind me. I pressed a cold compress to my forehead. The ripples of nausea had faded since I'd emptied everything within me, but my intestines remained on edge.
"I'm sorry," I said in a soft voice. "Maybe I should wait in the car."
Anthony strode into the room with a glass of water. He set it on the coffee table in front of me. "Are you feeling any better?"
"A little." My stomach had calmed, but I still felt overheated and my clothes stuck to my sweaty body. Drake's cool touch and the rag across my head helped, but to feel better I really needed to get away from all the religious objects in the room.
"I should have said something. I didn't think you would have trouble." Drake glided his fingers over my knuckles and along my flesh. The soft touch sent small chills up my arm, a welcome distraction from my queasiness.
Anthony sat in the recliner not far from me. "Trouble? Why would she have trouble? The only people who wouldn't be able to come near this house are demons."
"Jessie is half-demon."
