Northern Bites (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, Vol. 2)

by Jefford, Nikki

  “Of course not.”

  “Melcher wants us working together again. They already think I’m a vampire. We just need to get the organizers to hire you as one of their wine girls.”

  “And how exactly does that work?”

  “The way Nicole explained it to us is that each girl is assigned a vintage. You drink several bottles, enough to knock you out, but not make you sick, lie on top of a bed in your designated room, relax, and let the vamps filter through one at a time sucking the wine from your blood. Bam! You poison them, I pop them.”

  I gathered my blanket in my free hand while Dante spoke, squeezing the edge inside my tightening fist. “Why me?” Noel’s the one who made the discovery with Dante. She didn’t have the poisoned blood, though. Still, there had to be other vampire hunters Melcher could put on assignment. I wasn’t even twenty-one yet. I shouldn’t be drinking. Scratch that, I was done with drinking.

  “Because Melcher wants the A-team on this one,” Dante said proudly.

  “I don’t want to drink myself into a coma,” I said. “More importantly, I don’t want a bunch of vampires drinking from me. How many are we talking about anyway?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe fifty total?”

  “Fifty!”

  “Don’t worry. There are strict rules about not overly puncturing the bodies. The vamps have to drink from the same watering hole, so to speak.”

  I let go of my blanket. An instant visual of a group of sexy male vampires licking and sucking my naked body flashed through my head. For some reason one of them looked like Jake Gyllenhaal. I shuddered, and it wasn’t purely out of disgust. “And how much did you partake in these tastings?” I scrunched up my nose on the last word. That was something I couldn’t and didn’t want to visualize.

  “I wasn’t on the list at that point. I got to attend the party but wasn’t allowed to sample any of the offerings. I mean, there is a limit. Can’t have too many vamps sucking all the juice out of the women. Then there’s the price to taste…fifteen hundred dollars.”

  “Fifteen hundred dollars!” If Dante wasn’t exaggerating about the fifty tasters, that thing brought in seventy-five grand in one night.

  “I told you we struck gold,” he said smugly.

  “You said you had to do some biting.”

  “Oh, that,” Dante said and laughed. “Buck bit his girlfriend in front of us, so I bit Noel. I just sorta got caught up in the moment and went with it.” He started laughing again. “We told him I was a newbie vampire. We all had a good laugh when Noel had to point out a vein. Buck insisted I give Nicole a bite. That was a couple nights before she got juiced up for the party. I wonder what wine-laced blood tastes like.”

  “Dante!”

  “Buck says they should do a beer spinoff. October Blood Fest. What do you think?”

  I groaned and rubbed my forehead with the palm of my hand. “I think I should go to bed and try and process all this in the morning.”

  “Good idea,” Dante said. “Let it soak inside your brain a bit.”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Sooo,” he said, changing his tone. “Are we going to talk about the sexting?” I groaned again. Dante chuckled. “Where are you right now anyway? Did I catch you in bed?”

  “I’m not having this conversation with you.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed your dirty little messages, but you know what’s even better than texts? Phone sex. And know what’s better than phone sex?”

  “I’m hanging up!” I hit “end” on the call but not before hearing the rumble of Dante’s laughter.

  Right. Time for bed. I turned my phone off in case Dante had the bad idea to call me back. I pulled my pillow down and moved around, trying to get comfortable under the covers. Problem was, the moment I closed my eyes I saw myself lying naked, wearing only a black lace thong, atop a king-sized bed with crimson sheets. Candles blazed from dozens of pillars surrounding the room, casting dark, sensual shadows against the walls.

  My hair spilled over the covers as though it, too, was a shadow in the room. The cool, dry air touched every part of my body. I felt as though I’d slipped into a blissed-out state of relaxation.

  A vampire stepped inside the bedchamber, moving slowly around the bed. He bared a striking resemblance to Tom, and he was on the bed with me before I knew it, crawling toward the center where I lay sprawled across the sheets. My nipples hardened before he reached me.

  “Have you come to suck my blood?” I asked breathlessly.

  “Blood is overrated.” The Tom lookalike smiled seductively. He made his way to my legs. I felt his breath and then his tongue as he ran the tip from my thigh to my knee then back up.

  The sheets rubbed against me when I squirmed.

  Tom lifted his head and grinned before dipping back down. All I could see was the thick waves of brown hair at the top of his crown. His fingers brushed the thong’s narrow strip of lace aside and then his tongue was on my clit, flicking and biting gently.

  I nearly levitated from the bed, moaning as I did.

  Tom looked up with a wicked grin before returning to his prize. I balled the covers inside my fists, thrashing from side to side. Tom gripped my thighs firmly and pushed his tongue inside me. I gasped and clutched at the sheets.

  I turned my head and saw Henry watching us from the side of the bed.

  “Henry,” I rasped in surprise.

  He leaned forward. “I have a confession to make, Aurora. I’ve been waiting for this moment since the night we met.”

  I swallowed. “You have?”

  Henry nodded slow and sensually. He lifted his knee onto the bed, followed by the other. I felt the mattress dip down. “I’ve been waiting a long time to bite you.”

  “But you can’t.” I gasped when I felt Tom’s tongue extend deeper. My eyes closed briefly. When I reopened them, Henry was on all fours at my side.

  “Can’t I?” he asked. He lowered his lips to my breast and bit down gently on my nipple.

  Waves of heat shot through me. I cried out. My body stretched over the covers as though reaching for more.

  Henry wet my other nipple with his tongue then blew gently on the tip. It tightened in response. Not to be outdone by Henry, Tom’s tongue flicked inside me faster and faster. A blissful cry rose from my lips.

  I lifted my head. The sight of Henry at my breast and Tom between my legs nearly drove me over the edge.

  Then I noticed Fane. He stood leaning against the back wall, arms crossed over his chest, watching me. The moment our eyes met he smirked and shook his head. “You’re not ready to cross that line.”

  “Don’t listen to him.” Dante stepped in front of Fane and walked to the foot of the bed.

  Henry and Tom lifted and turned their heads simultaneously. “Hunter,” they said in low, hostile voices.

  Dante’s grin widened. “Scram.”

  They moved aside, disappearing into the shadows of the room. Dante lifted a brow, flashing me one of his cocky grins.

  My heart rate quickened when he climbed onto the bed and walked toward me on his knees. I could no longer see Fane. Dante suddenly filled the entire room. He straddled my legs, not stopping until he’d positioned himself at my hips.

  “I know exactly what you want.” Dante looked down at the bulge in his pants and grinned.

  I propped myself up on my elbows. “Get over yourself.”

  His grin widened. “I’d rather get over you.” He leaned beside my ear. “Over and inside of you.”

  A raspy breath left my lips at the same time my eyes rolled back in my head. Fuck me, Dante. Fuck me hard. I didn’t have to say the words. He read my thoughts. Dante went for his zipper and this time I didn’t clench.

  I jumped in the shower first thing before breakfast the next morning. It looked like a rash had spread over my cheeks. I put on my clothes as soon as I’d dried off and stared at my reflection in the mirror while I yanked a comb through my wet hair.

  You’ve got a sick mind, I to
ld my reflection. Sick, sick, sick.

  Once downstairs, I shoved a piece of bread into the toaster and poured myself a glass of orange juice. I pushed aside a stack of magazines on the table and took my first bite of toast.

  On my fourth bite, I heard Mom shuffle down the stairs. “Good morning,” she said, sleep clinging to her words.

  “Good morning.” I bit back into my toast.

  She shuffled to the kitchen in her robe and slippers. After she prepared her glass of ice and soda, she returned to the table. Mom moved a stack of unopened mail aside so that she could take the spot in front of me.

  I crunched down on each bite of toast. Mom sipped her soda, blinking the sleep from her eyes. She looked at me, looked away, then quickly looked back. “Are you feeling okay, sweetie? Your face looks a bit feverish.”

  “I’m fine,” I answered, feeling my cheeks get hotter.

  “Are you sure you aren’t coming down with something?”

  “Yeah.” Nothing to worry about, Mom, just a case of crazed vampire lust. According to Valerie it couldn’t be helped. Then again, maybe I was just a normal eighteen-year-old with raging hormones. At least I practiced safe sex. It didn’t get any safer than fantasy.

  I grabbed my red scarf and wrapped it loosely around my neck before we headed out. Now that Mike’s jacket was no longer in my locker, the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach wasn’t as pronounced when I spun the combo on my lock. I still felt it when I went to history class.

  During lunch hour I checked the library hoping I’d find Noel behind a row of bookshelves, but no such luck. I really really didn’t want to check the cafeteria. If I saw Henry I might combust on the spot. How could I have a normal conversation with him without blushing my cheeks off?

  Guess I’d have to wait until film class to see Noel. I took my sack lunch into an empty classroom and pulled out a peanut butter sandwich. Bread and peanut butter was starting to get old. I’d spread a thin layer of blueberry jam on it to try for a different taste. I usually went for strawberry or raspberry. As I ate, I started on my class readings. I hadn’t missed too much the week before.

  As usual, I went to film class early. I hoped that today Noel would, too. She didn’t. In fact, she didn’t show up at all. Weird. Dante was back in town, which meant Noel had to be back. She probably felt tired, but I wouldn’t think she’d want to miss any more school.

  As soon as school ended, I tried calling her, but it went to voicemail. I sent a text while I waited by the pick-up lane in front of the office.

  Hey. Missed you at school. Everything OK?

  When I looked up, I saw my mom parked along the curb. I stuck my phone in my pocket and made for the car.

  “Hi, honey, did you have a good day?” she asked before I’d buckled in.

  “Yeah.” It took me a moment to notice that she’d put on a pair of jeans and a nice sweater. “You look nice. Is Dad coming over?”

  Mom sniffed. “I haven’t heard a word from him.”

  What is it then? A date? My mom didn’t appreciate jokes like that so I kept it to myself. I didn’t have to wait long. Mom had never been the secretive sort, except when it came to Agent Melcher. “Your grandmother called.”

  “Oh?”

  “She arrives in Anchorage this Thursday.”

  I turned in my seat. “Isn’t that a bit early?” Like two months early. After Gramps retired, he and Gran became snowbirds. Unfortunately, Grandpa didn’t stick around very long to enjoy his retirement, but winters in Florida certainly agreed with Grandma. She’d made a vow never to set foot in Alaska before the month of May.

  Mom nodded solemnly. “You know how she likes to meddle. She thinks I’m in need of her advice.”

  “Can’t she give it over the phone?” I loved Gran and all but in small doses. When she smelled trouble I swear she made it worse.

  “She’s given me an earful over the phone for hours every day,” Mom said tightly. “Now she’s on a mission to straighten out this mess with your dad.”

  I nearly laughed. The only thing Gran would do is send Dad running for the hills. I was so lost in thought I didn’t notice Mom pass up the fast food chains until we were halfway home. I almost said something then decided against it.

  The moment I walked into the house I felt a sense of space and order. The countertops were cleared, the carpets vacuumed, everything was put in place and clean. Mom had gone to town.

  A feeling of panic shot through me. “Gran’s not staying here, is she?”

  I swear my mom’s look of horror mirrored my own. “No. No. Thank God.”

  “Okay.” My shoulders relaxed. Guess it was a good thing I hadn’t talked my mom into letting me live in Grandma’s apartment. I’d be moving right back out. My mom had her issues, but she left me alone for the most part, unlike Gran who got her kicks giving orders. As if I didn’t get enough of those in my life.

  21

  Boyfriend Material

  Noel didn’t return to school Tuesday or Wednesday. Nor did she return my calls or texts. By Thursday I’d stopped expecting her and that’s when she walked into film class and slid into the seat beside me without a word.

  “Hi,” I said.

  Noel turned her head slowly. “Hey.”

  That’s it? Hey? “You never returned my calls,” I said.

  Noel studied the surface of her desk. “I’m sorry. I had family stuff to deal with.”

  I didn’t know much about Noel’s family since she always shied away from the subject. I only knew she didn’t live with her family. “I hope it wasn’t anything too serious,” I said. It wasn’t exactly my most hospitable voice, but I felt hurt that she didn’t trust me enough to talk about it.

  She merely shrugged and stared sullenly down at her desktop.

  My parents are getting a divorce! I wanted to yell. My drill sergeant of a grandma gets in this afternoon, and I get to spend the rest of senior year being bossed around whenever she’s near.

  Noel wasn’t the only one with family problems. If she didn’t want to talk about it, neither did I. So maybe I was being overly sensitive. But I thought we were friends. More than friends—blood sisters.

  Noel took out a spiral notebook and began tracing the letters of her name over and over.

  “Dante said things went great in Fairbanks,” I said.

  She stopped tracing. “Yeah, we got some good leads,” she said without looking at me. “He asked a lot of questions about you.”

  I momentarily forgot Noel’s sulky behavior. I wanted to ask what kinds of questions but I resisted the urge. Two could play the silence game. I pulled out my own notebook and straightened it on top of my desk.

  Mrs. Campbell walked in and glanced at the big round clock on the wall.

  “How did it go in Sitka?” Noel finally asked.

  I snorted. “Jared tried to kill us and Valerie took off.” I enjoyed seeing the shocked look on Noel’s face right as the bell rang.

  Mrs. Campbell walked to the front of her desk. “Last week we watched Apocalypse Now. Today we will be watching Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse, Eleanor Coppola’s documentary about the making of the film.”

  Noel and I faced forward the rest of the period. As soon as the bell rang at the end of class, Noel turned to me. “I’m sorry I didn’t return your call sooner. Things have been…well, crazy, but it sounds like you’ve been through all kinds of crazy, too. Can we talk after school?”

  So now she wanted to talk? “Can’t, my grandmother’s coming to town.”

  “Tonight?”

  “She’s staying with us all evening. What about tomorrow night?”

  Noel looked at me funny. “Are you going to Marcus’s?”

  “The palace? I’m done with that scene.”

  Noel nodded once. “Well, call me when you’re available, I guess.”

  I accompanied Mom to the airport to pick Grandma up. We waited in the terminal until Gran walked out holding an oversized aqua purse. She wore khaki capris an
d a silk scarf tied fashionably around her neck.

  She stopped in the middle of the terminal when she saw us and threw out her arms. “My darlings!”

  Oh, and dramatic, too. Sometimes I wondered if Mom and I were really related to her.

  “Hi, Mom,” my mom said, walking up to Gran and giving her a hug. “Did you have a good flight?”

  “Every year I forget how long it is,” she answered. She turned to me. “And let’s take a look at my granddaughter. Oh my, you’re so pale.” She turned to my mom. “The two of you should come out and see me more often.” Gran took both our arms and steered us toward the escalators leading down to baggage claim.

  She pointed out her luggage as it passed on the carousel. I pulled each of her three heavy suitcases off. I took two, mom took the extra one, and we rolled them through the terminal. Grandma froze in place as soon as we stepped through the sliding doors into the parking garage. “Oh dear,” she said.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “I’d forgotten how cold it was this time of year.” She shivered for emphasis.

  I laughed.

  “I told you to wait until summer,” Mom said.

  “My dear,” Grandma said, turning to my mom aghast. “You wouldn’t have lasted the spring without me.”

  Welcome home, Gran.

  She wanted to drop her things off and freshen up at her apartment first. I still found it comical that I’d tried to snag the place for myself. Grandma had her own vehicle she kept garaged during the winter. She said she’d drive herself over for dinner.

  “Are you sure?” Mom asked.

  Grandma gave her a look of exasperation. “I will see you at five.”

  Mom sighed when we got back inside the car.

  “I’ll help you make dinner,” I said.

  “Thanks.” Mom didn’t usually want my help. I think today she wanted company more than the actual help.

  The moment we returned home I got to work on the mashed potatoes. Mom was on her own with the turkey. We’d stopped at the bakery for a loaf of fresh bread and lemon meringue pie—Grandma’s favorites.