Illusions (Night Roamers #4)

by Kristen Middleton

  “I think you’re right. Anyway, about the reception – it’s not like Anne had a lot of friends or family in Shore Lake,” said Victor. “So, I guess I didn’t really make it a priority. I suppose that I should have, anyway. As a matter of respect.”

  Nathan opened up his mouth to make a sarcastic retort, but I elbowed him. Ribbing Victor wasn’t in our best interests at the moment. Especially in front of decent people who could get hurt should he really get pissed off.

  “It’s understandable under the circumstances. If you’d like, I can set something up at the church. I’m sure Maddie and Lila can whip up some sandwiches?” asked Pastor Sherman.

  Both Maddie and Lila were the two older ladies following us. I had the impression, from their conversation, that they were the pastor’s sisters.

  “No, it’s fine. Thanks for the thought, however,” said Victor. “We do appreciate it.”

  “If you change your mind,” he replied, “the offer still stands.”

  He looked at his watch. “Like I said, I’ve got a flight to catch and I’m sure these two have things going on. You know… teenagers.”

  “Actually, I’ve got nothing,” said Nathan with a smug grin. “In fact, I’m kind of bummed out that you didn’t hold a funeral reception for mom. She would have expected some kind of proper sendoff. You know – where we’d get together and talk about the good times we all had together. I would have loved reminiscing with you about those special memories.”

  Victor’s eyes hardened. “Obviously you’re upset. But, we can’t change the past. Only the future. We’ll reminisce about your mother another time. I didn’t plan a reception, and I probably should have. I’m sorry.”

  The pastor cleared his throat. “Like I said –”

  “No,” interrupted Victor sternly. “Thanks for the offer, but there’s no need. Well, I really must be leaving. Thanks again, Pastor Sherman. Maddie, Lila.”

  “Of course,” he replied.

  “It was our pleasure,” agreed Maddie. “It’s the least we could do.”

  “Yes, we know that Anne didn’t have time to meet a lot of folks here in town,” said Lila. “We felt it was only right to pay our respects.”

  “Well, thank you,” he replied, smiling grimly. Then, he turned back toward me and Nathan. “I’m off to Vegas for a couple of days. If you need to get ahold of me, talk to Drake. He knows where I’ll be.”

  “Okay,” I said as he turned on his heel and headed toward the car, leaving Drake behind.

  Nathan and I thanked the pastor and his sisters for the service, and then began walking toward his Mustang.

  “So, where can we find you?” I asked Drake, who walked beside me.

  He grinned. “I’ll be around. Don’t worry.”

  “We’re not worried,” said Nathan, glancing back. “We just want to know how to avoid you.”

  “Such a joker,” said Drake, his eyes glinting. “I’ll keep in touch, Nikki.”

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about him “keeping in touch”, especially after the way he’d been eyeballing me at the funeral. The guy was obviously hungry for more than just blood. “Uh, sure.”

  Before I knew what was happening, he grabbed my hand, stopping me in my tracks.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, now totally unnerved.

  Smiling darkly, he raised my hand to his lips. “I have information. Meet me tonight at the cabin,” he whispered against my knuckles.

  “Sure.”

  He released my hand and turned to Nathan, who’d also stopped in his tracks.

  “You kiss my knuckles and I’ll break your face with them,” stated Nathan.

  “You do have balls. I’ll give you that, cobber,” replied Drake, smirking as he walked away.

  “Cobber… If we weren’t near a holy place, I’d kick his ass.”

  “You’d be better off shooting him with one of your silver bullets,” I replied.

  “If I were a vampire…”

  “We already went over why that would be a bad idea,” I replied. “Besides, you’d have to find a female vampire willing to sleep with you.”

  “Which reminds me, I wonder what happened to Celeste?”

  “Seriously? You really care?”

  “I guess I’d like to know if she’s still a threat.”

  “To be honest, I think Victor killed Celeste. Otherwise, we’d have run in to her by know.”

  We got into Nathan’s car and I watched as Victor and Drake drove away.

  “So, did you hear what Drake said?”

  Nathan shrugged. “Something about meeting you at the cabin later?” He grinned. “What, is he trying to get into your pants, too?”

  I frowned. “No. He said he has information.”

  He chuckled. “Information. For what price? I think he wants a piece, Nikk.”

  I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Do you think about anything else other than sex?”

  He started the engine. “I’m just saying… he was drooling over you at the service. It’s obvious that he’s had it bad for you from the very beginning. You’re blind if you haven’t noticed his interest.”

  “I guess he was checking me out a little today.”

  “Exactly. I don’t even think he realized he was at a funeral.”

  “If you think about it, it really wasn’t.”

  “True. A meeting, huh? I wonder if he’s going to give us information on mom.”

  “We can’t trust him,” I replied. “The guy is Victor’s puppet and obviously pays him well.”

  “So, what do you think he wants? Besides you.”

  I felt a shiver go down my spine. “I don’t know. But, I think we should try and find out.”

  Chapter Six

  Ethan

  

  “Is Nikki really okay?”

  Duncan sighed. “She’s fine. She’s attending her mother’s funeral.”

  Ethan stared at him in shock. “What? When did Anne die?”

  “Apparently, she killed herself.”

  He stared at him in exasperation. “Fuck, will you please tell me what’s going on? I’ve been locked up inside of this shithole and have no idea what’s going on.”

  “Right,” sneered Duncan.

  “Obviously we’ve all been had,” said Ethan. “Don’t you see? And Faye is behind it.”

  “So, what are you saying – that Faye and Victor are working together?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied. “Maybe. I wouldn’t put it past her.”

  “Just for shits and giggles,” said Duncan. “Explain what it is that you do know.”

  “I don’t know much, just that I’ve been locked in this prison for over a month.”

  “You certainly smell like it,” said Duncan.

  “Whatever. Look, the last time I’ve seen you or Nikki was in the casino. Remember when I went to the bar to find out if Miranda was there?”

  “What is it about you and this Miranda chick anyway?”

  “She was my wife. A couple of centuries ago.”

  “And you think she’s a vampire?”

  “At first I thought she’d been… I don’t know… reincarnated.”

  Duncan’s eyebrows rose. “Seriously? You believe in that shit?”

  “Do you believe in vampires, werewolves, and shape-shifters?”

  Duncan smiled grimly. “Okay, good point.”

  “Anyway, I guess I may have thought she was. I had my suspicions at least.”

  “Why?”

  “It was something I just… felt. A certainty that she was alive and looking for me. And then, when I found out that Faye had murdered girls around the country who looked a lot like her, it made me wonder.”

  “How did Faye know about Miranda anyway?”

  Ethan sighed. “Unfortunately, I confided in her one night, before I realized how psychotic Faye was. I even made the mistake of pointing out a woman who reminded me of her. Anyway, after that, Faye started killing anyone who looked like the wom
an I thought could have been Miranda.”

  “But why?”

  “Because she’s obsessed with me. Ever since we’ve met, she’s wanted me all to herself.”

  “Lucky you.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “When did you two meet?”

  “Me and Faye?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I met her in Vegas a number of years ago. We had a thing, I guess you could say. For a while. Then, she started getting too possessive, and I had to put some distance between us.”

  “In other words, you broke it off?”

  “Something like that. Anyway, she wasn’t too happy about it, although during the past few years, we’d still hook up once in a while.”

  “Hmm… So, how did you meet Caleb and Celeste?”

  “Faye introduced us a few years ago. We met in Vegas one weekend.”

  “Why did you join up with Caleb and his group?” asked Duncan.

  He stared at the wall. “I’d been alone for many years. I was tired of feeling like an outsider and needed to be around others who were like me. So they let me into their little group, and I guess you could say we were kind of like a family. A very dysfunctional family. Especially when it came to Celeste.”

  “Yeah, she’s a piece of work.”

  “I agree. That’s why I’ve always kept my distance from her.”

  “So, what about Victor?”

  “I told you, I’ve never met the guy. In fact, the first time that I’d even heard of Victor was from Faye’s partner, Maximus.”

  “So, in other words, you’re trying to tell me that you didn’t know that Victor is Nikki’s stepdad?”

  Ethan stared at him in shock. “What?”

  Duncan’s eyes hardened. “Knock off the act, Ethan.”

  “What in the hell are you talking about? Victor, the wolf-man from Vegas? He is Nikki’s stepdad?

  “You already knew that.”

  Ethan’s eyes blazed. “Bullshit I did!”

  Duncan smirked.

  “Look, is Victor even still alive?” asked Ethan. “Or, did Maximus help you guys stop him?”

  Duncan smiled coldly. “No, you made sure of that.”

  “I… what?!”

  “Oh, come on. You killed Maximus. Quit the games, Ethan.”

  “I’m not the one playing games, I’m just another pawn who doesn’t know what the hell is going on.”

  “Let me fill you in, then. You killed Maximus in the desert. But, not before you stood back and watched as a lycan attempted to rape Nikki.”

  Ethan’s stomach clenched and he could barely breathe. “One of the lycan raped her?”

  “No. Almost. Maximus stopped Jordan.”

  “Who is Jordan? Where did he come from?”

  “Victor’s nephew. The lycan who tried raping her.”

  “I’ll kill him,” said Ethan, pulling at his restraints, his blood boiling. “I’ll kill him and cut off his balls.”

  “No need to worry about it, Victor already took care of the asshole.”

  Ethan let out a ragged breath. “What else can you tell me?”

  “What else? Let me see – after Maximus interrupted Jordan’s attempted rape, you took it upon yourself to end his life.”

  “Bullshit! I didn’t kill Maximus. Jesus, don’t you understand? I’ve been stuck in this shithole and have no idea what’s happened. Obviously Faye transformed herself into me and that’s who is behind all of this.”

  “Faye?”

  “Think about it! She’s a shape-shifter! Wake up!”

  Duncan laughed coldly. “If she is, then she’s a hell of a good actress.”

  “It’s what she does. She changes into other forms… other people… and she messes with their lives. And, because she hates Nikki, it’s obvious she’s trying to turn her against me.”

  “One of you has succeeded. Whether it was Faye or you.”

  “By killing Maximus?”

  “Yes, but more importantly, by handing you over to Victor.”

  Ethan face turned red with rage. “I would have never done that! You of all people know how much I care about Nikki. What I would have done to keep her safe.”

  He didn’t reply. He stared at the wall pensively.

  Ethan pulled at the restraints again. “I’ve got to get out of here. I need to talk to Nikki and correct everything that Faye has destroyed.”

  Duncan looked at him. “Even if everything you’ve said is true, the best thing you could do is stay away from her.”

  Ethan sneered. “Why, because you want Nikki for yourself?”

  “Yes, I’m not going to lie. I love her and want her safe, too,” said Duncan. “But, think about it – you’re nothing but a danger to her. Faye’s obsession for you is going to kill Nikki.”

  “Not if I do something about it,” he said slowly.

  “You tried doing something about it before, and I’m pretty sure you failed.”

  Ethan’s eyes blazed with fire. “That won’t happen again.”

  Chapter Seven

  Faye

  

  The snow was falling heavily as Faye pulled up to Club Nightshade in her new silver Bentley. She got out of the car and frowned down at the white powder, which was already making an impact on the parking lot. She made a mental note to call a plow service.

  “Good evening, Ms. Dunbar,” said the security guard sitting on a stool at the front entrance. It was still early – just past five-thirty, and the club was quiet.

  “Good evening, Honi,” replied Faye. “Nice weather we’re having, huh?”

  He shrugged. “It doesn’t bother me. You know the place will still be jam-packed tonight. Snow or not, it’s the best party in town.”

  “I have to agree with you there,” she replied. “This little town wouldn’t know what to do without Club Nightshade.”

  “You got that right. Anyway, you look beautiful. As always,” he said as she stepped past him.

  “Thanks,” Faye called back as she headed down the hallway to the main floor of the club. She removed her leather trench coat, glanced down at the expensive black-laced sheath dress, and brushed off some lint.

  “Is that new, Ms. Dunbar?” asked the coat-check girl as she neared the window.

  “Of course,” replied Faye, stopping.

  “Wow, it’s gorgeous. Where did you get it?” the dark-haired girl, Julie, asked.

  “A place well beyond your checkbook. But,” she lowered her voice, “if you can round us up a couple of delicious treats for later, I’ll let you have this dress after tonight.”

  Julie’s face lit up. “Really?”

  Her brown eyes glittered. “Yes. Just make sure we have one of each.”

  “You mean a guy and a girl?” whispered Julie.

  Faye’s smile was condescending. “Yes. One with a penis and one without.”

  The girl’s face turned red and she giggled. “You’re so funny, Ms. Dunbar.”

  Faye turned around, rolling her eyes. The new Roamer was a total ditz, but one of her bouncers had decided to bond with her. She now worked for free, so Faye wasn’t about to complain. “I’ll be up in my office if anyone is looking for me.”

  “Okay, Ms. Dunbar!” hollered Julie. “Uh, you want me to take your coat?”

  Like she’d give Julie her two-thousand dollar coat to lose. “No, I’ll bring it up to my office.”

  “Of course.”

  Faye scanned the club as she walked toward the staircase. There were a couple of customers at the bar and some of the tables were already full. It was a Friday night, which meant that the place would be jam-packed by nine. Since it was her first winter in Shore Lake, she wasn’t totally sure how the snow would affect the club. She hoped that Honi was right, and the blustery weather wouldn’t hinder sales.

  “Hello, Ms. Dunbar,” said the bartender, Brian as she neared the counter. Like all of her other employees, he was also a Roamer. They were easy to control and Faye needed that to run a successful bu
siness. Nightshade was just one of four clubs she shared ownership with. The other three were in New York, San Francisco, and Vegas.

  Faye tossed her blonde hair to the side and gave him a flirty smile. She liked Brian. He was attentive when he needed to be. “Hello, handsome.”

  “Where you off to?”

  “My office, of course.”

  “You work too hard,” he said, leaning over the counter.

  “You think so?”

  “Damn right. You should take a night off and relax.”

  She brushed her bangs away from her eyes. “I only wish I could.”

  “At least have a drink. Want me to send up a cocktail?” he asked, now undressing her boldly with his eyes.

  She thought about their previous night together, and smiled. He wasn’t Ethan, but he knew how to please a female. “Why don’t you bring it up yourself later?”

  “Why wait for later?” he asked, smiling darkly.

  She threw her head back and laughed. “Brian, you’re a naughty one. I like that.”

  He lowered his voice. “You bring it out in me.”

  “Is that so?” she whispered, now standing only inches away from his face.

  “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” he said. “About the other night.”

  Faye licked her lips. “It was pretty nice.”

  He smiled and stood up straighter as a customer approached the bar. “Listen, as soon as the other bartender shows up, I’ll bring you that drink.”

  “I’ll be waiting. Without panties,” said Faye, turning away.

  Brian watched her hips swing back and forth as she neared the staircase. “You’re evil.”

  Faye looked back and winked.

  He blew her a kiss.

  Faye walked upstairs to her office, aware of Brian’s eyes still on her before she disappeared at the top. She wished that Ethan gave her as much attention. Instead, as usual, he was obsessed over anyone who reminded him of Miranda, including Nikki. Soon, however, Nikki wouldn’t be a problem and Ethan would be hers again. She just needed more time.

  Faye opened the door to her office and sighed. “Celeste. What are you doing here?”

  Celeste, who was sitting behind her desk painting the tips of her nails a dark blue, looked up. “I had to get out of there. I was going crazy.”