Deadly Pursuit (A Blood Hunter Novel, #2)

by Nina Croft

  His cool breath whispered against her throat, and she tried to distance herself, to pretend this was happening to someone else.

  She screamed again as his fangs pierced her skin, but more from shock. There was no pain, just a rhythmic tugging that pulled at places deep inside her.

  “Oh God. Oh God.” As she closed her eyes tight, a vision of Jon filled her mind. She latched onto the thought, tried to pretend it was Jon; he was kissing her neck, not draining her lifeblood.

  But Jon’s touch would be hot, not bitterly cold.

  She didn’t want to die. Too late, she realized she would do anything for the chance to live. Now it was just a matter of how much she would have to endure before death finally took her.

  Chapter Eight

  Rico and Skylar had vanished as soon as they got back to the ship. They’d been all over each other in the speeder. No prizes for guessing what they’d be up to right at this moment.

  Jon didn’t blame them. There was a close link between sex and violence, and a good fight always made him horny as hell. Not that there was a lot he could do about it right now, so instead, he was unloading the supplies from the speeder, trying to keep his mind off the subject of sex. He didn’t trust himself to behave in a rational manner, so the best thing he could do was keep busy.

  “I can’t find Al.”

  Janey stood in the open doorway, chewing on her lower lip, her normal composure was gone, and fear flared inside him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “She’s not on the ship. We’ve checked everywhere.”

  His fists clenched at his sides. He’d known she wouldn’t do as she was told. What had she said—she wanted some excitement before going back. But even she wouldn’t have gone looking for excitement with a murderous vampire. Would she? “Jesus,” he muttered, staring around the enormous area, as if he could will her to appear.

  A hiss behind him made him turn. A small black cat stood a foot away, back arched. It hissed at him again. Cats never liked him.

  Janey frowned. “It’s Al’s cat?” She crouched down. “Here, Mogg.”

  The cat slanted him a green-eyed glare then tiptoed toward her. Janey picked him up and stroked his head. “He must have gotten out, and Al followed him.”

  Jon had a bad feeling about this, but he forced his fear down. He needed to stay focused. Maybe it wasn’t too late.

  “Go find Rico,” he said to Janey. “Tell him Al’s missing.”

  “She’ll be all right won’t she? We shouldn’t have left her.”

  “Just go,” he growled.

  When she’d disappeared inside the ship, still clutching the cat, Jon turned and studied the cavern. Breathing in deeply, he caught a faint lingering scent of Al. He followed it, moving methodically around the room, until he came to a tunnel where her scent hung in the air mixed with the musky stench of vampire.

  “Fucking stupid little bitch,” he snarled.

  His fear and fury rose in equal proportions as he took off, racing down the dark tunnel. Would he be in time? He’d seen the way the vampire had eyed Al earlier. But maybe he wouldn’t drain her. Not all vamps killed their victims. Then he remembered Rico’s warning and knew Bastion would kill her. Hopefully, not straightaway.

  Why couldn’t she have left the cat?

  “Goddamn fucking idiot.”

  Her scent was stronger now, tinged with the faint odor of fresh blood. Jon considered shifting, but he didn’t know what he would find. Then a scream echoed down the tunnel, and he broke into a dead run.

  Finally, he turned a last corner and spotted them. He took in the scene immediately. Al appeared tiny clutched against the vampire. She was pressed face up against the wall. Her head was back, her eyes closed as the vampire fed, but Jon couldn’t tell if she was conscious. At least she was still alive. Vamps didn’t drink from the dead.

  One pale hand gripped her hair, and Jon lost his tenuous hold on his control.

  Roaring with rage, he dived across the room, his hands shifting into claws as he flew through the air. The vampire didn’t have time to turn. Jon’s claws dug into his shoulders, and he dragged him away from Al and hurled him across the room.

  Al crumpled to the floor, and Jon cast her a quick glance. Her shirt was torn open to the waist, baring the vulnerable curve of her breasts and white-hot fury scorched through his veins. But at least he could see the shallow rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. She was alive. He turned around just as Bastion launched himself across the room and slammed into Jon hard. Jon held his ground, his fury giving him strength.

  His claws raked down over the vampire’s chest, sinking into the flesh while he brought his knee up into his groin. Bastion groaned and doubled over. Jon kicked him hard in the face, reveling in the crunch of bone.

  The vampire fell back and Jon made to follow, but Al moaned, and he turned instinctively toward her. When he looked back, Bastion was vanishing down a tunnel opposite. Christ, he was fast.

  He stared longingly after him but shook his head and went to Al, crouching down beside her. Her eyes were open now but blank and unseeing. Jon gave her a quick examination. Blood pulsed from the wound at her neck and one full breast had bite marks vivid against the pale skin. He swore softly.

  A sound behind him made him whirl around. Rico appeared from the tunnel. Part of Jon wanted to stay close to Al, but the rest of him was consumed with the need to kill the bastard who had done this to her. He quickly tugged Al’s shirt together and stood up. “Look after her,” he said and headed off after the vampire.

  Bastion was about to die.

  …

  Alex’s whole body ached. She rolled onto her side, wrapped her arms around her middle, and tried to work out what had happened.

  She was still alive. That was about all she knew.

  Jon had been there. Had he saved her? As she blinked open her eyes, a pair of tall black boots appeared in her line of vision. Rico stood staring down at her, his face expressionless.

  When he saw she was awake, he crouched down. Alex flinched as he reached out to touch her but didn’t have the energy to do anything more. He placed a finger under her chin and turned her head so he could examine the wound on her neck.

  It was still bleeding. She could feel the slow trickle of blood down her throat.

  Rico picked her up and straightened so he held her against his chest. Alex struggled. Logically, she didn’t think he meant her any harm, but the reaction was instinctive. His grip tightened as his head lowered toward her, and she fought then, desperate to free herself of his hold.

  “Hold still,” Rico snapped. “This will stop the bleeding.”

  She forced herself to remain still, while every cell screamed to fight him. His tongue stroked over the wounds, and the sharp sting subsided. When he raised his head, his dark eyes were tinged with crimson, and she couldn’t prevent the whimper that escaped her throat.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” he growled. “I’m not going to finish the job. Though that’s what you deserve. Come on. Let’s get back to the ship.”

  “Is she okay?” Tannis asked as she emerged from the tunnel, breathing hard.

  “She’ll be fine. Though she doesn’t deserve to be. Fucking imbecile.”

  Alex closed her eyes as he carried her along the dimly lit tunnels, only opening them when they were safely back aboard the ship. He lowered her down onto a chair. Some of her strength had returned, and she clutched the arms and sat up straight.

  They were in the conference room. Rico and Tannis were watching her. She didn’t know what either of them were thinking. Janey and Daisy were both staring at her wide-eyed. Alex peered down. Her white shirt was stained crimson and ripped open to the waist. She pulled the tattered edges around herself. Bruises were already forming like bracelets around her wrists where Bastion had held her, and she knew there would be others all over her body. She’d have been dead if Jon hadn’t come after her.

  Panic flared inside her. Where was he?

/>   “Jon?” she asked.

  “He’s gone after Bastion,” Rico said.

  Tannis frowned. “Shouldn’t you go after them?”

  “I doubt he’ll find him in these tunnels. The place is a maze, and Bastion knows them too well.”

  Alex shivered, her teeth chattering together as though she’d never be warm again.

  “Come here,” Rico said.

  She looked up at the sharply spoken words and shook her head. No way—she didn’t want to go anywhere near him. But his gaze caught hers, much as Bastion’s had, and when he spoke again, she had no choice but to obey.

  She stumbled to her feet and tried to stop her shuffling steps, but her body refused to obey her mind. She came to a halt in front of him, holding the tatters of her shirt around her.

  “Which part of ‘stay on the ship’ did you not understand?” Rico’s tone was gentle, but she could sense the fury beneath his words.

  “I didn’t mean to leave. I followed the cat.”

  Rico’s eyes widened. “You followed the cat? What fucking cat?”

  “Oh, God. Mogg. I forgot about Mogg. He’s still out there.”

  “No he’s not,” Janey said hurriedly. “He came back—I put him in your cabin.”

  She sagged with relief.

  “First dogs. Now cats. Bloody ship’s turning into a zoo.” Rico pulled something out of his pocket. “Did you really think this would protect you?”

  The cross dangled from his fingers. He must have picked it up from the floor where she’d dropped it. Holding her gaze, he clenched it in his fist. His skin hissed at the contact, the reek of scorched flesh assaulted her nostrils, and nausea roiled in her belly. He opened his hand and flung the cross against the wall. His palm was a mass of burned, smoldering flesh, but as she watched, the damage healed leaving only the faint but perfect brand of a cross.

  “I bet you’ve been wearing that thing all this time—thinking it would protect you against me. Well, know this—the Church can’t protect you. Nothing can.”

  Alex’s breasts hurt, her nipple throbbed, the wound at her neck ached, and she was filled with an overwhelming urge to sob uncontrollably. She bit her lip. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

  Besides, she deserved his fury. If she’d died, it would have been her own stupid fault. And if Jon was harmed going after Bastion she would never, ever forgive herself.

  “Leave her alone, Rico,” Tannis snapped.

  “Why the hell should I? Stupid little cow—”

  “Just shut up.”

  Tannis shoved Rico out of the way and wrapped her arms around Alex. For a moment, she stiffened then relaxed. It occurred to her that in her whole life, she couldn’t remember anyone ever hugging her. The thought broke down the last of her defenses, and she was crying, great heaving sobs that racked her whole body.

  Another first—she never cried.

  She was sure that Tannis wasn’t big on hugging either—the embrace felt awkward as Tannis patted her on the shoulder, but that made it all the sweeter.

  Rico swore. “Oh for God’s sake—stop her crying.”

  Tannis ignored him, but a moment later she went still. Alex raised her head. Jon stood in the open doorway, a wary expression on his features.

  “Did you get him?” Tannis asked, dropping her arms from Alex and stepping back.

  “No. He vanished. The place is like a maze.” He studied the two of them, his gaze flashing between Rico and Alex, lingering on her face. She knew she must look a sight, and she ducked her head.

  “What’s the matter? She’s all right isn’t she?”

  “Rico made her cry,” Tannis answered.

  “Hey, that’s right—make out like it’s all my fault.”

  Tannis shrugged. “You’re only so pissed off because you’re blaming yourself for bringing us here. You knew what he was like. I thought he had to obey you?”

  “Tricky bastard must have been feeding day and night to overcome his sire’s compulsion.” Rico sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It was unexpected. Anyway, she would have been fine if she’d stayed on the ship. Like she was told. It wasn’t as though I didn’t warn her. She’s like the rest of this fucking crew, incapable of taking fucking orders. What happens next time? Maybe she gets us all killed. She’s like a fucking kid who hasn’t a clue about real life.”

  Tannis rolled her eyes. “Get a grip.”

  Alex wiped her sleeve across her face. No more tears, but she couldn’t prevent one last sniff. Rico swore again then pulled a silver flask from his pocket and took a long swallow before holding it out to Alex.

  “Drink it,” he said. “It will make you feel better.”

  Tannis raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything as Alex took the flask and lifted it to her nose, breathing in the potent fumes. She put it to her lips and took a big gulp. The liquid stung where she’d bitten through her lip and burned like fire down her throat, warming the coldness in her belly. She took another swallow and held out the flask to Rico.

  He shook his head. “Keep it. But drink some water as well—you need to replace the fluids.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Yeah, right, I’m a bloody doctor now as well.” He turned and stalked toward the door.

  “Where are you going?” Tannis asked.

  “I’m going to stake me a vampire.”

  “Do you need any help?”

  “And share the fun? Hell no.”

  Chapter Nine

  Alex stood in the shower, letting the hot water wash away the blood and scent of fear. She was feeling stronger with every passing minute—and more stupid.

  Rico was right.

  She was too naive to live.

  But he was wrong about one thing. She wasn’t a child. She didn’t think she had ever been, and maybe that was the problem. She’d been cosseted, cared for, never exposed to the realities of life, but she had also never been allowed a childhood filled with mistakes.

  Never experimented, tried things—discovered for herself what was safe and what wasn’t. One thing she had learned at an early age was obedience. Every waking moment someone had told her what to do and how to do it.

  That was the real reasons she had left the ship today. Oh, Mogg had given her the excuse, but she’d wanted to break the rules.

  From as long as she could remember she’d been told she was important—this great priestess whom everybody worshipped. When she’d run away, it had been a total revelation. One that had nearly killed her. No one had worshipped her. No one had cared whether she lived or died. Until Tannis had found her and given her a home. And she’d repaid that kindness by jeopardizing everyone.

  Two fang marks marred the smoothness of her breast, vivid against the white skin. At least Rico hadn’t tried to lick them. Hadn’t even seen them, she hoped. Her skin was darkening as bruises formed. A handprint on her other breast, each finger clearly marked where he’d dug into her flesh. She touched her fingers to the wounds on her neck. It had always been a complete mystery to her why women let Rico bite them. But the actual bite hadn’t really hurt at the time. Not much anyway, and she realized that what she’d hated the most wasn’t the pain, but the feeling of powerlessness. That Bastion had had the strength to do whatever he liked with her, and she could do nothing to stop him.

  After drying herself, she pulled on some clean clothes, curled up on the bed with Mogg held tight against her stomach, and closed her eyes.

  They’d come to save her. Jon and Tannis. Even Rico. At the thought, her eyes pricked again, but she blinked away the tears. That was the last time she cried.

  From now on, she wouldn’t give anyone a reason to call her stupid.

  Rico’s silver flask stood on the table by her bed, and she picked it up, took another swallow, and leaned back as the warmth spread through her system.

  She sipped until the flask was empty, lay down, and shut her eyes. The room swam behind her closed lids.

  And then she was dreaming about
Jon. He was rescuing her again. It was a good dream. In this one, it was Jon who picked her up, held her cradled against his chest. Jon who kissed and licked her throat, his tongue warm and wet, until the pain went away.

  She woke abruptly and jumped, then forced herself to relax. It was only Daisy and Janey.

  “How are you feeling?” Daisy asked.

  Alex pulled herself up and took a quick inventory. Bits of her still ached, and there were one or two sharp twinges, but otherwise, she felt fine. “I’m okay.”

  “Good, because we’re here to take you shopping,” Janey said.

  “We checked with Tannis,” Daisy added. “She says it’s okay.”

  “What about the wanted posters?”

  Janey held up something that bore a strong resemblance to a dead animal. “Skylar donated this. And she’s coming with us to keep guard. You’ll be safe.”

  Alex recognized it now. Not a dead animal, but Skylar’s long blond wig. She took it from Janey’s outstretched hand and plonked it on her head. “What do you think?”

  “It’s good.” A small frown played across Janey’s face. “Are you okay though? Are you up to this? If we’re going, we have to go now. The Trog reckons he’ll be finished in a couple of hours, and Tannis wants to get away from here. But if you just want to sleep, we’ll understand.”

  Alex thought about it for a second, nodded, and adjusted her wig. “There’s time enough to sleep when you’re dead.”

  Or stuck back at the Abbey.

  …

  The image of her tear-drenched face was lodged firmly in his mind. Jon hated women who cried.

  He should have left her to the vampire. It wasn’t his business, and she meant nothing to him. But he hadn’t thought. Just gone running straight in there like some fucking goddamn hero.

  And what now?

  Like the stupid dick he was, he’d gone and asked Tannis how she was. The snake woman had looked at him as if he was mad and then informed him that Al had gone shopping.

  Shopping.

  She’d just had a near-death experience with a crazed vampire, and she’d gone shopping?