Hunting Season (Aurora Sky

by Nikki Jefford

  A car rumbled into the driveway, followed by silence. Twenty long seconds passed before the jingle of keys could be heard at the front door. The dead bolt snapped free, and the door swung open. A light flicked on.

  Light spilled out from the mud room. With baited breath, I waited for Selene to enter the kitchen and see me to the left in the dining room. The sound of wood creaking was quickly followed by the plop of one shoe, then another.

  The biggest one was yet to drop.

  Selene entered the kitchen, turning her back to me as she set her purse on the counter.

  Panic rushed through me. Home invasion. Murder. Jared was right. I did want to warn Selene. But I wouldn’t. At least she got a chance to live.

  My fingers balled into fists. “Hi, Selene,” I said, relaxing them.

  Selene whipped around, a hand over her heart. “Aurora! You startled me. What are you doing here?”

  Selene’s brown hair hung loose around her shoulders. She had on a red sweater with a silk scarf fluffed around her neck.

  “Did Randal let you in?” she asked when I didn’t answer her immediate question.

  “He did,” I said.

  Selene lifted her chin. “Where is he now? His office?” She started walking through the kitchen. Jared appeared from around the corner, blocking her way. Selene screamed.

  I moved to block the way back to the mud room.

  “Randal is dead,” Jared said, taking a step toward Selene.

  Her eye’s widened. She scrambled back into the kitchen, eyes darting side to side. Selene turned toward the stovetop and snatched a frying pan resting on top of a burner.

  “Stay back!” she cried when Jared advanced on her. He stopped and lifted his brows almost in challenge. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?” she demanded.

  Melcher stood up from where he’d been sitting in the living room. He circled around the room divider, going through the dining room to take his position near me.

  “Aurora,” he said, keeping his eyes on Selene. “Why don’t you tell Miss Ericson why we’re here?”

  I swallowed and stepped forward. “This is Agent Melcher and Jared. They belong to a special division of the government, and they want to recruit you.”

  Selene lowered the pan a fraction. She looked directly at me. “What do you mean, recruit me?”

  “They want you to become an informant for their agency.”

  “What kind of informant?” Selene asked sounding scared and confused.

  Melcher cleared his throat. “Our agency is tasked with protecting mankind against the demonic beings who feed on the innocent. We are committed to an ongoing battle with terror, Miss Ericson. It will be your duty to keep your eyes and ears open and report back to me.”

  “Aurora? What is he talking about?”

  “The agency hunts down killer vampires,” I said. My lips pursed. The irony wasn’t lost on me that I was playing Crist’s role of clarifying Melcher’s ramblings.

  Selene’s eyes expanded. “You’re vampire hunters.”

  “Melcher runs the agency, and Jared is a recruiter,” I said. “They want to bring you in as an undercover informant to keep an eye on Alaska’s undead.”

  “You mean spy on my friends?” Selene asked.

  Melcher took a step toward her and stopped. “I’m sure you’ve seen and heard enough in your lifetime to know the undead can be dangerous when they go unchecked. It is our duty to maintain peace and order for humanity. You can help us.”

  Selene lowered the pan, holding it limply at her side. “But I’ve never hurt anyone in my life,” she said.

  Melcher straightened his back. “We are aware of that, which is why we are making you this offer rather than locking you up.”

  “But you want me to give you information that could get my kind killed?”

  “Only the ones who deserve it,” Melcher said. “Ruthless killers. What about their victims? Should vampires be allowed to end lives without consequences for all eternity?” Melcher’s forehead wrinkled.

  Selene looked at me. “How long have you been part of this?”

  “I was recruited ten months ago,” I said.

  Both Selene’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re a vampire, too?”

  My heart summersaulted. Melcher and Jared stared at me. The air stilled.

  “No,” I said. With that one word, Melcher and Jared visibly relaxed. Their shoulders, which had lifted, sunk back down below their ears. “I’m a vampire hunter.”

  Selene’s eyes widened. She leaned back. “So your blood is… poisoned?”

  “You know about that?” Melcher asked, his head lifting in interest. “I see we already have a lot to discuss.”

  “What happens if I refuse?” Selene demanded.

  “You’ve been damned,” Melcher said, lowering his head. “And there is only one way to atone for what you are. You must stop others like yourself. Lives are at stake, Miss Ericson, including your family’s.”

  The pan slipped from Selene’s fingers and clattered to the floor. My heart gave a startled leap into my throat.

  “What have you done to my family?” Selene demanded.

  “Your family is safe, and they will stay safe so long as you obey me.” Melcher turned. His voice rose. “Jared.”

  Jared entered the kitchen with heavy footsteps. Selene took a step back as he walked up to her. Once at her side, Jared pulled a stack of photos from the manila envelope. He set the first one on top of the kitchen counter. Selene leaned forward, the color draining from her face.

  “Here’s your father playing dominos with his friend, Ralph, the retired optometrist, in Valley Home’s courtyard,” Jared announced.

  He slapped the next photo down.

  “Here’s your sister coming out of church with your mother.” Jared began dropping photos faster. “Your sister walking a rat or maybe a dog, I can’t quite tell.” He leaned forward. “And here’s your brother eating his morning sausage and eggs at the Country Skillet, though judging from his waistline he might want to rethink his diet.”

  Selene turned away from the counter abruptly. Tears gathered in her eyes when she looked at me. “Did you know about this?”

  I couldn’t speak. All I could do is shake my head.

  Jared gathered the photos, hitting the edges on the counter as he lined them up before stuffing the stack inside the envelope. He set it on the counter and leaned back, eyes on Selene.

  “Don’t cry, Geisha. This is your lucky day. Agent Melcher over there is offering you an opportunity to make a living, a chance to be independent.”

  Independent. Ha. Was that what they called a life of servitude?

  “No more hiding. No more holing up.” Jared’s eyes flicked around the kitchen. “You could do a lot better than this.”

  Selene must have made a decent impression on Jared. He could call her a lot worse things than a geisha.

  Selene folded her arms beneath her breasts. “Where am I supposed to live? You killed my partner.”

  “Your housing will be provided for you,” Melcher said.

  Selene’s lips puckered. She lifted one hand to her face and twirled thick strands of hair around her finger rapidly as though winding up a toy. “What kind of allowance can I expect to receive?”

  Jared smirked.

  “More than enough to keep you comfortable,” Melcher answered.

  Selene pulled her finger away. The strand she’d twisted unraveled into a loose wavy curl. “And all I have to do is spy? Nothing messy?”

  “You will need to know how to kill if necessary,” Melcher said. “You will either be trained on base or sent to boot camp.”

  Selene’s lower lip folded over. “I’m afraid that’s out of the question. I simply cannot suffer through something so physically grueling.”

  Poor Selene. I wouldn’t wish my life on anyone. She was a socialite, not a serial killer.

  Melcher’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That is for me to decide.”

  Jared pushed hi
mself away from the counter. “I’m sure onsite training will be more than enough for our lovely geisha. No sense sticking her in with the new recruits. I’m sure she can hold her own out in the field.”

  Melcher looked at Selene with both eyebrows raised. “Then we can count on your full cooperation, Miss Ericson?”

  Selene frowned. “You leave me no other choice, and you know it.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Melcher said. He clapped his hands together then dropped his arms and headed to the mud room. “You will accompany us on base where we will go over the terms of your contract.”

  I looked at Jared, who inclined his head in Melcher’s direction. My eyes slid over to Selene, who fiddled with the scarf around her neck. I wanted to explain things to her. I wanted to express my deepest regret for getting her involved in all of this, no matter how little control I had over the situation.

  “Selene,” I said in a whisper. “I swear to you, I had no idea about any of this until today.”

  Selene made no eye contact. She stared at the manila envelope on the counter.

  “We’re done here,” Jared said. He tapped his foot on the floor.

  “I’m sorry,” I said one last time before pivoting on the ball of my foot.

  Melcher left the front door open. I walked out, followed closely by Selene and Jared. Melcher had already seated himself in the passenger’s seat of the car.

  Jared opened the door for Selene and shut it after she got inside. As we walked around the SUV to the other side I said, “You were awfully nice to Selene.”

  Jared ran his fingers over the stubble on his chin. “I recognize talent when I see it. Besides, I know her type—responds better to flattery than threats.”

  Lucky Selene, I thought sarcastically. I didn’t want Jared’s flattery, but I didn’t care for his threats, either.

  The ride to the Jeep was short, but not short enough to avoid one last question from Selene. She stared at me pointedly.

  “Did you kill Randal?”

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  For several seconds she looked at me, not blinking. Her eyes were on mine, but she looked miles away, as though she didn’t see me at all. Finally, she nodded once and turned to face forward. Silent.

  Melcher’s driver pulled up alongside the Jeep. I’d done what they asked. I could go home.

  Meanwhile, Melcher and Jared still walked free, stronger than ever.

  “I want Tommy,” I reminded Melcher.

  “Like I said, you’ll have him by the end of the day,” Melcher said.

  Jared jumped down from the SUV to let me out. He lifted his chin as I stepped out. “Run along, Raven.”

  When he turned his back to me, I flipped him the bird.

  Noel wasn’t home when I walked in. She wouldn’t be home for another few hours. Nope, she was just wasting her time planning a party Jared had no intention of attending.

  I tossed my purse onto the dining table and slumped into a chair.

  Damage control. Where to begin?

  Jared had offered his assistance with Giselle. Fane wouldn’t like it, but what other choice did we have?

  Fane, Noel, and I needed to meet, but I couldn’t leave until Levi came by with Tommy, and I wasn’t about to put Fane at risk by asking him over before then. If I called him, it would be too hard not to mention my latest killing assignment and everything else that had gone wrong that day.

  I brought Fane’s number up on my phone. I’d never texted him until now.

  Me: Dog safe

  Fane: Good

  I chewed on my lower lip and stared at my phone, grateful Fane had replied instantly.

  Me: Windows fixed?

  Fane: Yes. What happened at the meeting?

  Me: Can we talk later?

  Fane: You in the middle of something?

  Me: Got something I have to do

  Fane: OK

  The phone felt heavy in my hand. I stared at it, not sure what to type next.

  Me: Do you think V would try to hurt you?

  Fane: Don’t worry about me

  Of course I’m worried about you! I thought. Valerie had threatened Fane, smashed up his windshield, and broken every window in his house. I’d seen her cut down vampires before. She was merciless.

  Before I could type anything else, there was a knock on the door.

  I set my phone on the table and went to answer it.

  Levi stood outside, leash in hand, Tommy attached to it, sitting on the concrete. The moment Tommy saw me he stood up, his golden tail wagging like crazy.

  That seemed quick. How close did Levi live? Maybe the agency owned every house on the block. I shuttered to think it. Now wasn’t the time, not with my heart bursting with relief.

  “Tommy!” I cried, falling to my knees. I wrapped my arms around the big fur ball, tears of happiness gathering in the corners of my eyes.

  “Score one for Aurora Sky,” Levi said.

  His blond hair was lighter at the roots rather than the ends, curling slightly an inch below his ears. He had the whole grunge look down from his frayed jeans to his flannel shirt.

  I gave Tommy several pats on the head before standing. Levi had a big smile on his face as if nothing gave him more pleasure than delivering Tommy to me. I knew better.

  Still holding onto the leash, Levi asked, “What did you have to do to get Melcher to change his mind?”

  “I negotiated with him,” I said.

  Levi raised both eyebrows. “I’m impressed. But don’t let it go to your head. Melcher will make you pay for it later down the road. He’s not the kind of man you bargain with.”

  I grabbed the leash from Levi and gave it a gentle tug. Tommy stepped into the foyer.

  Good boy, you’re safe now.

  Levi glanced down briefly. “All I’m saying is be prepared for this to come around and bite you in the ass when you least expect it.”

  Not if I got to Melcher first.

  Levi craned his head around me.

  “Nice ass, by the way,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. “I wouldn’t mind being the one to bite it,” he added.

  I folded my arms over my chest. “We aren’t the ones who do the biting.”

  Levi smirked. “Says who?”

  I narrowed my eyes, watching him suspiciously. Did Levi know we were undead? If I asked, he’d know I knew, and I didn’t want to show him any of my cards. He was probably just making a sexual innuendo. Funny how it came across cute and annoying when Dante did it, as opposed to sick and sleazy coming from Levi.

  Melcher sure knew how to round up the cream of the crop.

  I reached for the door handle. Before I could grab it, Levi pulled it open wider and stepped into the open space. Because he was down one step, his eyes were about level with my breasts.

  “What about some kind of reward for bringing you the dog?”

  “Not a chance,” I said. “Now get off my property.”

  I stepped down to reach the door handle, pushing Levi aside so I could close it. He gripped the edge, engaging in a tug-of-war with the door. My heart sped up. I was strong, but Levi was stronger.

  “Let go!”

  Tommy growled.

  I loosened my grip on the door, suddenly calm.

  “You know who else likes to bite?” I asked, looking down at Tommy.

  Levi’s smile faltered. He didn’t look so sure of himself anymore. He also glanced at the security camera aimed directly at him. He smiled again. “Never was fond of dogs, except for bitches. Pick you up Friday. Wear something sexy.”

  “Screw you,” I said, lips curling back.

  Levi lifted his hands in the air. “Melcher’s orders.”

  We’d see about that.

  Now that Levi was no longer blocking the door, I yanked it toward me, slamming it on him. Once shut, I dead bolted the lock and turned to Tommy.

  “Oh, Tommy. Tommy, Tommy. I am so happy to see you!”

  Tommy’s ears perked up. He resumed wagging his tail as I
crouched beside him and ran my hands through his golden fur.

  I was so happy to see him. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to have a dog in the house. I’d sleep a heck of a lot better.

  I unclasped the leash from Tommy’s collar and straightened out. “Are you thirsty, boy?”

  Tommy turned his head sideways when I asked.

  “Come on.”

  I led him into the kitchen, filled a bowl with water, and set it on the floor. Tommy began drinking immediately. Damn, Levi! Had he given Tommy anything to eat or drink?

  Once the bowl was emptied, Tommy set about exploring the downstairs. His nails clicked against the kitchen’s linoleum floor, the noise stopping when he reached the carpet inside the living room.

  I followed Tommy, watching him sniff around.

  I needed dog food.

  “Hey, Tommy,” I said.

  He stopped, looked at me, and wagged his tail.

  “Want to go for a ride?”

  He wagged his tail harder.

  I put Tommy back on the leash before unbolting the door and locking it behind us. As we approached the Jeep, Tommy pulled at the leash, tail going crazy.

  “That’s right, boy,” I said. “Got two back, one left to go.”

  When I saw how happy Tommy was inside the Jeep, it boosted my courage about driving on my own. I started the vehicle up, put it into first gear and headed to the pet supply store where I purchased dog food and treats.

  After I paid for the food, I called Fane, followed by Noel, telling them we needed to talk right away.

  9

  Reinforcements

  Noel arrived home first.

  As soon as she entered the kitchen, Tommy hurried toward her, tail wagging.

  “Dante’s dog!” Noel exclaimed.

  “I convinced Melcher to turn him over.”

  “Thank goodness.” Noel gave Tommy a pat on the head. “This is great news.”

  My shoulders slumped forward. “If only I had more of it.”

  Noel’s eyebrows furrowed. “What is it? You sounded pretty serious over the phone.”

  I sighed. “Melcher’s gone and messed up all our plans. Jared’s going to the tasting instead of the palace. I’d rather talk about it when Fane arrives.”