Lady & the Vamp ib-3

by Мишель Роуэн

  She nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

  They walked up to the building and went in through the front doors. There was a five-dollar charge to get in.

  The museum was practically deserted. Only one employee was out front. ThePhoenixNativeArt

  Museum didn't have many artifacts, but what they did have were widely distributed to fill the large building. The museum wasn't even mentioned in the tourism handbook.

  Quinn and Janie walked through the halls and into the adjoining rooms. There was an overview of theGrand Canyon , which included a scale model. Some arrowheads and other objects were kept under glass with long descriptions nearby. It was a learning experience. And Janie wasn't in the mood to learn anything at the moment.

  She entered another room that contained a huge stuffed black bear, reared up on its hind legs. She eyed it curiously.

  "Janie, check this out."

  Quinn stood next to a glass table that had thePhoenix and surrounding area in miniature relief.

  He pointed down. "Look familiar?"

  She was surprised to see that it was the drawings on their map. A ghost shape, a monster tree, and a phoenix. Each of the symbols was explained on small gold plaques. Semolina, the ghost town. More information on it in another room, including the treasure thatJebediah and Mary-Ann fought to the death over. TheAsesinodelMonstro . A sample of its branches was available to be inspected close up in another part of the museum. And there was a huge history and historic overview of the city ofPhoenix available in the museum, too.

  No rectangle, but then again, she supposed they were standing in the middle of that landmark already.

  "Bizarre coincidence?" he asked.

  She shook her head. "We're close."

  She felt something stirring within her. Where she'd almost given up, that empty, sick feeling was being replaced by a small amount of hope. Follow the vampire, the Boss had said. That's what the seers had told him.

  Seers were rarely wrong. At least, not if they wanted to see another day. No pun intended.

  "Maybe we could ask somebody." She looked around. Other than the two of them, the place was totally empty. She didn't even see any video cameras or security guards watching over the museum's contents.

  "Tribal magic," Quinn said. He was reading another inscription next to the map. "That's why the symbols are so simple. Because they weren't drawn by hand; they were drawn with magic by a tribe that once worshiped the demon who owned the Eye."

  "Magic,shmagic . Does it say where we can find it?"

  He looked up at her and over her shoulder. "Holy shit."

  She turned around. Enclosed in a glass case was a mannequin dressed in Indian wear, including a full ceremonial headdress. In its raised hand was a golden wand with a globe top. The plaque next to it read:

  The Eye ofRadisshii

  TheRadisshii tribe worshipped the demonRadisshii until he was vanquished. The tribe died off as a whole shortly after, and all that remains is this golden wand, which was recently unearthed from the sacred lands.

  She blinked. She could hardly believe her eyes. Right there. Right in front of her. She didn't even have to check the drawing she still had shoved in her back pocket. That was the Eye. She glanced at Quinn.

  "It can't be that simple, can it?" she breathed. "Why is it right here? Right where anybody can see it?"

  "Malcolm told us. It might have always been here, but cloaked to anyone specifically searching for it in.

  If we'd come here before the map was revealed, we probably wouldn't be able to see it at all. It would have been invisible to us."

  "That is messed up."

  He nodded. "So, what's the plan? Should we wait until they close and then sneak back—"

  With a well-placed roundhouse kick, she shattered the glass case. An alarm immediately began to sound. She reached through and grabbed the Eye, taking the mannequin's arm off in the process.

  "—in tonight and grab it?" He blinked. "Or that's good, too."

  The alarm rang in Quinn's ears as he stood facing Janie.

  She stared at him and bit her bottom lip. "I have the Eye."

  "Yes, you do. And we should probably get the hell out of here right now." He bit his bottom lip. "Why don't you give it to me?"

  She grinned. "Yeah, right. Remember, handsome, I'm the one who has the gun." She reached under her jacket to her holster and frowned. "It's gone. My gun is gone."

  "Did you drop it earlier?"

  She shook her head. "I could have sworn I had it before we came in here."

  He eyed her warily, a distinct feeling of uneasiness coming over him. This wasn't right. None of it. "Janie,

  we need to get out of here. Right now."

  "Oh, you must stay," Malcolm said as he turned the corner. He had a gun in his hand—and Quinn was willing to bet, somehow, that it was Janie's. "We really didn't have much of a chance to catch up last night, did we?"

  Quinn's stomach sank down to his feet at the sight of the old man. He'd thought he'd never see Malcolm again. Or maybe that was wishful thinking.

  "You cut things short when you staked me and left me for dead."

  Malcolm smiled. "We do what we must to protect that which we desire."

  It was hard to concentrate with the alarm blaring in his ears. "Have you been following us this whole time?"

  His smile widened. "I didn't have to. I made a copy of the map. I've been waiting here for you. I knew you'd eventually show up. I am very patient."

  Quinn's shock and surprise faded away and were replaced by hot anger, which he fought back. He needed to keep his head clear. "Why didn't you just take the Eye and be done with it, then?"

  Malcolm's brow furrowed. "Because I wanted to give you another chance, of course."

  He glanced over at Janie and then back at Malcolm. "What?"

  The old man smiled at him. "I know you weren't thinking clearly yesterday." He eyed a scowling Janie.

  "She's very attractive. I can see why you might be taken by her, but there are bigger things for us to think about. I may have overreacted last night to your betrayal."

  "You staked me."

  "You're still alive. And as long as you're alive, every day presents new opportunities. I'll give you one last chance to change your mind."

  "And if I don't?"

  He raised the gun. "I will kill her. Right here, right now."

  "Quinn—" Janie said.

  Quinn went very still. He had no doubt that Malcolm would do it if he made one wrong move. Said one wrong thing.

  "Don't hurt her," he said evenly. "What do you want me to do?"

  Malcolm grinned. "I knew you'd see logic eventually. I think you'll be pleased with the next step in my plans."

  "Killing vampires?"

  He shook his head. "This time it shall be the hunters. I have plans to take care of a great many in one fell swoop."

  "Sounds like you have it all worked out."

  "I've been planning this particular event for some time. Just waiting for the right opportunity and the right place. And I will share this victory with you in a forum we both know all too well."

  Quinn's gaze flicked to the gun again. "What's the plan?"

  Malcolm paused, and the alarm continued to ring. Quinn was surprised that the police hadn't shown up yet. What was taking them so long? What would they make of this little showdown in the middle of a downtown museum?

  "The annual vampire hunter convention is inLas Vegas as we speak. That is where I will begin putting my master plan into action."

  Quinn's mouth went dry. "The hunter convention."

  "Yes. It is being held this year at the El Diablo casino—a fitting name for such self-involved devils. I look forward to watching them all burn."

  Quinn let out a long breath as he worked through how best to handle this delicate situation without getting Janie shot.

  "I appreciate the second chance," he finally said and then looked over at Janie. "Bring the Eye to me."

  "Forget it," she
managed, clutching the artifact tightly to her chest.

  "Don't be stupid. Bring it to me, or Malcolm will kill you."

  "And how long do you think it'll be before security runs in here with the alarm going off?"

  "Probably a long time," Malcolm said. "I killed the sole employee. No one is here except for us. I also disconnected the alarm from its connection to the police station. It's a mildly irritating noise, but no one will be coming to check it out for a very long while."

  Quinn felt a chill go through him. "Janie." He beckoned to her.

  She approached slowly, warily. "Don't do this, Quinn. Please."

  "Why? Either he has it or you have it. And at least he's willing to share with me."

  "But my sister—"

  "Janie… please."

  When she got close enough, he snatched the golden wand out of her hand.

  A smile spread across Malcolm's wrinkled face as he regarded the Eye. "Very good." Then he turned to look at Janie, who was literally shaking with anger. "Quinn, please wait for me outside, and I will finish her—"

  Quinn swung the Eye, clobbering Malcolm on the back of his head. Another swing made contact and the gun clattered to the ground, followed by Malcolm's body. Unconscious.

  Again.

  Quinn frowned as he saw something slip out of Malcolm's pocket and roll toward his feet. It was the ruby-like stone that he and Janie had dug up in Malcolm's back yard. He quickly bent over to snatch it from the ground and slipped it into his pocket.

  Janie didn't notice this. She had her stake out in a flash, and she fell down to her knees, pushing Malcolm onto his back. She gritted her teeth and raised the stake above her head.

  "Wait!" Quinn held up his hand to stop her. "Don't do it."

  "He was going to kill me."

  "Just…just don't do it." He let out a shuddery breath and looked down at the old man, who had been be so nice and kind and understanding once upon a time.

  "I know he's no good, but I don't want him to die. Not like this."

  Her eyes narrowed. "That makes one of us."

  "Come on." He grabbed her arm to help her to her feet. "We have to get out of here."

  Without another word, they ran out of the museum and into the sunshine. Quinn wondered how long it would be before the victim inside would be found or the alarm was noticed. What would they do with

  Malcolm?

  It didn't matter. The old man was in his past now.

  Distracted with thoughts of Malcolm, he didn't notice Janie grab the Eye out of his hand until it was gone.

  "You dented it." She inspected it, turning it over in her hands.

  "It's fine."

  Or was it? He frowned. He'd seen sketches of the Eye that his father had collected over the years. He could have sworn that it was not just gold, that it had a jewel in it. In fact, if he thought about it hard enough, he would swear it was a red jewel.

  Just like the one in his pocket. He glanced at the wand and saw where the stone was missing. An empty slot where the stone in his pocket would fit perfectly.

  Well, Malcolm, he thought.You didn't tell me everything, did you ?

  Luckily, Janie didn't seem to notice any discrepancy. Shebeelined to the first pay phone she saw.

  "I need to call Lenny," she told him.

  He nodded. "Tell him we're going to be staying at the El Diablo when we get to Vegas."

  She raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you sure about that?"

  He nodded and didn't offer any more information on the subject. Malcolm said he had plans to kill many hunters at the annual convention. The last thing Quinn wanted to do was to be there, but he couldn't exactly sit back and mind his own business.

  He'd check things out. Make sure Malcolm hadn't already done irreparable damage, and then they'd get the hell out of there.

  He waited awkwardly on the sidewalk, with arms crossed, thinking the situation through.

  He looked over at Janie on the telephone. He'd help her find her sister. Once he knew she was okay,

  then he'd leave. With the Eye.

  But not before.

  After a minute, she hung up. "They're in Vegas. The Boss contacted Lenny, since he couldn't get through to me anymore. He's on his way there now, too."

  She noticeably shivered. It made Quinn mad as hell. Who was this asshole boss of hers who had such power over her? Janie wasn't the type to be afraid of anyone or anything. If it was the last thing he did,

  he'd make sure not only Angela was okay, but Janie, too.

  Thenhe'd leave.

  And the sooner they took care of it, the better.

  "The Boss will be there this evening," she said. "Barkley's still trying to get a fix on Angela—he and

  Lenny are going to get a room at the El Diablo. Do you really think he can do it?"

  Quinn nodded. "I know it." He hoped he sounded confident enough. "We'll go rent a car right now.

  Hopefully they won't hold my last rental against me. It was a rather hefty security deposit."

  "We?"

  "Yeah. That okay?"

  She raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to fight me to the death for the Eye now that I have it?"

  He shrugged. "Like you said, it's dented now. I only fight to the death over mint collectibles. You should see some of the Star Wars figures I have in storage. People have been hospitalized trying to keep me from a perfect boxedBobaFett ."

  She laughed. "I'll remember that."

  He looked away. "There's got to be a way everyone can get what they want."

  "I hope so." She looked sad. "I really do."

  So did he.

  Chapter 15

  "Welcome to El Diablo." The valet, dressed head to toe in red, gave them a big smile as Quinn and Janie got out of their rented Toyota Camry. "I hope you enjoy your stay with us."

  "I wouldn't count on it," Quinn said as he gave the guy a five-dollar bill and the keys.

  As they entered the casino hotel, Quinn glanced at Janie out of the corner of his eye. Conversation had died down to a bare minimum in the car over the past five hours. Not much to say. She still had the Eye in her possession, and it made him more than a little nervous. She'd tucked it into her jeans and under her jacket so it was barely visible along the line of her clothing.

  He motioned for her to go through the revolving entrance ahead of him.

  She eyed him. "Such a gentleman."

  "I do try."

  She snorted. He wasn't sure if she was laughing at him or with him. What the hell was it about this woman that made him so uncertain and unsteady?

  Didn't matter. This was almost over. The odds of them spending any time together in the future were slim to none. The thought was surprisingly unsettling.

  "Welcome to El Diablo Hotel, Casino, and Convention Center!" a pretty brunette behind the check-in counter said brightly. She wore all red and had tiny sequined devil horns pinned into her hair. "Do you have a reservation?"

  Quinn shook his head and produced a credit card. "No. We need two rooms, please."

  "I'll see if we have anything available." She took the card and tapped on her keyboard. "Mr. Quinn, I believe you're mistaken."

  He frowned. "About what?"

  "We do have a room reserved for you already."

  "Really?" His frown deepened. Had Barkley done that for him? He did know they were on their way.

  "Well, great. My friend here will need a room, too."

  The clerk gave Quinn a key card and instructions on how to get to his room on the seventeenth floor. He looked down at the receipt and saw his own name along with another name he recognized.

  His father's.

  Before he'd died, Roger Quinn must have reserved an extra room for his son so they could attend the convention together. Which would explain why the room was so damned expensive. His father preferred the best of everything.

  Thanks, Dad, he thought morbidly.

  Quinn glanced nervously around the El Diablo lobby, decorated to look like a scene
out of Dante's

  Inferno, including smoking dry ice and large black iron gates to hell—leading directly into the casino area.

  Janie nudged him aside and got her own room. The clerk ensured they'd be on the same floor.

  Terrific. Just what he needed.

  They walked away from check-in and past a poster propped on an easel:

  El Diablo welcomes members of the VHA for their 42nd Annual Convention.

  He started to laugh and slapped a hand over his mouth before he drew any attention. Or risked showing his fangs.

  VHA stood for the Vampire Hunters of America. He was still a member in good standing. It had seemed like a good idea coming there. Now that they'd arrived, he wasn't so sure.

  Low profile. Check things out. Then leave first thing tomorrow. Or earlier if possible.

  The VHA liked to get together annually to hold workshops and seminars. They'd decided fifteen years ago to hold their events in a more public forum. As long as they went by the acronym and kept the workshops members-only, the general human population would never know what they were up to—ignorance for their own safety.

  "Are you okay being here?" Janie touched his arm as they got on the elevator headed to the seventeenth floor. "You look like you just swallowed a puppy."

  "I wish."

  She laughed weakly at that.

  He frowned. "This isn't funny, you know."

  "Come on. I'll protect you from the mean hunters. Don't worry."

  "I may take you up on that offer."

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened up. Two large men got on the elevator with them, pressing

  Quinn on either side. He tried to pretend that he was invisible. He didn't recognize the men, but they looked like hunters to him. Hunters who had gone a little too long without a shower.

  "I think you should give the Eye back to me," Quinn whispered to her.

  She raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you do."

  "For safekeeping."

  "It's perfectly safe with me."

  "I can just take it from you. I don't have to ask."

  She gave him a wicked grin and then reached forward to tap one of the hunters on his huge bicep.