“Hey, Julie called earlier and she said if I saw a stranger with green–”
“Give me a description. Does he have dark hair?” Katie wanted to leap from her skin.
“Yeah, he does. He’s one of the guys from the other night. He’s tall and real good looking, especially with those gorgeous green eyes. You should check him out. He’s with the Asian chick, the same one from the other night. She has green eyes too. Anyway, he bought drinks for everyone.”
Katie’s heart pounded. This was the break she needed, the chance to acquire her revenge.
“Amy, don’t say anything more. Act normal. I’ll be there in ten.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
The crowd noise ended, indicating Amy had disconnected the line. Katie stared at her phone in her shaking hand. Amy’s words repeated in her head and she analyzed them quickly. Could there be two vampires in town?
10
Katie sat on the bed next to her purse, clutching the phone. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of activity. She had to decide what to do, and soon.
Two vampires? Was it possible?
The answer would satisfy one of Katie’s questions regarding Kyle’s demise. She’d questioned how a single vampire could behead such a valiant warrior. Kyle would’ve beaten one, but two would’ve been a challenge, especially if they were as skilled at fighting as he was.
Katie briefly wondered if Amy could’ve mistakenly informed her about humans with green eyes. The bar was close to the interstate and attracted many travelers. Some humans had green eyes too. There was a possibility the two customers Amy had mentioned were ordinary people passing through and stopped at the bar for a drink.
Katie recalled what Ben had told her about the person who visited the station. Could it be a coincidence the tall, dark-haired stranger he described also matched the description of the person at the bar? Not likely. Jules’s boyfriend, Joe, had left Jules a message that a coworker of his had a free drink from someone bragging they had burned a farmhouse and killed someone. Amy had said the person at the Devil was buying drinks for everyone and had previously, too. Another coincidence?
Weighing the information and listening to her gut, she believed the two at the Devil were indeed vampires. She had to act or she’d miss her chance at revenge. But could she defeat two vampires? Kyle ended up headless, regardless of his superior strength and fighting skills.
To battle and win against a superior creature, she’d have to match their stamina. And she had the means to do so. She dug inside her purse and removed the silver case with her two vials. Kyle’s blood would give her the extra strength she needed to fight and destroy a vampire. A vampire. She only needed one dose. If she took both, it would increase the length of her enhanced abilities, not the effectiveness.
She took a vial and returned the case to her purse. Although she’d promised Riker she’d stay in the hotel she couldn’t pass on this opportunity. She’d deal with his temper later.
The next order of business was to figure out a plan to defeat two vampires. As she paced in the room, she considered what the monsters would do. They probably believed the woman they sought was an ordinary human girlfriend based on the police report and Ben’s memories. They wouldn’t have a clue about the depth of Katie’s relationship with Kyle or the training she’d gone through with him. If Katie bumped into the two vamps and acted like a normal human, she could take one down by surprise, leaving one left to fight.
Her plan was feasible. She’d make it work.
She dashed into the bathroom. Kyle had injected his blood into her vein the other times. Since she lacked syringes and the time to buy one from the pharmacy, she’d have to drink the fluid. Not a pleasant thought, but no other options were available. She turned on the faucet and stuck a glass underneath. The water would help spread the elixir into her system. She hoped it would lessen the coppery taste too.
While water filled the glass, she slid the cloth from the tube and twisted the cap off. Soon, she’d claim vengeance for Kyle. Riker could go back to his part of the world and Katie could resume her life. She’d fight Riker for Jules’s memories and her safety too if she had to. Without wasting another second, she pressed the round tip of the vial between her lips and tilted her head back.
The tangy potion slid over her tongue, causing her stomach to spasm. Drink it, Katie. Just do it. She shook the vial to force as much out as she could. Her belly cramped again and she searched for a positive thought to calm it. One actually came to mind. The blood would have less of an impact on her intestines than Jules’s spicy food.
Ready for the water, she set the empty tube on the counter and grabbed the glass under the faucet. The cool fluid flushed the coppery taste from her tongue and offered some relief to her stomach. As blood and water flowed through her system, her body tingled and chilled. The sensation spread fast to her nerves and muscles, even to the tips of her fingers. When she emptied the glass, she returned it to the countertop with a clank and shut off the taps.
Katie returned to the room and stopped at the bed. The potent toxin revved her heart and fueled her with energy. If she didn’t do something soon to release it, she’d twitch all over. She strapped a sheathed dagger to each arm and one to each calf, under her jeans. The ring knives were handy, but difficult to whip out quickly and use. Still, she took two, leaving them wrapped in the small dark cloth. Armed and anxious to spill vampire blood, she slid her arms through Jules’s Disco or Die jacket. It covered the daggers strapped to her arms perfectly.
Cellphone in hand, she headed for the door. Five minutes had passed, leaving her five to call Jules and reach the Tasmanian Devil. The bar was less than two miles from the hotel. With her vampire speed, she’d arrive in time. She’d call Jules before reaching the bar.
From the entrance of the hotel, she took off running. She crossed the parking lot then stayed in the grass on the side of the road. The light traffic due to the late hour worked in her favor. Her dark clothes and speed would help conceal her if anyone glimpsed at her. She passed two stoplights and approached a third. A cool wind grazed her skin, keeping her from perspiring. The vampire juice in her body had an invigorating effect. She felt pumped up, on top of the world, ready to rip off the heads of vampires.
At the fourth stoplight, she slowed and checked for cars. When the last few passed, she darted across the road. She faced traffic as she continued east toward the Devil and passed two more stoplights. At the next intersection, she glanced at the street name and estimated she had a mile left to go.
Phone in one hand, she considered calling Jules before crossing the street for the Devil. If Riker was with her, Katie didn’t want him to suspect she’d left the hotel room. She’d have to find a quite spot, away from cars and employees stepping out for a smoke. The area around the bar consisted of a few restaurants, a gas station farther down on the corner, a small strip mall and a few little businesses such as a dog groomer, banks and video rental shop. Only the restaurants and gas station would still be in operation at the current hour. Maybe the video store too. The strip mall seemed like the best option for privacy. And she knew the perfect spot. Behind the building, a street allowed trucks to deliver supplies. Since all the shops were closed for the night, no one would be around.
With no cars on the road, she ran on the side instead of the grass. The hard surface helped her gain a little more speed. When a car appeared, she veered back onto grass.
She reached the last stoplight before the bar and eyed the strip mall a few blocks ahead. The lights were off and the lot appeared empty. The scent of food drifted in the wind, yet it didn’t rouse her hunger. Loss of appetite was another one of the side effects from vampire blood. She continued and headed for the small street that led to the back of the building. She was so close to the vampires, so close to claiming her revenge, but first she had to check on Jules.
She slowed her pace to a stroll when she reached the backside of the building. Two lights from the roof illuminated the small ally. Alth
ough she suspected not to find any cameras due to Mishawaka’s low crime rate, she scanned for them anyway. She didn’t find any security devices.
Katie stopped in the shadows between the lighting. Her breaths weren’t heavy, yet she needed to calm herself so there wouldn’t be the slightest hint she’d left the hotel room. As she leaned against the building, she surveyed the area. A wood fence blocked most of the trees and visibility to the homes on the other side of the delivery road. Although the houses were far enough away Katie could see traces of light between crevices in the fence. If a burglar had wanted to break into one of the shops, she doubted anyone would notice.
Inhaling a steady breath, she glanced at the time on her phone and then dialed Jules’s number. As the phone rang, she estimated the time to reach the Devil was four and half minutes.
“I’m alive,” Jules answered.
“Is Riker there?”
“Not yet. I have the gun in my backpack. Should I carry it in my jacket?”
“No, the backpack is fine.” At the moment, the only threat to Jules was Riker. Although Katie didn’t trust him, she knew he wouldn’t harm Jules.
“Have you heard from Joe?”
“No, I left two more messages. I know something is wrong, Katie. I feel it.”
Jules wasn’t psychic, but her feelings and gut instincts were accurate. Just like Katie’s usually were.
“Wait…” Jules said.
“What is it?”
“I see…your car. Is he driving your Camaro?”
“Yes. Don’t be afraid. He’s going to bring you straight to the hotel.”
“I’m really sorry about all this.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll sort it out. I’ll see you soon.”
“All right. Bye.”
A touch of relief flowed through Katie as she wedged her phone into one of the back pockets of her jeans. Riker would pick up Jules and drive back to the hotel. They’d probably arrive in ten minutes and Jules would be safe. The good news lessoned Katie’s worry. She wished she could be at the hotel to console her friend, but it was unrealistic and impossible for her to find the vamps, destroy them in a non-public area and then run back to the hotel in such short time. Unfortunately, Jules would have to stay with Riker. Katie disliked the thought of her friend staying alone with the vampire, but Katie refused to miss the chance to destroy Kyle’s killers.
On another matter, Ricker would notice her gone. Katie held little doubt he’d vent his frustration upon her return. She shrugged off her concern. Besides, if she could collect the heads of two vampires without his help, maybe he’d finally take her seriously and quit telling her to control her emotions.
Katie stepped from around the building and jogged across the lot. The Devil lit up the night with its neon sign. Idle cars crowded around the building. She darted across the road and past the parked cars. Through the walls, she heard laughter inside. Her heart thumped fast, excited and anxious to face the enemy. She braked fast at the entrance and wrapped her fingers around the door handle.
Katie took a deep breath and mentally donned her human costume. She needed to appear weak compared to her adversary. Someone killed her lover and she needed a drink to kill the pain of losing him. She could play the role easily.
A grin formed on her face. The deception would bring her victory, end the threat to the lives of her friends and remove to evil predators from the earth. Kyle would be proud.
She swung open the door and raised her mental shields. Revenge was coming, and she’d take it by severing a couple of heads.
11
Katie stepped into the dimly lit tavern and a flood of voices. Men and women crowded around tables and booths, laughing and chatting. The strong odor of beer predominated above all others. Andy served drinks to customers at the bar. On the wall, the red sign in the shape of the female devil glowed and the tail flashed. Farther away, Amy held a tray and served drinks while Robin, a part-timer with fake blonde hair, delivered beer to men close by. The tavern appeared busier than normal for a Wednesday night. Something else also caught hold of Katie’s attention. She sensed anxiety and hatred flowing as if it were an electrical current. She wondered which person or persons were emitting such strong emotions.
“Hey, there,” Amy said, coming to a stop next to Katie. She wore a tight, knee-length skirt with a red and black blouse that glittered when light hit it just right.
“Hey.”
“We’re really busy. Andy couldn’t get in touch with Julie or you, so he called Robin.” Amy bent close to Katie’s ear. “She’s a little slow and chats too much. Why don’t you stay and work for a few hours?”
“Sorry. I can’t, and I’m not ready yet.”
“Where’s Julie?”
“She’s leaving for vacation soon. She probably didn’t want to answer her phone. Are those two people still here?”
“You just missed the guy. He left not even five minutes ago. But the girl he was with is still here. She’s at the bar.” Amy crossed in front of Katie. “I have to get back to work.”
“Thanks for calling me.”
Her friend waved as she strode toward the room with the pool tables.
A sense of defeat passed through Katie. The dark-haired man had left. Katie had ingested the vamp blood hoping to claim victory. Now, she wondered if Kyle’s blood would go to waste. The extra abilities she had would last two to three days, but she wanted revenge to come swiftly. Now. This night. Waiting would force her to find another way to release her energy.
She walked around the crowded tables and scanned the back of the heads belonging to customers sitting on stools at the bar. Right of center, she spotted a thin woman with short black hair wearing a dark jacket. The choice of clothing made Katie suspicious of the woman. The temperature outside was fair and it was a tad warmer in the building. Why did she feel the need to wear an extra layer of clothing?
The man sitting next to the jacket-wearing woman rose and left with another man, leaving two empty stools. Katie picked up her gate and reached the vacant spots before another customer could. She sat on a stool to the far right, leaving one between her and the woman.
With her mental shields in place, Katie took a glimpse at her neighbor. The woman held a small glass in her hand. She twirled it on the counter as if she were bored or waiting for a drink. As if she sensed Katie watching her, the woman turned to face Katie. The woman’s green gaze within her almond shaped eyes gave her true nature away.
“You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?” Katie asked.
“Free country, for now.” The Asian smirked.
Katie rested her arms on the counter while she resisted the grin wanting to break free. She missed one vampire, but the one sitting close by was within her grasp. The night would end up a productive one after all.
As Katie waited for Andy, she wondered what kind of role the Asian vamp played in Kyle’s demise. She had to play a part, else why hang around with the other vampire who had dark hair. The bitch had to go. But how?
Katie considered her options since fighting in public would endanger lives and draw too much attention. The groomer’s house next door offered privacy behind the building, but the dogs would bark and probably attract attention. To steer clear from onlookers, the area behind the strip mall seemed the safest place to fight. Having determined the location for her battle, Katie now needed to figure out a way to lure the Asian out of the bar.
Andy came to a halt in front of Katie. The frown on his face gave away his mood. “I tried calling you.”
“I’m not in the mood to work.”
“I could really use some help, Katie.”
“I came in for a drink. Can you give me one?”
He placed his palms on the counter and leaned toward her. “Drinking will not ease the loss. I know you’re hurting–”
Katie sensed strong anger perfuming from someone close by. She sensed the emotion came from the Asian. She took a glimpse at the vamp, curious to see if the Asian was wat
ching. She was. The bitch must have recognized her name when Andy said it.
“You don’t know shit, Andy.” Katie spat, acting like a normal human would. “Just give me a fucking drink, please.”
Color darkening on his cheeks, he clanked a shot glass on the counter. He poured vodka into the glass, then pushed it toward her. “I don’t want to see you back here until you straighten up.”
He left for the other end of the bar before she could respond.
Katie shook her head and lifted her drink. She glanced over her shoulder at the Asian. The woman stared and her green eyes shimmered. Hostility reeked from her.
“Lose someone close?” the Asian bitch asked.
Katie tossed the liquor into her mouth. Hold it together, Katie. Don’t take her head off in the bar. Everyone would freak out.
She set the glass on the counter and faced the female vamp. “My boyfriend was murdered. Not sure who or why someone would do such a thing. I’m hoping the police catch the fucker and electrocute him.” What a human thing to say. She was human after all.
“My condolences.” The Asian’s tone lacked emotion.
Katie bit her tongue to refrain from vocalizing what she really wanted to say. She had to play the mourning lover, not smart juiced up woman ready to kill. The latter role would come soon.
“Have a good night,” Katie said as she twisted on the stool.
She headed for the exit, hoping the Asian would follow. Hairs on the back of Katie’s neck twitched and tickled her. If she guessed right, the Asian was watching.
Anxiety and rage pumped Katie’s heart. One vampire head with a slice of revenge was coming. As soon as Katie reached the pavement outside, she’d have to take off running to make it to the strip mall. She expected the vamp would catch up quickly.
Katie reached the exit and pushed open the door. Two steps later, she darted full speed across the lot. She crossed the grassy area between the businesses, not caring about muddying her shoes. Behind her, the voices from the bar disappeared. The door must have closed. Halfway past the dog-grooming house, the voices came back to life like a chorus. Alarm triggered in Katie and she pushed her legs harder.
Immortal Revenge Page 11
