“Joni,” Eddie called out, walking deeper into the room.
The cabin was a two-story, with the great room split—half of it stretching up to the roof’s rafters, the other half situated under the second-story balcony that looked out over the open section of the main room. To the right of the front door, a staircase led up to the balcony. From down below, closed doors leading to the various upstairs rooms could be spotted lined up like soldiers for inspection. The inside walls and floors of the cabin gleamed with shiny wood and smelled of pine. On the glossy floors, thick area rugs with intricate designs were used to mark off specific areas such as living room, dining room, and even a small library and reading area. The furniture was rustic and sturdy.
The trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco had been uneventful. After finishing dinner, Notchey had dropped her off at the departure gate. Since she’d never flown before, he flashed his badge at an airport cop so he could leave his car parked curbside while he guided Madison to the line for first-class checkin.
“I’ll be here to pick you up tomorrow,” he told her before saying goodbye. “If your flight changes, just call or text me.” He kissed her lightly on the mouth. “Thanks for calling,” he told her. “I really appreciate it.” He touched her face. “Really.”
As Notchey walked away, Madison continued to wrestle with her decision to not tell him about Libby. She thought about calling Samuel to let him know the castle’s whereabouts, but didn’t for almost the same reason she didn’t tell Notchey. Samuel would send his people in there to confront Lady, and who knows how many innocent people would be hurt.
“Joni,” Eddie called again. He moved toward a large hinged door just beyond the massive oak dining table. Opening it, he peered into the next room. Finding no one, he turned and faced Madison, giving her a shrug.
Eddie Gonzales was a short, pudgy man with the sort of features one easily forgot. He was a CPA by trade, both before and after turning into a vampire. He appeared to be in his late forties and was gay. He and Stacie Neroni had formed a lucrative partnership. Utilizing her legal skills and his accounting background, they helped vampires maneuver the intricate estate planning and investment issues faced when people live forever. Eddie Gonzales was also in charge of the northern part of the state.
With California being such a large state, the council had divided it up into territories—south, north, and central. Isabella Claussen, who made her home in Morrow Bay when not traveling for the council, oversaw the central area. Doug Dedham was her backup when she was out of the area for large stretches of time. Each of the territorial leaders had two or three vampires under them who helped govern locally. Joni Langevoort, Madison had learned from Samuel, while once on the council, was now one of Eddie’s assistants.
“I guess she stepped out.” Eddie returned to Madison. “Why don’t we make ourselves comfortable until she returns.” He glanced at his watch. “I hope she gets back soon; I have a dinner engagement.”
Madison and Eddie had just settled on the sofa across from the fire when they heard footsteps on the second floor balcony. Turning, they watched a sturdy man with flowing blond hair and a close-cropped blond beard come down the stairs, taking them two at a time. He wore well-worn jeans and an open light-blue chambray shirt. He came toward them, a welcoming smile on his face. On his right upper chest opposite his heart were two sets of deep fang marks. One was crusted over. From the other set, half-congealed blood oozed thick as toothpaste.
“Joni will be right down,” he told them as he pulled something from his jeans pocket and used it to bind his hair back into a ponytail. “Is it still raining outside?”
Eddie got to his feet and faced the man, not speaking. Madison noticed the hungry eye he was casting on the firm, blood-specked chest of the guy in denim and moved the conversation along before the accountant forgot his manners and tried to poach on Joni’s private stock.
“Yes,” Madison replied.
The guy grabbed a leather jacket draped over the back of a chair and casually slipped into it. With a nod to them both, he disappeared out the front door. When he was gone, Eddie let out a deep breath. Madison was sure if vampires could perspire, Eddie would be sweating like a menopausal woman in a sauna.
Before Eddie could retake his seat, they heard another set of footsteps on the second-floor balcony.
“Sorry I wasn’t available when you arrived.” A woman leaned over the upstairs railing and called down to them. Her voice was laced with a slight accent. “Be down in a jiff.”
In the blink of an eye, she was standing next to the sofa. She kissed Eddie affectionately on both cheeks. “I was just grabbing a little snack to hold me over until dinner.”
With two fingers, Eddie dabbed at a spot on Joni’s left cheek. “You missed a spot, darling.” He licked the blood off his fingers. “Very nice,” he said with approval. “Nothing like good old-fashioned country cooking.”
“You still seeing that sweet Japanese boy?” Before Eddie could answer, Joni looked over at Madison and winked. “It’s Eddie’s personal take on sushi.”
Eddie glanced at his watch again. “Speaking of which, I’m meeting him very shortly, so let me make the introductions and get out of here.”
He indicated for Madison to approach. She stood up and joined the two vampires.
Joni Langevoort was a middle-aged, petite woman with a lush figure. She wore her dark blond hair in a single long braid down her back and was dressed in a denim skirt, a red pullover sweater, and short Ugg boots.
Eyeing Madison, Joni leaned toward Eddie. “I think she’s afraid I’m going to gobble her up as I did that fine young man.”
The two vampires shared the laugh. Madison didn’t join in. She was too busy trying to take Joni’s measure. Madison was used to the good-natured ribbing vampires often displayed with one another and often with her, but she didn’t know Joni Langevoort and wasn’t sure she liked the idea of spending a day or two alone with a strange vampire. Inside her head, Madison kept reminding herself that Samuel would never willingly put her in danger. He trusted Joni, so she would have to trust her, too. She had no other option.
“Joni, this is Madison Rose,” Eddie said, placing his hand on Madison’s back by way of encouragement. “Madison, this is Joni Langevoort. She has amazing things to teach you, so pay attention.”
Joni held out her hand to Madison, and Madison, after a slight hesitation, took it in her own and shook it politely.
Introductions made, Eddie stepped into the entryway and retrieved his jacket. “My job here is done, so I’ll be off.”
Joni went to the front door to say goodbye to him. “One day, Eddie,” she said, her eyes full of mischief, “let’s double date. I’ll bring my favorite recipe, you bring yours.”
With a hearty laugh and a wave to Madison, Eddie Gonzales disappeared into the rainy night, leaving Madison alone with Joni Langevoort.
“Don’t worry, Madison,” Joni said with a grin. “I only dine on the blood of males, both animal and human. So unless you’re in drag, you’ll be safe with me.”
TWENTY-ONE
Y
our room is the second one from the top of the stairs,” Joni told Madison, pointing to one of the closed doors off of the upstairs balcony.
“I don’t believe I’m staying long.”
“No, you’re not, but you’ll still need to catch some sleep at some point and might want a shower. The bathroom is to the right at the top of the stairs. Why don’t you take a few minutes to freshen up, then join me in the kitchen. It’s right through that large door.” Joni pointed to the wide door just beyond the dining table. “And bring down those photos and sketches. We’ll get to work right away.”
Madison’s room was quaint and inviting, with pine furniture and an iron bed painted white and covered with a thick quilt. She stashed her bag and headed to the bathroom, which was modern and sparkling and decorated in a country theme to match the rest of the house. It was going to be a long working night, but Mad
ison was used to those with Samuel. After washing her face, she felt more rested and went downstairs to see what Joni had up her sleeve. Tucked under her arm was a file containing Doug’s sketches, and in her pocket was a flash drive with digital versions of the same, along with the photos she’d taken of Duff.
Just before she’d boarded the plane, she’d sent a text message to Colin and Samuel, telling them she’d learned the dead vampire’s name was Duff. She didn’t tell them how she’d found out, but at least she could save Colin the trouble of hunting through all the tattoo parlors in LA or prevent them from pressing Keleta. Colin had immediately sent her a message back asking how she knew, but she ignored it.
Joni looked up from her work when Madison came into the kitchen. She had just started chopping what looked like carrots. A few whole, peeled potatoes were piled nearby. Next to the potatoes was a large bowl filled with chopped celery and onions. Something was sizzling in a cast-iron Dutch oven on the stove. It smelled delicious, and Madison’s mouth began to water.
“Here,” Joni said, handing the knife to Madison. “Why don’t you finish the chopping while I tend the stove.”
“You got all this done in the few minutes I was upstairs?”
Joni winked. “The gift of speed isn’t just handy for getting somewhere in a hurry. I can also clean this place top to bottom in the time it takes a paid housekeeper to make the bed and scrub the shower.”
Picking up the chopping knife, Madison finished the carrots, chopping them into the same size pieces Joni had been producing. Finished with the carrots, she moved on to the potatoes. “How big do you want the potatoes cut?”
Joni turned from the stove, a pair of tongs in her hand. Caught in the tongs was a chunk of browned meat, juicy, with a crisp outside. “Small chunks. They’re going into a stew.”
Madison brought the knife down on the first spud, halving it deftly. “You don’t have to go to so much trouble for me. I’ll eat anything.”
“You’re a special guest. Samuel will skin me alive if I don’t take proper care of you.” She moved the meat around in the pan, making sure all the pieces were browning evenly. “And it’s nice to have someone to cook for.”
“Dodie Dedham says that, too.”
Joni glanced over at Madison. “I’ll just bet Dodie’s cooking up a storm these days with you living there.” She gazed up at the ceiling, her eyes closed in memory. “I used to love walking into that house and smelling the aroma of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies. It was almost orgasmic.”
“Samuel told me you used to be on the council.”
Joni nodded. Opening her eyes, she tended her cooking. “Yes, until a few years ago. I was replaced by Kate Thornton. Samuel wanted me to stay on, but I hated the travel south. I prefer to stay right here in Marin. What I do for the council now, I can do here without all the bells and whistles of the council meetings.” She turned to Madison. “I hope you like rabbit stew.”
“Rabbit?” Madison stared at the pot with worry, trying not to picture a cuddly bunny dredged in flour and sizzling for her enjoyment. “I’ve never had it before.” She tried to infuse her voice with enthusiasm.
“This recipe was a favorite of mine before I turned.” Joni stopped fussing with the frying rabbit. “Where are my manners?” She turned to Madison. “Would you like something to drink? Some wine perhaps, or maybe a beer? I always have beer in the fridge for Chuck.”
“I don’t drink,” Madison told her.
Joni turned to her with concern. “Is there a physical reason for that? Because the stew calls for red wine. I could leave it out and adjust the recipe a bit, if you’d prefer.”
“Cooking with it is fine. I just choose not to drink, that’s all.”
“Smart girl,” Joni told her with a shake of the tongs in her direction. “You need to be on your toes at all times working with us vampires.”
“Tell me about it.”
Joni looked over at Madison, studying her closely. “You’re not one of Samuel’s ladies either, are you?”
The sound of chopping stopped with a skid, then resumed. Inside, Madison fumed, wondering if there was anyone who didn’t believe she was sleeping with vampires. “No, I’m not.”
“But the question bothered you. Why?”
For the first time, Madison met Joni’s eyes dead-on. “Look, I’ve been with the vamps long enough to know Samuel would never have sent me up here for sensitive and confidential training without giving you my full dossier. So let’s not play games, Joni. It takes too much time and energy.” She delivered the words not with hostility but with a plainspoken truth.
“You’re just as Samuel said,” Joni told her with a sly smile. “Smart and ballsy.” Joni turned away from the stove. Placing both of her hands palms down on the counter where Madison was working, she faced her. “I think I’m going to like you, Madison Rose.”
Madison wasn’t convinced Joni’s words were genuine, and she wasn’t ready to take a BFF pledge on her end, so she remained silent, looking at the vampire, searching for any signs of sincerity. Her awkward moment was saved when a loud noise sounded on the service porch, followed by a large animal barging into the kitchen.
Madison nearly fainted but got a grip on herself in time to back away, the kitchen knife grasped firmly in her hand and pointed at the animal. “That’s a wolf.” Her voice was hoarse with fright.
“A wolfdog, actually. Though some would call it a wolf hybrid.”
The huge dog took a few steps toward Madison on his long, spindly legs. His head was large, coming to a sharp point at its snout; his coat was an explosion of silver, black, and white. The animal kept his head lowered, but his narrow eyes looked up at Madison with wariness. Slowly she backed up until her spine connected with a wall.
“Boo, stop that,” ordered Joni. “You’re scaring our guest.”
Slowly, the animal lifted his head, turning his attention toward his mistress. His thick tail switched in affection. Joni left the stove and crouched next to the animal. Burying her hands in his thick ruff, she playfully rubbed his neck. “This is Madison, Boo. She’s a friend.” Boo swiped his big tongue over Joni’s face and let out a happy whine.
“Boo?” Madison asked, still not sure she wanted to lower the knife. “As in Boo, I’m scared shitless?”
“No, silly.” Joni continued petting the animal. “Boo as in Boo Radley.” When Madison gave her a blank stare, Joni added, “Haven’t you ever read To Kill a Mockingbird? It’s one of the great American novels. A classic.” Joni stood up and put her hands on her hips like a schoolteacher demanding to know why homework hadn’t been completed on time.
“I’ve heard of it, just never read it.” Madison kept her eyes on Boo while she spoke. “The only wolf I’ve ever read about is White Fang.”
“Boo Radley wasn’t a wolf.” Joni smiled. “But we’ll discuss your serious lack of culture later. Right now, I want you to put down the knife and kneel down slowly.”
Madison wasn’t sure about the suggested course of action. “I’m fine right here.”
“Kneel down,” Joni ordered, her voice even and gentle. “Boo needs to see for himself that you’re a friend.”
Madison lowered the knife and slowly crouched until her knees touched the floor. It put her face dangerously close to Boo’s muzzle.
“Okay,” Joni said with encouragement. “Now hold out your hand and let him sniff it.”
Keeping the knife in her right hand, Madison held out her left, thinking if the animal bit it off, at least she wasn’t left-handed. Boo sniffed, running his wet nose over it. His tongue darted out and tasted her skin. It tickled. His tail thumped.
“There,” Joni pronounced. “Now reach out slowly and touch his neck, right where my hand is, and gently rub it. It will seal the bond.”
Madison’s fingers disappeared into the fur of the animal next to Joni’s hand. Once she felt the animal’s neck under the hair, she gently started rubbing. Joni removed her hand, and Boo leaned into Madison’s to
uch. Both the dog and Madison relaxed.
Joni stood up, leaving the two to get acquainted. She went back to her cooking. Keeping a close eye on Madison and Boo, she tossed several ingredients into the Dutch oven, including the chopped celery and onion, water, wine, rosemary, and some other seasonings. The pan sizzled, and the room filled with aromatic comfort.
“There,” she announced. After giving everything a good stir, she put a heavy lid on the pot and lowered the flame till it was almost non-existent. “That needs to simmer for close to two hours. In the meantime, we can get to work.”
“I’m sorry,” Madison said, getting up from the floor. “I didn’t finish the potatoes.”
“Not to worry.” Joni held out her hand for Madison’s knife. As soon as she had it, she attacked the potatoes and a small pile of mushrooms with lightning speed, making Madison do a double take. “Told you my speed had many uses.”
Watching her, Madison realized Joni could gut her like a trout before she could blink. Her right hand played with the bracelet on her left wrist. She’d left the bloodroot upstairs and for a moment wished she hadn’t, wondering if Dodie had given it to her because she was concerned about Joni.
“I think I’d like that drink now,” Madison said. “Anything you have that’s nonalcoholic.” Boo nudged the hand that hung by her side, demanding more petting.
With her chin, Joni indicated the dog. “Now you’re in for it. He really likes you. That means he’s going to be begging for constant attention.” She went to the fridge. “I have orange juice, cold water, and a several cans of Coke.”
“I’ll take the Coke. I’m going to need the caffeine.”
Joni handed her the cold can. “You a glass or a can girl?”
Baited Blood (A Madison Rose Vampire Mystery) Page 18
