by J. A. Saare
Timothy stepped away from the group. I guessed he was in his forties, but only because of the grey that tinted the black at his temples. His face was still smooth, with only a few wrinkles appearing around the slate grey eyes that matched his suit. He extended his hand, and Goose gave another firm shake before he stepped back.
Everyone quickly made introductions. Timothy’s wife, Sarah, appeared years older than her husband, but it wasn’t from lack of trying. I could tell when someone worked out, and this woman would give me a run for the money. She was lean and cut; the direct result of personal chefs and trainers. Her black hair, bobbed to her chin, matched her onyx eyes.
Next on the menu were Mark and Sabrina Smith. They were the youngest of the couples, in their late thirties, and extremely well spoken. Mark was handsome with bronzed skin and dark brown eyes, but Sabrina was a real looker. Curly blonde hair surrounded her face in ringlets, deep blue eyes huge inside her heart-shaped face.
Last were Carson and CeCe Parker, both of which gave me a mondo case of the willies. Each had blond hair, blue eyes, and could easily pass for brother and sister. They finished one another’s introductions, clung to each other like floatation devices, and made me think we had slipped into a bad episode of The Twilight Zone.
The conversation quickly delved into subjects chocked-full of words like mutual funds, offshore accounts, and the stock market. The minute they went into that area of expertise, I glanced around the room. Most of the people branched off in pairs—couples, I assumed.
“And what is it you do, Janet?”
Sarah’s voice echoed inside my ears, and I knew she’d caught me daydreaming. I whipped around and smiled awkwardly. My mind shut down, totally devoid of any thoughts or ideas.
Bartender? No. Pool player? No. Ghost hunter? No. Full-time smart ass? No. I was running out of ideas and she was waiting. The room closed in on me as her tiny black eyes came closer and closer…
“You’re looking at it,” I said for no logical reason whatsoever. You’re looking at it? What the hell was I smoking? We were busted. I started working out our exit strategy in my head—time to get the hell out.
“What she means is…” Goose pulled me close, squeezing tighter than necessary. “Soon, we hope to expand our family. Janet is currently focusing all of her attention on that aspect of our lives.”
Ah, smart man. Make me a breeder.
“How wonderful,” CeCe exclaimed. She turned to Mark and Sabrina. “Didn’t you say you have a little boy?”
“Yes,” Sabrina answered softly and Mark nodded.
Sarah shook her head distastefully. “I couldn’t have children. I would never get my body back.”
“How selfless of you, Sarah,” CeCe smirked.
“It’s the truth. Some of us are not cut out for Mommyhood.” Sarah’s eyes slitted and her mouth formed a thin line, making her appear much older.
“Ladies,” Jude interrupted, motioning a server over with his index finger, “Let’s remember what tonight is about. Just relax.”
Everyone took a crystal flute, and when the tray made its way to me, I followed suit, keeping the revolting brew at my side.
“Let’s toast.” Jude smiled and brought his glass to his chest. “To longevity.”
Everyone lifted their glasses and I placed the rim my lips, blocked off my throat, and pretended to take a sip.
The wine clung to my lips, and I licked them quickly, tasting that odd sweetness.
“Is something wrong?” Jude asked, and I brought my eyes up. Of course, he’d pay attention. His focus hadn’t left us since we arrived. “You don’t like the wine?”
Damn it.
I didn’t want to drink, and I couldn’t look at Goose for guidance. My fingers tightened on the cool glass as I brought the rounded swell of fine crystal to my lips. Like before, the sweetness lingered on my tongue, and clarity came on hard and fast.
“Good, isn’t it?” Jude’s eyes were all over me, and I found vampire blood didn’t alleviate one human trait—my temper. I imagined erasing his sneer with a wicked crotch shot that would keep him celibate for weeks, but even anger couldn’t overcome the smells that assailed me. My nose took in the scent of perfumes, colognes, starch, and stale air blowing from the overhead air conditioning vents.
I smiled tightly, turned to Goose, and said, “I need to visit the ladies room.”
“Excuse us.” Goose lowered his glass and off we went, in search of a throne and a few precious minutes to compose myself.
I’d never dabbled in drugs, so I didn’t have anything to compare the rush to. But there was no cloudiness or confusion, no stupor induced fog or heaviness. This felt like a perfect high directly following a good workout, when your blood is flowing and your lungs are at full capacity. My body didn’t feel detached. Instead, it felt magnified, each part stronger and easily recognizable.
“It’s here.” Goose nudged me to the left, down a hall. The walls were painted white, with no decorations or adornments covering them. The floor was white ceramic with grey swirls of iridescent pearl mixed within. My eyes saw it all perfectly, absorbing every detail.
“Give me a minute.” The purr was there again, thrumming in my ears.
I walked into the bathroom and sat on the toilet. The voices outside were the faintest of whispers, but if I focused, I could hear. Jude had intercepted Goose again, and his voice carried as he moved back into the room.
This was a bad idea, a very bad idea.
The bathroom door opened, and I leapt to my feet just as CeCe’s smiling face peered around the edge. She came inside, closed the door, and twisted the lock. As she moved into the room, her heels created a distinct staccato on the ceramic tile.
She walked to the mirror and placed her small red clutch onto the counter. Checking her hair, then her cheeks and lips, she smiled at me through the glassy reflection. Her bright tomato red lipstick, dress, and clutch all were the same shade.
“You should come to one of our girl’s nights. I think you’d like it.” She popped open the compact purse, pulled out a card, and handed it over. “Don’t worry, it’s very hush-hush. Come to that address tomorrow night, around nine o’clock.”
The effects of the blood were beginning to wane. I glanced down. The card held an address only, no name or telephone number.
“I’ll see if I’m available.”
“If you want to know about the real deal, you’ll come. This isn’t a stuffy get together where everyone has the opportunity to flash his or her money. Take a chance. You won’t regret it.”
She snapped her clutch closed, smiled, and pivoted in her expensive red heels, walking to the door. When she flipped the lock and stepped back outside, I took a deep breath and slipped the card into my pocket. Checking myself quickly in the mirror, I walked out of the bathroom and went in search of Goose, ready for the night to end.
We stayed for another hour, but didn’t learn anything significant. Jude was a supplier, hence his interest in our invitation. Sabrina and Mark quietly mingled around the room, while CeCe and Carson continued to bug me out. The only saving grace of the evening was the wondrous reprieve from drinking anymore tainted wine.
We were waiting outside for our snazzy ride when I noticed Sabrina climbing into a dark limo. The driver was tall, his dark skin closely matching his suit and hat. She slid inside and he walked around, turned, and stared at me. His eyes were an odd shade of green, like deep jade. I stared back until he broke the contact, slid inside the car, and slammed the door. The line moved up and our driver appeared. I sighed in relief, smiling at Goose before climbing inside.
“Enjoy yourself?” Disco asked. He was situated where I couldn’t see him, eyes flashing bright blue in the dark.
“Stop doing that!” I snapped quietly. People were still on the sidewalk, and I didn’t want them to overhear. Goose came in behind me and the driver closed the door.
“Doing what?” Disco’s lips curved in that secret smile he seemed prone to share, and I wan
ted to climb across the seat to strangle him.
“Sneaking up on people. It’s rude.”
“Are they out there?” Goose pulled off his jacket and loosened his tie.
Disco nodded. “Is there anyone in particular we should watch?”
“Who is out there?” I glanced out a tinted window.
“Associates of mine,” Disco answered, gazing at me from under his lashes. “They’re going to take a look at a few of tonight’s esteemed guests, see what they can’t uncover.”
“Good, because we didn’t discover much.” Goose settled back as the limousine started moving.
“Nothing but a bunch of egos inflated by money,” I grumbled. I remembered the card in my pocket and retrieved it. “I did get invited to some super-secret pajama party.”
“What’s that?” Goose took the card. “Who gave you this?”
“CeCe Parker. She followed me into the restroom, gave me that, and asked me to come to some girl’s night thingamajig tomorrow.”
“What did you say?” Disco asked.
“I told her I’d have to check my schedule. I didn’t want to tell her yes without speaking to you two. To be honest, she gives me the creeps.”
“Interesting,” Goose said and Disco nodded.
“Uh, hello.” I raised my hand. “Anyone care to fill me in here?”
“I say it’s interesting because it is, not because there is anything more to it. Can you go to this party? I think it’s a good idea. We might get lucky.” Goose was studying the card as he spoke.
“About that.” I finally had the opportunity to be a money grubbing leech. I hated it, but I’d already lost a shift at BP. “If I keep going on these little missions, I’m going to expect some sort of compensation. I can’t keep missing work and playing Nancy Drew just to keep you boys entertained.”
“Certainly.” Disco nodded. “We’ll start with tomorrow. Can you go?”
Thanks to Deena, I was off all weekend. But did I want to go? Hell no. CeCe was a weird one I didn’t want to spend time with socially.
“I can go but I don’t particularly want to. That girl isn’t dealing with a full deck, and her husband reminds me of Pugsley Addams.”
“You won’t go alone.” Disco’s tone brokered no room for argument. “I’ll tag along and stay out of sight.”
Strangely, that did give me comfort. “I guess I’m going, then.”
Goose and Disco managed to share all the essential information by the time we arrived outside my apartment. The driver opened the door and I climbed out, sliding my jacket off the seat and turning to say good night. Goose looked ready to drop, and I told him I’d call him in the morning before nodding farewell to Disco.
The door closed, and I dug around in my pocket for my keys.
“You look breathtaking,” Disco’s husky voice whispered in my ear.
I spun around, throwing my weight behind the punch. My fist made solid contact with his arm, and the wrist locked painfully against his solid frame.
“Stop doing that!” My voice came out pained rather than authoritative, and I brought my hand around to cradle my wrist. It was throbbing in harmony with the erratic beating of my heart.
“Let me see.” He didn’t wait for permission, pulling my wrist toward him. He flipped it over, fingertips skimming across the tender spot where blue veins stood out prominently under pale skin. “It doesn’t appear broken.”
“Maybe not, but I jammed the hell out of it.” Flexing my fingers, I tested the muscles and winced as the tendons stretched.
“I’m sorry. It isn’t my intention to frighten you so often.” He didn’t relinquish his hold, brushing his thumb back and forth across my wrist. “I merely wanted to tell you how lovely you look this evening.”
“Just call me Tammy Faye,” I muttered.
“I assure you, you look nothing like Tammy Faye. Not even remotely similar.”
I looked from under my lashes, and his eyes were tracing the contours of my face, trailing over my mouth, nose and lips. I cleared my throat and stepped back, pulling my wrist into my chest and covering it with my opposite hand.
“Thank you,” I said softly, still looking into his vivid blue eyes.
“Most necromancers sense our presence immediately. Why can’t you?” Curiosity gave him a boyish appeal. His lips curved as he smiled.
“It’s probably because I lack focus and have the attention span of a gnat. I’m always daydreaming, and you’re too quiet when you sneak up.” I didn’t feel it necessary to add my imaginative inner dialogue that was a constant companion in my head.
“And what do you daydream about, Rhiannon?” That husky timbre returned to his voice, giving me goose bumps.
I had lost count of the instances I couldn’t seem to formulate words in his presence. Sometimes, he would say things, and I didn’t know how to react. Disco was overwhelming, unlike anyone I’d met before, and it wasn’t entirely due to fear any longer. I glanced from one end of the street to the other; uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was going.
“I suppose I should get inside, I have a hectic day tomorrow.”
“Good night, Rhiannon,” he said quietly, voice compelling, and watched as I made a hasty departure into my building.
Chapter Nine
Maybe it was the previous night’s events or the impending ones to come, but I couldn’t relax. My workout had been terrible. I wound up going for cardio and some time on the bag. Mike joined me, inquiring about my change in mood. I told him it was only tension, and he let it go.
I hadn’t realized my edginess was that obvious.
I tossed the keys down on the cherry wood with a loud clank of metal when I walked through the door and pushed the button on my answering machine. Only Goose had called. He was unfailingly polite, even when speaking to mechanical devices.
My feet and stomach led me into the kitchen. I groaned when I cased the fridge. The shelves were nearly bare. I slammed the door closed and opened the drawer under the coffee pot, sorting through the various menu’s from local take out. I decided on Chinese, calling in beef and broccoli from Mr. Magoo’s.
Walking into the tiny living room, I plopped on the couch and tried to decide whether I should read or give my decrepit television a shot. I chose my faded and tattered copy of Jane Eyre, flipping to my bookmark, which was a simple piece of ripped paper. The cover was bent, white creases marred the outside, and the spine was loose. I had fallen in love with Jane in high school, and no matter where I went, I always carried a copy along with me.
A knock at the door sounded right as Jane was preparing to deny St. John for a second time. I frowned as I stood, placed the book face down on the coffee table, and walked to the door. I looked through the peephole and grinned. Unlatching the chain, I turned the lock, and opened the door.
“Can’t stay away, can you?”
Goose smiled. “Can I come in?”
“Sure.” I led him inside and showed him over to the couch.
“I’m sorry to intrude. I tried to call first.”
“I was at the gym. I just got home actually.” I sat in the chair opposite and wrapped my arms around my knees. “Not that I’m complaining, but what brings you here?”
“Some information a colleague faxed over. Sharon lives in Los Angeles, where there’s a steady undercurrent of supernatural activity. I called to see if any strange happenings had taken place recently, and this is what she shared.” He tossed a notebook onto the table and sorted through the papers until he found the one he wanted me to read.
I quickly skimmed over the story.
Three victims, all unidentifiable, were found in the rubble of a fire that ravaged a condominium. There were no witnesses, no suspects, and no leads.
“I know I’m slow on the uptake, but I’m not seeing a connection.” I read the short clipping again. Nothing rang a bell.
“Sharon told me everyone who deals in the underground blood market in L.A. got pretty worked up over that fire. Th
e girl that died was Reese Worthington, and the two young men were her cousins, Tyson and Matthew Crescens. They were big suppliers to the upper crust in L.A., and had been for a long time. They fell into an accidental friendship with a group of vampires in the area and became intermediaries. When that fire happened, everyone took notice.”
“Couldn’t it just have been a freak accident? Fires do happen from time to time.” I tossed the paper onto the table.
“At first, everyone thought it was. Then this happened.”
He handed me another slip of paper. My brow furrowed as I read the article.
Six dead bodies found with organs missing, the bodies amazingly preserved.
“Vampires,” I whispered. “They’re dying there too.”
“They were.” Goose nodded. “And I’m stressing were here. The fire with Reese, Tyson, and Matthew happened first. The vampire bodies were discovered a couple of weeks later. That’s when the connection was made. Sharon works for a group of vampires in L.A. On a hunch, they sent her to the location the bodies were discovered. She didn’t get anything. She doesn’t see the twice dead. But she did ask questions. The vampires the cousins worked for went missing too, all six of them, within days of the fire. After that, everything went quiet.”
“How long ago did this happen?”
“About a two months before Jacob went missing.” Goose met my eyes, making sure I understood what he was indicating.
“They’re here now,” I breathed, doing quick math inside my head. “How many vampires have gone missing since this started here?”
“Seven.” Goose stacked the papers back into the folder. “If we don’t find out who’s doing this, they are likely to move again. Time is working against us.”
A loud bang at the door caused me to jump, and I laughed nervously when I realized it the deliveryman. Swiping the money off the table, I scurried for the door. The delivery guy wasn’t Chinese. In fact, his bronzed skin and dark hair screamed Hispanic. I pushed aside my momentary humor and traded my money and a generous tip for the enticing smells of fried rice.
