Nine by Night: A Multi-Author Urban Fantasy Bundle of Kickass Heroines, Adventure, & Magic

by SM Reine

  “We probably won’t have any choice. She was cunning when alive. I imagine she’s just as wily dead.”

  I like how Asa says things like they are, not candy-coating. At the same time I want to bash him in the head until he’s unconscious. These reaps are bad enough without prior knowledge of a lunatic ghost. I refocus on the thousand dollars I just made by reaping Vikram. In all honesty I feel guilty taking that bonus. He was as pleasant as spirits come and practically did my job for me. Still, I’m not telling Constantine that.

  As we pass a room on the right I slow. “What’s this?”

  Asa backs up, peers in and smiles. “That’s where Bunny and her kids stayed.” He glances at me. “She’s human but her husband, Paul, was turned during Ivan’s reign of terror on the resort. He’s down in Argentina right now with the rest of the seethe—that’s what we call a group of vampires led by a master. We had to keep Paul’s family down here when the hunters went after the visiting werewolves.” He shakes his head casually like he’s relaying the neighbor’s trashcan was turned over by bears.

  The fact that a human was married to a vampire takes me aback. “And they’re okay now?” I step inside the room for a better look. “I mean, it all worked out?”

  “It was just a safety precaution.” He shrugs. “The hunters were taken care of quickly.”

  I pluck a picture of an abstract dog off the wall and smile. It reminds me of Bryce and suddenly I want to be home.

  “You miss your kids?” Asa’s breath is warm against the back of my neck and I want to lean into him.

  “Every dirty, noisy inch of them.” I hang the picture back on the wall. “Now ask me in a week and my answer will probably be the opposite.”

  “You’re lucky.” He reaches up and rubs his index finger along my cheek. “Don’t ever forget that.”

  His expression tears my heart. As if he longs for something he can never have. A lump forms in my throat and I have to take a deep breath to get my riot of emotions under control. “I won’t forget.” Trying to lighten the mood, I cock a brow and smirk. “And if you ever get the overwhelming urge to play house, you can always come and babysit my kids for me.”

  He lowers his hand and smiles. “Is that a threat? Because I just might take you up on it.”

  “Threat, offer, you decide after you’ve been with them for a day. I’m just sayin’, you vamps ain’t got nothin’ on a couple of eight year olds and a teenage girl. They make a deadly combination.”

  He holds up his hands in surrender. “I’ve been warned.”

  “Damn skippy.” The kids certainly aren’t ready for a man in my life but I was fairly certain Asa didn’t stray too far from the inn anyway. Not that we had a thing, as much as I might want it. Something about this guy gets me all kinds of hot and bothered. I repress a sigh at the thought of running my hands over what I’m sure is a perfectly sculpted eight pack. “All right, we should get on with this.”

  “I guess.” He ushers me out of the room and down a tunnel. After ten minutes of solid walking and mind-numbingly confusing turns, he stops and points to the ceiling. “We’re here.”

  What looks like a round hatch is situated above us. “Great.” I pause and prop my hands on my hips. “You go first.”

  He gives a snort of laughter and climbs the ladder. After twisting the huge handle, Asa pushes open the hatch. I jump when screeching echoes down the corridor, certain I’m about to be attacked by another maniacal spirit.

  Chapter Eight

  Asa

  “Yeah, that’s not creepy or anything,” Lisa says, a slight tremor in her voice.

  “Sorry about that. Probably needs a little WD-40. Don’t worry, you’re safe.” I’m tempted to add with me on the end, but considering how much I want to grab that luscious ass of hers she might hear the lie in my words.

  I climb through the trap door, reaching down to offer the cute reaper a hand. The smell of what she bathed in taunts me, tempting me to lean in and take a deep sniff of the lingering hints of citrus.

  Sniff her? What are you, a freaking dog?

  I stifle the inner nasty voice and concentrate on getting my bearings. Once Lisa and I exit the closet, I make a beeline for the light switches. The ski chalet has been closed for the summer, just like everything else at the inn.

  Light floods the space, drawing the eye to the lavish accommodations. A long, polished wood bar for serving anything a skier might desire, hand-carved tables and chairs, and dark leather furniture studded with brass nail heads arranged in front of a fireplace large enough to roast a boar.

  “Wow,” Lisa mumbles under her breath, a hint of awe in her voice. “I can’t get over how upscale everything is. I get why the ski slopes are closed, it’s almost June—but why is the rest of the inn closed? I thought it might be because of the ghosts,” she snorts. “But clearly, you guys aren’t even aware they’re here.”

  “Due to the,” I clear my throat, “unique nature of our primary guests, the hotel’s open season is winter.”

  Lisa turns to stare at me. “Holy cow. An Alaskan resort this fancy and remote that is open in the winter and it doesn’t cater to a dog sled race? Unreal.” She shakes her head and checks out the rest of the main room. The hand-cut wood beams soar overhead and the decor looks straight out of an elite Swiss ski lodge. Of course, all the windows are shuttered at the moment or she’d be able to see the sloping hillside, too. “I was wondering. What does a night at the inn cost?”

  “Umm…” I stammer and look away, uncomfortable with telling her exactly what this place costs. Until I received my bonus after Emiko’s hunt last winter I never would have been able to afford it. “The cheapest rate is in the main building—and it’s a lot.”

  “Yeah?” She quirks an eyebrow. “That doesn’t answer my question.”

  I glance at her quickly and drop my gaze, lowering my voice when I respond. “Five thousand a night.”

  Lisa’s face reddens and she coughs. Instinctively I reach out to touch her, but hold back at the last second. If my hand makes contact with her warm back, I’ll want to pull her into my arms again. Damn, she felt so good back there in the tunnels. Soft in all the right places, with heat radiating off her. What I wouldn’t give for one night with her.

  Her coughing subsides, and she glares at me. “Don’t try and help me or anything. I’m good.”

  Belatedly, I realize I could have done something that didn’t require me to touch her. “Can I get you some water?” I move toward the bar, eager to make amends for my slip.

  She waves me off, seemingly ready to let go of my rudeness. “Too little, too late.” She smiles to lessen the sting. “That’s a freakin’ outrageous price, even by Alaskan high standards.” She wanders deeper into the room, her steps muffled on the thick Persian rug. “Just like those tunnels, this whole place would have cost a lot to build.”

  Recalling that very same thought occurred to me when I first met Vivian, I shrug. I finger the last gold coin in my pocket, all too aware we’re going to have to call my boss to see if she has more coins. I should have thought of that last night. Dammit!

  Well, if you hadn’t spent so much time trying to convince yourself not to hit on Lisa…

  I don’t want her to hate me like the others. And I’m not sure I could resist…

  Biting her or fucking her?

  Both.

  What a fine mess I’m in.

  “What I wouldn’t give…” She trails off and catches herself. “Wait, now that I know about vampires and werewolves… there’s a lot I wouldn’t give.”

  Her words mirror my earlier thoughts about wanting to spend the night with her. One night with a woman where I wouldn’t cause her pain. That’s all I want. Geez. If Pat and Eric heard me now they’d be ripping me apart with ribbing and insults.

  “Trust me, I understand.”

  Her breath catches in her throat. “Wait, I didn’t mean it like that. You’re a nice vampire. I don’t know if they’re all like you. I’d like to hope
they are, but that’s probably me being naive. It’s just…” She shrugs. “I’ve got my kids to think about. I can’t go wishing on a star for an expensive vacation. There’s so much more I’d do with the money.” Warmth colors her checks. “Hockey equipment costs a lot…”

  She trails off and there’s anxiety on her face, like she’s afraid she’s hurt my feelings somehow.

  Impulsively I blurt, “You’ve got everything in life I wish for. I envy you.”

  Her face softens, and she smiles. “You envy me? I never would have imagined that.”

  I ache to step forward, to hug her and point out everything she should be grateful for in life. But I hold back. If anything, my limited experience has taught me you can’t make someone value what they have, they must value it on their own or they will never appreciate it.

  I shove down the remorse and watch Lisa’s rounded bottom sway across the room, toward the darkened windows, as she explores. My palms itch to cup her butt and haul her close.

  Damn, I’m a sad case. I seriously need to get laid.

  “So, you said Sanji was killed outside?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was it a violent death?”

  “Does that matter?”

  Puzzlement crosses her face. “I’m not sure. My partner normally handles the violent crimes, so I’m not really sure why I was ‘gifted’ this assignment.”

  “For what it’s worth, yes, Sanji died violently. There was a sword fight between her and Emiko. Sanji was a paid guest, here to hunt down a rogue vampire. If she’d caught Emiko she would have drained her and gained strength from her death.”

  Lisa pales. “Ugh. A little too Game of Thrones for my taste.”

  “You watch that show? I love it.”

  The reaper shakes her head. “Read the books. Plan to watch them next.” She reaches past the heavy drapes for an indoor shutter and cracks it open. Her back straightens and she leans for a closer look. “Hey, I thought you said there’s no guests on the property now, right?”

  I nod, realize she can’t see me with her attention focused outside, and say, “Yeah. After the big game hunt went horribly wrong we decided to close the resort for the summer. It was an experiment anyway.”

  Lisa turns toward me. “‘Horribly wrong?’ Now that sounds like an interesting story you’ll have to tell me later.” She motions with her head toward the window. “Then there’s no chance an Indian woman would be walking around bundled up for the cold?”

  “That sounds like Sanji. She was dressed for the winter temps when she died.” I leave out the part about her coat being sliced up and bloody. If the reaper didn’t see Joanna beheaded and shot through the chest, chances are their ghosts appear as they were right before they died.

  Her face shows her excitement. “Score! I’m so kicking-ass at this reaper job.”

  I politely refrain from reminding her Joanna tried to pull her into the elevator to Hell and Ivan tried to possess her. The self-confident joy on her face lights her up, making the already attractive woman look more beautiful. Lisa races to the heavy front door and throws it open, locks not needed being in the middle of nowhere—and we also have Jon’s half-wolves on patrol around the property.

  I avoid the sunlight streaming in through the entryway and make my way to the partially un-shuttered window. The reaper hesitates fifty feet or so down the gravel walkway, then steps onto the lush grass toward something only she sees.

  Fear grips my heart when I realize I’ve still got the gold coin in my pocket. Will Lisa remember before trying to grab Sanji’s ghost? Or will she be able to haul the vampire back here to call her porter?

  Lisa’s facing me and appears to be talking to someone. In a moment she reaches out a hand. Panic and fear slip over her features as she snaps her mouth shut. She’s jerked off balance and stumbles. Shit! Sanji must be trying to take her over.

  I hesitate for a split second before deciding. If I’m fast enough maybe I won’t die. I race out the door, allowing the sun to voluntarily hit my skin for the first time in over two years. I’ve got to get her the coin and help ground the reaper before it’s too late.

  Ten feet past the threshold and I start to feel very warm. I can do this. I’m wearing a tee shirt and jeans—only my arms and head tingle. Twenty feet from Lisa and she sees me, eyes going wide. I thrust one hand into my pocket as I reach her, grabbing the coin.

  Unwilling to have her violated and possessed, I wrap my other arm around her and lock my lips over hers. All the pent up passion I feel for her pours into the union, pulling a strangled moan from deep in my chest. Heat races over my skin and I feel like I’m about to spontaneously combust. Jesus it hurts!

  Lisa puts a hand to my chest and pushes me back slightly. “Asa? You don’t look so good.”

  The pain consumes me. I won’t last much longer. “Call Hal.”

  She nods, fear in her eyes. “Hal!” She squeaks and looks at something I can’t see.

  I thrust the coin into her hand and press my mouth to hers again, afraid Sanji’s strength will overpower her before her eccentric porter arrives.

  Smoke starts to rise and I smell it—the sickly sweet aroma of my own flesh charring.

  Lisa pulls back and pushes me with one arm, the other presumably holding onto the vampire ghost. “Go, Asa! Let go! You’re burning!”

  I refuse to listen until I see the pink sliver of light indicating her porter is on his way.

  “Go! Goddammit! You’re going to die!” The horrified look on her face convinces me.

  I drop my hold and race back for the safety of the lodge, blood pouring down my arms from the injuries. Once inside, I collapse in the shade, too weak to even shut the door behind me.

  I made it. I didn’t die my final death in the sun. Pain radiates from every square inch of my body. I try and move a hand to reach for my phone, only to hear the squishy sound of liquid sliding along flesh.

  Holy shit that was risky.

  Would you really have died for her? A woman you just met?

  How is what I just did any different than laying my life on the line in the Army? You don’t walk away from a problem because it’s hard or the end solution is dangerous. A soldier does what needs to be done. No excuses.

  I lower my arm to the floor, temporarily deciding to give up for the moment. Goddamn, and I thought being shot hurt. Fucking idiot.

  I’ll be good in a few minutes. Yup. The pain should ease any second now.

  When Lisa finishes, I’ll just need to convince her to pry the cell phone out of my blood-covered jeans so we can call Eric and he’ll bring me some bagged blood.

  I did it. I survived the sun.

  And more importantly—Lisa didn’t become possessed by Sanji.

  My slow beating heart stutters in my chest and stops.

  Chapter Nine

  Lisa

  My heart races a thousand miles a minute. I can’t frickin’ believe Asa. Smoke was actually rolling off him like an ant burned by the sun and a magnifying glass. And he was bleeding! The urge to puke pushes against my throat but I swallow it and take a deep breath. First the reap, then Asa.

  “Hal!” Sanji yanks against my hold but I’m amped on adrenaline. I grab her by the fur ruff of her coat and jerk her toward me. “Listen vamp, if you don’t get in that fucking elevator when my porter arrives, I’m going to make sure he sucks your soul into one of the darkest circles of Hell.” Her brown eyes round at my threat. “So you can either cooperate with me or spend an eternity in tortured damnation.” I didn’t know if I could or would do that, but knowing Hal, he’d love nothing more than to drop her off in some vile location. I give her another shake. “Do you understand?”

  She nods just as the elevator door slides open. Without waiting, I toss the ghost at Hal. It’s the first time I seen him flustered. He jumps back before Sanji collides with him. She stumbles and falls to her knees inside the elevator. I should feel guilty about her rough treatment, but the bitch tried to possess me and all I can think o
f is getting back to help Asa.

  Hal opens his mouth to speak but I hurl the coin at him before he forms a single word. He catches it and curls his long fingers around the gold. “There’s your damn gold! Now take her where she’s supposed to go.”

  I don’t wait for his compliance. At this point I don’t give a crap what he does with her. But he’s got his gold and he’d better take her somewhere. I sprint into the ski lodge and skid to a stop. Asa is nowhere to be seen.

  “Asa?” I’m frantic. Was the sun too much for him? Did he turn to ash? I have no idea the nuances of sun and vamps. I only know what I’ve seen in movies. “Asa!”

  A groan emanates from the other side of an overstuffed sofa. I rush forward and round the piece of furniture. He’s lying on the floor curled in a ball. The sight of him almost makes me vomit. Dropping to my knees I reach to touch him but stop, not wanting to cause him more pain.

  “Oh my God.” I inch forward. “What were you thinking?”

  His face contorts in pain. “Saving you.”

  I want to cry but that won’t help the situation. “Idiot.” I inhale, trying to calm down and think clearly. “What do you need me to do?”

  “Call Eric to bring me bagged blood,” he huffs out.

  “Eric? Who’s that? How do I call him?”

  “Phone…pocket…”

  I reach, reluctant to touch his bloody clothing, but see no other way to help him. I feel a lump in his front right pocket and try to carefully pry out his cell phone.

  After a tense minute I’ve got it—complete with cracked glass and a dark screen. “Your fall must have broken it. Is there a phone here?” I look around and spot one on a side table. I race over and pick up the handset. Dead. Not connected.

  Asa moans in pain on the floor.

  “What else can I do?” Panic taints my voice as I struggle to remain calm.