Vengeance (Night Roamers) Book Three

by Middleton, Kristen

  She pushed her blonde hair back behind her ears. “I’m not sure. Nobody’s talking or claims to know shit. What about the men that were found? Did they I.D. them?”

  “The three vics definitely had identification on them, but nobody noticed them checking in. Just like the other two cases. I don’t know, maybe we’ll get lucky this time and they’ll find someone else’s fingerprints.”

  “Let’s hope.”

  “We’d better try and locate everyone who stayed at the motel last night for questioning. And the maid, Carmela, we have her statement but I’d like to talk to her again, see if she remembers anything else.”

  “I agree. God, we need to find this sick-fuck before he strikes again.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “This is turning into a serial thing.”

  “Definitely. At this rate, he’ll have another victim within the next two days.”

  “Victims,” corrected Rena. “This guy has stepped it up by taking three at once.”

  “Maybe we have more than one perp?”

  “Sounds like a good assumption. Listen, since we drove separately, I’m going to take another look around the motel and head back to the office. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  “Sounds good,” he replied.

  Reaching into her pocket, she took out her phone and walked away while he stared at her long legs in appreciation. He imagined what they’d feel like wrapped around his waist and was forced to calm the beast lurking deep within.

  Chapter Three

  Nikki

  Ethan was still sleeping when I rose in the late afternoon and took a shower. We were at the Luxor hotel, in one of the nicer suites. He’d charmed the receptionist when we’d checked in, and she’d upgraded us for no additional cost. Although the room was absolutely awesome and I felt rejuvenated from feeding, I wasn’t enjoying any of it. My family was in danger and I still had no idea where they were or if they were even alive.

  I closed my eyes as the warm water streamed down my hair and body, which was so pale that it still kind of freaked me out. I had to admit, however, that besides flying, there were some other nice benefits of being a vampire – my skin was flawless – no more zits, my eyes were brighter, and my body pretty toned for someone who wasn’t in the least bit athletic. As cool as that was, however, I’d still do anything to be human again. Having to drink blood to stay alive, and a new sensitivity to sunlight wasn’t worth it. No longer would I be able to enjoy the things I’d taken for granted, like cruising across the lake in the middle of the day with the sun beating down on my skin, asking a hot guy to put sunscreen on my back, or even tan lines. Fortunately I could still wander around in the daylight, but my eyes were so sensitive that it was usually a bad experience. Then, there was my new diet. Thankfully, besides blood, I could still eat some foods – but only a small amount of meat, berries, fruits, and nuts. My stomach could no longer handle any processed foods, and I’d learned the hard way. In fact, Ethan had tried to warn me, but I’d been starving and had made a trip to one of the buffets when we first arrived in Vegas. Soon after, I found myself in the bathroom, throwing it all up.

  I grabbed the razor and began shaving my armpits followed by my legs. Apparently, vampires still needed to groom themselves, which was oddly comforting. Truthfully, if I would have lost all of my hair, I think I would have looked like some kind of freakish alien.

  I sighed.

  Who was I kidding? With this pale body, I already looked like something from another planet.

  A loud banging noise from the bedroom startled me. I turned off the shower, grabbed my towel, and flew out of the bathroom to check on Ethan

  “Duncan!” I smiled.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” he replied, undressing me with his eyes.

  My cheeks grew warm. “How did you find us?”

  “Actually, I followed you last night and reserved the room next door,” he said, closing the sliding glass door. “Great idea using vampire manipulation to upgrade. Never stayed in a suite before.”

  Ethan, who was still in bed, sat up and rolled his eyes. “Great, so glad you’re enjoying it.”

  “Hey, sleepyhead,” I said.

  Ethan turned to me and his eyes softened. “Looks like you still have shampoo in your hair, Nikki.”

  I pulled my towel in tighter. “Oh. I, um, I heard some loud thumps and thought I’d better figure out what was happening. I’d better go wash it out.”

  “Need any help?” asked Duncan, smiling wickedly.

  “I have a better idea, why don’t you quit ogling her and tell us what you’ve learned,” said Ethan, sliding out of bed wearing a pair of light blue boxers.

  Staring at his broad shoulders and amazing pecs, I felt a twinge of disappointment knowing that Duncan may have interrupted an intimate morning.

  Duncan plopped into a chair. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “I’ve learned absolutely nothing. The hotel that Faye supposedly owns, The Marlimore? Nobody in that place has even heard of her, Caleb, or even Celeste. In fact, it’s owned by some tycoon who lives on the top floor. Says he’s owned it for years.”

  I groaned. “Seriously? What the heck are we going to do now?”

  “They’re here somewhere,” said Ethan. “I just know it. Don’t worry, Nikki, we’ll find them.”

  “You sure about that?” replied Duncan. “This city is nuts, so many people, so much going on. Do we know for certain that this was even their destination?”

  “That’s what I was wondering. What if we’re on this wild goose chase and they’re on the other side of the world?” I said.

  “Obviously that’s a possibility,” said Ethan. “But Caleb loves Vegas and was planning on marrying your mom, right? I still think they’re here.”

  “Do you know of any other vampires living in Vegas?” I asked

  “I’m sure there are hundreds,” replied Duncan. “This place is basically a buffet.”

  “Let’s just say that this place has its share of immortals and I’m not just talking vampires,” he replied. “The sooner we find your mom and brother, the better.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked. “Are you talking about more shape-shifters like Faye?”

  “That and other things you don’t want to run into,” he said, walking towards the bathroom. He stepped inside and turned on the faucet.

  Duncan and I looked at each other and he shrugged. He obviously didn’t know either.

  “Well, what else are we talking about?” I asked, moving to the bathroom. I stood in the entrance as Ethan cupped his hands under the faucet and washed his face.

  He shut off the water, grabbed a small white towel, and dried his face. “Something that you want to avoid at all costs, since they aren’t fond of vampires. Lycan.”

  Duncan snorted

  I stared at Ethan in disbelief. “You’ve got to be joking.”

  He smiled humorlessly. “You’re actually going to question it after everything that’s happened?”

  He had a point. “I suppose not, but… Lycan? You mean those things that howl at the moon, eat people, and walk on their hind legs? Seriously?”

  He brushed past me and went back into the bedroom. “I’ve never actually met any of them in person, but Caleb says they’re out there,” he replied, grabbing his jeans. He scowled. “Dammit, I must have a hole in my lip.”

  I looked at the blood on his jeans and smirked. “Oh, man, I just can’t take you anywhere.”

  He reached over and slapped my butt hard. “Maybe, but I wouldn’t mind taking you on the bed.” He wiggled his eyebrows “How about we get rid of your friend for a while.”

  “Ethan!” I gasped, moving away from his reach. I glanced at Duncan out of the corner of my eye and noticed his teeth were clenched.

  “Uh oh, looks like someone’s a little pissed off,” smiled Ethan arrogantly.

  I gave him a dirty look and mouthed the word “stop.”

  His eyes widened in feigned innocence.

  “I can leave you alo
ne if you really need privacy,” said Duncan evenly.

  “Of course not, Duncan. We need to get moving so we can find Nathan and mom.”

  “Well, seeing as I’m starting to feel outnumbered here, I’d better take a shower,” said Ethan, grabbing his overnight bag. “Then we’ll head out.”

  Duncan leaned forward. “Ethan, about these so-called werewolves, has Caleb ever encountered one?”

  “He claims that he’d met a couple,” replied Ethan, rifling through his clothes. “Said they were mean sons of bitches. And incredibly strong. Anyway, they’ve tried killing him more than once.”

  “Sounds familiar,” I replied dryly.

  Ethan looked over at me. “They’re the kind of creatures that get a thrill out of hunting, especially us. It’s a big game to them, and they’ll rip your throat out without thinking twice.”

  And they were in Vegas?

  “Oh shit. You’d better give us more information on these guys,” replied Duncan.

  He sighed. “Not much more I can say about them. Caleb mentioned that they look like mortals, except when they change, obviously. They do have a certain smell, however.”

  “Like vampires?” I asked.

  “Yeah, but unlike us, they have more of an earthy smell.”

  “What, like dirt?” asked Duncan.

  “You know, I’m not really sure. He said earthy or musky. They’re canine, so I guess it makes sense.”

  I frowned. “Faye had no smell.”

  “Shape-shifters don’t, unless they haven’t showered for a while. Which reminds me,” said Ethan. “Go wash out your hair so I can take one.”

  “Oh, sure.” I walked towards the bathroom. “Just don’t kill each other while I’m gone.”

  Duncan put his head in his hands. “As far as I’m concerned, I died in Shore Lake.”

  Chapter Four

  Celeste

  Celeste was aware of being followed long before she first caught a glimpse of her stalker. She bit back a smile and continued through the casino, stopping occasionally at a slot machine to test her luck while she waited for her pursuer to make his move.

  Vegas.

  She wasn’t sure what it was about gambling, but ever since they’d arrived, Celeste couldn’t pass through the hotel casino without emptying all of the change in her pockets.

  “Would you care for a drink?” asked one of the waiters at the Mandarin Beachside Casino, stopping next to her as she slipped another four quarters into a machine. His eyes swept lustfully over her sheer lime-green bikini cover-up and back to her face.

  She smiled up at him. “I was just about to leave, but thank you.”

  “Too bad. Stop back for a nightcap later?”

  “Maybe.”

  He grazed his lower lip and smiled. “I’m through at eleven. If you’re looking for company.”

  With his blue eyes, spiky blond hair, and muscular frame, she figured this attempt at scoring typically worked. Hell, he probably had women slipping him their numbers frequently in this seedy town. But dogs like him were a dime a dozen and she was in the mood for something more challenging to sink her teeth into at the moment.

  “Believe me,” she replied, “you’re better off enjoying that nightcap with someone else.”

  “I don’t know about that,” he replied, “I haven’t seen a girl as gorgeous as you for a long time. Are you an actress or model?”

  She decided to play with him while trying to get another glimpse of her shadow. “Baby, it’s better if you don’t know what I am,” she replied with a wicked grin.

  He raised his eyebrows and smirked. “Oh yeah? Why is that?”

  She reached out and touched his cheek. “Sometimes knowledge can be more dangerous than ignorance.”

  His eyes widened. “Your hand, it’s freezing.”

  “So is her heart,” replied a gravelly voice behind her.

  Sighing, she placed her hands on her hips and turned around to face the familiar Lycan who’d been pursuing her. He stood just over six feet, had a craggily face, white hair, and eyes the color of rich gold. Dressed to the nines in a tailored Armani suit and designer shoes, nobody would ever guess the kind of monster lurking just below the surface. It was a trait she couldn’t help but admire.

  She smirked. “Victor. I thought I caught a whiff of mongrel when I stepped into this hotel.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Are you sure that wasn’t the smell of death still lingering on your lips from the night before?”

  “Cute. I wouldn’t go pointing fingers if I were you.”

  He shrugged. “I’m not. Just acknowledging my budding appreciation for your kind.” He turned towards the waiter. “I’ll have a scotch, straight up.”

  The waiter nodded. “Of course,” and then walked away, looking confused as well as dejected.

  “So, Celeste, what brings you back to Vegas?”

  Her smile fell. “My father is getting married.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

  She wrinkled her nose and scowled. “Yes, he’s fallen for a woman from Montana. We were planning on coming out here so they could get married, but ended up running into a little trouble and had to leave town.”

  “Trouble? That’s unusual,” he replied dryly.

  “I know, right?” she giggled, “Speaking of which, if you’re in the mood for some hunting, I have targets that I think you’ll be very interested in.”

  “Is this related to your trouble in Montana?”

  “Yes, and they’ve followed us to Vegas. They’re pissing me off, Victor.”

  “Interesting. So, who’s hunting you? Lycans?”

  “No, Roamers.”

  “Vampires?” he lowered his voice. “You’re telling me that you want us to hunt your own brethren?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

  His eyes began to sparkle. “Hmm… sounds appealing, I have to admit.”

  “I thought it might. The sooner you take them out, the better.”

  He scratched his chin. “How many?”

  “Three. They shouldn’t be a problem.” Celeste’s eyes narrowed. “The female, Nikki, I need her disposed of first and foremost.”

  He studied her face. “This sounds a little murky. Can’t you handle your own kind, Celeste?”

  “Normally. Look, it’s just complicated. Specifically because Caleb wouldn’t approve.”

  “Even though they’re hunting you?”

  She reached over and trailed her finger over his sleeve. “Yes. I wish I could tell you more, but like I said, it’s complicated.”

  “Hmm… Tell me, Celeste, if I do this for you, what do I get in return?”

  “The thrill of the hunt,” she said, smiling seductively, “and… a night with me.”

  He grabbed her arm, twisting it roughly behind her back until she whimpered in pain. “I’m taking my payment now then,” he growled, his eyes glowing with anticipation.

  She glared at him. “Fine, but no teeth. It took me forever to heal after the last time.”

  “Like you didn’t love every minute of it,” he murmured as the waiter returned with his drink.

  She smiled.

  ***

  Nathan

  Nathan knew he was still pretty messed up when he woke to find his mother sitting next to him, her expression grim

  Where is she?” he whispered hoarsely. He knew he’d been in and out of consciousness for the last few days, dreaming of some kind of freakish caged creature. In it, his sister was crying and reaching for the shriveled monstrosity while he stood back, unable to do anything but watch the nightmare unfold. Just before she touched the creature, he’d wake up, never knowing the outcome. It freaked the hell out of him, mostly because it seemed more like a memory than a dream.

  “I don’t know, honey. Caleb said she’s here in Vegas and that we just have to be patient. He promised that he’d find her, especially with all of the contacts he has in the city. It shouldn’t be long now.”

 
“Caleb?” he mumbled, trying to keep his heavy lids open. He was so groggy and weak, that it was hard to move let alone process anything.

  “Yes,” she chuckled, patting his hand. “The Sheriff? My fiancé, you silly goose, remember?” He grimaced and she laughed. “See, you’re obviously coming around.”

  “Tell me what happened again,” he said, clearing his throat as he tried to sit up. His head felt like someone had used it to kick a field-goal.

  “Let’s wait until you’re more awake.”

  “No, I would really like to know now, mom.”

  The last thing he remembered was hearing about Susan’s death and then waking up in Vegas. The worst part was that he was still too injured to go out and explore the sights or help locate Nikki, all because of some accident at Sonny’s boat shop. Supposedly, he’d been working on a yacht with Duncan when a piece of machinery had fallen from the rafters, hitting him in the head so hard, he’d passed out. Apparently he’d had a short stay at the hospital and then was whisked away by Caleb and his mother, so they could drive to Vegas to search for his sister.

  “Nikki ran off with this Ethan character to get married.”

  “No… that just doesn’t sound like Nikki at all. I don’t believe it.”

  She stood up and then bent down to pick up a blanket that had fallen. “It doesn’t but it’s what she wrote in the note she’d left. It said that if Caleb and I were going to get married, then she could do the same. I tell you, I don’t know what has gotten into that girl.” She sighed. “Ever since she met this boy, she’s acted crazy.”

  “Mom, this doesn’t make sense at all. What about Duncan? Does he know anything about this?”

  “No, at least, I’m not sure. I haven’t spoken to him since last summer.”

  “Wait, that’s not right. You did, you had to have. He disappeared just recently and then came back, don’t you remember? And then…” he grimaced and closed his eyes. “Hell, I don’t even remember.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about Nikki. If Caleb says he has everything under control, I believe him.”