Vengeance (Night Roamers) Book Three

by Middleton, Kristen

  “Wow, this place is sweet. Better than what they show on television,” he said, staring at a transvestite dressed in a purple sequined gown and stilettos getting out of a cab.

  “Oh, it’s much better,” murmured Celeste next to his ear. “They can’t show everything on television, and this is Sin City, Nathan. They don’t call it that because of the cheap buffets and exotic white tigers.”

  “I hear that,” he replied as a group of loud, scantily-dressed women walked by. One of them leered at him, and it was obvious as to what kind of fun they were looking for in Vegas.

  Celeste tightened her grip on his arm. “So, where are we going?”

  “Let’s get a cab and check out the chapels around town.”

  “Guess what? I’ve already got us a car,” she said. “Forget the cab.”

  He grinned. “Why didn’t you say so? Where is it?”

  She reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone. “Hi, Tristan. Oh yeah? Perfect timing. You can pull around to the front of the hotel.”

  “Who was that?” Nathan asked as she hung up.

  “One of my minions,” she replied, wiggling her eyebrows.

  “Funny,” he smirked. “No, really, who was that?”

  “Tristan, an old friend of the family. Dad hired him to chauffer me around town whenever needed.” She shrugged. “No big deal.”

  “Must be rough,” he replied, wondering how a small town sheriff was able to afford the things this one did.

  “It’s pretty cool,” she admitted. “I have to admit.”

  Minutes later, a brand new silver Mercedes SLS pulled up next to them.

  Nathan whistled. “Nice,” he replied as she pulled him towards the luxurious car.

  A guy not much older than him, dressed in dark chinos and a blue dress shirt, stepped around the car and held the door open for them. “Hi, Celeste. Looking beautiful as ever.”

  She fluttered her eyelashes and smiled. “Thanks, Tristan.”

  Tristan turned to Nathan and smiled. “Nathan, right? You’re in back, sorry.”

  He slid into the backseat. “Dude, I’m not complaining. I appreciate the ride.”

  Tristan shut the car door, walked around to his side, and got back in. “Where to?”

  “We’re visiting the chapels today,” replied Celeste. “Since you know the city so well, head over to the closest one and we’ll go from there.”

  Tristan’s eyebrow arched. “Don’t tell me you’re getting married?”

  She threw her head back and laughed.

  He smiled in amusement. “I take that as a no?” he asked, turning up the radio.

  Nathan stuck his head between the seats. “My sister is missing. Supposedly, she’s getting married out here to this asshole named Ethan.”

  “Ah, yes, Ethan,” replied Tristan.

  “You know him?” asked Nathan.

  He smirked. “We’ve met.”

  Nathan looked out the dark window. “My sister is supposedly marrying the dickhead.”

  “And you don’t approve?”

  “Not really, but more than anything, I want to find out what’s going on. This isn’t like her at all.”

  “Well, guess what, I have some kick-ass news for you,” said Tristan, glancing back towards Nathan. “Your sister isn’t married, and she’s waiting to meet up with you.”

  Nathan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Seriously, you know where she is?”

  “Yep.”

  “That was quick,” said Celeste, tapping her nails on the door. “I’m impressed.”

  “Hunting is our specialty.”

  “What are you, some kind of bounty hunter?” asked Nathan. “Hired on by Caleb?”

  “I hired them, actually,” replied Celeste, her lips curling up.

  He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “Nice. Thanks, Celeste.”

  “You can thank me later, when we’re alone.”

  “So, where is she?” asked Nathan, sitting back in the seat.

  “Not far. Just outside of town,” he replied. “In a house near the desert.”

  “Is Ethan there, too?”

  “That, I’m not sure about. I’ve just heard that they have your sister and she isn’t going anywhere at the moment. She can’t.”

  The way he said it made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Nikki sounded more like a prisoner, and bad decision or not, she was still eighteen, and shouldn’t be held against her will. Still, as long as she was safe, he couldn’t complain too much. “Well, I’m grateful you found her. My mom’s certainly going to be happy about that. Celeste, can I use your phone to call her?”

  “I have a better idea, let’s surprise her,” she said, turning around. “Both your mom and Caleb.”

  “I’d rather tell her right away. She’s been worried sick.”

  She tilted her head. “Come on, another hour isn’t going to make a difference.”

  “It will with her. If she knows, she can relax and start enjoying herself.”

  She turned away from him and stared out the window.

  “Come on, Celeste. Can I use your phone or not?” he repeated.

  “Listen, why don’t you wait until we get there? Make sure it really is your sister,” said Tristan. “The girl we have isn’t saying much of anything.”

  Nathan smirked. “Actually, that might be a good idea because that doesn’t sound like Nikki at all.”

  ***

  Chapter Twelve

  Nikki

  “Seriously, iron bars?” I muttered, staring through the metal into the darkness at the surrounding desert.

  Sighing, I removed the screen from the window and grasped the bars separating me from freedom, prepared to bend them like Superman. Unfortunately, all I managed to do was break the nail of my index finger after slamming my fist into the iron in frustration, when it wouldn’t budge.

  “Damn,” I growled, staring at my broken fingertip, which I suspected would grow back quickly. Apparently, I’d overestimated my strength and was no superhero. Hell, at this point, I wasn’t so sure if I was even worthy of being called a vampire.

  I turned around and stared in anger at the bedroom walls. I was trapped, a prisoner to the four guys in the next room. I also wasn’t sure where Ethan or Duncan were, and had this sinking feeling that they didn’t know where I was, either. If they did, I’d have been freed by now.

  So much for having my back...

  After I’d been ushered out of the casino, a dark silver Escalade had pulled up, whisking me into the night with four scary-looking men. All twice my size. From the hungry anticipation in their eyes, it was obvious that I was in deep trouble.

  “Why are you doing this?” I’d asked, Jordan, when we’d pulled away from the curb.

  “Sorry, I’m not at liberty to get into those details.”

  “Are you going to kill me?”

  He’d stared at me for a second in the darkness and then smiled. “Not cutting to the chase, are you?”

  “Look, I’ve done nothing to you people and now you’ve… you’ve kidnapped me,” I’d sputtered. “I don’t have time for this!”

  “Can you try and keep her quiet?” demanded one of the men from up front.

  Before I could tell him what I thought about keeping quiet, Jordan had grabbed my hand, squeezing it painfully. “Do you think we really give a shit? Seriously? Just keep quiet, and things may go easier for you.”

  I’d clenched my jaw angrily. “Release my hand and I will.”

  He’d dropped it. “Jeez, you’re a cold bitch.”

  After that, I’d stopped talking and started plotting my revenge. One thing I’d learned from his grip, these Lycans were indeed very strong. There was little doubt in my mind that if I’d been human, he would have broken my fingers.

  When we’d arrived at the house, one of the men, a buff guy dressed in army pants and a tank top, had taken charge. He’d pulled out a gun, and threatened to use it on me if I caused any problems. Needless to say, I wasn�
��t interested in going down that road again, so I followed them into the house without a fight.

  That was almost two hours ago.

  Now, it was getting late and a little voice in the back of my head told me that if I didn’t escape, soon, my ass would be kibble.

  Thinking of food, any food, my stomach growled. Apparently, the nervous tension inside of me was burning calories. Wondering if I could take one of my captors out all by myself, I decided to put it to the test.

  I knocked on the door. “Hello!”

  Nobody answered.

  “Hello!” I yelled, pounding again.

  Still no answer.

  This time I kicked it as hard as I could, and then squealed in pain when my foot connected with metal.

  “Are you kidding me?” I gasped hoarsely as hot pain shot up my leg. I was surprised that I could feel such agony, especially as a vampire. I blinked back tears, waiting for the pain to ease and listened for the sounds of movement.

  There was none.

  Standing up straight, I pressed my ear against the doorway and closed my eyes. I hadn’t heard the SUV leave and these newly improved ears picked up everything, so I knew my captors had to be around, somewhere.

  Outside?

  I walked back over to the window and looked out.

  “Jesus,” I whispered as a pair of glowing eyes stared back at me from about fifty yards away. Thinking it was Ethan or Duncan, I raised my hand to wave when the creature raised its head and let out an unearthly howl that shook me to the core.

  Frightened, I backed away from the window and into Jordan. I whipped around.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked with a smirk. “Something out there?”

  “Please, let me go,” I begged, stepping away from him. “I have to find my mom and brother!”

  “Oh, we plan on letting you go,” he said, grabbing my arm. “In fact, you can leave right now.”

  I winced as his fingers dug into my skin. “Hey, you don’t have to be so rough.”

  “I thought you vampires liked it that way,” he replied, pulling me out of the bedroom. “Rough and vicious”

  “Well, I certainly don’t,” I replied as he pushed me down the hallway.

  “You sure about that?”

  “Obviously,” I replied, giving him a dirty look.

  He flicked on the light as soon as we entered the kitchen. “So, how long have you been a vampire?” he asked, glancing out the window over the sink.

  I raised my eyebrows. So now he wanted to talk? “Just a few days.”

  He turned and looked at me. “That explains why you’re not as pale as some of the others. And why your scent is… different.”

  “I smell different?”

  He licked his lips and smiled. “More human, but not quite. It’s good.”

  From the strange look in his eyes, I didn’t think that meant it was good for me. “So,” I said, changing the subject. “You’re letting me go?”

  He leaned back against the sink. “Yeah. Go ahead.”

  I stepped backwards, towards the doorway, my eyes not leaving his. “That’s it? You brought me out here only to let me go?”

  He chuckled and stood up straighter. “Honey, If I were you, I’d quit asking questions and leave while you can. Before you no longer have a choice.”

  I didn’t need any further prodding. I turned around and reached for the doorknob, just as someone opened it from the outside.

  “What the hell, Jordan?” snarled the guy in the camouflage pants.

  I took a step back.

  The other man walked inside, closing the door behind him. “The rest of the group isn’t here yet. You can’t just let her go.”

  Jordan smiled darkly. “I was just going to have a little fun with her first, Rory.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked, moving away from the both of them. “And what do you mean by ‘a little fun’?”

  Rory sighed loudly. “She’s a vampire, you dumbass. Don’t even go there.”

  Jordan’s eyes moved over my chest. “My father does,” he said. “Told me they aren’t cold everywhere.”

  Oh crap.

  “We really are,” I protested. “And frigid. Very frigid.”

  They ignored me. “I’m sure Victor wouldn’t want you touching her. This one is special.”

  “I know she is. I’ve heard all about it. But, he already said we could do what we wanted with her. I say we try a sample before the others get here.”

  “What if she gets away?”

  “She won’t get away. Not if you help me hold her down. We can take turns. I heard the muscles down there are intense.”

  “Excuse me,” I snapped. “I’m right here!”

  They turned to me and this time the expressions on both of their faces were enough to send me into action. With a burst of speed, I flew towards the doorway and was out before they had a chance to blink.

  I was free!

  Or so I thought.

  As my foot hit ground and I was about to spring into the air, something heavy slammed into me, knocking me backwards. I quickly found myself on the cement, and staring up in horror at a creature so hideous, I couldn’t move.

  “Oh, God,” I squeaked.

  All this time I thought a Lycan would look like a wolf, but this thing looked like the result of a threesome between a bull, a hyena, and a bear. It was horrifying.

  “Frankie!” yelled Jordan, flying out of the doorway. “Don’t!”

  I didn’t wait to see if Frankie followed instructions. With a surge of adrenaline, I drew my legs up to my chest and kicked the creature hard enough to send him flying across the driveway. I quickly sprang to my feet, but before I could escape, Rory had a gun at my temple.

  “Come on, now. Don’t be stupid,” he said. “One bullet and your brains will be smeared across the pavement. Even a vampire would find that a challenge to walk away from.”

  I glared at him.

  “You’re fast,” smirked Jordan moving in front of me. “That’s good, though. We like a challenge. Don’t we, Frankie?”

  My eyes moved to Frankie who was on all fours, growling while thick mucus dripped from his muzzle.

  “So, what do you think?” asked Jordan, his own eyes beginning to glow an orangey-red. “Most don’t live long enough to get a good look at a true Lycan.”

  “To be honest, they’re lucky,” I said.

  He grabbed the back of my hair and twisted it around his fist, making me gasp. “Don’t be disrespectful, kitten,” he snarled, yanking my hair cruelly. “Take a good look at what is one of God’s greatest creations.”

  I wasn’t sure how God fit into any of this, but I did what I was told – turning my gaze towards Frankie, giving him my full attention. With his brown fur, barreled chest, powerful hind legs, and long, jagged teeth that would have no problem slicing into my skull, I had a new respect for vampires.

  We were much prettier.

  I glared at Jordan, wanting to hurt his ego as much as he was hurting my skull. “So was he born that ugly or did someone do it to him on purpose?”

  Jordan stared at me incredulously, his eyes burning with hate. “You little bitch!” he growled. “I’m going to tear you apart!”

  “Cool it,” ordered Rory, staring off into the distance. “The others are coming. They’ll want her in one piece.”

  With a grunt, Jordan released my hair, and shoved me to the ground. “You’re lucky, leech.”

  “Leech. Good one. You know, you really should be medicated with that temper of yours,” I said, getting back up.

  He got back into my face. “Shut your pie-hole before I remove it!”

  “Hey! I told you to mellow out!” hollered Rory, pushing between us. “Both of you.”

  The sound of the other Lycans howling in the distance reminded me that things were about to get uglier. I turned my head towards the desert and noticed several large shadows moving swiftly towards us on all fours.

  Crap.

  As the Dogs of
Hell continued through the darkness, I counted five pairs of glowing eyes and really began to panic. Knowing that they weren’t going to be greeting me with sloppy doggy kisses, I shoved Rory out of my way, took a couple of running steps, and flung myself towards the sky. Just as my feet left the ground, however, Frankie leaped into the air, his sharp jaws sinking into my leg, causing excruciating pain.

  “Ahhh!” I gasped.

  “Nice!” laughed Jordan.

  Falling back to the ground, I screamed in agony and punched Frankie in the head several times until his teeth unclamped from my leg.

  “One more move like that, and I make a phone call,” snapped Rory as I scooted away from Frankie. “So if you want your mom and brother to stay alive, you’d better think twice about pulling any more of this shit.”

  I was silent as I stared down at my bloody thigh through tears, hating all of them. Fortunately, the skin was already beginning to mend.

  “Good thing you heal quickly,” chuckled Jordan, bending down. “Because that’s gotta hurt.”

  “Get away from me,” I snarled.

  “Come on now, don’t be a party pooper, kitten,” he replied, grabbing my chin with his fingers, making me wince. “The night is young, and the real fun hasn’t even begun yet.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Max

  Max walked out of the Mandarin and was about to light a cigarette, when he glanced across the street towards the Drake Hotel, where a gorgeous young woman with gleaming red hair caught his attention.

  Celeste.

  She raised her head and their eyes met briefly before she ducked into a silver Mercedes.

  “Shit,” he grunted, tossing the cigarette aside.

  “What’s up?” asked Rena, coming up behind him.

  “Uh, nothing,” he answered, watching as the Mercedes drove off. “I’ve got some stuff to do. I’ll check in with you later.”

  “Okay,” she replied, watching curiously as he hurried off towards the hotel’s parking garage. Something was obviously bothering him and he still wasn’t sharing. She decided to follow him back to the station for a little heart-to-heart.

  ***