by Linsey Hall
“Ugh.” I shuddered. All those poor people.
“Now, it’s the home of the Vampire of Venice.” We reached an open area in the bay, and he pulled on the throttle. The engine roared and the boat punched ahead, flying over the water like a race car.
The wind whipping my hair back from my face was so loud that it was impossible to talk. But whoever the Vampire of Venice was, I probably wasn’t going to like him. Vampires were a rarely seen species, since they often hung out in their own realm. I’d only ever met one in real life.
We raced across the sea, heading toward a small island that was pretty far out. I kept glancing at Cade, who looked natural out here on the open water, with his dark hair whipping in the breeze and his gaze focused on the water ahead.
As we neared the island, which was quite small, I made out the building that sat on the only hill. It looked old, eighteenth or nineteenth century, and there was a depressing air about the place.
Cade slowed the boat and pulled toward a large dock that jutted out into the water.
A figure came striding down the dock as we neared, hooves thudding against the wooden slats. His top half looked like that of a bull.
“Holy fates, is that a Minotaur?” I asked.
“Only one there is,” Cade said.
“So, the Minotaur. The one from Greek myth?”
“Aye. And now gainfully employed.”
“All right, then.”
“Who goes there?” the Minotaur roared. His voice was rough and loud, carrying with it a serious threat. I’d fought way bigger monsters than him, but still, I shifted nervously.
“Bree Blackwood and Cade,” Cade shouted.
“Oh!” The Minotaur bowed low. “Welcome, god of war.”
“Thank you.” Cade pulled the boat up alongside the dock and tossed the rope to the Minotaur.
The air of threat surrounding the beast had lifted, no doubt because he respected the hell out of Cade. But he didn’t respect me yet, so I kept an eye on him as I climbed onto the dock.
Cade followed. “We’re here to see the Vampire of Venice.”
“Of course.” The Minotaur gestured to indicate the dock that led to the island.
We set off toward land, which looked like a wild, abandoned island. The building on top of the hill looked even more haunted and decrepit from here. Torches blazed at the entrance, a spooky invite to a party to which I’d rather RSVP ‘no.’
“The Vampire of Venice has eccentric tastes,” I said, poking around for some details.
“This was once an insane asylum,” the Minotaur said. “Back in the nineteenth century.”
“Oh, bummer.” I frowned. “Sad.”
“Sad?” Cade asked. “Most people would say creepy or cool.”
“Well, asylums were never great places, were they? Most of the people just had epilepsy or other conditions that weren’t a threat to anyone. They just needed treatment. But they got locked up here instead.” I shivered, sadness for those poor souls filling me.
“You’re very empathetic,” Cade said.
“I don’t know. It’s just sad, okay?” I searched for a way to get the subject off me.
“Empathy,” Cade said.
I punched him lightly on the shoulder, surprisingly comfortable with him.
As we neared the house, I swore I could feel the ghosts that haunted it. I shuddered, really not wanting to go inside.
I quickened my pace. Best to get it over with.
The Minotaur led us up the expansive steps to the massive front doors, which creaked open to admit us.
“Like a freaking haunted house,” I muttered.
I stepped into a fabulous entryway. The huge, glittering chandelier alone had to be worth every penny I’d ever earned in my whole life. Shining marble floors gleamed, and priceless paintings decorated the walls.
“Some asylum,” I muttered.
“The Vampire of Venice has made some modifications in the years since her great ancestor lived on this island,” the Minotaur said. “The original Vampire of Venice. Fiametta de Bastian, died in 1576. Her ancestors now form one of the most powerful families in the Venetian underworld.”
“And we’re going to meet the boss?” I murmured to Cade.
“Aye.”
The Minotaur led us to the back of the house, into a huge office decorated in navy and gold. A woman sat behind the desk. She rose when we entered.
She was slim as a skeleton, with pale skin stretched tight over prominent cheekbones. She wore a sleek black suit that buttoned up to her neck, with her ebony hair slicked back in a long ponytail. Of course her skin was pale and her lips blood red. White fangs barely showed. All in all, she made a fabulous picture of a vampire mob boss.
“Cade.” Her voice dripped with ice, but it was somehow warm.
Even when she was being welcoming, she sounded like a stone-cold bitch.
I liked her. This woman got shit done.
Her gaze moved to the Minotaur. “You may go, Mino.”
The beast bowed and left.
“Vittoria de Bastian.” Cade bowed. “It is good to see you again.”
“And you,” she purred icily. I didn’t know how she managed to make a purr icy, but I did know that I didn’t like that purr.
Dang it. I’d have kicked myself if I could. No reason to feel jealousy over Cade. That was stupid. And dangerous.
“And who are you?” Vittoria turned her blazing blue eyes on me.
“I am Bree Blackwood. And we’re here because we need your help.”
“Hmmm. Straight to the point.” She gestured us toward her desk. “I like it.”
I strolled toward her, Cade at my side. She watched me coolly, properly interpreting the threat that I posed. A lot of people underestimated me—which I liked—but not Vittoria.
I respected that.
She sank elegantly into her chair. It was a massive affair of carved wood that matched her hulking desk. Both were so ornate that they made my eyes bleed, but it was the colorful glass lamps that took the cake for gaudy. It wasn’t my taste, but I had to say that it suited the Vampire of Venice.
Cade and I sat in the large red chairs in front of her desk.
“What can I do for you?” she purred.
“We’re looking for Ricketts,” Cade said. “We’ve heard that his base is here in Venice. Since you know everything about the underworld in your city, we’re hoping you can tell us where he is.”
“Ricketts.” She sneered. “That interloper.”
“Interloper?” I asked.
“Yes.” She spat the word. “My family and the other great families of Venice—the Zanotta, the Contarini, and the Badoera—have been running the supernatural crime world here for centuries. Then that newcomer arrived…” The disgust in her voice would be worthy of an Oscar. I could feel the loathing. “He breaks the laws of our kind. Targets the weak and the poor.”
“You don’t do that?”
“No!” She scowled. “The weak and the poor have no money. And there’s honor in what we do. There are plenty of evil bastards to wring for all they’re worth.”
A mob boss with a conscience. I’d like her if she weren’t occasionally shooting Cade hot looks.
“In addition to stepping on our business, Ricketts has found a way to wring pennies from the poor and to prey on the most vulnerable.” Her red lips twisted.
“Why don’t you stop him?” I asked.
She scoffed. “Do I look like Wonder Woman to you? I am a businesswoman. Not a charity.”
“Wouldn’t you want to kill him if he’s cutting into your bottom line?” I knew I was giving her twenty questions, but I really wanted to know what this woman’s deal was.
“Of course I’d love to take him out. I even know where he lives—it took me ages to find that. But he’s as powerful as I am now, because of his magic. As powerful as all the families. That makes him our equal, and it allows him to enter the pact.” Her gaze sharpened. “We will not engage in assassinati
on attempts against other families. Else how can we ever be safe ourselves?”
“Hmmm. Smart.” I nodded.
“Vittoria has always been clever,” Cade said.
“What do you want with Ricketts?” she said.
“To kill him.” I grinned.
Her eyes brightened with interest, and I swore she almost clapped. “Really? Perfect. You’re outsiders with motivation who cannot be traced back to me. The perfect ones to do the job.”
“Does that mean you’ll tell us where he is?” I asked.
“Of course. In exchange for something,” she said.
“We’re killing your enemy.” I made my voice hard. “That’s enough.”
Her gaze drifted to Cade, turning sultry. “Perhaps just a small token of your appreciation for my assistance, then.” She leaned across the desk toward Cade, whispered in his ear.
I resisted the desire to smack her away—really, jealousy did not become me—and stewed in my seat.
She sank back behind her desk.
Cade gave her an impassive gaze. “I’ll consider it.”
She nodded, clearly content. “You can find Ricketts at San Zaccaria.”
I frowned. “A church?”
“Under the church.” She shook her head. “The idiot has built his headquarters under the church.”
“Wouldn’t that flood?” I asked. “Venice is on the water.”
“Exactly. It is moronic. He uses magic to shore up his defenses, but one day they will fail. It is unnatural to be underground in Venice!”
She was clearly very bothered by this. I couldn’t blame her.
“Any other details that you can share?” Cade asked.
“Yes. You should enter via the Grand Canal and the back canals. It is a windier route through the city, but the other way is blocked by poltergeists. From our reconnaissance, I’ve learned that there are two statues at the entrance of the church. They are guards, not decoration, meant to scare away supernaturals. Incapacitate them, then find the church’s basement. From there you must make your way past enchanted blockades. But I know no more.”
“Thank you.” Cade stood.
I followed.
Vittoria eyed Cade, her gaze burning. “Remember that I want that date.”
He nodded, but said nothing, and we hurried from the room. I could feel Vittoria’s gaze on our backs. At least she hadn’t eyed our necks while we’d been in there.
When we reached the outside, I sucked in the fresh air gratefully. It was hot and humid, but at least it wasn’t the heavy perfume that cloaked the old asylum.
The Minotaur led us to the boat, and we sped back across the bay as the sun set, cutting across water that glowed as orange as the sky. Venice loomed on the horizon, fabulously beautiful.
I’d never been to a place like this—never made it off the West Coast, in fact—but it was fantastic.
Near the city, Cade piloted us between the other boats full of revelers, entering the Grand Canal. It was massive, surrounded on both sides by huge mansions. The canal itself was crowded with boats, all decked out for the parade.
“At least this will allow us to slip through undetected,” Cade said. “With so many people here, we’ll blend.”
I nodded, taking in everything, keeping a wary gaze out for threats.
There were supernaturals and humans here, all mixing as one, though the humans had no idea. The costumes made it possible for the supernaturals to come out in droves, many wearing their natural wings and horns. It was risky, but I couldn’t blame them.
Cade pulled his phone out of his pocket and typed something in.
“Calling someone?” I asked.
“Google maps. I have no idea where this church is.”
“Smart.”
A few moments later, Cade turned our boat onto one of the smaller canals, edging past gondolas with inches to spare. At least this boat was very narrow.
We motored slowly under an ornate bridge that was covered by a roof. On top, four men fought a vicious fistfight, while onlookers cheered.
“Tradition,” Cade said. “Going back to the Middle Ages.”
One of the fighters took a hit so hard that he flew off the bridge, splashing into the water below us.
“Aaaand that’s the goal of the whole thing,” Cade said.
“Not bad.”
“Not at all.” Cade directed the boat through increasingly smaller canals, taking us deeper into the city. Soon, the streets were empty and the golden lamps positioned farther and farther apart. The sound of revelry disappeared. Beautiful buildings crowded either side of the canals, and balconies hung with laundry that fluttered in the breeze.
We motored under a bridge. As we came out the other side, a thud sounded behind us.
I spun, catching sight of a gray-skinned demon wearing a black leather jumpsuit. His horns were sawed off, and his hand glowed with strange green light. Since his magic already felt like a headache, it’d probably knock me straight out if he hit me with it.
“Ricketts wants you,” he hissed, foul breath wafting toward me.
“Duh.” But I’d be going to him on my terms.
As he raised his hand, I called upon my magic, grateful for the charm Cade had given me. It allowed me to grasp my magic quickly and fire a tiny burst that knocked him off his feet.
Wow! Like old times.
He slammed onto the stern of the boat, and I lunged to grab him before he could fall into the canal.
I dragged him toward me by the arm, calling my dagger from the ether, and pressed it to his neck.
He was still gasping from the shock of my sonic boom. It felt roughly like your insides were being pulverized, from what people had told me.
“Where is Ricketts’s headquarters?” I poked the tip of the dagger into his neck. I trusted the Vampire of Venice, but it didn’t hurt to double-check. Not when the stakes were so high.
“Never telling you,” he hissed.
“Sure you will.” I lowered the dagger to his crotch. “I’ll castrate you before I send you back to hell.”
Actually, the idea made vomit rise in my throat. But this always worked on dudes.
His yellow eyes flared bright. “San Zaccaria!”
I grinned, then stabbed him in the throat and shoved him overboard.
Pain suddenly gouged me in the chest, spreading outward like knives, and I gripped the boat. My heart felt like it stopped beating. Tears filled my eyes as I sucked in a shallow breath.
But it wouldn’t go in.
I couldn’t breathe!
The Lithica poisoning was really hitting me now. Panic flared in my mind.
Then the pain stopped.
I sucked in a ragged breath, finally able to get air into my lungs.
Holy fates, that’d been scary. It’d only been a few seconds, but it’d been so visceral.
Turning to stone would be a nightmare. No wonder people eventually caved and went to Ricketts for the cure.
I stood shakily and dusted off my hands, then stored my dagger in the ether and pulled the pain potion from my pocket. I swallowed the whole thing in one gulp, blessed relief finally flowing through me. At least temporarily.
I went to stand next to Cade.
“Good work,” Cade said, clearly having not noticed me. He’d been in front of me. “By the time he wakes up in hell, it’ll be too late to warn Ricketts that we’re coming.”
“I guess he’s still sending goons after us.” Why was he suddenly so interested in us? I worried at my lip. “You’re sure they’ve got a lot of guards on Ana?”
“More than two dozen. And they’ll put her somewhere secure.” He glanced at me, understanding in his eyes. “I’m sorry that you’re worried.”
“She’s tough. Stronger than me, actually. I shouldn’t worry.”
“You did well with the charm.”
“Thanks for getting it.” It might be a temporary fix, but it was amazing to be in control again. No way in hell I’d use it underground—I di
dn’t trust it that much—but it was nice to have up here.
We really needed to succeed, and I’d take whatever weapon I could get.
Cade pulled the boat over to a small floating dock. “We’ll go on foot from here. Too narrow after this point.”
I got out of the boat and climbed the five stone steps up to the main sidewalk. There were no cars in Venice, not that any would fit on this little walkway.
Cade climbed out and tied the boat off, then joined me. We set off down the walkway, going deeper into the city. Cade took one more look at his phone, then tucked it into his pocket. “We’re nearly there.”
We turned right into an alley, the buildings looming on either side. Eventually, it spilled out into a large square, with a huge church across the way. The place was entirely empty save for two guards.
They looked like stone statues, but when I reached out for the signature of their magic, I caught the slightest whiff of rotting garbage.
“Ew,” I whispered.
“Evil,” Cade murmured.
Yep. The darkest magic always smelled like a dumpster fire.
I reached for Cade’s hand, pulling him close to me and leaning in, swaying. “Pretend we’re drunk. Just some lost tourists.”
“Smart.”
Maybe. They were only supposed to repel supernaturals, and this might not trick them. But at least we could try. And I didn’t hate being pressed up against Cade, even as I knew it was a bad idea.
I’d been alone a long time and Cade was…well, Cade.
We ambled closer to the statues. Cade’s heat singed me, but I did my best to ignore it, focusing instead on the statues.
“Holy fates,” I whispered. “They’re not alive.”
“No.”
The guards were meant to look like statues—and they did—but something about their magical signature was distinctly dead. Maybe it was the scent of rot?
It was subtle, whatever it was. If Cade and I hadn’t had such strong magic ourselves, we wouldn’t have been able to sense it.
“Go for the kill, then,” I said. Because whatever magic had been used to reanimate these corpse guards, it was some dark stuff.
“Agreed.”
We stumbled up the steps, keeping our charade going till the last moment. When our feet landed on the top step, dim light swirled around the guards. The stone veneer covering them chipped away, and their magic surged forth. Their bodies were half decayed, with maggots crawling out of their empty eye sockets.