“There’s only one killer in this room, and it isn’t me,” I said, curious if I could bait him. But like a true psycho, he appeared limited in his range of emotions, almost robotic.
Pearlman coughed louder than the last time. “I believe we’re getting off track,” he said. “Right now we have two missing assets who need recovery.”
I’d liked Pearlman right up until the moment he referred to Aurora as an “asset.” The man was probably just trying to communicate with Melcher in a way the man understood, but it still made my stomach coil like a snake ready to strike.
Melcher’s gaze shifted to Pearlman. “Aurora and Dante,” he acknowledged.
Now we were getting somewhere. Hearing Aurora’s name gave me a moment’s relief, as though speaking it aloud would bring her back more quickly. On the other hand, listening to it combined with Dante’s brought the vipers back to life inside the pit of my stomach.
“I’ve had all my in-state agents and informants keeping an eye out for them. Unfortunately, our team members are not the only ones tracking them down.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Melcher plucked a file folder off his desk, using one arm to support it while he opened it. From the folder, he withdrew a single sheet of paper and handed it across the desk to me.
The second I looked at it, my eyes expanded. There she was. Aurora Sky in a black-and-white photo. I recognized the gray textured backdrop from Denali High’s yearbook photo shoot at the beginning of senior year.
Aurora looked directly into the camera, right at me. There was a spark in her eyes I’d never seen before, one that said, “I am so out of here at the end of the school year. Been nice knowing you. Come graduation day, I’m never looking back.”
That photo did nasty things to my insides. That photo was not the Aurora Sky I knew. It was the human girl before the vampire. The one who would have gone off to college and dated some dipshit then later married him or some other douchebag. She wouldn’t have looked twice at me if her life hadn’t been destroyed. Even if I could go back and change the past, I wouldn’t. I’d let that car crash into her again and again if only because the aftermath led her to me.
I was a selfish bastard, I admit. Selfish in my pleasure of Aurora’s brush with death and transition into the life of the undead. The life of the everlasting. An everlasting life with me.
Most vampires I knew wanted human companions for biting. I used to be one of them. I’d met many lovely young women in my time, but I never let myself get too attached. Their lives flew by too quickly, like a beloved pet. Losing them was painful every time. Eventually it was too much, and I switched to more callous women. Women who wouldn’t leave holes in my heart. Women like Valerie Ward.
That was until Aurora Sky tripped into my life like a wounded siren, unaware of her own hypnotic appeal. At first I only wanted to pester her the way a cat toys with a mouse. Somewhere along the way I got drawn in, and there’d been no going back. My feelings for her had never wavered, never changed.
The paper shook in my hand. It was the first time I’d seen Aurora’s face in weeks, which was why I glossed over the words on first glance.
WANTED
But not the way I wanted her.
“What is this?” I demanded.
“We found the original on Jared’s computer,” Melcher said. “Unfortunately, he’s been circulating them around the state. We don’t know how many copies he made or how far the reach, but it was seen in enemy hands by informants in Kenai and Trapper Creek.”
Pearlman moved to my side and extended his arm. “May I?” he asked.
I handed him the paper. Hands now free, I had the overwhelming temptation to hurtle across Melcher’s desk and pummel the arrogant piece of shit with my fists.
“You let this lunatic do whatever he pleases?” I ground out between my teeth. “No protocols. No accountability. You just gave him free reign without question.”
“No one is above censure,” Melcher said.
Although he spoke the words, I could tell Melcher believed the opposite when it came to himself.
Pearlman looked up. “Where is Jared?” he asked.
“That is the problem,” Melcher answered. “After the first flyer was reported, we began digging around. Only someone within the agency would be aware of Agent Sky’s and Agent Dante’s identities or their status as deserters.”
I narrowed my eyes. This creep deserved more than an ass-kicking, but I needed him to play ball. Once Aurora was safe and sound, I called first shot at Melcher.
“Almost as soon as we began the investigation, Jared disappeared,” he continued. “There were no signs of foul play. After finding the flyer on his computer, we had to assume he’d betrayed the agency and switched sides.” A deep frown curved down Melcher’s face, like parentheses around his chin. “I am deeply disappointed by this turn of events. Jared has been with the agency as long as I have. I recruited him myself.”
“Touching,” I said sarcastically. “Now what are you doing to find him before he and his new underlings manage to track down Aurora?”
“Or worse,” Pearlman said. “He could out every agent on this base. Why was I not apprised of this situation immediately?”
“As you are now aware, we’ve had our hands full,” Melcher answered.
“Precisely why I should have been informed as soon as you were aware of the situation,” Pearlman fired back.
“I am not accustomed to including outsiders in matters they do not fully comprehend.”
Pearlman took a last look at the paper before setting it on Melcher’s desk. He took that moment to stare into the man’s face.
“It is my intention to know everything that goes on in this agency, including all past transgressions. Things will go a lot smoother if you cooperate willingly, Agent Melcher, but either way, you’re no longer running these operations alone.”
Music to my ears. If only Aurora were there to hear it. She hadn’t believed it was possible. This was the first of many victories to come. But this first one felt pretty damn great.
“Well?” Alfonso asked when I stepped out of Melcher’s office.
I wasn’t surprised to see him, Joss, and Benito standing, rather than sitting in one of the poor excuses for waiting chairs.
Lieutenant Pearlman followed us only as far as the door before shutting himself inside with Melcher to go over the orders Melcher had disregarded.
“Melcher is about to have his ass handed to him,” I said in Italian.
“Fantastico!” Alfonso said, slapping my back. “Then we can go?”
“Yeah, let’s get out of here,” I said. “Pearlman is staying behind, but there’s no reason for us to hang around this place any longer. I have what I came for.” I placed my hand on Joss’ shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze before stepping back.
“Come, Josslyn,” Alfonso said, putting his arm around Joss as our group headed down the hall. “We will take you from this place at once. It must have been horrifying. I cannot imagine. We will get you a proper meal and clothes.”
“I was not harmed,” Joss said. “But it is good to see all of you.”
“My assistant has already arranged for another suite in the penthouse of the Captain Cook,” Alfonso said. “Benito will drive us there now and we can all put this ordeal behind us.”
Joss’ head turned sharply to look at me. “We are not going home?” he asked.
“I put in our notice and had our things packed.”
Joss came to a dead stop in the middle of the hallway. “Who did the packing?” he asked.
“Friends. And before you say another word, yes, they were careful with your books. I told them to think of each volume as though it were a priceless porcelain plate.”
“And where are they now?” Joss asked, not looking reassured in the least.
“Storage.”
He placed a hand on his heart, shook his head, and muttered under his breath. A moment later he seemed to perk up.
/> “I take it we’re leaving Alaska?” Joss asked.
“Not quite yet, but soon,” I said. “First I need to find Aurora before Jared does.”
12
The Hunter And The Hound
{Aurora}
The bedsheet and cover slid to my waist when I sat up. Luckily, I still had on my T-shirt. Dante, however, did not. His muscular chest rose and fell gently. He lay on his side, snoozing away. For all I knew, he was naked under the covers.
The bed beside us was empty. Tommy wasn’t around either. I nudged the muscular arm resting inches from my thigh.
“Dante,” I whispered.
No answer.
“Dante,” I tried louder.
His breath deepened as though trying to drown out my voice.
I grabbed his shoulder. “Dante!”
In an instant, I was on my back. Dante had my wrists pinned above my head. He stared down at me wide eyed, as though I were a stranger. His torso rose and fell rapidly, his ripped torso dipping into a tight pair of navy boxer briefs. I sucked in a shuddering breath before yanking my arms free.
“Get off of me, you big oaf!”
Dante’s eyes cleared. “You startled me,” he said as he swung off me.
Once freed, I scooted to the edge of the bed and dropped my legs to the ground. I took in deep breaths through my nostrils. My heart seemed to be running a relay race inside my rib cage.
“What are you doing in my bed?” I asked once I got my breathing under control.
“There was room so I crawled in,” Dante said as he stood up. “Hey, where’s Tommy? And where’s G?”
I walked around the bed. “That’s what I was trying to tell you. They’re gone.”
Wordlessly, Dante bent over his duffel bag and pulled out a pair of jeans, which he quickly pulled on and zipped up.
Before he could get his shirt on, we heard a car pull up outside. Dante turned sideways, meeting my eye. A second later, we sprinted for our weapons. I grabbed my gun. Dante snatched a hunting knife off the nightstand.
Logically, it had to be Giselle, but seeing my mug on a wanted flyer had cranked the paranoia level up several notches.
The deadbolt turned with the metal scrape of a key. Once the door opened, Tommy trotted in, tail swinging.
I released a breath and lowered my gun. Dante set his knife back on the nightstand.
Giselle walked in holding a white paper sack. The smell of bacon, eggs, and toasted bread followed her inside. She set the bag on the small round table by the window.
What was with the room service? The food was obviously for Dante.
“Tommy’s been fed and walked,” she said. “The weather’s holding at the moment, but the sooner we go, the better.”
Dante snatched the bag and pulled out a bloated, hockey puck-sized sandwich wrapped in paper. Once unwrapped, he scarfed it down without bothering to sit. That was probably Giselle’s plan all along—rouse Dante from bed by waving fried food in front of his face. Smart woman.
Dante balled up the empty wrapper and dropped it into the bag before pulling out another identical item.
“Enjoying your McYuck breakfast sandwich?” I asked sarcastically.
Dante stopped chewing momentarily to ask. “Want one?”
“Pass,” I said.
“I guess the McYums are all mine.”
I rolled my eyes. “Anyone need to use the bathroom before I shower?” When no one answered, I grabbed my backpack and beelined it for the bathroom.
While Dante enjoyed breakfast, I basked in the water’s warm spray. It felt like a warm caress I wanted to hold on to for as long as possible. Who knew when I’d get another shower?
Once washed and rinsed, I dried myself off before the cool air set into my damp skin. I dressed inside the bathroom. Once clothed, I stepped out to comb my hair, trading places with Dante, who’d had his fill of breakfast.
I plopped down onto the bed and turned on the TV. Rather than watch the screen like a normal person, Giselle stared at me. It felt like five minutes went by before she spoke.
“This isn’t a vacation,” she said.
My jaw clenched. No kidding this wasn’t a vacation. My idea of a vacation was a sandy beach, not snowy mountains. Vacation would be a road trip to the Grand Canyon or Disneyland. Not a road kill trip—as in killing vampires along our route.
Anger flared in me, squeezing at my vocal cords. I sucked air between my teeth. Did she think hunting down vampires was sport to me?
“You don’t say,” I answered, tearing my eyes away from the TV. “We’re running for our lives, not hanging out in hammocks. No one invited you. You chose to tag along. Who secures locations and takes down hostiles while you kick back in the car? Must be nice.”
Giselle’s frown deepened. “I don’t kill anymore.”
My fists tightened. She was missing the point.
My raised voice roused Tommy from his spot curled on the floor. He stood and went up to Giselle and nudged her leg. She ran her fingers over his head in slow, even strokes the same way she brushed her hair. Now that was just wrong. Dogs should sense evil. Then again, Giselle had fed him last.
Dante stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist. Several stray droplets of water ran down his abs. Never mind the morning news. Dante’s chest drew my attention more than the current weather map of the state. He wasn’t always good on the nerves, but he wasn’t bad on the eyes.
Fane had great abs too… at least as far as I could tell through his tee. He wasn’t the all-American stud muffin with messy brown hair and a cleft chin, which made me love him more. He was one of a kind.
And yet here I was ogling Dante like he was man candy… man candy I’d sucked on. I had no right to think about Fane after kissing Dante. There was no turning back. Unfortunately, I also had an infinite amount of time, and not thinking about Fane was like telling my lungs to stop breathing. Or my heart to stop beating.
Dante pulled clothes out of his duffel bag and headed back to the bathroom, but not before flashing me a dimpled smile.
I went back to watching TV, turning the volume up in case Giselle had the bad idea of addressing me again.
Dante soon re-emerged from the bathroom. He zipped his duffel and slung it over his shoulder. “All set?”
Sure, why not step into the frigid cold with wet hair?
With a jab of my thumb, I turned the TV off and set the remote on the nightstand. I put my coat on and grabbed my pack.
“Ready,” I said.
Goodbye, shower. Goodbye, bed, I thought as I moved away.
Tommy stretched and followed Giselle and me outside.
The temperature seemed as though it had plunged since we first checked in, or maybe I was becoming accustomed to heating.
Once Dante unlocked the doors, I chucked my pack into the backseat and Dante threw his duffel into the truck’s bed. Tommy lifted his leg against the curb. Afterward, he jumped in, eager to hit the road. As soon as the furball was in back panting happily, I settled into the middle seat.
Giselle got in on the other side.
The truck rumbled to life.
“And away we go,” Dante said, his voice lifting. He sounded cheerful, as excited as Tommy for the next adventure.
Oh, to be a dude or a dog. They seemed way more like the “go with the flow,” “why worry when you can be having fun” sort. Not a couple of grumbly girls like Giselle and me. She might be the queen of cool, but if her expression was anything to go by, she was also seriously put out.
“Everyone all rested? All showered?” Dante asked cheerfully as he pulled onto the highway heading north.
“I’ve had more than enough rest. We have an entire lodge full of rooms. I didn’t need to spend funds on a motel,” Giselle stated.
“Are you on a budget or something?” I asked.
She turned her head sideways to look at me. “I’m always on a budget.”
Yeah, I guess. She had to make the money last as long as she d
id. Giselle hadn’t come from money, not like Fane, not if she had to rob graves to get by.
Speaking of budgets, I couldn’t believe the agency printed black-and-white wanted flyers rather than color copies. Hell, high-gloss eighteen-by-twenty-four posters for that matter. Giselle might need to pinch pennies, but Melcher didn’t.
I glanced sideways at Scrooge McVamp. “What did you and your family do to earn a living after you retired from the grave-robbing business?”
“We moved to America. We were able to buy a plot of land and turn it into a farm. Andre, Etienne, and I worked the land. Henriette ran the household.”
Giselle stared out the windshield. It looked like she was focused on something in the distance.
“Good,” Dante said. “Then you’re used to living off the land.” He turned the knob on the radio.
Static buzzed through the speakers and Dante twisted the dial again. More static. Another twist and we had a mix of bluesy static. He turned it off and began humming.
Giselle folded her arms and slouched in her seat. Her lower lip seemed to pout. I had to hand it to Dante; he could get under anyone’s skin—even ancient vampire skin.
I was curious about America during her pioneer days, but Giselle’s demeanor and general personality kept me from asking any more questions.
Unlike Fane. Fane could talk for hours on end and I’d only want to hear more. And there I was, thinking about Fane again. Giselle wasn’t the only one hurtling into the Alaskan interior minus loved ones. Dante and I could never replace the family she’d lost. And I could never warm up to Giselle.
My mind turned to static, much like the radio earlier. Snowflakes drifted over the landscape, making a lazy descent along the mountains, forest, and road. Soon it was like the static had materialized outside all around us as the truck plowed into a scattered flurry of billowy white flakes.
There was that blizzard they’d mentioned on the news. If only a storm could hide us from the agency. Black hair didn’t blend well with a blizzard. No more than an ink splotch on a white sheet of paper. Maybe I should bleach it platinum blond. Cut it short. Go for a whole new look.
Whiteout (Aurora Sky Page 12