Netherworld: Drop Dead Sexy

by Tracy St. John

  As Lana frowned, Augustus spoke up. “The beast is not content with blood. The very essence must be consumed. My angel is safe with me.” His golden eyes stared into my face.

  My angel. I melted in adoration of the ancient creature.

  Eddie the werehog grunted a very piggy sound. “I sure wish you’d speak plain, Augustus.”

  Lana offered a strained smile. “He speaks as plain as he’s able. He wants to protect you, Brandilynn.”

  Dan turned to the griffin. “Can you do that, Augustus?”

  The noble creature dipped his head. “My life to shield her from worse than death.”

  Wow. Forget knights in shining armor, I was under the protection of a griffin. “Thank you,” I said, remembering my manners in time.

  Dan added his thanks and returned his attention to the rest of the group. “I’ll join you then, Lana. What else is going on?”

  Lana looked up at the big werepanther. “Dan wants to know your news, Gerald.”

  Dazzled by Augustus, I’d barely paid the hired muscle any mind. But then, it would take a rare creature like the griffin to steal the spotlight from this gorgeous fellow. His brown muscular body with those subtle black markings deserved a photo shoot. Cool green eyes shifted in his handsome face continuously to take in the entire room, as did the triangle points of his ears. I wondered if Gerald purred when he was happy. At over six feet tall and bulging muscle, he didn’t look the purring type.

  Gerald’s voice was shivering deep, and it seemed to thrum through my body. Wow. Barry White, move the heck on over. “A protest was held at city hall today. A group of humans are calling for the repeal of para rights. Tristan claiming Brandilynn’s body was big news. Some believe he’s covering up for the killer.”

  Dan rolled his eyes. “Let me guess. Cliff Tattingail is at the forefront of the protest.”

  Before Lana could pass the message on, Gerald supplied, “Cliff Tattingail made a speech during the rally.”

  Having had a councilman on my regular client roster, I was pretty familiar with the goings on of Fulton Fall’s political arena. “Tattingail ran against Tristan at the last election,” I murmured to no one in particular.

  Cliff Tattingail owned a chain of Christian bookstores in every county of southeast Georgia. He stood adamantly against paras, and it stuck in his craw that a monster like Tristan had been elected over him.

  Dan told me, “He’d love to see Tristan’s image suffer.”

  Lana huffed her disgust. “Even Fulton Falls isn’t fundamentalist enough to elect a snake-handler to the commission.

  It amused me to think how a Christian fundamentalist could be considered more extreme than a vampire. But Tattingail did take things to the limit of most people’s intolerance. His call for making shifters illegal and subject to a hunting season like deer was viewed as pretty over the top. Most people had some family member who’d been infected or killed by the shifter virus.

  Eddie snuffled his revulsion. “Tattingail is a putz. I ever catch him anywhere near me with a rifle, I’ll tear his head off on general principles.”

  Gerald seemed about to reply when his nostrils flared and ears perked. We all turned as he said, “Here comes Tristan, Patricia and the Judge.”

  If I had a heartbeat, it would have skipped a few thumps at the sight of the three predators that stalked towards us.

  Chapter Twelve

  They all looked lean and hungry despite having supposedly just fed. The Judge in particular looked at everyone around him like a starving man put before a feast. I shuddered, very glad they couldn’t see me.

  Tristan’s gaze immediately lit on Lana, and he loomed over her. Eddie and Gerald moved to bracket him and Patricia, who stood at Tristan’s shoulder. If there ever were two vamps that looked less like they needed protective muscle, I couldn’t imagine them. Power radiated off the siblings in waves.

  Well, maybe one other bloodsucker looked invulnerable. The Judge was forced to stand to one side, outside of the bodyguards. Avoided like the specter of Death, they left him alone. He didn’t seem to mind.

  Tristan smiled at Lana, making his face gorgeous, though not warming it in the least. “How lovely to see you, my dear, but it’s not good news, is it?”

  Lana smiled tightly back. When Tristan put an arm around her, she briefly touched her head to his shoulder, receiving comfort from an old friend. The clairvoyant didn’t mind the predatory look on Tristan’s face at all. I realized she’d probably never seen him any other way.

  She and Gerald reported on the latest missing escort and the anti-para rally. Patricia and Tristan exchanged a look at the end of their recitations.

  Patricia told her brother, “I’ll prepare a statement. We’ll hold a press conference right away.”

  Tristan jerked his head slightly. “Not immediately, my dear. Emotions are running too high right now, and it will look like a knee-jerk reaction. Let the humans’ emotions cool for a few days.”

  The Judge’s rolling baritone sounded as musically pleasing as ever, but its flat lack of emotion drew a shudder from me. “Is that really wise? The rabble may only draw strength from our silence.”

  Tristan considered before answering. “You may be right, my friend, but my instincts say timing is everything. Besides, we have more pressing concerns at this moment.” He turned back to the lone living human in the room. “Lana, is Dan here?”

  Lana’s naturally sunny disposition made a slow comeback. Her face remained sober, but the tightness around her eyes and mouth disappeared. “He is. I’d like him to go with me as we search for the latest supposed victim. Augustus has volunteered to stay with Brandilynn until his return.”

  Tristan and Patricia were the only ones who didn’t seem surprised. The Judge’s eyes darkened as he looked at the griffin. “You confer honor on the dishonorable,” he growled.

  Augustus stared back at the old vampire without blinking. “Pure hearts can reside in sullied vessels, for even the strong must bear weak wills from time to time.” He tilted his head and gave me a slow wink. I grinned.

  Tristan paid no attention to the drama. He told Patricia, “Plan the press conference for Friday. Two days is neither too long nor too short a time to respond to these issues. Then arrange for the other matters we’ve discussed.”

  Patricia nodded and headed towards her desk, Gerald following close behind. “All will be in place,” she called over her shoulder.

  A lovely blond hurried to Tristan’s side, her paper-white skin blinding against her black lace dress. She must have been a newer vampire. With the exception of the Judge, most of the fanged eschewed wearing head-to-toe black. The contrast wasn’t very flattering when you were bloodless.

  Looking nervous and deadly all at once, the vampire girl said, “There are two FBI agents here to see you, Tristan.”

  Tristan took Lana by the elbow and helped her down from the bandstand with a courtliness that made my insides flutter to see. “It would probably be for the best if they don’t see you here.”

  Lana smiled and nodded. “Come on Dan, let’s sneak out the back door and find us a ghost.”

  Dan paused for a moment, surprising me with a gentle kiss goodbye. He glanced at the griffin patiently sitting at my side. “Thanks for keeping an eye on her, Augustus.”

  Augustus inclined his head, and I watched as Lana scurried out a side door, Dan following. As soon as they were out of the room, Tristan told the vampire aide, “Show the agents in, Penny.”

  She spun on her heel and slipped down the center aisle of the room with a speed that dazzled me. Wow, I wished I could move that fast. Then I remembered I could teleport in the blink of an eye, and my envy faded. I liked having cooler powers than a vampire. Well, at least when I didn’t mess up and take myself to the wrong locale.

  The aide returned with agents Neuhaus and Heany. Their carefully applied nonchalant expressions disappeared at the sight of Augustus. Seeing two tough guys goggle elicited a snicker from me. I liked not being the on
ly one starstruck by the rare being.

  Tristan reclaimed their attention. “Agents Neuhaus and Heany. I’ve been expecting you.”

  They exchanged looks, putting their professional attitudes back on. “You have, huh? And why is that, Mr. Keith?” Neuhaus asked.

  “I’ve claimed the body of the latest victim to be killed by one of my own kind. You would be remiss to not question me about that.”

  Heany clasped his hands in front of him, eyeing Tristan severely. “All right then, Mr. Keith, what is your interest in Brandilynn Payson?”

  Tristan stepped away, going to his desk and sitting behind it. With a wave of his hand he invited the agents to sit in the two chairs on the other side. They took their seats and waited expectantly.

  Tristan smiled, as charming as a predator can manage to appear. “Seeing as how it’s a vampire killing these poor women, I’ve kept informed on every detail of the case. Some of my information has come from Brandilynn herself.”

  The agents jerked as if they’d been hit by an electrical shock. “Her ghost has been found?” Neuhaus asked. “Has she named her killer?”

  “What does it matter? The testimony of the dead isn’t admissible in court.”

  That was true. Under law, the accused must be able to face their accuser at a trial. Since too few of the living can hear the dead, nothing the deceased say can be used as evidence. That went for both the police and the courts.

  Neuhaus huffed his displeasure. “If you have any information, we want it.”

  Tristan pursed his lips. “I wish I had something to tell you that would help your investigation. The vampire who killed Brandilynn glamoured her into forgetfulness. Plus the trauma she suffered has also blocked attempts to get at the truth of the attack.”

  The Judge drifted close to Heany, who looked up into the cadaverous face and shifted a fraction of an inch away. He returned his gaze to Tristan with seeming effort. “What’s that got to do with claiming her body?”

  Tristan smiled benignly, but I caught a glimpse of anger behind the calm expression. “What happened to this lovely young woman is a travesty, as it was for all the women the Ripper has claimed. I feel some measure of responsibility for their loss. My interest in Brandilynn isn’t exceptional. I’ve offered compensation to the families of all the victims.”

  Not exceptional, huh? I wondered what the agents would think if they knew about our post-mortem intimacies.

  Heany exchanged a long look with his partner. “I wasn’t aware that you had approached the other victims’ families.”

  Tristan’s smile appeared genuinely amused this time. “Most humans aren’t fond of others knowing their dealings with paras. Thirty years of integration hasn’t cured prejudice by any means.”

  Neuhaus’ eyes narrowed with suspicion. “How much money are we talking?”

  “It depends on the circumstances. Families supporting the children of the victims were given the most benefit.”

  “Some might think that’s an indication of guilt.”

  Tristan nodded, unruffled by Neuhaus’ bulldoggish attitude. “Indeed, guilt has a part in my efforts. As leader of Fulton Falls’ vampire clutch, I feel responsible that one of my own has committed these heinous crimes. Until he is captured and punished, I must make reparations.”

  I snorted to Augustus. “Tristan sounds like he swallowed a dictionary, for pete’s sake. He doesn’t talk like a professor when he’s a ghost.”

  Augustus spoke very quietly, his voice barely a whisper to avoid attention. “Education impresses some more than power.”

  I eyed Neuhaus and Heany, watching how they glared at Tristan. “Yeah, those agents are desperate to break this case, and just about any vampire will do. He’d better impress them but good if he doesn’t want to find a pair of silver cuffs on his wrists.”

  Heany got back to the point. “So what about Brandilynn Payson? Claiming her body is going beyond the call of duty, don’t you think?”

  Tristan folded his hands on the top of the desk, leaning forward to address them like trusted confidantes. “I don’t believe so. She was disowned by her parents for her choice of lifestyle, which was admittedly morally suspect. But choosing to sleep with her clients for money doesn’t change the fact she was done a terrible disservice.”

  Neuhaus grunted. “That’s an interesting way to put it. Murder as a disservice.”

  “She deserves a decent burial. No one should be tossed aside and forgotten no matter her supposed misdeeds, especially a girl so brutally cut down.”

  Heany wasn’t impressed at all. “So purely from the goodness of your non-beating heart, you’re giving the girl a funeral.”

  Tristan refused to be goaded by the confrontational tone. “It’s tomorrow night at Miller Edward’s Funeral Home should you care to attend. I’m sure Brandilynn will appreciate your concern.”

  That shut the agents up for a moment. The living know souls sometimes don’t move on to wherever they’re supposed to go. The thought that one might show up at her own funeral was sobering, at the least.

  Heany got back on track first. “Mr. Keith, if you had to hazard a guess as to who’s behind these killings, who would you say?”

  “If I had the slightest idea, he wouldn’t be killing anymore.” For an instant, Tristan turned really vampy, his eyes going totally black and red-rimmed. A suggestion of long fangs glimmered over his lower lip for an instant. He calmed so quickly, it was tempting to think his reaction had been a trick of the eye.

  His voice once more as smooth as butter, he said, “I think it must be an older vamp, pre-Industrial Revolution. They’re the ones that tend to withdraw from society. They become frustrated with not being able to keep up with this quickly changing world. I have eyes on all the known vampires for a radius of fifty miles who fit that description.”

  “We’d like a list of those vampires.”

  “Of course. Patricia?” Tristan called to his sister, who peered intently at her computer.

  “Leave me your email address and I’ll have that information to you right away.” She gifted the two agents with an unpleasant rattlesnake-fanged smile.

  With noticeable effort, Neuhaus tore his gaze from that grin to look at Tristan again. “Could there be a vamp in your territory you don’t know about?”

  Tristan allowed anger to purse his features. “It is a possibility, though all visitors are supposed to make themselves known to the ruling vampire.

  I had sudden insight. “Not likely though,” I whispered.

  Augustus gave me a questioning look.

  Watching Tristan pretend to be incensed the Ripper might be an interloper who had gained access to his territory without his knowledge, I told Augustus, “The killer has a witch working for him. Erica Ford isn’t likely to trust someone she’s not seen around. Why is Tristan lying to them?”

  Augustus looked at Tristan for a long moment before returning his attention to me. “The prize of vengeance is not willingly awarded to others,” he whispered.

  Cold crept through my body. “He wants to get this guy himself. To exact his own justice for the trouble the Ripper has caused him.”

  I shuddered to realize that vampires could be bloodthirsty in more than one way.

  * * * *

  The agents left. The assembled paras settled down to what I supposed to be their usual business. It got pretty boring pretty fast. People typing on computers, asking Tristan to sign this or that, making phone calls to argue about various zoning ordinances … yawn.

  Augustus was beautiful, smart and companionable. However, his inability to converse in anything but riddles and philosophical ruminations made for less than fulfilling discourse in the long run. Even debating the strengths and weaknesses of the Georgia Bulldogs versus the Florida Gators would have captured my interest at this point.

  Once my killer was caught, it looked to be a long, tedious afterlife.

  Three hours after the FBI’s visit, Penny, the pale blond vampire who wore too much black, a
pproached Tristan. She said nothing, just quirked a toothy smile. Tristan nodded and rose from his desk.

  “What’s with the secret handshake stuff?” I asked Augustus.

  A beak can’t grin, but there was amusement in his attitude. “Follow the path. Though it be dark, it illuminates all.”

  I watched Tristan straighten his jacket and adjust his tie before striding towards the door leading to the hotel lobby. “I should follow him? You mean, spy?”

  “The beast feeds his hungers, and the yet unborn shall learn his ways.”

  My skin crawled. “You mean he’s going to suck some blood? I definitely don’t want to watch that.”