“Gee, aren’t you grumpy?”
She wiped the sword she carried off on her shirt. “You would be too, had you been prey to his power.”
“Alyssa!” Timothy exclaimed, suddenly bursting through our little group and running toward the two double doors at the corner of the room. Rupert and Zaphara held the doors open, as a group of children and teenagers walked through.
Timothy pulled the small blond girl to him, hugging her gently.
“These are not harmed,” Rupert said. “The Count was keeping them locked in a basement. None of them had been changed yet.”
“For that,” Lenorre said, “we are lucky.”
“Indeed,” Eris added.
Zaphara stood off to the side, grave and quiet.
“You did well,” I told her. “Thank you.”
She didn’t say anything, only gave a cryptic smile and a slow bow of her head.
Such was Zaphara.
“Call your little police friend,” Lenorre said, “so we may go and clean up. We still have a party to attend.”
“Do I have to go?” I resisted the urge to pout. The last thing I wanted was to play dress-up with a room full of vampires. I’d had just about my fill of them tonight.
“Oh yes,” Eris said, “Lenorre had an outfit made especially for you.”
“How do you do it?” I asked her. “You wait until the last minute, yet everything still goes as planned.”
“I have my ways.”
I shook my head and reached into my pocket. It was empty. I’d left my cell phone in my other pants. I usually carried it everywhere. Yes, even when I had to go hunting down the bad guys. The world doesn’t stop just because there are bad guys. I had, however, learned the hard way to remember to turn the ringer off. A ringing phone often draws a lot of unwanted attention when you’re trying to be sneaky.
Rupert held his cell out to me. “Use mine.”
I dialed Arthur’s number, walking away from the group, ready to get an earful about how I never told him what was going on, how I was just another human, and how I had to stop taking the police cases into my own hands. Even if I managed to save the day, they still weren’t happy. One of these days, I feared Arthur would uncover my secret. You can only wear a disguise for so long. Eventually, the mask comes off and the truth is revealed. Until then, I’d just pretend I’d forgotten all about calling him.
Hey, it was partly true.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The cops had arrived and handled the rest of it. I was right, Arthur was pissed that I hadn’t clued him in, but like always, he was ultimately grateful I’d done my job.
Arthur had been staring at Timothy with a look I couldn’t read. “What am I supposed to tell your parents?” he finally asked.
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t tell them anything.”
“You want me to lie to them?”
“Technically, Officer, telling them I died isn’t a lie.”
“Detective Kingfisher.”
“Detective Kingfisher, I will tell them when I’m ready to confront my mother.”
At that, Arthur chuckled, shook his head, and said, “I wish you luck, boy.”
They checked every one of the dead vampires, confirming they were indeed super-beasties and that we hadn’t killed any innocents. Zaphara had removed the spell from the vampire in the entryway when one of the cops tripped over it.
The few children that had been turned were young enough that either the process of being turned or being the Count’s pets had broken their minds. They had to be executed. Lenorre and Eris had taken care of that part. Which I was grateful for, since I really didn’t feel like it was my place. Child vampires are just a little creepy. They give me the heebies. There, I admit it.
The cops would help the rest of the children return to their parents, since some of them were from different states, and a few weren’t even from this country.
Alyssa had been safely returned home. Timothy, on the other hand, was granted permission to stay with Lenorre as one of her vampires. We learned Maddox had cornered one of Eris’s patrons outside the club and tried to send a warning, but no one took it seriously. He didn’t know who else to go to and stay alive in the process. The Primes would cast a vote deciding his fate, but I had a feeling he would be staying with us. I think, for Timothy’s sake, it wasn’t a bad idea.
When Lenorre asked Maddox why he betrayed the Count, his reasoning seemed pretty solid. The Count had murdered his previous Countess. So Maddox had gained the Count’s respect and traveled with his band, watching as the Count sought another conquest. When I’d asked him what had happened to his previous clan, he’d told me the Count’s puppet still ruled, as was the case in all the areas where the sick bastard had managed to overthrow whoever held the vampire community together.
The need for vengeance in Maddox’s gaze was hard not to notice. Perhaps, he would only stay for a while. I sensed his desire for revenge would far outweigh his desire to be content living in Lenorre’s domain.
Alyssa’s mother filed for a divorce and placed a restraining order against Dennis Cunningham. Timothy spent most of his nights with Alyssa and her mother, making sure they were safe. He wouldn’t talk to his own mother or father. The only family member he would associate with was his brother. And although his brother was still coming to terms with his baby brother being a vampire, there was no question he’d stick around.
Rupert was still helping me keep an eye on Sheila. Considering the situation with Rosalin, whether we found anything on Sheila or not, I had a feeling it was a good idea. I didn’t intend to let anything happen to Rosalin, and since I had claimed her, but she remained the Beta in Sheila’s pack, I needed to keep an eye out for trouble. As usual.
The masquerade ball at Lenorre’s club wasn’t as unpleasant as I had anticipated. Then again, she assured me we only had to stay through one dance and long enough for her to put in an appearance. That made me a little happier.
Lenorre wore a black tux tailored to fit the contours of her body, showing her figure off to perfection. She’d clasped the curls of her hair at the back of her neck and worn a white fedora. As always, she looked gorgeous. She and Eris were the only two vampires who had opted out of dressing up in masquerade garb and had worn a tux. The rest of the vampires had swirled beautifully out onto the dance floor, appearing like the dark and mysterious strangers they were. The crowd had gone wild, scurrying for a chance to dance with one of them.
The dress Lenorre had picked out for me was revealing, but not overly so. The straps were tiny enough I couldn’t wear a bra. The back was low-cut and made me feel like I was half naked. The sheer strips in the material over my stomach showed off the skin underneath. Oh, I’d argued about the dress, but in the end I’d lost. The expression on Lenorre’s face when I was fully dressed was enough to keep me in it, though I had a niggling feeling she’d like the dress a lot more when she was tearing it off. Between my thoughts and Lenorre’s heated looks, I was thrumming sensually.
She’d somehow managed to talk me into wearing the mask that went with the outfit. The black feathers of the raven mask matched the black satin dress. The patches of my bare skin that peeked through the solid black material were suddenly very white. The skirt kept trying to tangle about my legs like a waterfall of satin, and I had to force myself to focus on following Lenorre’s lead, as she knew how to dance. Another benefit of lycanthropy was being able to move gracefully, without letting on that I had no idea what the hell I was doing.
The night proved to be romantic, even with the hunting that had come before it. Lenorre managed to talk me into one more dance. The tune was slow, with an edge of seduction that made the dance seem more intimate, more meaningful. With her body against mine, I let all thoughts of the confrontation with the Count and Sheila Morris disappear.
Eventually those thoughts would catch up with me. But for tonight, Lenorre held me and I followed her, inhaling the sweet and spicy scent of her perfume.
Beneath the perfume was the smell of my lover.
My Lenorre.
About the Author
Winter Pennington is an author, poet, artist, and closeted musician. She is an avid practitioner of nature-based spirituality and enjoys spending her spare time studying mythology from around the world. The Celtic path is very close to her heart. She has an uncanny fascination with swords and daggers and a fondness for feeding loud and obnoxious corvids. In the shadow of her writing, she has experience working with a plethora of animals as a pet-care specialist and veterinary assistant.
Winter currently resides in Oklahoma with her partner and their ever-growing family of furry kids, also known as “The Felines Extraordinaire.”
Winter can be contacted at [email protected]
Blog: http://www.winterpennington.blogspot.com/
MySpace: www.myspace.com/akissofwinter
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
The Long Way Home by Rachel Spangler. They say you can’t go home again, but Raine St. James doesn’t know why anyone would want to. When she is forced to accept a job in the town she’s been publicly bashing for the last decade, she has to face down old hurts and the woman she left behind. (978-1-60282-178-1)
Water Mark by J.M. Redmann. PI Micky Knight’s professional and personal lives are torn asunder by Katrina and its aftermath. She needs to solve a murder and recapture the woman she lost while struggling to simply survive in a world gone mad. (978-1-60282- 179-8)
Picture Imperfect by Lea Santos. Young love doesn’t always stand the test of time, but Deanne is determined to get her marriage to childhood sweetheart Paloma back on the road to happily ever after, by way of Memory Lane-and Lover’s Lane. (978-1-60282-180-4)
The Perfect Family by Kathryn Shay. A mother and her gay son stand hand in hand as the storms of change engulf their perfect family and the life they knew. (978-1-60282-181-1)
Raven Mask by Winter Pennington. Preternatural Private Investigator (and closeted werewolf) Kassandra Lyall needs to solve a murder and protect her Vampire lover Lenorre, Countess Vampire of Oklahoma all while fending off the advances of the local werewolf alpha female. (978-1-60282-182-8)
The Devil be Damned by Ali Vali. The fourth book in the best-selling Cain Casey Devil series. (978-1-60282-159-0)
Descent by Julie Cannon. Shannon Roberts and Caroline Davis compete in the world of world-class bike racing and pretend that the fire between them is just professional rivalry, not desire. (978-1-60282-160-6)
Kiss of Noir by Clara Nipper. Nora Delany is a hard-living, sweettalking woman who can’t say no to a beautiful babe or a friend in danger—a darkly humorous homage to a bygone era of tough broads and murder in steamy New Orleans. (978-1-60282-161-3)
Under Her Skin by Lea Santos. Supermodel Lilly Lujan hasn’t a care in the world, except life is lonely in the spotlight—until Mexican gardener Torien Pacias sees through Lilly’s facade and offers gentle understanding and friendship when Lilly most needs it. (978-1-60282- 162-0)
Fierce Overture by Gun Brooke. Helena Forsythe is a hard-hitting CEO who gets what she wants by taking no prisoners when negotiating— until she meets a woman who convinces her that charm may be the way to win a battle, and a heart. (978-1-60282-156-9)
Trauma Alert by Radclyffe. Dr. Ali Torveau has no trouble saying no to romance until the day firefighter Beau Cross shows up in her ER and sets her carefully ordered world aflame. (978-1-60282-157-6)
Wolfsbane Winter by Jane Fletcher. Iron Wolf mercenary Deryn faces down demon magic and otherworldly foes with a smile, but she’s defenseless when healer Alana wages war on her heart. (978-1-60282- 158-3)
Little White Lie by Lea Santos. Emie Jaramillo knows relationships are for other people, and beautiful women like Gia Mendez don’t belong anywhere near her boring world of academia—until Gia sets out to convince Emie she has not only brains, but beauty...and that she’s the only woman Gia wants in her life. (978-1-60282-163-7)
Witch Wolf by Winter Pennington. In a world where vampires have charmed their way into modern society, where werewolves walk the streets with their beasts disguised by human skin, Investigator Kassandra Lyall has a secret of her own to protect: She’s one of them. (978-1-60282-177-4)
Do Not Disturb by Carsen Taite. Ainsley Faraday, a high-powered executive, and rock music celebrity Greer Davis couldn’t be less well suited for one another, and yet they soon discover passion has a way of designing its own future. (978-1-60282-153-8
From This Moment On by PJ Trebelhorn. Devon Conway and Katherine Hunter both lost love and neither believes they will ever find it again—until the moment they meet and everything changes. (978-1- 60282-154-5)
Vapor by Larkin Rose. When erotic romance writer Ashley Vaughn decides to take her research into the bedroom for a night of passion with Victoria Hadley, she discovers that fact is hotter than fiction. (978- 1-60282-155-2)
Wind and Bones by Kristin Marra. Jill O’Hara, award-winning journalist, just wants to settle her deceased father’s affairs and leave Prairie View, Montana, far, far behind—but an old girlfriend, a sexy sheriff, and a dangerous secret keep her down on the ranch. (978-1- 60282-150-7)
Nightshade by Shea Godfrey. The story of a princess, betrothed as a political pawn, who falls for her intended husband’s soldier sister, is a modern-day fairy tale to capture the heart. (978-1-60282-151-4)
Vieux Carré Voodoo by Greg Herren. Popular New Orleans detective Scotty Bradley just can’t stay out of trouble—especially
The Pleasure Set by Lisa Girolami. Laney DeGraff, a successful president of a family-owned bank on Rodeo Drive, finds her comfortable life taking a turn toward danger when Theresa Aguilar, a sleek, sexy lawyer, invites her to join an exclusive, secret group of powerful, alluring women. (978-1-60282-144-6)
A Perfect Match by Erin Dutton. The exciting world of pro golf forms the backdrop for a fast-paced, sexy romance. (978-1-60282-145-3)
Truths by Rebecca S. Buck. Two women separated by two hundred years are connected by fate and love. (978-1-60282-146-0)
Father Knows Best by Lynda Sandoval. High school juniors and best friends Lila Moreno, Meryl Morganstern, and Caressa Thibodoux plan to make the most of the summer before senior year. What they discover that amazing summer about girl power, growing up, and trusting friends and family more than prepares them to tackle that all-important senior year! (978-1-60282-147-7)
In Pursuit of Justice by Radclyffe. In the dynamic double sequel to Shield of Justice and A Matter of Trust, Det. Sgt. Rebecca Frye joins forces with enigmatic computer consultant J.T. Sloan to crack an Internet child pornography ring. (978-1-60282-147-4)
The Midnight Hunt by L.L. Raand. Medic Drake McKennan takes a chance and loses, and her life will never be the same—because when she wakes up after surviving a life-threatening illness, she is no longer human. (978-1-60282-140-8)
Long Shot by D. Jackson Leigh. Love isn’t safe, which is exactly why equine veterinarian Tory Greyson wants no part of it—until Leah Montgomery and a horse that won’t give up convince her otherwise. (978-1-60282-141-5)
In Medias Res by Yolanda Wallace. Sydney has forgotten her entire life, and the one woman who holds the key to her memory, and her heart, doesn’t want to be found. (978-1-60282-142-2)
Awakening to Sunlight by Lindsey Stone. Neither Judith or Lizzy is looking for companionship, and certainly not love—but when their lives become entangled, they discover both. (978-1-60282-143-9)
Fever by VK Powell. Hired gun Zakaria Chambers is hired to provide a simple escort service to philanthropist Sara Ambrosini, but nothing is as simple as it seems, especially love. (978-1-60282-135-4)
High Risk by JLee Meyer. Can actress Kate Hoffman really risk all she’s worked for to take a chance on love? Or is it already too late? (978-1-60282-136-1)
Missing Lynx by Kim Baldwin and Xenia Alexiou. On the trail of a notorious serial killer, Elite Operative Lynx’s growing attraction to a mysterious mercenary could be her path to love—or to
death. (978-1- 60282-137-8)
Spanking New by Clifford Henderson. A poignant, hilarious, unforgettable look at life, love, gender, and the essence of what makes us who we are. (978-1-60282-138-5)
Magic of the Heart by C.J. Harte. CEO Susan Hettinger and wild, impulsive rock star M.J. Carson couldn’t be more different if they tried—but opposites attract in ways neither woman can resist. (978-1- 60282-131-6)
Ambereye by Gill McKnight. Jolie Garoul is falling in love with her assistant. The big problem is, Jolie is a werewolf. (978-1-60282-132-3)
Collision Course by C.P. Rowlands. Tragedy leaves Brie O’Malley and Jordan Carter fearful and alone. Can they find the courage to take a second chance on love? (978-1-60282-133-0)
Mephisto Aria by Justine Saracen. Opera singer Katherina Marov’s destiny may be to repeat the mistakes of her father when she becomes involved in a dangerous love affair. (978-1-60282-134-7
Battle Scars by Meghan O’Brien. Returning Iraq war veteran Ray McKenna struggles with the battle scars that can only be healed by love. (978-1-60282-129-3)
Chaps by Jove Belle. Eden Metcalf wants nothing more than to flee from her troubled past and travel the open road—until she runs into rancher Brandi Cornwell. (978-1-60282-127-9)
Lightbearer by John Caruso. Lucifer dares to question the premise of creation itself and reveals that sin may be all that stands between us and living hell. (978-1-60282-130-9)
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