Latched on to Madison’s neck, sucking her blood hard and fast, Julianne never noticed the gun pressed against her chest or felt the bullet that pierced her heart like a high-speed mini stake.
THIRTY-ONE
Notchey’s injuries weren’t as bad as Madison had first feared. The amount of blood made it look worse. There was also a knot on his skull from smashing into the tree headfirst.
As soon as she made sure Julianne was dead and Notchey okay, Madison called Samuel’s house and told Byron what had happened. He said he’d get the knacker up there right away.
Jesús arrived in twenty minutes and found Madison and Notchey, weak and exhausted, sitting on the ground against a large tree. With Jesús were two helpers, shovels hoisted over their shoulders. Jesús introduced them as his sons. They looked like regular trail maintenance workers.
“Colin warned me it was going to be a busy day,” the little man told them as he examined the dead vampires. “He asked me to come to the area and wait for a call.” He motioned to his sons, and they started digging in the soft earth under a thick canopy of branches.
“You’re not taking the bodies with you?” Madison asked.
“No need. Their bodies will be gone within two days, even the young vampire’s. We’ll just strip them and bury them deep.”
Madison bent next to Julianne’s body and dug through the pockets of her running pants. She pulled out a set of car keys and took them to Jesús. “There’s a black SUV in the parking lot that these go to. If the other guy hasn’t taken it by now, it will have to disappear. Can you do that for us?”
“Happy to, but there wasn’t any SUV down below. Just two cars, a plain white one and Detective Notchey’s.”
Madison and Notchey exchanged looks. There was no telling where Coby went, but it was Madison’s guess he was heading back to the castle to either gather help or warn the others. She placed a call to Colin, hoping he was able to answer. When he didn’t, she called Dodie’s phone. Again, no answer. Madison feared the worst.
Madison and Notchey stayed until Jesús and his sons were through disposing of the vampires. They were heading for the castle next. Just as they were finishing up, Jesús received a call from Colin.
Relieved, Madison motioned for Jesús to let her have the phone. Having already spoken with Byron, Colin knew what had happened on the trail.
“Colin, be on the lookout for a black SUV driven by a guy named Coby with a red-stained face. He’s a beater, but he’s one of Julianne’s followers. He may be heading your way.”
“He’s already here,” Colin told her. “Drove right up to the front door and into our waiting arms.”
As soon as Jesús left, Madison and Notchey, their arms wrapped around each other for support, slowly made their way down the rest of the trail.
“Where is everyone?” Madison asked, noticing no others on the trail. She’d been too occupied to think about it earlier.
Notchey squeezed the arm he had around her shoulders. “I closed the trail.”
“You what?”
“I didn’t want civilians up here any more than you did.”
When they reached the parking lot, she saw what he meant. Using his vehicle, he’d blocked the entrance and put up a large sign with big handwritten letters: TRAIL CLOSED DUE TO SLIDE.
“If anyone passed by that, they were on their own.”
Notchey walked Madison to her car. “You feel okay to drive?”
She nodded.
“Then you head straight back to Samuel’s,” he ordered, pointing a finger at her. “No going to the castle.”
“Don’t worry, I got the same lecture from Colin. I’m to return to the villa. If I don’t, I’m sure they’ll be calling the knacker for me, and not because of this bite.”
“Did Colin tell you anything about what happened?”
“No. He told me Coby was there and that I was to stay away. That’s it. Then he hung up.”
Notchey shuffled from foot to foot. He seemed reluctant to leave. “Thanks for saving my life,” he finally said. “And for finding Libby.”
“It was purely by accident, Notchey, but I’m very glad she’s back.”
He pulled the council’s bracelet off his wrist and slipped it onto hers. “You must never take that off again, no matter what.”
“I’d do it again if I had to.”
“I know.” With his fingertips, he lightly touched the scratches on her face. She flinched slightly but didn’t pull back. “I’m just telling you don’t.”
His hand moved to the collar on her blood-soaked hoodie. He pulled it back and checked the damage done by Julianne. “Does it hurt much?”
“A bit. How about yours? It looks worse than mine.”
“It hurts like a bitch.”
“You should come back to Samuel’s so Dodie can take a look at that.”
“I should do a lot of things.”
After a short, awkward hesitation, Notchey grabbed the back of Madison’s neck with one hand and pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her with longing. When the kiss ended, he looked into her eyes. “You’re really something, you know.”
“Does that mean something good or something … um …
questionable?”
“Jury’s still out.”
By the time they both drove back to Samuel’s, everyone who’d gone to the castle was waiting for them except for Colin, Doug, and Keleta. The council’s army had been victorious, managing to capture the castle and destroy all the vampires in Julianne’s household. There were only a couple of consorts still on the premises, and they took off as soon as Colin and his small band of troops showed up.
Colin and Doug had remained behind to coordinate the disposal of the vampire bodies with Jesús. Stacie had received a bad injury and was convalescing in one of Samuel’s guest rooms. Dodie happily reported that Stacie would be her old self in a day or so.
When asked about Coby, Samuel informed them that shortly after arriving back at the castle, Coby had managed to escape. All attempts to find him had failed. As he gave the news, the head vampire looked directly at Notchey, expecting a challenge of some kind. He received none. Instead, the detective met his gaze head on. Madison watched the two men exchanging silent information and instantly understood that Coby had been executed by the vampires, though it would never be acknowledged openly. She also understood that Notchey knew it, too.
“What about Keleta?” Madison asked.
Dodie was attending the bites on both Madison and Notchey while Samuel gave them a full report about the castle. He’d already been briefed on the situation with Julianne by Madison.
“Ouch,” Notchey said as Dodie took another stitch to close up the ragged bite he’d received from Adam.
Samuel went to Madison’s side. “Keleta didn’t make it, Madison. He was killed by one of the other vampires.”
Madison was seated at the kitchen table, drinking hot tea Enid had made her. The bites from Julianne had already been cleaned and dressed. Samuel stroked her arm as he gave her the news of Keleta’s death. Across the table, Dodie had stopped working on Notchey to watch Madison.
Madison remembered how it had been just one short week since she’d found Keleta floating in the Dedhams’ pool. One short week—seven very long days.
“He died a hero,” Dodie told her.
Samuel agreed. “Without Keleta, we might not have been able to take the castle so quickly or with so few injuries or fatalities on our side.”
“But he was so young and doing so well.” Tears welled in Madison’s eyes.
“In a couple of days, we will have a memorial service for him,” Dodie told Madison in a comforting voice. “As soon as Jesús has his ashes ready.”
“I was thinking,” added Samuel, “that his ashes should be scattered in the rose garden here at the villa. What do you think?”
Madison shook her head, unable to speak for a moment as emotion engulfed her. “No, Samuel. It’s a lovely gesture and all, but I think his ash
es should be scattered in the flower beds surrounding the Dedhams’ pool. That’s where we first met him.”
THIRTY-TWO
Madison parked her car in the circular drive in front of Samuel’s house and grabbed her overnight bag as she got out. It had been four weeks since the battle at the castle, and life had nearly returned to normal. She was juggling work for the council with her school assignments and splitting her social time between both Notchey and Colin.
“Hey, Madison,” called Libby as she and Hyun came down the stairs from their apartment. “We’re heading out for a late dinner, want to join us?”
Libby and Hyun were going to be married in three weeks. The ceremony would take place shortly after dark under a flower-covered gazebo in Samuel’s back yard in front of their friends, vampire and mortal alike. Dodie had offered to act as the wedding planner, and little else occupied her mind these days. It worried Madison that Dodie would be looking to marry her off next just to have another wedding to plan, even though Madison had told the hovering vampiress not to get any ideas.
Madison and Libby were growing close, almost like sisters. Often she and Notchey spent time with Hyun and Libby. Still at times gruff and infuriating, Notchey had shown evidence of softening since Libby’s reappearance. He was also not treating Madison like a leper, though they still had a long way to go in sorting out their relationship, as did Madison and Colin.
“Thanks,” she said to Libby, “but Samuel and I have a lot of work to do tonight.” When the couple got close, she added in a quiet voice, “How’s he doing?”
Hyun shrugged. “Seems okay, but he hardly goes out anymore. Most of my evenings are free.” He shot a sly look at Libby. “Though I’m hardly complaining.”
Libby blushed, then her face took on worry. “I do think Samuel’s giving us time together, Madison, but it’s not just that. Enid’s worried, too. She told us he’s hardly eating. And when he does, it’s takeout from Scarlet’s.”
“Going to pick it up is about the only driving I’m doing for him anymore,” added Hyun.
“He’s not seeing his other mistresses?”
“Not that we can tell.”
Madison was concerned. She’d expected Samuel to be low-key for a while but not remain quite this secluded. In the past few weeks, he had given her work she could do from home or during the day at the villa while he slept. She’d only spent the night at his place twice, and that was when he had gathered the council for meetings. Outside of those meetings, she’d seldom seen him. When she did, it was difficult to gauge how he was feeling. The closeness they had been building seemed to be walled off, and Madison wasn’t sure if the wall was made of paper or concrete.
She found Samuel at his desk in the library, writing out checks to pay the council’s bills. Two days ago, she had left a file containing the statements for him to review and to go over with Eddie, the council’s treasurer. He looked up when she came in, gave her a slight smile, then went back to his work. She settled in at the computer desk.
“I have several letters I’d like to get out tonight, Madison,” he said to her without looking up. “And I left you some notes about updating the vampire database.”
While Joni still maintained the database, in the past few weeks it had fallen on Madison to update the profiles as information came in. It made sense, since most of the updates came to Samuel first, often through Isabella. Needs for new profiles and photo enhancements were shuttled off to Joni.
Madison tapped in her password and starting going through the e-mails that had accrued in the council’s e-mailbox. Many she could answer; those she couldn’t, she printed out for review by Samuel or forwarded to the council member whose job covered the topic.
“There’s an e-mail here from Isabella,” she told him. “Seems Ann Hayes was banished from Switzerland recently.”
Samuel shook his head. “Banished by us. Banished by the Swiss. Pretty soon her shenanigans will only be welcome at Leopold’s.”
“Oh, and I received an e-mail today from Nina Weinberg.” Madison kept her eyes on the computer screen. “You know, that realtor I hoodwinked into searching for castles.”
Shortly after the incident at Julianne’s castle, Madison had called Nina personally to tell her that while her boss appreciated her efforts, none of the properties suited his needs, and he was going to shelve his plans for the time being. The disappointment in the realtor’s voice was obvious even though she put on a professional front.
Samuel glanced up with faint interest. “And what did she have to say?”
“She said a property that fit my employer’s requirements perfectly has just come on the market.” Madison turned to look at him. “It’s a mini castle located at the intersection of Timpangos and Wonder View. Says the seller is very motivated.”
For the first time in weeks, Samuel laughed. It wasn’t his usual deep and hearty laugh, but it was a start. “I have half a mind to buy the property personally and raze that monstrosity to the ground.” He got up from behind his desk. “But I have better things to do with my money.”
Walking over to Madison, he handed her the file folder. “All the checks are ready to go, and those paid online have been approved. There’s a special check on the top.”
She took the folder and opened it. The special check was made out to her and was for a substantial amount of money. “What’s this?”
“It’s from the council. A little bird told us you were thinking about a hybrid for your next car. That should cover the cost of one, plus any bells and whistles you’d like to get with it.”
“Wow! Thanks!” Madison hopped up and down in her seat. She’d never had a new car.
“Why don’t you go car shopping this weekend. Take Mike Notchey. No car dealer should screw with you with a cop along.”
Madison’s excitement waned. “I don’t know about that. He wasn’t too keen on you guys giving me a car.”
Once again, Samuel flashed a small smile. “Who do you think told us about the hybrid?”
Samuel leaned against Madison’s desk and dug into the pocket of his khaki trousers. He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. “And this is for you from me.”
Madison opened the slip of paper. It was another check, this one drawn on Samuel’s personal bank account. The amount matched that of the car check. She looked up at Samuel, her mouth resembling a open mine shaft. “I … I don’t understand. Is this a severance check?”
Samuel tilted his head back and laughed. Still not his old self, but closer. “Not at all, you silly girl. It’s a personal thank you for everything you did for me and the council recently.”
He took a seat on the sofa near the desk and leaned forward. “Remember what I said about you saving against the time when we might all need to disappear?”
She nodded and cast her eyes down. Losing the vampires was something she didn’t want to think about. It would be like losing her mother and great aunt all over again.
“Well, that almost happened a few weeks ago. If Julianne Jaz had succeeded in outing all of us, we would have left, leaving you and Hyun and even Foster and Enid behind, with no jobs or means of support.”
“Doug and Dodie told me if that ever happens, I should stay in their house. It’s paid for, and they’ve even put my name on the deed, just in case. They’ve done something similar for Pauline.”
“I would expect nothing less from the Dedhams.” He tapped the check in Madison’s hands. “You put most of this away in case that happens, but some of it should go for fun, and that’s an order. Take a vacation. Buy something frivolous. I don’t care. But I want you to spend a nice piece of it on something just for you.” He gave her a wide smile. “Take Notchey on a cruise. Let him see how good being kept feels, even if it’s just for a week. Maybe that’ll get the stick out of his backside once and for all.”
They both laughed, but tears were running down Madison’s cheeks.
“What’s the matter, Madison? I thought this would make you happy. I
t would make most people delirious with joy.”
She looked into Samuel’s blue-white eyes. “I would give it all back, both checks, to make things as they were before Julianne Jaz came on the scene.”
Samuel sat back and studied her, his own face clouded over. “And I know you don’t just mean about Kai, do you?”
Madison shook her head. “I keep having nightmares about … about, you know.”
“Being bitten?”
“Yes. The other night at a party, Colin flashed his fangs at someone. He was just joking around, but I almost went into hysterics.”
Samuel leaned forward and held out his hands to her. She put down the folder and checks and placed her hands in his. They were cool against her warm skin.
“I would give anything for you not to have been savaged on your first biting experience. Anything.” He squeezed her hands. “A mortal’s first vampire bite should be like first sex, done with someone you care about and trust. But, as with your first horrible sexual experience, what’s done is done. The bites are gone on the outside. Give yourself time to heal on the inside.”
With one last squeeze of her hands, Samuel let go. “Now let’s both bury our cares in our work. There is a lot to do tonight.”
The sound of a splash woke Madison. She went to the French doors in her bedroom and pulled back the drapes just enough to look out onto the back patio and pool area of the villa. The moon was low in the sky. Soon it would be morning. In the long, rectangular pool a figure was swimming laps, cutting through the water smoothly and with the purpose and speed of a sleek torpedo.
Opening the door, Madison stepped out and headed for the pool. Los Angeles was currently experiencing a small heat wave, and even in the predawn of late March the air was balmy. She sat on the edge of one of the double-wide chaises and watched. Back and forth, back and forth, Samuel swam until Madison lost count of the laps. Finally, he stopped at the end of the pool facing the house and easily pulled himself up and out of the water. He was naked.
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