I jumped to my feet and stomped on the vamp’s chest. He grabbed my leg and twisted, giving me the option of rolling with the twist or breaking my leg. I rolled but kept my balance, using the momentum to bring my other foot around and kick him in the jaw. He did a back flip, landing on his feet and facing me.
“You know this won’t end well for you.” I warned.
“We’ll see then, won’t we?”
I didn’t wait for him to finish. I barreled into him and flipped him over my back. He rallied and came at me from behind, which was exactly what I’d wanted. I kept my elbows bent, hands up as he wrapped his arms around me. It would be his instinct to go for my neck and the carotid artery that pumped blood through me. He could hear it, smell it, and I knew the temptation was too much for him to resist. Hell, if he’d had any self-control, he wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with.
He growled, his mouth close enough that I could smell his vile breath, and sniffed me.
“What are you?” I smelled human but I’m told that just a touch of my bond with Ian is noticeable, if you have enhanced senses and are near enough.
I broke my arms apart, knocking his grip off me and elbowed him in the chest hard enough to force him back. I turned while ejecting a blade that I kept in a sheath on my arm, and sliced across his neck.
His hands clutched his wound as the blood of his last victim oozed from it. I pulled my Glock out of its holster and fired into his heart until I could see through his body.
I leaned against the brick wall of the building and pulled out my cell phone and then waited until the cleanup crew arrived. There was one less rogue vampire on the streets now. Unfortunately, it wasn’t before another human died.
I knew that Ian was working on an arrangement to have all vampires in the country swear fealty to him. It was a kind of blood oath that would give him a connection with each vampire He would know where they were and more importantly, he’d know if anyone new came into his territory.
We didn’t have an exact number of the vampires that lived in this country but we were pretty sure it was less than a thousand. With fealty, we’d know not only a more exact number, but we’d be able to construct a database of the rogue vamps. Most Supernaturals wanted to live out their existence in peace, whether they’d chosen to “come out of the closet” since the VRA went into effect or not. Others were probably bad humans and became worse as vampires. It was the rogue few that we needed to concentrate on.
Vampires who chose to bond with Ian would receive his protection, including the right to be defended if they were accused of a crime that would have otherwise resulted in an instant death warrant.
It just wasn’t going to happen overnight.
Thankfully, the next two weeks went by quietly. I had one citizen complaint about a strange man following her in a darkened parking lot who surely must be an evil vampire out to kill her. It turned out to be the night security guard making sure she got safely to her car.
I also had a couple of vamp tramps—women who sold blood for sex—who felt they weren’t adequately paid for their blood. I explained to them that I couldn’t arrest a vampire for not being good in bed and that their arrangement with said vampire might constitute prostitution on their part. They suddenly had a change of heart and decided to drop the charges. Other than that, it was deskwork and paper pushing.
Meanwhile, the finishing touches had been put on Ian’s new estate. Ian had asked my opinion on many of the finishes. I’d seen the flooring, countertops and most of the furniture but I hadn’t seen the house since the early phases of construction. My job had kept me busy and since Ian was vampire, most of the construction took place during the day while we both slept.
Bear, Ian’s shape-shifter bodyguard and the casino’s head of security, oversaw the construction and consulted with Ian after dark.
Bear was living in the main house with Ian until it was torched. Now he was sleeping in the spare room of Shia’s house. There was nothing romantic between Bear and Shia. Ian just felt safer knowing someone was close if she needed help and Bear needed a place to stay. It was a win-win.
Shia is a pureblood shifter, a Therian. She was born as a mountain lion with the ability to take human form. She has lived as a human with her twin sons, Aidan and Quinn, since her own Pride killed her husband. Her father didn’t approve of her marriage and sent his second-in-command to end the relationship permanently. Shia fled and brought her two boys to Ian’s estate and now lived under his protection and managed the nightclub at his casino. Ian not only paid her well, he provided her with a home and flexible enough hours so that she could focus on being a mom.
Our plan for the evening was to check on the house and then go out to dinner. Ian wouldn’t tell me where we were going to dine but I knew it would be someplace quiet and secluded. Ian and I had not yet made our relationship public. Our family and friends had known we loved each other before I would even admit it to myself, but a romantic relationship between a federal agent for SINS and a Marquis—the ruling leader of the vampire world—posed potential problems for both of us. One of the main functions of my job was to kill vampires. It was more my problem than Ian’s. No one questions the Marquis. His power is absolute. We had been seen together in public, but only in a professional capacity. If we went out, it was to a private dining room.
I’d put on a red dress that billowed just above my knees. The v-neck was lined with sequins and it was short enough that I could get to the gun I had holstered on my thigh. No, I did not think I’d need to shoot Ian before dessert, but in my line of work, I never went anywhere unarmed. Ever.
Ian insisted on driving me to the new house himself. There was a time when I would have refused and taken my own car. I’ve since become much more secure with Ian—and admittedly myself—and don’t stress over something as trivial as having my own car. It also helped that his car had custom design windows that allowed Ian to drive while the sun was still up. He’d had it modified so that if I ever needed him in daylight, he’d be able to get to me. He’d had all his cars modified to fit the lifestyle of a vampire.
Ian still “slept” at dawn but not for long. Less powerful vampires were literally dead to the world between sunrise and sundown. Ian’s own power and our bond have given him more “awake” time.
Ian slowed the car as we approached the massive wrought iron gates that secured his property. Two stone posts flanked the gate, each topped with a massive sculpture of identical gargoyles, welcoming us onto the long winding brick driveway. Imbedded in the post below the driver's side gargoyle was a keypad with a large screen. Ian pushed a series of numbers then pressed his hand to the screen. A long sliver of blue light swept across his hand and the gates slid open.
“New security system.” Ian said proudly.
We wound past the ruins of his former house and I couldn’t help but shiver. I’d almost lost him the day it burned. Ian had been tied up with silver chains and he still bore some scars from them. I’d also found out that day that Justice, a woman I’d been speaking to for weeks and someone I considered my friend, was a ghost. I'd asked her to help me free Ian and she couldn’t. Her hands passed right through him as I desperately tugged at the silver chains that had been crisscrossed all over him, slowly imbedding into his body. Justice was still my friend and she popped in from time to time but where she went when she left, I had no idea.
Ian’s hand squeezed mine lightly in a comforting gesture. Both Ian and I are Empaths, which roughly means that we can feel the emotions around us. No doubt he was feeling my unease and he gave me a warm smile to wash it away.
The new estate was built on the same land as the old, just deeper into the desert.
The surroundings were still as breathtaking as the first time I’d come here. Okay, maybe the second time. The first time I passed out after speaking to the soul of Zarendia, a woman who died there.
I woke that night in Ian’s bed and very unceremoniously slipped off his silk sheets and onto the floor. H
e has since shown me how to maneuver in those sheets. The thought alone tugged at things low in my body.
The sun was just a mere glow behind the mountain range. It looked as if the sky was burning orange in a raging fire just out of reach. A sliver of moon was becoming clearer as darkness swallowed the light, casting shadows along the landscape. A gated, arched doorway led into a spectacular courtyard, with a fountain in the center that filled the air with the calming sound of rippling water. Saguaro cacti in full bloom elegantly graced one corner, glowing in the soft uplight provided by hidden landscape lighting. Ian’s hand on my arm stopped me from entering through the large double doors. He enveloped me in his arms and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “You look ravishing, my love.” He spoke against my mouth.
I smiled, my lips stretching across his. “You look pretty damn hot yourself, Mr. Nightwalker.”
He lifted me effortlessly and cradled my body, kissing me tenderly as he kicked open the door and carried me inside.
I slapped him lightly on his chest. “Put me down.” I laughed and then kissed him again.
Once on my feet, I took a look around. The circular foyer had wide arched doorways that led to difference areas of the house. To the right was a seating area adorned with two overstuffed leather sofas. Beyond them was a large stone fireplace flanked by matching chairs. A desert landscape painting signed by one of my favorite local artists hung proudly above it. I walked into the room and marveled in its simple beauty. Tropical plants were placed to add to the calming feel without overwhelming the space. I picked up a remote control from the glass-topped table and turned back to Ian.
“It’s amazing, Ian.”
His smile warmed my heart as he took the remote from my hand and pressed a button, keeping his eyes riveted to mine. Flames danced to life in the fireplace. Another button and the painting slid aside to reveal a television hidden behind it.
“Impressive.”
Ian laughed and kissed me again. “Let me show you the rest of the house.”
He intertwined our fingers and led me to a dining room. Light from a crystal chandelier bounced across a hand-carved wood table. “Is there a remote for this room too?” I teased.
“Well, the table does stretch out to accommodate more guests; however, I’m afraid it still needs to be done the old fashioned way.” He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me, speaking into my hair and causing chills of anticipation to tingle along my spine.
“This is truly beautiful, Ian.”
“You helped. I wanted this place to be special.” His arms tightened around me. “Unique.”
Something in his tone and choice of the word “unique” had me smiling again. He led me through double doors into a kitchen area that would make any gourmet restaurant look like a roadside diner. Beyond that was an entrance to the garage and on the other side of that, an office and separate living quarters for Bear.
Ian then showed me a separate entrance to the side of the house that led to a library with its own seating area. He explained that he wanted to conduct business away from the main part of the home.
A swimming pool led off what I would describe as a family room. Long and rectangular, it was split in half by a series of sliding glass panels to allow both indoor and outdoor swimming. A grotto hid a curving slide as water cascaded over the boulders in front of it. Each side held a small cabana. Ian pushed a few buttons on a control panel and the glass roof slid away to allow the moonlight to cascade across the water.
Two stairways led to the second floor that housed the master bedroom and Ian’s private office. A large veranda extended across the house exposing a breathtaking view of the desert.
Additionally, each room contained a hidden doorway leading to the underbelly of the estate, another part of his security renovations. Ian had expanded and incorporated the original underground structure. It was just as luxurious, minus the swimming pool and on a smaller scale. The lower level held a master bedroom, kitchen, seating area, guest suites as well as a workout room the size of my local gym. There was also an area that held a clinic.
Supernaturals, especially those who wanted anonymity, couldn’t just stroll into a human hospital and ask for medical care. It was difficult to explain to a doctor that you needed three times the normal dose of pain medication because your body burned it up so quickly. Harder still to explain is that the arm you broke just an hour ago needs to be re-broken because your metabolism healed it so fast that it’s misshapen. Lucas was Ian’s private physician and also the one most shifters and vampires turned to for medical care. Ian built the clinic to Lucas’ specifications.
Ian talked about the design and features of the house with a noticeable note of pride in his voice. Ian was happy.
He led me back upstairs and into the main area of the house. I froze, smiling brightly at Ian. In the time that it had taken him to show me the lower level, the main area of the house had been transformed. Candles filled the room with soft light and soothing scents. Rose petals and candles floated in the swimming pool.
“How…” I began but he stopped me with a kiss and then motioned toward the eating area. The table had been set with china and champagne flutes.
“I believe I promised you dinner.”
“I can’t think of anyplace else that I’d rather be. But who set this up?”
The kitchen doors opened and Bear appeared, pushing a cart filled with food. “Would you like me to uncork the champagne?” Bear asked, with a mischievous curve of his lips.
“Bear. I should have known. It’s perfect.”
“Then I’ll leave you to it.” He replied, and then crossed the room and left through the front doors.
I ate while Ian sipped on champagne mixed with blood. At one time, it may have bothered me to know what he drank, but like so many other anxieties that I’d carried around, I’d learned to let it go. He talked about his plans to move in and I shielded like hell to keep him from feeling my sorrow at the thought of him leaving. I’d grown used to Ian being in my bed every morning and enjoyed the time we spent together. Without realizing it, we’d developed our own little routine, and I would miss that.
After we’d eaten and settled on the sofa in front of a fire and I’d told him for the umpteenth time how nice the house had turned out, my cell phone rang.
I fumbled it out of the holder I had strapped to my leg, showing quite of bit of thigh in the process and earning a longing look from Ian.
“It’s Ramirez.” I sighed. If he was calling, chances were the rest of my evening was shot. Criminals, supernatural or human, didn’t give a shit about anyone else’s schedule. Ian’s head dropped just a fraction as I answered. “Leah here.”
“We need you at the reservation.” Ramirez said by way of greeting. “Bowlin and Terra.”
“Well hello to you too, Ramirez.” I replied sarcastically. I couldn’t help it. Ramirez just brought out my inner bitch. “What’s up?”
“Another shifter.” He said grimly, not giving me the smart-ass retort I expected.
“Another shooting?”
“No. This one is…” He sighed heavily. “Different.”
I mouthed “I’m sorry,” to Ian then said to Ramirez, “I’m on my way.”
* * * *
Different isn’t exactly the way I would have described what was left of the shifter spread across the rocky floor of the desert. It wasn’t anyone that I recognized but I’d have forensics email me the pictures to show to Ian. If it was a local, he’d know him; if it wasn’t, he’d have the resources to find out who he is, or was. I was glad that I’d changed into a spare set of clothes. I keep extra clothing in both mine and Ian’s cars. In my line of work, it helped to keep a pair of jeans, boots and spare shirt handy.
This time the morgue did show up, along with a patrol car. While most people wouldn’t bat an eye at a dead wolf on the side of the road, a dead shifter in human form caused quite a stir. Wilson had used a field test to determine that the deceased was in fact a shifter. Wha
t the test couldn’t tell me is what kind of shifter he was. Fortunately, that wasn’t information that I needed to know to figure out who killed him.
I pounded my fist on Ambrose Twofeather’s door at a little after one in the morning. He didn’t answer so I kicked it open.
“Oh look, Ramirez,” I crooned innocently, “It’s open a little and there’s no reply. Looks suspicious to me.”
I smiled and pulled my nine-millimeter out of its holster and went inside, ignoring Ramirez’s loud sigh. Having a federal badge meant that I had a little more leeway, and, being me, I didn’t give a damn either way.
A loud click-click had me diving back outside. Nothing quite says “I’m home” like the sound of a shell being pumped into a shotgun.
“I’ve got a gun, you son-of-a-bitch. You picked the wrong house to break into!” Ambrose’s voice boomed out of the darkness.
“Federal Agent Leah Wolfe, Ambrose. Slide your gun out the door.”
“Come and get it!”
I turned toward Ramirez as he picked himself up from the ground and swatted dust off his three hundred dollar suit pants and motioned for him to throw a rock at the side window. After a couple of tries, he finally got it, picked up a stone and underhanded it at a window. I guess I didn’t have a career as a mime in my future.
The blast from the shotgun took out the window and Ramirez hit the ground again. I stormed through the door, and kicked the shotgun from his hand before he had a chance to recover. He took a swing at me and missed, spinning himself around in the process and we spilled out on the front porch. I nailed him in the solar plexus with the heel of my hand and he went down, gasping for air and wriggling like a fish out of water. “Ambrose Twofeather, you are under arrest.”
Justified (A Leah Wolfe SINS Novel) Page 3