Blood Hunt

by Jessica Wayne

  Rainey shrugs. “I like my chances.”

  One of the vamps snarls, his canines descending. “I should tell you I love the taste of hunter. Especially while I’m fucking and eating.”

  I stiffen, hands curling into fists at my sides as I prepare for a fight. Fucking sadistic bastard. Over my dead body.

  “You’re not my type. Not into men who look like they belong in boy bands.”

  He growls. “You’ll want it when I’m done with you.”

  If he takes one step toward her—Rainey lifts her arms, dispatching both daggers. They fly end over end so fucking quickly that I don’t see them until they’re buried in the throats of both vamp guards. They fall backward, gasping for air, and Rainey doesn’t miss a beat. She runs forward, rips both daggers free, and keeps moving.

  When she’s out of view, I drop my cloak and cross the tunnel toward the two vamps. The one who stayed silent is already dead. But the one who threatened her—he’s staring up at me, eyes wide with fear because he knows he’s done for. The silver did it. It’s toxic to us, and any mortal wound made with it is one we won’t recover from.

  Mouth full of blood, he tries to speak, but it’s only unintelligible gurgling. I kneel beside him. “You shouldn’t have threatened her,” I tell him. “If you hadn’t, I might have given you a quick death. Now, you will lie here, drowning in your own blood, and wonder if perhaps you should have just kept your fucking mouth shut.”

  His red eyes widen, and he tries to lift a hand toward me as I straighten and continue down the tunnel. Rainey is stopped at the end of the hall, glancing around a corner. Cloak back in place, I don’t hesitate to move closer to her.

  She straightens and leans back against the wall as she reaches up and ties her long brown hair up in a bun. Then, Rainey reaches down and withdraws a twelve-inch silver blade from her boot. Deep breath. Her chest rises and falls, and I’m struck by the strength in the way she holds herself.

  Even if I do think her coming down here alone was a stupid mistake.

  Rainey lunges around the corner, blade up high, and I follow. Metal clashes against metal as she strikes, swinging the silver with a precision that would rival even my own.

  Victoria stands wide-eyed in the corner, fear evident in every line of her ancient face. I can’t help but take some joy from it.

  Rainey grunts, pulling my attention from the council member and back to the hunter I followed into the belly of what I would consider a close second to hell. She’s bent over at the waist, sucking in a deep breath as the vampire descends on her, fangs bared, a feral smile on his face.

  My fingers twitch at my sides. Get up, Hunter. Get to your damned feet! Adrenaline surging, I wait another heartbeat before taking a step. But just as I’m about to jump in, she brings her blade up, burying it in his chin.

  Blood pours down on top of her, and I stop in my tracks as she gets to her feet again.

  “Tell me,” Rainey says, clearing her throat. “Which of the humans were yours?”

  “Excuse me?” Victoria straightens, forcing a false bravado even the densest creature would see through.

  I step up beside Rainey, keeping my cloak firmly in place.

  “I know the humans came from here. Judging by your ridiculously expensive cloak, I’m assuming you’re the rich bitch who was holding them.”

  Shit. She doesn’t even realize what she’s stumbled on. How does she not know of the Council?

  “I maintain that I do not know what you are referring to, Hunter. But I would appreciate it if you left. I’ve done no wrong, and you’re in my home.”

  “I’m not inclined to let you walk.” Rainey moves closer, casually spinning her blade. “I’ll give you one last chance to tell me the truth.”

  Victoria bares her fangs and slowly removes her white gloves. “I don’t take kindly to threats.”

  “And I don’t take kindly to innocent teenage boys being drained of their blood.”

  The councilwoman grins. “He sure did taste delicious though. So young, so sweet.” Victoria charges, slashing out with the talons she calls nails. Rainey hisses as the council member’s nails scrape against her cheek, drawing blood. “That feel good? Should start to burn any minute.”

  Rainey lunges with her dagger in hand, but Victoria blocks it and shoves Rainey back, palm to chest.

  She stumbles, nearly into me, before recovering and sending a dagger, end over end, at Victoria. The council member dodges it, jumping to the side. Rainey shakes her head as if she’s trying to clear it, and Victoria laughs.

  “Neurotoxin embedded in my nail polish,” she says. “Really makes the chase a lot easier when they can’t run far.”

  My gut twists, and I take a step toward Rainey. I’d really rather not reveal myself yet, but if I don’t and she dies—

  Rainey lowers her head and charges, taking Victoria to the ground and bringing her dagger up, burying it down into the council member’s chest.

  She kneels on top of her, lingering over Victoria as she dies. Then, after ripping her blade free, Rainey rolls to the side and closes her eyes, breathing deeply. I move closer, stopping just above her and focusing my attention on the claw marks on the side of her face.

  They’re not deep, and it looks like they’re already healing. Her biggest issue now will be waiting for the toxin to fully leave her bloodstream. I glare over at Victoria and stifle a growl.

  Footsteps in the hall. Get the hell up, Hunter. Time to go. Rainey doesn’t budge.

  Closer now.

  Still, she doesn’t move.

  “Get the hell up!” I roar, and Rainey jumps to her feet, staggering and resting a hand against the wall.

  Frantically, she scans the room for me. “Where are you? Show yourself!”

  “You’d damn well better get a move on, Hunter. They’re coming for you.”

  Turning toward the hall, she narrows her eyes a moment before they widen, and she turns, palming her dagger. Feet pounding as I follow through the tunnels, I watch as Rainey races toward the exit, stumbling every few steps.

  I glance over my shoulder. Still clear, but they would have found Victoria by now, which means they’ll be descending on us at any moment. Turning back ahead, I stop just in time to avoid slamming into Rainey.

  She’s breathing heavily, one hand resting on the stone wall, head hanging low.

  “Move, dammit,” I urge.

  “I can’t see clearly,” she snaps back.

  Someone yells behind us, a male’s voice echoing down the tunnels. “Fuck.” I drop my cloak and reach down, tossing her over my shoulder and racing the rest of the way toward the exit.

  “Put me the hell down!”

  “Shut up, or I’ll leave you to die.”

  Sweat beads on my skin as we race through the humid tunnel. The ladder comes into view, so I push harder, setting her down beside the ladder and climbing up to shove the cover aside. I reach down for her, but she slaps my hand away, aiming a murderous glare in my direction. Her eyes are glassy though, so I don’t imagine she’s made me just yet.

  “I can take it from here.”

  I step back, and Rainey gets to her feet, climbing out and into the sunlight. After putting my cloak back into place, I follow her up and climb into the sunlight. Rainey turns in a slow circle, searching for me.

  “Can you see yet?” I ask.

  “No. Where the hell are you?” She turns, hands outstretched. “Why were you down there?”

  When her back is to me, I slide the cover back into place and stop just in front of her.

  “Stop acting like an eejit and start thinking like the predator you are.” I start down the street, moving away from her. She’s safe as long as she gets the hell off this street before nightfall.

  8

  Rainey

  “Hello? Where the hell did you go?” I turn in a slow circle, muscles burning, head aching from whatever toxin that bitch had on her nails.

  Since my vision is still blurry as hell, I know taking my b
ike home isn’t an option. I pinch the bridge of my nose and bite down on the slew of words I’d love nothing more than to release into the world right now.

  Fucking vampires. The bloodsuckers can’t even fight clean. Pulling out my cell, I hold the screen close to my face and manage to hit Jack’s number from my recent calls.

  “Hello?”

  “I need you to come get me.”

  “Where?”

  After rattling off the address, I head for where I left my bike and sit on the curb beside it to wait for my ride. Everything around me is a blur. As much as I try to focus on the man who pulled me from the tunnels, I can’t get a clear picture of his face.

  He’d been Irish though. That much was clear, which means I was more than likely pulled out by the man who’d sat beside me at the club. After all, how many Irishmen could there be in Billings?

  I can still hear his voice echoing in my brain. “Get the hell up!” But even before the vamp poisoned me, I didn’t see anyone. How the hell did he get right up behind me?

  “Shut up, or I’ll let you die.” Why save me in the first place? It’s not like hunters have many supernatural friends, and there was no way whoever—or whatever—had been down there with me was human—was he? The man at the club had been, so either it’s a different man altogether, or I’d been wrong in my assessment of him.

  I really hoped it wasn’t the latter. That would be a massive blow to my pride.

  Swallowing hard, I take a deep breath. The pain in my face is just a dull ache now, so hopefully, it won’t be long before the fucking toxin wears completely off.

  “Call for a pickup?”

  I glance up, able to make out the shape of Jack’s truck but little more. “Thanks.” Taking cautious steps, I reach for the hood of his truck, resting my hand on the warmth as I walk around and feel for the passenger seat.

  “Leaving your bike?”

  “I’m having some trouble seeing at the moment, and I’d rather not kill anyone on my way home.” I shut the door and clip the seatbelt over my chest.

  “Shit, what happened?” All curious amusement vanishes from his voice, and he reaches for me, touching my cheek where the damned vampire scratched me.

  I slide away from him. “Neurotoxin. Let’s get out of here, and I’ll fill you in on the way.”

  “You’ve got it.” Jack’s truck begins to move, so I close my eyes and lean against the back of the headrest. “Where am I taking you?” he asks.

  “While you were finding out my name, did you happen to figure out where I lived also?”

  “No.”

  “The apartments on fifth. If you show up without being invited, I’ll kill you.”

  He chuckles softly. “Noted. Call first.”

  “Hold the fucking phone, you went—alone—into a nest of vampires? What the hell were you thinking?”

  I take a drink from my mug and stare over at Jack, who’s currently pacing a hole in my carpet. “I didn’t know it was a nest.” And, apparently, I wasn’t alone. Though, I’m not mentioning that particular development. I just wish I’d gotten a better look at whoever pulled me out. Not that I need it. His voice was familiar enough, and I have every intention of tracking the bastard down, and if it’s not the man who sat beside me at the club? It’ll be an awkward conversation, but at least I’ll know.

  “But you knew humans had been held there, Rainey. You’re smart, which means you deduced for yourself that it was more than likely a nest without having to experience it firsthand.”

  I shrug. He’s not wrong. I’d assumed there’d be more than one vamp down in the tunnels. What I hadn’t counted on, however, was queen bitch and her nails of poison. Either way, I’m not one to pull punches, so when I reply, it’s with total honesty. “I’m still not sure I can trust you, and until I do, you can expect to be left out of quite a few—if not all—of the decisions I make.”

  He crosses his arms over his chest, lips pursed together, blue gaze narrowed on me. “Then why are you telling me now? If the great Rainey Astor needs no help, why even bother calling?”

  “Because I have confirmation that it’s a nest, which means it needs to be flushed out, and I can’t do that alone.” My phone rings, so I set my mug down on the coffee table and grab my cell. “What’s up, Ramirez?”

  “You never showed back up after the hospital, so I wanted to make sure you were good.”

  “I’m fine. Following up on some leads.” I stare up at Jack, who is still glaring down at me.

  “You coming back in this afternoon? I might have something on last night’s homicides.”

  “Yeah, I can be there in about twenty.”

  “See you then.”

  I end the call and retrieve my mug. After getting to my feet, I head into the kitchen and rinse it then turn to face Jack, who’s followed me. “I’m not here to take your place, Rainey.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  “I told you. I heard there’s been an increase in activity here. I wasn’t sure there was already a hunter.”

  You ever watch those televised poker matches? The ones where everyone is supposed to be more than professional and have no visible tells? I do, and I can always spot them. Which means that when the corner of Jack’s eye twitches ever so slightly, I see it, plain as day.

  And it tells me everything I need to know at the moment. Jack is hiding something. “Now you know, so why are you still here?”

  He arches a dark eyebrow. “Seriously? Twice now, I’ve helped you out, and you’re going to act like I’m a nuisance?”

  I glare at him, grateful my vision is fully restored. “I appreciate your help,” I reply honestly. “But don’t think for a second that I don’t know you’re not being fully honest with me.”

  He nods in understanding, his jaw tightening. “We all have our secrets. Just don’t go back to that nest without backup, Rainey. Your pride isn’t worth your life.”

  “If it was, I wouldn’t have called you for help. I’ve been doing this alone for two years, Jack. And I’ve been a cop for a lot longer than that. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “No one said you did. But I’ve been at this for nearly four decades,” he says. “Which is a lot longer than you, Rainey. I’m not saying that I know more, but I’ve seen some shit and lost some people. Our kind is thinning out, and soon—if we aren’t careful—we’re going to end up on the losing end.”

  I don’t even bat an eye at his age. Hunters’ life spans are a hell of a lot longer than humans. Until we hit our twenties, we seem to age normally, but after that, the longer we hunt, the slower we age. Basically, we can live a calm life and die early, but give us an overload of stress while we narrowly escape death, and we can live forever.

  “Great. Then we understand each other. I have to go into the precinct.”

  “You’ll call before you head back to that nest?”

  “Yes.” I open the door and move to the side so Jack can come out. Then, I lock the door, check to make sure it’s secure, and head downstairs. “Think you can take me back to my bike?”

  “No problem.” His tone is curt, agitated, but I can’t even begin to care. Especially not after his little eye twitch. Yes, everyone has secrets, God knows I have a shit ton of my own. But when his secret could very well be that he’s here to take my family’s territory from me, I’ll be damned if I give him the benefit of the doubt.

  I eye him carefully, watching the confident way he carries himself, the way he studies the hallway and doesn’t miss a single thing. No, there’s no fucking way his secret is anything less than nuclear.

  We descend the steps to the parking garage in silence as I ponder the few things I do know about Jack Keller.

  One, he’s powerful. I can sense the energy rolling off him in waves. Combine that with the fighting skills I witnessed firsthand last night, and he can make a great ally or a formidable enemy. Two, he cares that I’m alive—for the moment. If he didn’t, there’s no way he would have been that pissed that I’d g
one into the nest alone.

  And three—which is perhaps the most important—he’s hiding something.

  I intend to figure out just what the hell it is. Especially if he’s planning on sticking around. I’m not threatened by him, not in the least. Honestly, I couldn’t care less that he’s been doing this longer than me. I’m damn good at it, but I’ve never sought to compare myself to the best.

  I’m not that arrogant.

  Stepping down onto concrete, I shove open the door into the parking garage and immediately stop in my tracks. “What the hell?”

  “Isn’t that your bike?” Jack asks as we stare at the fire engine red Harley sitting before us, a familiar red bag perched on the seat.

  I search the garage for anyone who might have brought it back—probably the man who carried me out of the tunnel, but I see no one.

  “Are those Skittles?” he asks, moving up to my bike. “Who the hell would have brought it back?”

  I didn’t tell him that someone was down there with me.

  “Someone must have spotted it as mine,” I say and shove the skittles into my zipped jacket before climbing on.

  “You’re going to eat those? You don’t even know who left them.”

  “I know they’re Skittles, and I’m hungry. Not like I can get sick if someone’s trying to poison me.” I don’t give him a chance to argue. “Thanks again for your help today. I’ll give you a call when I’m ready to clear it out.”

  Jack nods, and without waiting for a response, I fire up my bike and pull out onto the street.

  I walk into the precinct, hoping Ramirez has something that won’t distract me too long. I’m determined to discover the identity of the mystery man who pulled me from the tunnels.

  It has to be the same man from the club. Two Irishmen in Billings? That’s too much of a coincidence for me, and as soon as I get a chance, I’ll be checking incoming flights from overseas with anyone carrying a passport from Ireland. Though, if I really think about it, I cannot imagine it will help much. His accent is apparent, but it’s not quite as thick as I’d expect from someone who recently traveled here.