She tried to process what had happened. She wouldn’t be able to hide her interaction with Joe. Despite the bath, she could smell his spicy scent on her skin, as if it was embedded and blending with her own natural perfume. She doubted another shower would dispel the scent.
There was also the matter of the bite marks on her shoulder. The wounds itched and burned, saturating the area with heat. She didn’t dare put on her jacket for fear of chafing the area and making things worse. She really had to have a word with Joe about the spots he had chosen to mark her. A hickey could be covered up with makeup, but punctures were harder to hide. If not sealed properly, they could continue to bleed. Bridget grumbled to herself.
She ran a hand through her hair and continued on until she got to the gate in front of her house. Nothing stirred in the yard. Lana often took an early morning flight through the garden to make sure everything was in order, but even she was absent.
Pixies were just as fixated on garden health as their cousins the fairies and gnomes, and Lana was meticulous when it came to making sure their front yard looked respectable. When it came to household repairs and maintenance, they all turned to Lana to take care of it.
The pixie was also obsessed with DIY decorations and loved to dress things up for holidays. Bridget didn’t want to think of what Lana had in mind for Christmas. She was pretty sure aliens would be able to see their home from space. She only prayed that the electric bill wouldn’t go into the thousands like the first year Lana had moved in with them. Thank the gods she’d learned about solar energy.
Bridget took in the brown-and-red brick, the shutters on the windows, and the solar panels on the roof. Home. So far, no one had come out to greet her or demand to know where she’d been. Bridget opened the gate, locked it behind her and then headed up the path.
It must have been a tiring night for everyone. Normally, if she arrived home this late, Sera or Mysta or Lana would be checking to make sure it wasn’t someone trying to break in. They warded their home and grounds, of course, but that didn’t mean desperate people didn’t try. And Samhain did tend to bring out the sugar-hyped elements who wanted to create as much destruction as possible before passing out.
Bridget unlocked her front door and went inside. Warmth hit her full on, taking away the chill of the night air. She hadn’t noticed just how cool it had become. Bridget frowned. She was usually very aware of her surroundings. The fact that she hadn’t even noticed the temperature made her wary.
The marks throbbed. She lifted a hand and pressed a finger to the area on her shoulder where he’d marked her. The skin was feverish to the touch. Shit. She really did need to talk to Joe. There was no way she could do magic if she was sick. Retrieving her target would be fine if she had back up, but with no spells on hand it would be riskier. Potions were iffy, but she’d try them if she needed to.
She shut her door behind her and made her way to the kitchen area. The bottom floor of her home was an open layout with exposed kitchen, living room, and dining room area. The only rooms closed off were a powder room and pantry. Upstairs were her bedroom, guest room, and library. The basement was where her laboratory was and the attic was where she kept all her more dangerous objects and books—all locked up, of course.
She grabbed a banana from the bowl of fruit that she kept on the breakfast bar and peeled back its skin. Her thoughts veered toward her mission. She needed to change into something a bit more comfortable, check to see who was home, and then get to Ruby’s. The light would be to their advantage. After that, she didn’t know what she would do. Samhain day was always slow around the community.
She brushed those thoughts aside, finished off her banana, and headed upstairs. No use in not looking kickass. She’d already had a bath so she forwent the shower and chose her clothes: jeans, boots, and a tank top with her motorcycle jacket. Once dressed, she headed for her library and opened up her weapons safe. She didn’t think she’d need anything more than a stake or two. After all, her quarry would be asleep. But if she had to deal with any other vampires who could stay up past the dawning of the light she’d be prepared.
She stuck the sharpened pieces of wood and steel into the holders on the inside of her jacket, ignoring the screeching pain from the tender areas that the wool pressed against. She locked the doors and headed over to Sera’s house to see if the black panther shifter was awake. She knocked on the door and waited. There was no sound at all, but the door swung open, causing Bridget to stumble back and almost tumble from the top step. Once she had regained her balance she went to her friend.
“Need help, and you’re the first person I’ve tried.” She shifted from one foot to the other as her magic flared to life and crackled along her skin, poking at her wound. Bridget pressed her lips together and ordered her power to stop. Pinpricks of pain danced down her arm and over her shoulder but her abilities receded.
Sera disappeared and came back with her jacket and shoes.
“Oh, just so you know, my mother still doesn’t like you,” Sera said, as she pulled the door shut behind her.
Bridget rolled her eyes. Who exactly did that bitch in heels actually like? She doubted anyone. “Fuck her very much, too.”
Sera chuckled. “So, we’re doing what exactly and will we get food?”
Bridget smiled. “Afterward. We need to retrieve a rogue vampire for Fritz. You remember my last mission?”
Of the two of them, Sera had always been able to adapt quickly. Sera’s amber eyes glimmered with anticipation, going from bronze to gold to green and back again. Her tongue slipped out between her plump lips, thin and flat. “I remember. Let’s go. And then food?”
Bridget laughed and nodded. “And then food.”
Her own stomach rumbled in agreement. She just hoped that the deed could be done quickly. Maybe if they were lucky The Java Demon would be open by then. The two started walking toward the center of town.
Ruby’s Inn was situated within walking distance of everything, but sat on enough land to have some privacy. Bridget could only imagine what the four-story Victorian had seen on Samhain.
She fell silent as they walked. It was a comfortable quiet that allowed the noise of early morning to trickle between them. They listened to the call of birds and the rustle of shrubbery. Squirrels looking for food and stray animals wandered in and out of their path. They gave Sera wide berth. So far, she hadn’t changed into her full panther form, but the aura of danger beat against Bridget’s skin, putting her on edge. She quickened her pace.
“Slow down! Can’t keep up. Too fucking tired,” Sera grumbled.
Bridget stopped and glanced back. “You just swore.” She raised an eyebrow and stared at her friend. Sera’s shoulders were slouched, her head bowed, and she kept blinking. “What did you do last night?” Bridget didn’t want details, but she suspected that she wasn’t the only one to get laid last night.
“Carver and Thorn. We…well…Demons have energy, to put it mildly.” Twin red spots appeared on Sera’s cheeks.
Bridget shook her head and started walking again. “The owners of The Java Demon? No wonder you’re tired.”
“You don’t know the half of it. By the way, I can smell Joe on you.”
Bridget didn’t glance back to gauge her friend’s reaction. “Yeah, me and Joe.” She let the statement hang between them. She didn’t feel compelled to share the details. Not when she wasn’t sure of where she stood with him herself.
“Just be careful. Those vampire women can be pretty possessive about their single vampire men, especially lieges.”
A finger of ice trailed down Bridget’s spine at the warning. “I know.” She spoke the words even though she didn’t know the full extent of their machinations. Goosebumps broke out over her skin at the thought she could become a target for vampires.
“We have your back, and I’m sure Joe will give you protection.” Sera caught up with her and grabbed her hand.
Bridget turned toward her friend. “I’m sure he will, but this is still so new. I
don’t know what he wants.”
Sera shook her head. “No need to feel so unsure. The guy has been living like a monk since he got here, so I’m sure being with you was what he wanted. No worries.”
“I’ll try.” Bridget huffed out a breath. “Let’s go get this guy. I’m hungry.”
Sera snorted. “You’re not the only one. I really need some coffee.”
“Or a demon sighting?” Bridget yelped when Sera punched her in the arm.
“Shut it. And I’m in the same boat as you. Demons aren’t exactly notorious for their faithfulness.” Sera frowned.
“They’d be idiots not to want to be yours.”
They arrived at Ruby’s. The trellis on the front lawn was covered in toilet paper. Ruby was out front, using a broom to knock the rubbish down. The pile on the lawn jumped around even though there was no wind.
Ruby gave Bridget a hard look. “Get the rogue out of here before I stake him in the cojones.” She pointed toward the door. “Room 401.”
Bridget eyed the mess, summoned up some of magic, and directed it at the pile of toilet paper. Her energy zipped in a straight line to the heap, jumped up into the air, and then drifted down harmlessly. Bridget could detect the remnants of a spell designed to animate the tissue for twenty-four hours. Harmless prank.
“What happened?” She waited for Ruby to hex her for asking.
Ruby brushed back a hank of hair that had come loose from her braid. Calm settled on her features and her body relaxed. “Thanks. The little asswipe got drunk on blood-laced bourbon and started picking fights with other boarders. Now he’s the only guest I have. Are you going to get him out of here or not? His room is not protected by any special spells. The key is at the front desk and he’s in his light coma.”
Bridget winced. She didn’t even want to know how Ruby knew the vampire was a rogue. She grabbed Sera’s hand and pulled her along to the front entrance. “On it.”
“Geesh, that vampire is lucky to still be alive. I’ve heard Ruby put the hurt on others for just looking at her wrong.” Sera shuddered.
“Just be thankful he’s still alive. At least we get a good payday for this. Fritz owes Ruby something. Maybe a shipment of high quality bedding for her own personal use?” Bridget wished she could convince Fritz to give her that kind of boon. The vampire had excellent taste in all things, as he often said himself. High-end everything.
Bridget’s thoughts drifted back to Joe and his home. His place had been comfortable, if a bit lean on the furniture side. Not that she wanted to change anything or even think about imposing her style on him. They weren’t even living together. She tried to imagine sleeping under his roof and waking up in the morning to find him gone. The idea sent a shudder through her. She didn’t think she could get used to the idea of him being dead during the light hours. And yet her heart lurched at the thought of not being with him in some way, shape, or form. Now that she had stopped running and was finally getting to know him, all she wanted was more time with him.
She ordered herself to focus.
“Did you say something?” Sera stopped and tugged on her arm.
Heat flooded Bridget’s face. “Just thinking out loud.”
Sera snickered. “Okay, whatever you say. I’ll scout out the floors. You grab the key.”
Bridget was relieved, glad Sera didn’t push her to confess. She didn’t know what she would say. For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t sure of herself when it came to a relationship. She’d always run from Joe, knowing deep down he was something to fear, but now that she knew what was there, she didn’t want to walk away.
With a sigh, she went to the front desk and grabbed the key Ruby had left for them. It didn’t take long for Sera to return. “All’s clear, Bridget. Ruby was right. Only anti-theft spells on the door and locks, and privacy wards to keep Peeping Toms out. Ready?”
Sera seemed more animated now that there was a goal in front of her. Her body vibrated with energy. Bridget didn’t doubt that once it was over she’d be back to wanting to go to bed, but not before a food and coffee fix.
They headed up to the fourth floor and located the room. Bridget put her palm to the door. A frisson of heat met her touch. She pulled her palm back and inserted the key into the lock. She turned it and touched the worn wood again. Nothing. With a nod, they entered the room to find the vampire awake, eyes bright red, holding a broken bourbon bottle like a weapon. He rushed at them, with a hiss. The cracked glass whistled by Bridget’s head.
Adrenaline flooded Bridget’s veins and she summoned her magic. “Stop!” she shouted, and aimed a stun spell in his direction, but he was too damn fast. Was he drinking espresso-laced blood? He rushed across the room in a blur, not staying in one place long enough for her to hit him.
A loud, feline cry rent the air and Sera rushed forward in her partially shifted form. Black fur covered her hands and neck, her fingernails had become curved, dagger-like claws, and her amber eyes had turned to a molten gold. She leapt into the air at the rogue, but he moved with preternatural speed. Sera crashed through a table.
“Oh, hell no.” Bridget summoned more of her magic, concentrating it into a ball in the palm of her hand and threw it down on the floor. Bright blue sparks smoldered in the air and cast-offs scattered across the carpet.
The vampire was simply too swift. Bridget repeated her spell as her friend got up from the floor, shaking her head. The panther shifter lunged at the vampire again. While he was distracted by Sera, Bridget called for more of her magic.
The wound on her shoulder throbbed and burned. Her hand shook as she tried to pull more power from the earth and air around her. Sweat bathed her brow and caused her shirt to stick to her torso. She’d never had this much trouble before. Her head throbbed as a migraine began to form. Her neck was stiff.
She shook it all off and focused on pulling from more elements. Plants withered, the wood under their feet aged and warped as if it hadn’t been cared for, light bulbs burst overhead, fabric became thin and worn.
“Bridget!”
Sera tapped on her shoulder. The scent of earth and sunshine filled her nostrils. Fire filled her body and air swirled around her, providing some relief from the burning of the puncture marks on her shoulder. Her hand ached and closing her fingers became difficult.
“Bitch, you won’t stop me from getting to Joe.” The rogue came at her in a rush of blurred speed.
Joe? No! Not on her watch. She released the magic ball, directing her energy straight at the rogue. It found its mark, hitting him square in the chest.
Sera released Bridget’s unwounded shoulder and launched herself at him once more. Strikes and blows and punches were traded and Sera managed to maneuver him close to the window. Bridget stumbled after them, exhaustion tugging at her eyelids. Her muscles were heavy and ached as if she’d just gone through an intense workout. She grabbed onto the vampire’s hand and together with Sera dragged him in front of the window. Sera yanked aside the blackout curtains and sunshine streamed in, unfiltered and deadly.
The vampire screamed and writhed. His skin wrinkled and smoked. The movements died away until he sunk down to his knees. Bridget followed him down.
“Check the room for information. I’ll check his person.” Bridget wrenched the broken bottle out of the vampire’s hand and patted around until she found a folded piece of paper in an inside pocket. She opened it and read the contents:
Target: Joe
Weaknesses: Bridget Roseway
Objective: Harm Bridget. Drive Joe to madness and stage a coup.
Pay: One million dollars.
Contact: Fritz
“Son of a bitch. I’m going to kill Fritz. But first we have to get this bastard back to the offices and put him the warded room. And then I need to speak to Joe. Figure out how to handle this.” Her head spun. Her friend, Fritz, had set her up. Anger simmered through her body.
* * *
Sera sank down into a chair and yawned. “Food time? Will you t
urn him over to Fritz?”
Bridget shook her head. “Nope. I’ll make a clone, get paid, and deliver this asshole to Joe.” She yanked the blanket off the hotel bed and wrapped the unconscious creature up tight. “Grab his feet and we’ll be off. Then we’ll get food.”
Sera grumbled but did as Bridget asked, taking hold of his ankles. They left the room without incident. Sera kicked the door closed and they headed to the elevators. They met Ruby on the way out.
“I’ll pay for the damages—” Bridget started.
Ruby waved it away. “Any ruin gives me a chance to redecorate. Go.”
“Wait.” Sera stopped them. “Cinnamon buns.”
Ruby chuckled. “Wait here.” Within two minutes she was back with a large paper bag. “There.”
“Yaay!” Sera used her free hand to accept the packet and then they were off.
Evenfall was so small that you could walk from one end of the town to the other in half a day so the mayor saw no need for taxis. Bridget cursed this obvious lack of foresight. The mayor wasn’t the type to be carrying sleeping vamps around the streets in the early morning hours. Not like Bridget and her crew. How lucky they were.
Chapter Ten
Wearing heeled boots to fight a rogue vampire in a town that hadn’t quite figured out pavement was much better than cobblestone was a bad idea, especially when a person had to walk a great distance on little-to-no sleep. Bridget’s body ached in places that hadn’t been used in years and her shoulder continued to pulse, like a happy beacon for pain. She made a mental note to wear loose clothing the day after having sex with a vampire.
The ribbing of her corset rubbed against the scrape marks on her body and the denim of her skinny jeans abraded the love bites Joe had given her on her inner thighs and the backs of her knees. With a sigh, she continued to drag her charge across the smoothed stones.
The good thing about it being after Samhain was that the town was quiet. Everyone was out cold and kids were sleeping off their sugar highs from last night’s haul. The people who were out and about were either going to church or were part of the cleaning crew, dispatched to clean up all the toilet paper strewn about on trees, lawns, and lampposts alike.
Bewitching the Vampire Page 8