Vulture’s Kiss

by E. M. Whittaker

  Both shaman and black magic coursed through his body in response to his anger.

  No one would steal Evelyn from him.

  * * *

  As expected, he arrived at Vixens before Eisen and company.

  Darius laughed the entire way to Evelyn’s building, feeding him juicy images of beautiful women with curvy bodies and divine tasting blood. While tasty, it didn’t fill the emptiness inside their darkened soul. Far from it. They wanted Evelyn’s curvy body. Her touch—no her very being—brought peace to their tormented souls.

  Nothing compared to their little vulture.

  God, something had to happen soon. No one lurked around the perimeter. The women inside weren’t fighting amongst themselves. Maybe she was right. Jem—Jemina—whatever her name was—never visited the building. He detected no other human scents or auras.

  Fool. Darius’s voice turned to scorn. Evie said she preferred the company of those mongrel werewolves. She’ll stink of wet dog or mold. But I’ll overlook that small detail. She’s a voluptuous bitch and I want her.

  Louis spit beside his foot. “No. One bitch is enough, thank you.”

  Aw, come on. I need someone, too.

  “She’s taken.” The words soured in his mouth. “Besides, you just said she’s surrounded by bloody werewolves. You hate them.”

  Look, I want some action, too. If you’re not gonna—

  Someone screamed. Glass shattered from the top story window.

  A body went splat a few feet away from him.

  Another scream came from upstairs.

  Louis glided to the door. His hand glowed in translucent blue light while he kicked the door. After three generous kicks, the faux-wooden door splintered.

  Copper assaulted his nostrils before Skittles tantalized his taste buds.

  Vixen’s main entrance presently belonged on the set of a horror film. Blood coated the counter and her desk. Broken glass and debris littered the floor. Two bodies laid on opposite ends of the room. Both had bite marks on their necks.

  His magic shined brighter in his hand.

  He’d end their suffering.

  Someone else yelled, then tumbled down the stairs.

  In one sweeping motion, he caught her before she injured her head on the tiled floor.

  Her massive breasts pressed against him as she clung to his arm. Blood ran down her shoulder, her cheek, and her lower lip.

  He checked her neck. No bite marks.

  Thank goodness.

  “You all right?” He helped her stand and dispersed his magic. “Is there anyone else upstairs?”

  “Three people.” She answered with a clipped Hispanic accent. “Jessie thrown out window. Yasmine fled. Theresa and Erica…”

  Her voice trailed off.

  Her silence said everything.

  “Jem?”

  The woman punched her bloody fist against the wall. “Sí?”

  “Get outside.” Louis brought sky blue fire to his hand. “Evelyn and Hector are heading here.”

  “They here for her.”

  The fire grew brighter. “They?”

  “Sí. Simon and his puta.” She edged closer to the stairs. “They prattle about revenge. I swear, they both muchos locos.”

  Marianne. Definitely Marianne.

  He’d shove a stake in her vampiric ass, too.

  “I’m sorry about my ex-wife.” He pulled the plump woman back. “They’re both related.”

  Jem wiped blood from her bottom lip. “You have serious baggage.”

  “Whatever.” He shoved her toward the door. “Get out before they turn you into a vampire. Also, text Evelyn. She’s worried sick about you.”

  “Tch.” She brushed bloody strands of hair behind her ear. “I teach vampire assholes lesson.”

  “Goddamn it, woman.” Louis scooted back, blocking her way. “God didn’t bless your fists with holy powers.”

  She grabbed half a broken chair and slammed it on the ground. “Stake. Werewolf army.”

  Fire trailed up his arm. “I have undead magic.”

  Jem clutched the makeshift stake. “Fire blue, not red or black.”

  Smartass. He’d burn her in a minute.

  Louis headed up the stairs. The sleeve of his shirt burned off before he reached the top stair.

  A pair of stilettos clomped behind him.

  Damn it. Evelyn didn’t exaggerate about her cousin’s stubborn personality.

  He ignored her and scanned the area. Two dead women lied at a blackened aura’s feet. Another woman’s aura flickered underneath Simon’s darkened one.

  Those two would pay for this.

  “Marianne.” Louis clenched his teeth while he called his ex-wife’s name. “Stop playing with the shifter children and entertain me for a while.”

  “Oh, Louis.” Her demonic laugh echoed through the hallway. “It’s so good to see you, darling.”

  She floated into the hallway.

  Blood dripped from her pale chin onto her chest, sliding underneath her velvet choker. Her emerald eyes changed into a scarlet hue and matched her blood-stained, murderous lips. Black energy came from her fingertips, matching her curvy form-fitting black dress.

  One day, she’d become the queen of Satan’s army.

  Until then, she was Louis’s cursed baggage.

  “I see the divorce hasn’t changed you.” Louis held Jemina back with his magical arm. “Why are you getting involved in Simon’s squabbles?”

  “Where’s your harlot?”

  “You’re mistaking her for this human.” Louis’s voice turned sharp. “And you’re not sinking your fangs into Evie. I won’t let you.”

  Marianne thrust her hand toward him. “Bring me your woman or her shifters become dinner.”

  He groaned. “You already ate two women, dear.”

  “We did.” Her eyes sparkled. “I haven’t eaten in days, so a snack quenched my thirst. But let me have your companion. She’ll wash down the sweet aftertaste of the other two virgins I killed.”

  Bile rose in Louis’s throat.

  Jemina reeked of wet dog.

  Marianne threw black bolts of lightning at him. They missed him by half a centimeter.

  He dodged, pushing Jemina back with him.

  She threw the makeshift stake at their attacker.

  It hit an invisible barrier, then became transfixed in mid-air. The stake turned around, pointing in their direction.

  Marianne pushed it toward them.

  Jemina sprinted down the hallway.

  “You’re not getting away this time.” Marianne followed them. “I won’t be cheated out of my three-course meal.”

  Louis sent a blaze of shamanistic fire toward the crazy vampiress and made a barrier around her.

  Let her swallow Mother Earth’s judgement for size.

  “Oh, Louis.” Her tone changed to admiration. “You’re so cute when you use your human powers. But give into your vampiric side, darling. You’ll thank me later.”

  Never. He loved his humanity.

  The dhampir caught up to his companion and dragged her down the stairs. His grip tightened the longer they rushed toward the exit.

  “The girls.” She yanked against his grip. “What about the—”

  “Leave them.” His voice turned cold. “They’ve already been bitten. They’ll turn before dawn.”

  “We have to—”

  “Listen to me.” He slammed his hands on her shoulders. “They're dead. Even if they awaken, they’ll become Marianne’s thralls. In other words, they’ll become her servants. They’ll devote themselves to her.”

  Jemina shook her fist into the air. “Then we save them.”

  Humans had such refreshing spirits, but they were so naïve.

  Nothing could save them from a full vampire’s bite.

  “Louis.” Marianne’s laughter mirrored a gleeful banshee. “You can’t run from me, darling. I’ll steal your conniving harlot and her little relative, too.”

  A lion roared at th
e door.

  Hector.

  The cavalry had finally arrived.

  Louis shoved Jemina toward the stairwell while keeping himself placed between her and Marianne. Any minute, she would cast another bolt of lightning at them. If her magic hit the stairs, they wouldn’t leave Vixens. She’d feast on Evelyn’s cousin. She’d torture him while she feasted on her blood, too.

  His stomach gurgled, and he licked his lips.

  Stay focused, Louie. The hippo is Evie’s cousin. She’s off limits, remember?

  Hot air flared from his nostrils. Right.

  He pushed her down the stairs.

  “Hey!” Jemina grabbed into the railing. “What’s the big idea?”

  “Get to Hector.” His voice lowered with a biting tone. “He’ll protect you while I hold the crazy vampire’s attention.”

  “The hell if you—”

  A bolt of lightning crashed between them and the stairs shook.

  Both of them skittered downstairs to the first floor.

  “Hector, be careful.” Louis held Jemina back. “Marianne’s on the warpath. If she casts another spell, she’ll—”

  “Yeah, you’re a little late.” Hector pointed to the top of the stairs. “Marianne disappeared.”

  Disappeared? Shit.

  Where was Evelyn?

  He floated out of the building and into the parking lot. Eisen’s car remained parked at the furthest end of the building. She held herself upright by holding the door underneath one arm while pointing her pistol at him. At the last second, she lowered it.

  “Thank God.” She huffed out her last word. “That vampire—he was a handful. I couldn’t stop him. He had a forcefield and plucked Evelyn out of thin air. She tried—tried—”

  Eisen pointed the pistol at the parasol lying on the ground.

  Goddammit. He knew he forgot to bless the stupid blade. She needed a secondary weapon, so she could shoot the bastards before they snatched her. As soon as they rescued her, he’d buy her a holy revolver with blessed bullets and get a priest to bless her bladed parasol.

  At least she could put a bullet through Simon’s wicked heart.

  “Hector.” Louis’s chest tightened. “Why weren’t you watching Evelyn?”

  “She was right behind me.”

  “Apparently not.” He held up the parasol. “Eisen just said she couldn’t shoot Simon.”

  The asphalt shook underneath Louis’s feet.

  He steadied himself, then craned his neck past Hector. Evelyn’s troublesome cousin had smashed her heel into the ground. She moved her foot, glared at Louis, and reached into her purse, pulling out a pack of Marlboro’s. The crack in the asphalt grew bigger and stopped a few inches from Louis’s feet.

  She had the same uncanny ability as Evelyn.

  “We can’t stay here.” Jemina lit her cigarette. “Not unless you want to become vampire food.”

  Louis beckoned her closer with a crooked finger. “Come with us.”

  “No.” She waved her phone. “You go. Vampires and werewolves sworn enemies. Joe might not attack you, but the pack might. They on their way here.”

  He bared his fangs. “Call them off.”

  “They have noses.” Jemina blew smoke toward him. “They find Evie faster.” She took another harsh puff. “Unless you lupine, you no smell them.”

  “Of course, I can sense her.” His tone turned offensive. “Her blood gives off a succulent scent.”

  “Yeah. Don’t tell my boyfriend that, sí?”

  A black Mustang pulled up to Vixens’ front entrance but only one man exited the vehicle. His frayed jean vest, dark black undershirt, and greasy jeans fit his overprotective, snarky personality. He ran a hand through his dark black hair as he closed the gap between them in about ten angry strides.

  Joseph Randolph bypassed Louis and beelined for Jemina. He plucked the cigarette from her manicured fingers, then dropped it to the ground.

  “If Evelyn told me about dating you, I’d have warned her that you’re a vampire.” He crushed his husky girlfriend’s cigarette with his shoe. “Then I would have wrung her neck for this bullshit. Now, you have five minutes to tell me why her vampiric ex nabbed her and why she’s dating another bloodsucker. If your explanation is subpar, then I’ll—”

  Hector and Eisen pointed their guns at the werewolf.

  “Stand down.” Louis held up a hand. “No friendly fire, please. I know this gentleman.”

  Hector growled. “He’s accusing us of letting Simon steal your woman.”

  “Relax and hold your fire. We’ll need him to find Evie.”

  He waited until they dropped their guns before continuing his conversation. Then he spun around and faced the middle-aged werewolf. If they were going to find Evelyn, he needed to borrow his nose.

  He’d cast aside his clan’s hatred of werewolves—for now.

  Evelyn’s safety came first.

  14

  Evelyn almost got over her fear of vampires until she met Louis’s vampiric ex-wife.

  She struggled against the ropes binding her wrists behind her back. Everywhere she turned, she dealt with another bloody vampire. They weren’t the good kind, either. As for her two associates, she’d never see them again. If she did, they’d be gonzo over Marianne. They wouldn’t even need their last paychecks.

  A vampire’s bite stole someone’s humanity.

  Father Payton hadn’t prepared her for this mess. She should have learned her lesson after getting rid of Simon the first time. Instead, she took a chance on another vampire and got caught up with his unfinished baggage. But Marianne’s behavior wasn’t Louis’s fault. Not really.

  He had no idea she would come after Evelyn.

  She rose to her feet. The room spun. Her vision turned hazy the longer she inched toward the door. What the devil had happened to her? Was this still because she hadn’t healed from the concussion Hector gave her?

  Either way, it hindered her ability to escape.

  She shuffled over to the bed.

  How could she escape like this? Exhaustion wrapped her in its heavy, yet loving embrace. Something zapped her strength, but she didn’t remember what happened to her.

  She yawned. Sleep sounded nice right now.

  Her dreamy reverie dissipated when the crazy vampiress’s voice came through the door.

  “You ate part of my meal, boy.” The woman’s voice came out clipped. “She’s mine.”

  The door opened.

  “I see you saved her for me. Excellent.” The tall woman rubbed her hands together. “Now, leave us.”

  “Mother—”

  “You forfeited your rights to her when she dumped you, Simon. Now, go. I’ll enjoy having a feeder until Louis finds his precious little harlot.”

  Evelyn gulped.

  She could handle Simon’s stalker tendencies, but Marianne Hayes reminded her of the Bride of Frankenstein if she became a redhead. She aced the vile temptress in black look. If she added any more lipstick, she’d border on being a circus clown. It contrasted with her pale face and malicious glittering emerald and black eyes.

  How had Louis married this crazy broad?

  “Ah. At last, we meet.” Marianne gave a theatric bow. “It’s good to finally meet you, Evelyn. But you shouldn’t have stolen my husband from me. He’s mine and will always be mine.”

  Evelyn glared at Marianne with her good eye.

  This woman had a few screws loose.

  “I see you don’t believe me.” Her lips tightened into a thin-lined frown. “No matter. I’ll make a stubborn little bitch like you grovel at my feet. It won’t be hard. You’re just a simple-minded human, after all.”

  Her? Grovel? Yeah, right.

  She’d die first.

  “I am curious about one thing.” Marianne closed the gap between them and held Evelyn’s chin in her hand. “How did Louis agree to date a strumpet like yourself? He hates social calls.”

  Evelyn jutted her chin. “Hired job.”

  “So,
you’re a prostitute.”

  She jerked her head away from Marianne’s grasp. “You have the wrong idea, lady. I’m not prostitute material.”

  “Oh, I’m pretty sure I understand your situation perfectly.” An airy laugh escaped the deranged vampire. “You think he’s your boyfriend, but you’re fucking him for money. You’ll stick around as long as he pays your room and board, then bail on him whenever he stops becoming your sugar daddy. Of course, he might bail out of your relationship sooner than you think. You’ll have to give up certain liberties for Louis to stay.”

  What the hell was she driveling on about? Louis didn’t want his girlfriend to become a vampire. He wanted her to retain her humanity. If their bout of sex was any indication, he craved human comforts over his vampiric ones.

  His ex-wife didn’t know him at all.

  “Well, either way, I’ll have fun with you.” She trailed a finger along Evelyn’s jawline. “You’ll be the perfect bait. I thought your piglet cousin would do, but you’re the jackpot.”

  “Hippo.” Evelyn bit on her lower lip. “My cousin is a hippopotamus, you deranged lunatic.”

  Marianne smacked her. Her nails dug into Evelyn’s swelled cheek and pain exploded behind her left eye when she squinted.

  Something warm ran down her cheek.

  The vampire licked her cheek, dragging her tongue across Evelyn’s tender flesh. “Succulent. No wonder Louis wants you for himself.”

  Evelyn shivered. “He wouldn’t drink my blood.”

  “For the right price, he will.” Marianne’s cold hand brushed against her good cheek. “Maybe Louis won’t, but Darius will. You have met him, haven’t you?”

  “Maybe.”

  A perplexed look crossed the temptress’s face. “And you’re not his thrall? Amazing. He loves a good meal. Maybe you’ll keep him occupied for a while before he gets bored. God knows he hated me.”

  Nice to know. However, he seemed more preoccupied with sex. Then again, the brief time in Louis’s bedroom amazed her. Her partners never let her explore them before. But he let her. Even gave her tips. Still, it brought up another important question.

  Who enjoyed the foreplay more—Louis or Darius?

  That didn’t matter. What mattered was the psychotic vampire before her. Somehow, she believed her ex-husband would return to her if she tortured Evelyn enough. Perhaps she had the right idea. Louis was a sentimental fool sometimes.