by Calinda B
“What does that mean?”
He caught his lip between his teeth and shook his head. “That’s another conversation for another time.”
He looked beautiful with a ray of sunlight highlighting his blonde hair. Turning away from her, he jumped off the log, did an about face, and held out his arms.
She reached for him, like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. She placed her hands on his shoulders.
He put his large hands around her waist and helped her to the ground. He paused for a few seconds, pondering her. Then, he seemed to reel himself in, striding away, becoming all business again. “Hey, mutt! Wait up.”
Cecil, who’d raced far ahead, stopped, turned, and waited.
Her mouth fell open as she regarded Hung’s retreating form. Why the sudden about face in mood? Did he not like what he saw? She pressed her lips flat and strode after him, her arms swinging like pistons.
When she caught up, the two men kept walking without sparing her a glance.
Hung said, “Megan got in with a bad sort here in Charming. She fell hard in love with the wrong sort. Tw0-Cross wanted to kill her for her transgressions. When they heard what kind of creature she fell in love with, they wanted her dead. They called her an abomination.”
“That doesn’t sound very Christian-like,” Chia said, her legs pumping to keep up with Hung’s and Cecil’s long-legged strides.
“Oh, the good people of Two-Cross are fairly backward. They’re fanatics. Live and let live isn’t a phrase they can tolerate. No, sir, not Two-Cross. They hired a fucking bounty hunter to off my cousin…to remove her from existence so they pat themselves on the back, making believe they’d done the Lord’s bidding.” He reached down, picked up a branch, and smacked it against a tree trunk.
It splintered into pieces.
“Let’s see what they think of my ‘Lord’s bidding’ bullshit.” He tossed the remaining stick into the brush, a sneer on his face. “When I find that bounty hunter, I’m going to put a bullet right through his brain. Then, I’m going to drag his dead body into the middle of Two-Cross and leave him in the road for all to see. Justice has to be served.”
Chia’s insides twisted. “That’s what the court system is for. Laws and regulations exist for a reason.”
He quirked an eyebrow as he regarded her. “Honey, leave the laws to the civilized. Shooting an innocent girl for her sexual transgressions falls into the ‘eye for an eye’ category, known as the law of the wild.”
“I say we leave it to the courts,” she said, a lump of determination forming in her chest.
“Fuck the courts. Fuck your local precinct. They lost him. That means they lost the right to do their ridiculous, slow-moving court case system of justice.”
“Cecil. Help me out here.”
Cecil shrugged. “Maybe he’s right. In the canine kingdom, we have our own rules. When I shift back to human I abide by those conditions. Each culture has its own standards.”
She ground her teeth together, yet stayed quiet.
They emerged from the forest.
Sunset began to paint a wash of colors along the sky.
Hung glanced up, regarding the clouds.
“Looks like the day’s going to be a beauty,” he said.
“It does. Where are we going?”
“To find the asshole who offed Megan.”
“Come on,” Chia said, growing winded from their rapid pace. “You said yourself he’s an avian shifter. He’s probably gone by now, escaping any kind of justice.”
“Nope. I guarantee you he’s still around.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Hung stopped suddenly, turning to face her. “Because he wants the monster who corrupted Megan. I’ve got the bastard in my possession.”
A thousand bee-wings kind of shiver launched through Chia. She didn’t know whether it was the mention of a monster, or the look of unadulterated intensity being directed at her.
She stood, blinking at Hung, unsure what to say. “You’ve…you’ve got this so-called monster?”
“Yep. He’s in the back of my truck. Follow me.”
Chia glanced at Cecil.
They both shrugged.
At least we have more clues. Her legs resumed their hustle as she raced to catch up with Hung. Her stomach wound into knots as he led her to meet the monster responsible for the murder of Megan Giles.
Chapter 13
Chia, Hung, and Cecil strode past her house toward the truck where Hung held the so-called monster. A surge of apprehension made her steps falter.
Even her energy blip ghosts stayed quiet, curled around her legs like colorful, see-through leg warmers.
The gorgeous sunset overhead did nothing to soothe her nerves. Instead, it heralded rapidly approaching darkness, adding speed to her racing heart. When she spoke, her voice sounded kind of shaky.
“Where is he?” She cleared her throat and tried again. “Where’s the big scary being?”
“I’ve got him chained inside my truck trailer, up ahead.” Hung pointed up the road.
“What kind of monster deserves to be chained to a truck trailer?” Chia said.
“You’ll see soon enough.”
“Wait,” Chia said, stopping to turn toward Cecil.
“What?” he said.
“You’re naked.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Go get your clothes. They’re still on the porch where you left them when you shifted.” She gestured toward the house.
“Now?” He crinkled up his nose.
“Yes, now. Go!” She swished her hand in circles. Wandering around with naked shifter men wasn’t her thing.
Not unless maybe they’re Hung Durand.
He shrugged and jogged toward the house.
“Hurry! We’ll wait right here.” She tugged her coat around her as she spoke, unsure whether cold or fear made her skin prickle.
Minutes dragged. Chia stared at the house, tapping her foot. “Where is he?”
“Should we send a search party?” asked Hung. He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Maybe.”
Twilight began to suppress the orange and red-lit clouds, causing shadows to blur the house.
Several minutes later, Cecil dashed out the front door, slamming it behind him. Clad in his jeans, he tugged his shirt over his arms. Between his teeth, it looked like he held a piece of toast. Once he slipped the shirt in place, he began jogging, his unbuttoned shirt flying open. He grabbed the toast from his teeth and shoved it in his mouth. When he caught up to Chia and Hung, the toast was gone.
“You stopped for toast?” Chia stared at him.
“I was hungry.” He grinned.
“You should’ve made me some. I’m famished,” Hung said.
“Darn. I didn’t think.” Cecil shook his messy haired head.
Chia side-eyed him. “You seldom do, dawg-man.”
“Stop.” He ruffled her hair affectionately. “You love me.”
“Just not that way.”
Hung watched the exchange, a serious expression on his face, as if pondering what they meant.
She wanted to yell, “I’m available! I’m single!”
But she kept her words in check—she knew nothing about the guy other than the way he made her feel. He could be a player with practiced moves.
The road curved.
She rounded the bend and came to a halt.
A dark-blue Ford pick-up peeked out of a stand of trees.
“Is that your truck?” she asked Hung, knowing the answer. No one came out here uninvited.
Hung spun around and stopped, too. “Yep. That’s the truck. Don’t be scared. He won’t hurt you.”
He held out his hand to her.
“I’m not scared,” she said, with a toss of her head. Refusing the comfort of his hand, she marched forward.
“Good to hear,” Hung said dryly. “I meant the truck. The monster? Let’s hope the chains hold.”
Her leg
s became jelly-boned.
“I’m sure I can deal,” she said, trying to soothe her jittery heart.
“She’s a tough one,” Cecil said. “I’ve known her for years.”
“I can see that. Oh!” Hung began. “A young police guy—I think his name was Beasley—was headed out this way. I told him I’d watch over you. He seemed disappointed but when I showed him my credentials, he relented.”
“What kind of credentials do you have?” Chia said. She didn’t know if she should be pleased or pissed.
“I’m a fucking bounty hunter. Same as the asshole who murdered Megan.” A scowl formed on his handsome face. “However, I don’t murder innocents.”
“Good to know.” Chia glared at him. “You also might want to file it away that hunting of any kind is outlawed in Charming.”
“There’s nothing filed declaring such. I keep apprised of all legislation. It’s important to know if my job is going to be hindered by local laws.”
“Nothing’s in place…yet,” she said, with a snip in her voice. “I just got elected town manager.”
She pulled back her shoulders and let her chin jut forward.
“So, I heard,” Hung said, smirking. “I’ll definitely be watching for changes.”
He made his way into the trees where the truck was parked.
Behind it, attached to the truck by a sturdy hitch, stood a large, silvery trailer—the kind made for transporting snow-mobiles, or motorcycles, or even stacked kayaks.
Hung retrieved a flashlight from the cab. Flipping it on, he strode to the back of the trailer. Then, he fished a set of keys from his pocket.
Dangling them from his fingers, he said, “Ready?”
Chia stepped away from the trailer and swallowed. “Ready.”
After finding the right key, he slid it into the padlock. It snicked open. He removed the key from the lock loop. Then, he tugged the handle, sliding the door wide. He stood aside, pointing the flashlight beam inside.
Huddled in the corner sat an emaciated man, from what Chia could tell. She gasped. “He’s no monster.”
Cecil whistled. “No way.”
The man covered his face with his arm. Silver chains hung from the man’s arms, and snaked from his ankles along the metal floor. He wore a rumpled suit, complete with vest, that looked like it cost a fortune.
Who wears suits in Charming, Alaska? Chia’s lips pursed.
The chains secured the guy in place, affixed to sturdy metal rings along the walls of the trailer.
“Go away, bounty hunter,” he said in a smooth Southern accent.
“I brought someone to see you. Where are your manners?” Hung said.
“I left them at the plantation,” he said, in his silken accent.
Jesus, he sounds like a character out of Gone with the Wind.
Chia brought her hand to her face and rubbed her chin, studying him.
Hung put his palm on the bed of the trailer and leaped gracefully into the hold. His head brushed the ceiling as he made his way to the back.
The man shrank away from Hung, flattening himself against the metal wall. “No more. I’ve been through enough.”
“I’m not here to hurt you. I told you—I’m using you as bait.”
The man rattled one of the chains dangling from his wrist. “Like a silver-chained gilded lily? You insult me.”
Chia stood next to Cecil, studying the suited man.
“He doesn’t look like a monster,” Chia whispered to Cecil.
“I can hear you, child,” the suited man said. “You can lower your voice to silence and I’d still be able to hear.”
“What? How’s that?” Chia shut her mouth.
“He’s right.” Cecil said. “Don’t you know what he is?”
“He looks like someone who hasn’t eaten for weeks,” Chia said. Her heart went out to the poor guy.
“Yeah, but…smell him.” Cecil inclined his head toward the back of the trailer.
“I can’t smell anything,” she said, tipping her head back and taking a few sniffs.
“You can’t smell the blood?” Cecil’s face crumpled.
“What are you talking about?” She trained her eyes on Cecil, as her forehead furrowed.
“She’s not a shifter, mutt,” Hung said. “She doesn’t share your abilities.”
“But, I’m not even shifted and I can still tell.” Cecil shook his head like he couldn’t believe she couldn’t smell anything out of the ordinary.
Hung nudged the chained-guy with his boot. “Tell her. Tell her what kind of beast you are.”
“Is she going to try to kill me, too?” The man in the suit stared at her.
In the glow of the flashlight, his cheeks looked hollow. Thick blonde hair hung at his eyes and framed his chiseled jaw. His entire appearance spoke of an extremely handsome man, trapped inside the body of someone starving.
“She’s the one who needs to be scared.” Hung leveled his gaze at the chained man. “Tell her.”
The fellow attempted to straighten himself, getting to his feet. His head had to bend slightly, however, and the chains prevented free movement. Nothing could prevent the haughty, arrogant expression radiating from his face, however.
“I’m D’Raynged.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Chia said. “There’s a really good mental hospital over in Anchorage.”
“I’m not mentally deranged, that’s merely my moniker.”
“What?”
“It’s what I’m called, child. I’m a vampire. I often act in ways that humans consider unseemly.” He straightened—or at least tried to.
A laugh of disbelief flew from her throat. “Good one.”
“I’m serious. I’m over three-hundred years old. I was turned in the 1700s. I was a staunch abolitionist fighting for the rights of those less fortunate. Currently, I could use your help, not your derision and disbelief.”
Chia frowned, studying him. “Help me into the truck, Cecil.”
“Chia, no! He’ll kill you,” Hung said.
She tsked. “Stop. I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself. Help me up.”
She glared at Cecil.
Cecil looked to Hung.
“Don’t do it, mutt.”
“I said, fucking help me up, Cecil, or I’ll knee you in the nuts! You, too, Hung Durand,” she said, glancing toward him. “You know I’ll do it.” She leaned into Cecil, stabbing his sternum with her fingertip.
“All right, all right.” He pushed her hand away.
“I won’t let her get too close,” Hung assured him.
Cecil picked her up and set her on the trailer bed.
Cautiously, she took a couple of steps.
D’Raynged’s Adams apple bobbed up and down.
She looked to Hung.
“I’m here. Don’t get too close.” Hung regarded her cautiously.
She took another step. Something about the starving vampire moved her in ways she didn’t understand. “I didn’t think you were real. I thought vampires were the stuff of fiction.”
“Yet here I stand,” the vampire said in his arrogant-sounding voice. “It’s always a pleasure to dispel a myth.”
She cocked her head. His eyes seemed to be the same color as a sunset…blue with shades of deep crimson. “Are your irises red?”
“Only when I’m starving. I haven’t eaten in far too long.” His tongue slid along his lips. “They’re normally as blue as a summer sky in Savannah.”
His eyes became slits as he watched her.
“You touch one hair on her head, vamp, and you’re a dead man,” Hung warned.
“It’s not her hair you should worry about.” The vampire laughed. “I’m already dead. You can’t make me deader. Just let her do her thing. She wants to get close to a freak of nature.”
Chia took another step. Only two more and she’d be close enough to touch the vampire.
“Stay back, Chia.” Hung put his hand out.
She scoffed and waved his hand
away. “You’ve got him chained to the wall, bounty hunter. I think I’m safe enough.”
She chuffed out a deep breath and stepped right in front of D’Raynged.
He swallowed again, harder this time. “You’re beautiful.”
A hint of fang showed when he spoke.
“Thank you. Can I touch your face?”
“Go ahead.” His reddish-blue eyes glinted in the beam of Hung’s flashlight.
“Chia…” Hung cautioned.
“Listen to Hung, girl,” Cecil said.
“Would you two stop behaving like ninnies? He’s chained to the fucking wall.” She gestured toward the corrugated metal.
Then, she reached out and stroked D’Raynged’s pale cheek. It really was cool to the touch, just like she imagined it would be.
He seemed to shudder. He pressed his lips together. As he regarded her, his eyelids lowered.
“Do you have blood in your veins?” she asked.
“Now, not much, I’m afraid.” His lips parted, revealing his glistening white fangs. “Care to be a donor?”
A smile crossed his lips.
“Not on your life,” Hung said, putting his hand out again. “Chia, this is foolish. You don’t know what you’re doing.”
She smirked as she side-eyed him. “Stop telling me what to do. This is fascinating. I had no idea I’d ever get to see a vampire, let alone touch one.”
“Yes, enjoy the circus freak while he’s chained and helpless.” D’Raynged’s eyes were now completely red, glowing from behind partially-closed eyelids.
“Do you have a heart?”
“That’s always the question. They all want to know if I’m capable of caring.” D’Raynged’s lip pulled back in a sneer.
“That’s not what I meant,” Chia said.
“Isn’t it?” The vampire’s eyes were nearly closed. His lips fell open again.
Chia snatched back her hand, the flutters of earlier excitement in her belly turning to frost.
In a blur of movement, D’Raynged struck like a cobra. He planted two razor sharp teeth into the pounding vein in her neck.
Chapter 14
The vampire’s teeth sank deeper into the tender skin of Chia’s neck. A quick, sharp jolt of pain flashed through Chia’s skin. Her awareness shot from her body and launched into space, plastered against the ceiling of the truck trailer as if she were a hundred feet high. Same as her stupid ghosts, she hovered outside of her physical self for a few seconds, staring at D’Raynged.