by Susan Illene
I shook my head. “Leave it alone. You’re only going to make things worse.”
Too fast for me to react, he shot around me and out the door. Crap. I took off running after him. Kariann stood in the hall again, grinning this time when I passed her.
“You didn’t really think he’d let that slide, did you?” she yelled at my parting back.
I held up my hand and flipped her off, which only made her laugh harder.
Chapter Six
Forty-five minutes later every vampire and werewolf in the area who could be reached, plus a few other odd races, stood in a wide circle on the snow-covered lawn. The temperature had dropped to negative thirty. Those of us who couldn’t control our body temperatures huddled in our thick jackets and shivered. Nik had the mostly healed, and now wide-awake, vampire on his knees in front of him with a sword at his neck.
I was pissed. The stupid man wouldn’t listen to a word I said and insisted he had to make an example out of my attacker. I didn’t really care what these people thought of me, but if they chose to hate me, they should do it for my actions. Not because Nik had to put me on some kind of pedestal.
A lock of his black hair fluttered across his eyes as he spoke before the assembled crowd. “Hagan Cross, you are hereby sentenced to death by beheading for assaulting a woman you knew to be under my protection. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
The vampire in question spit on the ground near Nik’s feet. “The bitch deserved it. Everyone here knows her kind ain’t no good. If you had any sense, you’d kill her before she causes us real trouble. She’ll bring the angels and then you’ll know I was right.”
I was sick of events from before I was born being used against me. Centuries ago during the same time as the inquisition sensors made a pact with the angels to kill off as many of the supernatural races as possible. Thousands died across the world, though mostly in Europe. When the sups found out who instigated the attacks, they struck back. My race almost went extinct in the process.
It ended altogether when Lucas executed the sensor leader in charge, Henrik Nielson, leaving no one with the knowledge of how to call the angels. The fear of my race didn’t stop there, though. We’d been in hiding ever since, except for those like me who were discovered and held against our will.
“She won’t call on them,” Nik said.
He kicked Hagan in the face. His boot struck the younger vampire hard enough to send him flying back half a dozen feet. Blood spurted from his nose as he lay there moaning.
“Get up you piece of shit. The sensor you insulted saved my life and helped this town get rid of a dangerous enemy. You should be thanking Melena.” He paused to look at the people gathered around him. “She is not a threat to any of us. The abuse against her must stop.”
I stared at the ground, avoiding everyone’s gazes. I hadn’t done it for him, but to save my friend Aniya. It just worked out that he benefited from it.
Nik jerked Hagan back to his knees. “I’m done with you. May your afterlife be all that you deserve.”
The sword came down and went straight through the vamp’s neck. A few seconds later both parts of him disintegrated into dust. Despite what the man had said and done, seeing him executed bothered me. I didn’t care that he died, but I did care that everyone watching would see it as my fault. Stupid supernatural politics.
I broke from the crowd and went back inside. We still had to go over methods for dealing with the demon possessions. I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I knew something on how to handle them. The weight of the responsibility weighed on me now even more than before. People needed to see I wasn’t out to get them.
I settled into a chaise lounge chair set in the corner of the living room and closed my eyes. Six years in the military had taught me how to rest while remaining semi-alert. It helped that my senses heightened when I had nothing to distract me. I could monitor the movements of everyone in the vicinity and keep an eye on Emily back at the house while appearing to be asleep.
Some of the sups came filing in a short while later. The mood was tense and somber. A few of them walked into the room, but stepped back out as soon as they saw me. Yeah, I’d grown into a pariah of epic proportions.
“Are you just going to lie there all night?” Nik asked when he came in.
“It seems you like that sort of thing since you still have that poor woman playing with herself in your bed.” Judging by her mood, she’d have the orgasm of her life once he lifted his compulsion.
“Shit, I forgot.” He moved at vamp speed back to his bedroom.
I winced when the woman’s emotions hit a new high. She’d gotten her reward. Carpal tunnel might be a problem for her later in life, though.
Nik returned a few minutes later. “Now that you have me all to yourself, you can stop sulking.”
I didn’t bother to open my eyes. “Are you done making my life even more difficult than it already has been?”
He sat down next to me on the chaise. “It had to be done, Mel. I can’t have them undermining me behind my back.”
I cracked my eyes open. “This wasn’t really about me. It was all about your stupid manly pride.”
“Don’t be like that.” Weariness made him look older than his early thirties appearance. I could almost see the weight of his actual twelve-hundred years in that moment.
“How about you pass along the information I need so I can go home and get some sleep,” I said.
He stood. “Come with me.”
I heaved myself up and followed him to his office on the second floor. He spun the combination on the wall safe behind the desk while I stood waiting. After opening it, he pulled out a very old-looking book and a much newer notebook.
His fingers ran over the leather-bound cover in a kind of reverence. I could sense some kind of preservation spell on it and knew it must have been much older than it appeared.
“This was in my family for several generations before my sister received it. After I turned her into a vampire, she gave it to me for safe-keeping. Gytha was the last surviving sensor of our line and when I turned her, it ended.”
I froze. “Wait, Gytha was a sensor? I didn’t think we could be turned.”
Nik’s eyes turned distant. “The survival rate isn’t high, but the times were too dangerous to keep her mortal. She was my last living relative and I didn’t want to risk losing her. Gytha hated her abilities enough it didn’t bother her to lose them. All of her immunity to magic went away. She retained a higher sense of awareness for anything supernatural, as well as sensors, but it only worked at close range.”
“I had no idea it could be done.”
He rubbed his face. “As I said, it rarely works, but it is feasible. It’s the reason I ask you to stay in on full moons. There are at least two cases I know of where sensors turned into werewolves.”
Something new to worry about—as if I didn’t have enough. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”
“I thought you knew. Why do you think I blamed Lucas for Gytha’s death for so long? She must have found Henrik Nielson for him. None of us knew what the man looked like, but she could have figured it out.”
“So what is this book?” I asked.
He opened it and smoothed out the pages. All the text was in a language I couldn’t read.
“This is where my family recorded all they learned about the supernatural races. Their strengths and weaknesses. Their habits. Everything they knew is listed here and none of it has been used since they died.” He lifted his gaze to mine. “Do you understand the importance of this?”
I nodded. “Why show me this now?”
He sighed. “You’ve been no more interested in using your abilities to help people than Gytha was in her time. Now that you’ve agreed to work on the demon situation, I’m willing to share this with you.”
He handed me the spiral bound notebook sitting on his desk. “I’ve translated the parts of the book dealing with demons and, in particular, possession
s. Use it for your work in Juneau. If you continue to show interest after you’re finished there, I’ll translate more.”
I wanted to know what else might be in that ancient tomb, but I wasn’t sure I wanted the responsibility that came with finding out.
My hands clutched the newer notebook tightly. “I can’t make any promises.”
Resignation filled his eyes. “I understand.”
“No, I really don’t think you do.”
I walked out of the office and headed home.
Chapter Seven
Kariann was kicking my ass and it sucked even more than all the other times she’d done it. To be fair, the six centuries she’d had to build her strength and experience gave her an unfair advantage. She’d smacked me with the flat of her sword at least a dozen times already. I was going to end up meeting Lucas tonight looking like a worn out punching bag—not that he’d care so long as I got the job done.
“Thinking about pretty boy isn’t going to help you fight any better, little sensor,” Kariann derided.
“What makes you think I’m thinking about Lucas?” I asked. Damn that last sword strike made my arm numb.
She laughed. “You just gave yourself away. I had no idea who you were thinking about, but figured you’d tell me.”
“Whatever,” I said. “I’m just pissed at him right now and not thinking clearly.”
She struck at me again. “Sure you are.”
I blocked and slammed her kneecap with the heel of my boot.
She stumbled back and flashed her teeth—fangs included. “I’ll be damned. Maybe thinking of him does help your fighting skills.”
My shoulders sagged. “Are we done yet?”
“Hmmm, when was the last time you hit the gym?” she asked.
“A couple days ago, but I don’t have time for it now.” My body felt like hammered shit. Working out in the gym would have to wait.
“You’re about to go up against demons and they won’t be as nice as I am.” The innocent look she attempted did not work at all.
I sheathed my sword and gathered my things. “They aren’t demons. They’re humans possessed by demons, which makes them not quite as strong and a lot easier to take down.”
“Not that easy.” She grabbed my arm. “If you aren’t going to work out, then you’re at least going to get your injuries healed.”
“Oh, no.” I dragged my feet as she pulled me along. “You can’t make me do it.”
My struggles didn’t slow her down. “Wanna bet?”
I should have kept my mouth shut. She tossed me over her shoulder and moved at warp speed through the house. As his second in command, Kariann was one of the few keyed to the magic protection barrier surrounding Nik’s bedroom—wouldn’t want just anybody to interrupt the unholy acts that happened in there. She could pass through it without his permission.
As soon as we entered, she dumped me on the floor. I glared at her and got up as gracefully as I could manage. Too bad she insisted I keep my gun put away when we trained. It’d be interesting to see how her brains looked with a big hole in them.
The master vampire stood a few feet away with his hands on his hips. At least he had clothes on this time and no women wrapped around his appendages. That’d make this visit slightly easier to handle.
“I see she came without too much fuss,” he said, grinning at Kariann.
“She is not drinking your blood,” I said, backing away. “You can forget about it.” I swiveled on my heels and moved for the door. Kariann stepped in front of me.
“Melena.” She gripped my shoulders. “You have cuts and bruises all over your body. You could hardly keep your sword up when we fought for reasons you refuse to explain. We aren’t going to let you go to Juneau without at least getting you healthy again. Stop being such a baby and just suck his blood.”
That didn’t come off sounding dirty or anything. Vamps always had their minds in the gutter. I crossed my arms. “No.”
Nik motioned Kariann aside. “Remember what we talked about last night? If you want to deal with the demon problem, you’re going to have to do it the smart way. Keeping yourself strong and healthy is part of that. Is your stubbornness and pride really worth risking people’s lives over?”
I exhaled a deep breath. He had a point—even if I didn’t have to like it. “Fine, but it has to be from the wrist.”
He bit into his arm and held it out to me. No look of triumph. At least he had the decency not to gloat this time.
I had to take it fast or the puncture wounds would heal. The act disgusted me, but not as much as it once did. I’d had to drink from Nik a few times when circumstances turned desperate. He tasted something like honeyed mead. Euphoria filled me with each swallow. If I drank for too long, I wouldn’t want to stop. It was the real reason I fought against drinking from him every time. Older vampire blood had an addictive quality to it.
Less than a minute passed before I forced myself to pull away. It didn’t take much to heal my wounds, though he’d probably have let me take more out of sheer amusement. My tongue traced over my lips—God he tasted good. Too good.
I grabbed my stuff from the floor where Kariann had dumped it. My shoulder didn’t scream from the weight of the bag this time, and other than my cheek still tingling from the freshly closed cut, everything else had already healed. “I’ll catch you all later.”
“Melena,” Nik called out as I opened the door. I turned back. “Kariann will be by your place at seven tonight to take you to the airport.”
“No need. I can get myself there without anyone’s help.” They’d done more than enough already.
He lifted a brow. “Lucas is sending some paperwork with his men that Kariann needs to pick up. He said it has something to do with your agreement.”
I’d almost forgotten about that.
“Fine.” I nodded at Kariann. “I’ll see you then.”
***
I sensed the shaman’s arrival while taking a shower. He’d come early. I still had to take Emily to school. The old guy could have waited for a more decent time to come. I went downstairs to find him looking through some sketches I’d done recently. Drawing landscapes had become my escape when things got to be too stressful. I had a lot of pictures of trees and mountains from the last few months. Boring and peaceful—the exact opposite of my life.
“Those are private,” I said.
He glanced up. His graying black hair looked a bit wild today without it slicked back like he normally wore it. “These are good. You have some talent.”
“And they aren’t meant to be seen by anyone.”
He set the sketch pad down on the table and grinned at me. “Then why leave them out where anyone might find them?”
I crossed my arms. “This is my home, Charlie. You’re early.”
“Emily won’t mind if I ride along when you take her to school. We have someone to visit after that.”
“Does this someone have anything to do with the demon possession problem?” I asked.
He grunted and moved over to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee. I supposed when you were over two hundred years old you stopped concerning yourself with proper guest etiquette. “He does not, but you need to see him before you go.”
“Who is this mysterious person I’m supposed to be visiting?”
Charlie poured another mug of coffee. “Cream and sugar?”
“Yes.” I cocked my hip against the counter and watched him put heaps of both into my cup. “That’s enough. Now quit stalling. Who are we going to see?”
He handed me the steaming mug. “Derrick. He’s getting worse and I think you’re the only person who can reach him right now.”
I took a sip and almost spit it back out. There was enough sugar in there to send a healthy person into a diabetic coma. “He hasn’t answered my calls since Christmas. Trust me, he won’t listen to me either.”
Charlie’s looked tired. “He can’t avoid you if you go in person.”
�
�It’s a pain in the ass to get to his cabin in the winter. After the way he acted the last time I saw him, I’m not sure the trip’s worth it.”
“You forced him to look at the reality of his life with Variola. The more he lets himself think about it, the more it gnaws his hide.” He saw me roll my eyes. “Sorry, bad werewolf joke. The point is, sensor, he’s going to get himself killed if you don’t do something about it.”
“In case you haven’t noticed,” I said, taking another sip of the awful coffee and cringing, “I’ve got enough to deal with right now. Can’t it wait until I get back?”
“It may be too late for him by then. Nik’s tolerated him so far for your sake, but it won’t last.”
I set the mug down. “What do you mean tolerated him? What’s he been doing?”
“He’s stopped covering his tracks. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks or, more importantly, sees. Go talk to him. We’ll discuss your demon problem after that.”
I dumped my coffee out and poured another cup. It would take a lot before I was ready for this trip.
Chapter Eight
The trip to Derrick’s cabin didn’t go any easier than I thought it would. The first ten miles went alright, but the last half-mile had me cursing up a storm. If I hadn’t used a hefty amount of my savings to get a used Jeep Cherokee after settling here, I’d never have made it. The private road leading to his home did not get plowed regularly. I’d needed every bit of my military off-road driving skills to get through it. Something told me Derrick had let it get that way on purpose.
“You coming?” I asked Charlie as I hopped out of the Jeep. Damn, the snow came up to my knees. There’d only been a narrow place to park.
“Nope. This one is up to you. I’ll be here waiting when you get out.” He sat there as if he had all the time in the world.
I tossed him the keys. “Fine. You can keep it warm so I don’t have to find a place to plug the vehicle in.”