by Lilly Gayle
She dared another glance in his direction. He still wore the same silly expression on his frozen face. Amber could barely discern his breathing.
“What the hell did you do to him?” she growled, her attention and her gun swinging back to Sonia.
The vampiress chuckled. “Relax, mortal. He’s just entranced. I wanted to talk to you without his hearing. He doesn’t know. Does he?”
“No.” Amber’s heart pounded. Sweat slicked her palms. Her hands shook. She steadied her aim, but Sonia raised a brow and nodded to the gun as if it were a toy.
“I called your bluff. Now put that damn thing away. Shooting me will only piss me off.”
Heart still beating like a frightened rabbit’s, Amber holstered her gun and nodded to her partner. “What will he remember?”
“Me answering the door and him lusting after me like a love-sick school boy.” Her smile widened as she skimmed her hands over her narrow waist. “Men can’t resist me. It has been this way since before I was immortal.”
Amber started to make a wisecrack but something dark and forbidden flashed behind Sonia’s eyes. She smiled seductively, but the eyes—they reflected something else. A dark secret that had nothing to do with her being immortal.
Sonia Dalca might relish her nature, but she definitely had issues. She reminded Amber of Jack-Kay—a transvestite hooker sexually abused by his own father. Jack-Kay preened and seduced, but he was filled with self-loathing. And Sonia’s eyes reflected the same inner turmoil.
“You’re Romanian?” Amber asked.
The vampire’s eyes darkened. “Da. I am Romuini.”
Besides spawning vampire legends, Romania was once a feudal country. Even less than a century ago, a beautiful woman would not have had an easy life if she were poor.
“What century?”
“What does it matter, Catea?”
It only mattered in how Amber handled the vampire. Sonia’s attitude could stem from a deep hurt. Was it possible she wasn’t as dangerous as she appeared?
Amber swallowed a lump of fear and met Sonia’s gaze. The vampiress nudged at her mind. Amber allowed it—until Sonia went digging into memories Amber didn’t want exposed.
Fighting an uber-invasion of privacy, Amber forced her mind to go blank. Sonia swayed and broke contact.
“Clever trick, mortal, but I saw enough. You’re no stranger to our kind.”
“And you’re not as heartless as you want people to think. Gerard said you were hurt by Maxwell’s marriage. Did you go to Lifeblood looking for Dr. Harper?”
Sonia leaned closer. “I wouldn’t harm Megan, despite the risk to Vincent.”
Amber stood her ground, ignoring the pounding in her chest. “What risk?”
“She’s mortal.” She spoke the word as if it were an insult. “And mortals and immortals don’t mix.”
Gerard had said as much. But he suspected Weldon of killing Tina. Was it a ruse to throw Amber off track? Would he lie to protect Sonia?
It wouldn’t be the first time he manipulated me. Whether he did so with his mind or words hardly mattered. The end result was the same. “Is Tina dead because she broke your ‘rules’ and got involved with Gerard?”
Sonia’s lips spread into a slow sensual smile. “Ah. So, it’s like that is it? You got a taste of vampire loving and fear he manipulated you.”
“No.” The denial was weak and ineffective. Sonia didn’t have to read her mind to know she was lying. “Did you kill Tina because she’d been with Gerard?”
Sonia laughed. “I did not kill Gerard’s little plaything, and I do not care for your lover. But rest assured. He would not use glamour to seduce you. He is cocky, that Frenchman. He likes to woo women the mortal way.”
Amber ground her teeth. Pain radiated from her bunched jaw to her brain. She would not discuss Gerard with a vampire who was quite possibly an ex-lover. “Did you meet with Megan Harper the night Tina died?”
“Da. I saw her. I warned her not to hurt Vincent. Since I created him, I feel responsible for his life. His happiness is important to me. But she’s dragging him into a world between worlds and weakening his power. If she continues, he’ll be defenseless.”
“So, you’re against a cure for your condition.” It wasn’t a question. It was an accusation. If Sonia was against the cure, she could be working with Weldon to stop production of the antivirus. If Weldon wasn’t a vampire, he’d want to destroy any hope of curing the condition he was trying to clone in order to control those infected.
“A cure? Ha!” Sonia’s eyes shone hotly, like two glowing red coals. “Vincent can eat steak. So what? He cannot bask in the sun. He’ll still live forever. This vaccine doesn’t cure. It weakens, making us more vulnerable to mortal attack.”
Amber met her gaze and then lowered her lids, shielding her eyes. “Most mortals don’t even know you exist.”
“The world is changing,” Sonia said, her voice low and cryptic. “I live among immortals—and mortals who are posers. The posers think they are vampires—the fools. And others do not believe vampires—real vampires—exist. But technology is bringing our worlds closer whether we wish it or not. There is no cure for damnation. Only false hope. A vaccine won’t protect us from those who wish to experiment with our blood in an effort to gain our powers without the negative side-effects.”
“You’re talking about Weldon.” Cold slithered over Amber like a second skin. Sonia wasn’t working with Weldon. She despised him as much as Gerard did.
“Dr. Weldon is merely a puppet who continues to work without a master. I was referring to the bastard who hired him. Without the colonel, the good doctor will simply flounder until he is exposed. Then, I will take care of him the way I did the colonel.”
“Colonel Timmons is dead?” Had Sonia just confessed to murder? Did it matter if she had? Amber couldn’t arrest her. The woman could probably escape a pair of handcuffs without breaking a sweat.
Sonia’s knowing-smile did not reach her eyes. “I visited him in the brig two days ago. He didn’t survive the encounter.” She waved Amber off before she could protest. “Gerard doesn’t know. Yet. I imagine the story will make the news soon enough.”
“What did you do?” Amber’s voice was a hoarse croak as she imagined the horrifying scene. Memories of Andrew and her mother bombarded her.
“Nothing too violent. I entranced him. He felt nothing when I drank from his wrists before slashing them with the sharpened edge of a spoon handle. I left enough blood in his veins to make a nice little mess on the floor. Before leaving, I dropped the shank beside him. The authorities think he committed suicide.”
“Why?” Colonel Timmons had kidnapped Gerard—not Vincent. Was Sonia in love with both vampires?
“Because he was a threat,” she snarled. “Your mortal laws did nothing to stop his evil. Even from his prison cell, he was paying Dr. Weldon to continue his research. So, I stopped him.”
“But you didn’t stop Weldon. He’s still out there.”
“For now,” she said in a dark and threatening voice. “But he will reveal himself without my putting forth much effort. Then, I will end his research once and for all.”
“Why don’t you use your vampire voodoo?” She’d done it before. Why not now?
“I tried.” Pouting, Sonia folded her arms under her breasts and slouched against the door jam. “But Weldon is smarter than I thought. He communicated with Timmons using an alias and a post office box. His letters were written in code so the prison warden didn’t know they’d been in contact. Timmons read them and then destroyed them. I couldn’t get my hands on a single one.”
A lead at last. Hope buoyed Amber’s spirits. “What name did Weldon use? Where was the post office box? It would have to be nearby for him to check it regularly.”
Sonia twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “Not necessarily. Weldon hired someone to make contact with Timmons. That person mailed the letters to a crack-head in Raleigh who then forwarded the letters to Timmons. There
wasn’t a return address on any of the letters and he never met Weldon in person.”
“But he met someone. Who did Weldon send to make the initial contact? Who paid the junkie?” Amber glanced briefly at her partner to make sure he was still breathing. Reid stood completely still, his face now a blank mask.
Sonia sighed, shaking her head. “I don’t know. The bastard’s brain was fried.”
Chapter 10
“Miss Dalca confirmed Dr. Harper’s alibi,” Reid said, as Amber pulled into the parking space in front of his townhouse. “And did you get a load of that outfit?” He whistled appreciatively. “She’s gorgeous, but she looks like a stripper. I bet the real reason she wouldn’t see us until late is because she works nights and sleeps all day. That story about having just flown in from Alaska and being jet-lagged was bullshit.”
If he knew what really happened during the interview, he’d have a coronary.
After Sonia released Reid from his trance, she’d answered his questions. Not that he’d noticed. He seemed to remember her outfit more than the actual words. Which hardly mattered. Most of what she told him was bullshit.
Guilt flushed her cheeks.
“Yeah. She looks like a stripper.” A stripper who could rip out a man’s throat and bleed him dry.
She threw the car in park, unable to meet Reid’s gaze. While Reid had stood on the porch, eyes glazed over in a trance, Amber had interviewed the vampiress alone. How could she claim a true partnership with him when she’d allowed such an atrocity? He’d been violated. And he didn’t even know it.
He touched her arm. She jumped. “What’s wrong, partner?”
The sympathy and concern in his voice was enough to gag her. “I’m tired. This investigation isn’t going anywhere.”
“Not true,” he said, sounding more optimistic than the situation warranted. “We know where not to look. And the more questions we ask, the closer we get to proving what you and I already know. Shannon Travers’ drug connection is the key to solving this case. And that’s what we’re going to start looking into on Monday.”
“Sure.” She barely listened. If only she could talk honestly with her partner. She needed his input. His opinions. But Reid had a hard time believing in God. He’d never believe vampires were real.
“Don’t look so down.” Reid patted her knee, startling her. “Relax. Enjoy your three-day weekend. We’ll get a fresh start on Monday.”
“Can’t wait,” she quipped, but the cynicism she intended was lacking.
Chuckling, Reid slid from the car. Before he shut the door, he leaned in and studied her face. “Stop stressing. You look like shit.”
“Gee. Thanks Reid. You really know how to swell a girl’s head.”
He flashed a cocky grin. “Seriously, Amber. You look tired. Get some rest. Okay?”
“I will.” Rest my ass. “I’ll see you Monday.”
She glanced at the dashboard clock as she pulled out of the neighborhood. Twenty-three fifteen—quarter after eleven. Would anyone besides the security staff be at Lifeblood of America? She needed to talk to someone about Sonia and she wasn’t sure Gerard or Vincent could be objective. Dr. Harper might be biased, based on her husbands’ past relationship with the vampire, but Amber had nowhere else to turn. She didn’t want to waste time chasing leads if Sonia wasn’t reliable.
Could she seek out Dr. Harper without Gerard knowing she was in the building? Was he even working tonight?
Neither he nor Maxwell had a set schedule. They came and went as they pleased or worked from home. But Dr. Harper reported to her lab at least four days a week. Would she be there now?
It didn’t get dark this time of year until 8:00 or so. Did that cut into Vincent Maxwell’s work hours? Or did the antivirus injections allow him to keep a regular nightly schedule?
Vampires must hate summer and daylight savings time.
She pulled onto interstate forty and headed west. Then she took the Sweeten Creek Road exit and drove toward Bolton Boulevard and Lifeblood of America.
Florescent lights illuminated the parking lot, but as she approached the front entrance, the hair on the nape of her neck stood on end. She glanced over her shoulder. The lot was empty. She walked faster.
Light from inside the facility shone through the large plate glass door. A security guard sat at the desk. Amber knocked to get his attention. He remained seated, glaring at her from across the lobby. She flipped open her badge and held it up to the glass. He grudgingly rose to his feet, came around the desk, and took his own sweet time unlocking the door.
“Can I help you?” His tone said, “Go away.”
“I’m Detective Amber Buckley. I’d like to come in and ask some questions about the murders last spring.”
With an irritated grunt, he moved aside, allowing her to enter the lobby. Then the muscle-bound security guard stepped in front of her as if barring further entrance into the facility. He watched her drop her badge into her purse, his expression belligerent. “What kind of questions? I didn’t even work here then.”
“Dr. Harper did. I’d like to ask her a few questions. Is she in?”
Mr. Happy smiled. It wasn’t pleasing to the eye. “No.”
It took supreme effort on Amber’s part not to jack the man up against the wall and threaten to arrest him for obstruction of justice. That would knock the smirk off his face.
She tapped her foot. “What time will she be in?”
“Don’t know.” He glanced at the clock on the wall behind him and shrugged as if to say he didn’t care.
Her foot stilled. “Is Mr. Maxwell in?”
“No.”
She stood on tiptoes and got in his face. The guard jumped back, his eyes bugging out of his head.
“I don’t have time for this shit,” she snapped. “When I ask a question, I expect complete answers spoken in complete sentences. Now. Let’s try this again. Is Mr. Maxwell in and if not, when do you expect him?”
“He’s not in. He took his wife out of town on vacation. I don’t know when they’ll be back.”
Vacation my ass. He’s avoiding the investigation.
Or protecting his wife. Maxwell was no dummy. Weldon had taken the serum but that didn’t mean he knew how to turn it into a vampire vaccine. Dr. Harper knew the vaccine’s side effects and limitations. And she’d know how to create more if that was Weldon’s goal. If his goal was to destroy the vaccine, then she was in danger. And Maxwell wouldn’t want her anywhere near Lifeblood of America.
Amber stepped back and forced a note of civility into her tone. “Thanks.” For nothing. Then without another word, she turned and left the building.
The sensation of being watched persisted. Her low heels clicked against the pavement as she hurried to her car. A shiver snaked down her spine. She touched the door handle and froze. Something or someone watched from the shadows.
She slipped her hand inside her jacket, unsnapping her Glock from its holster. Sweat slicked her back and under her arms. It wasn’t just from the heat.
It’s Iraq all over again.
Danger lurked. She sensed it. But like a terrorist attack, she didn’t know from which direction it would come. She turned in a slow circle. Nothing out of the ordinary drew her attention. No one waited in the parking lot or watched from the trees. Then she turned back to her car and into strong arms.
She grunted. A low growl emanated from a broad chest. She raised her chin. Light shone from behind, shadowing the man’s face, but his eyes glowed a predatory red. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Choking back fear, she reached for her Glock. He grabbed her wrist and jerked her arm over her head before her fingers made contact. Then his lips peeled away from his teeth revealing razor sharp fangs that glistened in the dark.
Before she could scream, the nightmare vanished in a blur. Air whooshed by her—the force strong enough to knock her to the ground. Her purse slid from her shoulder. She let it go, clawing at the pavement, reaching for her gun as she pushed to
her feet.
Two figures tussled on the ground, moving inhumanly fast. One rose and vanished. The other snarled and turned. Heart pounding, palms slick with sweat, she raised her weapon. And couldn’t pull the trigger.
Dark eyes held her captive. Her fear abated. “Nicolas.”
****
Gerard sat at his desk, responding to Lifeblood emails when fear pierced his heart. His body tensed. Amber was in danger. He sensed it.
“Mon Dieu!” How was that possible? He’d never made love to her or taken her blood. And she had never been exposed to his. How could there be a psychic connection?
He pushed back his chair and stood. Where the hell is she?
Closing his eyes, he tried sensing her again, but the connection was faint. His mind hummed. His skin tingled. Then…nothing. Amber’s fear abated. Or, he’d lost whatever tentative connection they shared.
But why was he able to connect with her at all? It made no sense. Unless…
Vincent shared a supernatural connection with Megan. Gerard always thought it was because she’d injected herself with Vincent’s blood to create the antivirus. Megan could feel Vincent’s emotions but she’d had his blood in her veins. But what if it was something more? What if engaging a vampire’s heart created the connection?
Merde! Am I in love with Amber?
He most assuredly felt her fear. Or he had until he’d felt…nothing. Was she unconscious? Or…
Terror seized him. He couldn’t think of other possibilities and maintain his sanity.
He shoved his feet into his shoes and disappeared into the night.
****
Amber rubbed her temple and tried to blink the world back into focus. The parking lot at Lifeblood didn’t re-appear. Nicolas had transported her to a large room with hunter green walls and dark wood trim. Books lined inlaid shelves above a large mahogany desk in the corner opposite green leather furniture and matching side tables. The faintly sweet aroma of expensive cigars hung in the air.
She dared a glance at her savior. Or was he her doom? “Where are we?”
“Cedar Plank, near Mount Mitchell State Park.” Nicolas held out his hands, encompassing the richly decorated room. “Welcome to my home.”