"Give it a go then," Gunthorn egged on, but soon learned Tremayne wasn't bluffing. With the vamp's wrists bound with iron, his healing had slowed considerably. He had to be feeling everything Tremayne gave him.
"Stop…" Gunthorn finally said. His breathing was labored, and he cringed as he clumsily shifted his weight away from Tremayne.
"What's that?" Tremayne asked cupping his ear. "Are you ready to talk now? Or should I keep going?" He lifted his fist again.
"Stop, I say," Gunthorn said. "I'll tell you." It took him a second longer, and it looked like Tremayne would have to convince him further to cooperate, but then he blurted out a word, "Sutter's."
"What's Sutter's?" Tremayne asked.
"Inn. Sutter's Inn...room 306," Gunthorn managed to spit out the directions.
"It's not too far from the marina," Tremayne said as he glanced at Cassandra. "An older hotel, where some of the college-aged kids rent the rooms for the summer and holidays."
"Yeah, that's the one," Gunthorn added. "But Lorelei will be heading out. It's almost sunrise. And before you ask, she stashes her vics elsewhere while she rejuvenates. So don't think you can swoop in and save the day."
Tremayne and Cassandra exchanged a look and Gunthorn groaned.
"I don't know where she stores them. She doesn't tell me everything. All I know is she uses the hotel room during the day to inspire their craft. She said the room is all a part of her plan. Now take these off," the vamp had the audacity to demand as he turned slightly to give them a view of the cuffs and the damage the iron had inflicted on his flesh.
Cassandra chuckled. "I don't think so." She made a move toward him with her weapon in hand.
Gunthorn picked up on her intent. "You don't want to kill me so fast, hunter," he sneered.
"And why's that?"
"Lorelei is possessive. She likes me. I'm her hunter, and when she's through with her pets, I get rid of them." He shrugged then grimaced as the metal rubbed and burned his skin. "She's linked with me. If I'm dead, she'll sense it. She'll know you're onto her and she'll disappear into the sea. You'll never catch her then." He chuckled and sat back with a smug grin plastered to his bloodied face.
She met Tremayne's gaze. "Is that possible?"
He nodded. "I've heard of such a bonding."
The vamp snorted, but they both ignored his theatrical display.
"He could be telling the truth," Tremayne said. "If she marked him, she would then have a warning system in place on land, where she's the weakest. It would make sense."
Cassandra cursed softly. "Then what do we do with him?" She waved her hand at the vamp. "We can't let him go."
"Sure you can," the vamp said. "I won't—"
"Shut up!" Both Tremayne and Cassandra said at the same time. Gunthorn thankfully canned it.
"We'll have to hold him," Tremayne said. "I know someone who will help us out."
"Who?" she asked, not bothering to hide her suspicion.
"Someone who would prefer to remain anonymous."
She too had confidants who would only work with her and her alone.
"Trust me," Tremayne said and held her gaze.
Finally, she nodded. "Make the arrangements." She glanced at the vamp and had the urge to wipe that smug look off his face. "And quickly before I change my mind and screw this investigation by offing this bastard." She turned away, intent on going topside.
"Dammit," Tremayne cursed.
She whirled around as Tremayne flew into her, knocking them both to the floor. They scrambled to untangle themselves, but it proved too late, Gunthorn had flitted and made his escape.
Cassandra stood and ran to the door, but she already knew Gunthorn was gone. She looked back to see Tremayne holding the cuffs. There was a safety pin stuck in the keyhole.
"Apparently, our friend knows how to pick locks," he said.
"He's going to warn Lorelei," she said with her hands on her hips.
"Not necessarily," Tremayne said and she looked at him. "He's hurt and his hunting ground has been discovered," he explained. "He'll run and hide for now. I don't think he'll risk skipping town or warning Lorelei about his compromised condition for fear she might retaliate and end his life." He inclined his head toward the cabinet filled with Gunthorn's mementoes. "And he'll want his trophies."
"Why would he risk coming back for those?"
Tremayne strode over to the cabinet and opened the door wider. "He has a large collection. Years of collecting. I'd wager he takes these wherever he settles."
She shook her head, disgusted at the prospect of this vamp taking out more innocent people because they had underestimated him. "So how do we keep watch on this place and go after Lorelei? I'd suggest splitting up, but I have a hunch taking down Lorelei won't be easy."
"No," he agreed. "But the person I mentioned before can watch this place and be on the lookout for Gunthorn. The vamp will be looking for us, but he won't suspect the bloke I have in mind to stand guard."
She shook her head. "We can't just bring in anyone. This is a vamp who kills for the fun of it."
"Don't worry. This guy can hold his own…" he cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head, appearing sheepish as he said, "He's a vampire, too."
She threw up her hands with a harrumph. "Are you kidding me?"
"Listen, he's on the up and up. He'll help me out and he'll make the call to the GOJ once Gunthorn steps foot on the boat. They'll handle this vamp." When she didn't answer, he added, "You know I'm right."
She stared at him in disbelief. This hunter worked with vampires, possibly even the GOJ. She needed a second to digest all this, and thankfully it seemed Tremayne understood and remained silent. "You better be right on this," she finally said with trepidation.
He nodded. "I am." He lifted his cell phone from his pocket.
Chapter Fourteen
Tremayne went topside to make the call, while Cassandra searched the rest of the room for any evidence they may have overlooked. Gunthorn wouldn't be returning anytime soon since he needed blood and a chance to heal.
Tremayne hated to involve Bram, but what other choice did he have? He couldn't go after Gunthorn on his own. Cassandra would need backup if she went after Lorelei, and he knew the hunter well enough she wouldn't wait for him. In her words, she needed this kill. What better way to make a name for herself than taking down a Lamia.
"Lorelei Rivers," he murmured. Gunthorn didn’t come straight out and say it, but he sure as heck hinted Lorelei had it out for him. Clearly she knew he'd called the GOJ on her all those years ago and she held a grudge. She was leaving evidence to implement him as the guilty party in this perverse game she played. She wanted it to look like he was involved with the killings. Payback, he thought.
Cassandra was in way over her head, even if she didn’t realize it. Lorelei had been dangerous on a good day. She was pissed off with him and looking for revenge, she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. "My head on a platter," he muttered.
"What?" the voice on the other end of his mobile asked.
"Sorry, Bram," he said. "I have a favor to ask." He quickly filled Bram in on what had happened and then stated his proposal.
"You want me to do what?" Bram's voice had risen a few octaves.
He held the phone away from his ear until Bram had finished his tirade of curses. "I just need you to stake out the yacht until we catch the Lamia. I can't let Cassandra go off on her own."
"Why bloody not? Let the hunter do...whatever hunters do. You need to back down. You are in way over your head."
Funny those were his exact thoughts he had for Cassandra. He shook his head and tried again. "The Lamia is Lorelei Rivers," he said with a sigh.
His cousin remained silent for half a second longer. "So you've confirmed it then. You spotted Lorelei."
"Not exactly," Tremayne said, "but Gunthorn said he was working with Lorelei. You were going to check into her whereabouts. Did you find out anything?"
"Only she's be
en off the radar for almost a century. Makes me think the GOJ had her locked up then."
"And now she's escaped their hold."
"No one escapes the GOJ," Bram said.
"We are talking about the Lamia who wanted to gut me and feed my remains to the sharks? Lorelei would find a way to make it happen even if it took a century to do it. She may not be coming after me with talons, but the shameless witch is purposely targeting men and leaving them drained with the intent to frame me for the crimes."
"So why isn't she killing women?" Bram asked.
"Lorelei was the jealous type. It wouldn't surprise me – in her demented way of thinking – she doesn't want to share me with another woman."
"Just a reminder of why I don't like the vile sea creature."
Tremayne had liked Lorelei Rivers until he discovered her proclivity to killing. She had a string of victims to prove how much she enjoyed it.
They had only dated off and on in the 1920s, nothing too serious, but he'd always enjoyed their talks about literature and art. He thought they had a good thing going, but he'd been a fool. Lorelei lived a double life. At night she was with him, but during the day, she was off seducing men, using her powers to make them famous. It was all good for a while, but a Lamia feeds off their victim's success for the adrenalin rush, as she slowly sucks the life out of them. Some of the men became deranged, some committed suicide, while others became ill and eventually died.
Then another thought occurred to him. Mr. Green had told Cassandra he'd found the vampire involved, and had planned to confront him at Eternal Bliss. What if… "Bram," Tremayne said, interrupting his cousin's rant about how stupid Tremayne had been for getting mixed up with a Lamia.
"What?" Bram snapped.
"I'm afraid Cassandra Hayes was sent here to find me. She knew the vampire frequented Eternal Bliss thanks to the real Mr. Green. She didn't know about the Lamia until we questioned the Hashasheen demon. She just hasn't put all the pieces together yet because her real partner is on ice. He must have had the info, but didn't have the chance to share it with her. I think that was why he was dumped outside my pub. Lorelei doesn't want a hunter to take me out. She wants the GOJ to come after me."
"Fantastic," Bram hissed. "You do know how to pick your girlfriends. A demented Lamia and now a hunter."
"I'm not with Cassandra."
"No? Funny, I thought you were with her now."
"Not the same." He rolled his eyes even though Bram didn't have the benefit of seeing it. "She's an attractive lass. I won't go denying it."
"Go on with you. Of course she's a looker. She's a Hayes. The family's noted for their agile abilities and their looks to match. Lethal in every way, if you ask me. If they can't slay you, they certainly can seduce you into submission." Bram's words dripped with sarcasm.
"I'm not going to even acknowledge your perverse observation of the Hayes family. Since when are you an expert on the family anyway?"
"I've heard things and seen them in action too. You aren't the only one privy to their abilities to charm and kill." He sighed then.
"Are you going to help me out, or not?" Tremayne asked again as he wondered how this conversation had steered toward his involvement with Cassandra Hayes.
"I'm sure I'm going to regret this," Bram murmured, "but aye, I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Just remember the vampire is dangerous so don't approach him. If he shows, just call in the GOJ and have them pick him up."
"I never claimed I'd be inviting him back at my place for tea," Bram barked. "I do so hate a vamp who makes us look bad. Where do you need me?"
Once he gave Bram the information, he ventured down below again to find Cassandra standing in front of the hideaway filled with objects. She glanced at him as he entered.
"There's so many trinkets," she said. "Men and women's..."
He knew what she was thinking. The owners of the objects were probably dead. He stepped toward her and rested a hand on her shoulder. She leaned against him, startling him at first. She wasn't a short woman by all means, but she was petite compared to him and yet she felt…right in his arms.
He breathed her in. The scent of honeysuckle, and…her…all her.
"We have to catch them, both of them," Cassandra's voice brought him out of his reverie. "And take them out. For their victims." She turned to look at him, and her hand rested on his chest. He had to swallow back the lump in his throat. Her green eyes demanded he answer her and pledge he wouldn't stop hunting down Gunthorn and Lorelei until the deed was done.
He reached for her and brushed a mahogany strand away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. He wanted to kiss her, but feared if he did, he wouldn't want to stop. He could give her what she truly wanted, his promise.
"We will catch them," he vowed.
Chapter Fifteen
Cassandra sat in her car while Tremayne spoke with his informant who would watch for Gunthorn's return. They'd collected all of Gunthorn's trophies and hid them away. They didn't want the vamp accidently reclaiming the trinkets if he somehow managed to slip by unnoticed.
It had begun to rain, the slow patter increasing as she waited for Tremayne and rehashed the evening of events. Gunthorn's words kept coming back to the forefront, suggesting Tremayne was involved with the preternatural world and not in a good way.
He worked undercover, but to what extent? He befriended vampires. He had at least one vamp's phone number stored on his cell phone, for Christ's sake. What did it all mean?
Stake and dust. A hunter didn't befriend the preternatural world. Was she being unfair? Stake and dust was her family's motto, not necessarily every hunter's way of thinking. Even her brother Derek at times had hinted he didn't believe all Otherworldly beings deserved a death sentence. Obviously Tremayne thought the same. The Preternatural Regulating Bureau made them take an oath. They were to eliminate all preternatural beings. All…
She gripped the steering wheel with both hands, but she tapped the wheel with her thumb. "What a fine line there is between good and evil," she murmured. She'd been brought up to believe all supernatural creatures were a threat. Better safe than sorry, her father's words.
She caught sight of Tremayne jogging over to the vehicle and she sat up straighter and started the engine. She unlocked the door for him to get in. "All taken care of?" she asked without having to elaborate.
"It's handled." He removed his hoodie and water dripped down the sides of his handsome face.
They sat there for a moment, probably in reality only seconds, but in those precious moments, she knew in her heart Tremayne was a good man. Did he flirt with the enemy? She'd bet he did, but as long as they were on the same page when it really mattered, she didn't care.
"Now where are we headed?" he asked. His eyes searched hers and her stomach flip-flopped with the way he looked at her.
Good question. They needed a place to regroup and plan their next move. Some place where their plans would not be overheard. "My hotel room is safe," she suggested, but wondered how true those words were with the way Tremayne stared at her with those hypnotic eyes that were a dangerous shade of blue with a promise of something delightfully sinful. She really liked that color. Matter of fact, it was her favorite new color.
His gaze lowered to her lips. Did he feel the pull, too? Maybe, but for some reason he didn't act on the impulse. She should be glad he had more control than she apparently had, but a part of her was a little miffed. He'd been sent to the States because he acted on his impulses. Why did he have to have a conscience now?
"Let's go then," he said and turned away as he reached for the seatbelt.
So he was playing it safe in more ways than one. She sighed with more regret than relief as she pulled away from the curb.
Chapter Sixteen
Once inside the hotel room, Cassandra retrieved her laptop and sat down at the table. Tremayne pulled up a chair next to her.
"How do we know Gunthorn spoke the truth," she asked and met Tremayne's gaze
. "About the Lamia stashing her victim elsewhere. How do we know the victim isn't sitting right now in the hotel room, too weak to move?"
"We don't know," he said. "We could drive over there and find out, but I'm telling you if we do, we'll contaminate the room and she'll know we're onto her. We may save one bloke and that's if he's really there, but what about the others? She won't stop. We have to catch her in the act, and we have to do it right. Even if it means we lose this guy she has now." He placed a hand over hers and for a moment she forgot to breathe. "Cassandra?"
"Huh?" She finally lifted her eyes to meet his. "I get it," she said and pulled her hand away. "I don't like it, but yeah, I get it." She concentrated on her computer screen. "We need the layout of the hotel where this sea-bitch is taking her victims," she said. "If I can't find it on the agencies outlets then I'll see if my brother can hack into the hotel's archives." Her phone buzzed and she retrieved it. "Speak of the devil," she said and answered the phone. "Hey Derek, you're just the guy I need. Hold on." She put him on speakerphone. "Okay, we can both hear you now. Tremayne is with me."
Silence greeted them.
"Derek?" she questioned, wondering if they'd lost the connection.
"Where are you?" Derek asked.
"Back at the hotel. Why?"
"With Mr. Green?" he asked.
"Yes," she said slowly and looked at Tremayne. He sat there with a smug look and she frowned. "Listen Derek, we need the layout of the Seafront Inn. We have a possible lead on where the Lamia is keeping her latest victim."
Silence again.
"Derek?" She was getting perturbed. What was wrong with him?"
"I'm on it." He ended the call.
"That was weird," she picked up her phone and stared at it.
"How many brothers do you have?" Tremayne asked.
"Three," she said still wondering why Derek had acted so strangely. "Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering if Derek's the brother I should worry about or if the others will come after me too?"
"What do you mean?" She turned to look at him in confusion until she realized his intent. "Oh," she said for lack of anything else to say since he was leaning in so close, words had ceased to exist. Really she should stop him, but she didn't want to. His lips touched hers and she forgot everything else. Forgot about the case, forgot about Derek and his odd behavior, once she told him she was back at the hotel with– She broke the embrace and placed a hand on Tremayne's chest. "Hold on a second. Are you trying to seduce me to tick off my brothers?"
Stake and Dust (Stake and Dust series, Book I) Page 8