by Nina Bangs
“He needs an enforcer who can hunt down and eliminate this rogue vampire and his followers, and I like killing vampires. Tell him that I’d be doing what I like to do and at the same time atoning for my random kills. Both sides win.”
“Why would he believe you’d go for that idea? You’re already destroying vampires at a record rate.” Fin didn’t look happy about the thought.
Utah shrugged. “Tell him the truth with a twist. Explain that you need the vampires’ help, and offering my services is sort of a goodwill gesture.” He grinned. “Hell, tell him you threatened to kill me if I didn’t agree. He’d love that.”
“It might work.” Lia had stopped laughing. “Adam is all about intimidation. He’d respect someone who ruled through threats.”
Spin spoke for the first time. “Once Utah’s on the inside, he can feed us information even if Adam doesn’t feel like sharing.”
Fin turned his silver gaze on Utah. “Understand that once you’re working for Adam, you’ll be in constant danger. And not from Seven. Adam doesn’t seem the type to forgive and forget.”
Utah nodded. “Understood.”
“I’ll run it past Adam now. Dawn isn’t far away.” Fin glanced around the table. “That’s all for tonight. Keep searching. Oh, and never go anywhere without your human driver.”
“What about Zero?” Utah could still see the immortals’ leader standing in the middle of the freaking street.
Fin’s eyes suddenly swirled with purple, a rare display of emotion. “I’ll take care of Zero.” Without a backward glance, he strode to the door and left.
He didn’t slam the door behind him. Maybe if Fin slammed a few doors, Utah could connect with him more. There was something about Fin that always felt . . . wrong.
“So where are you heading now?” Lia watched the others leaving.
“Back to my apartment.” Good thing that Fin believed in spreading the Eleven around the city. They each had their own apartment. He needed alone time tonight.
“I’ll drive you.”
He surrendered to the inevitable. “Fine.”
She disappeared for a minute, and when she returned, Lia had a set of car keys in her hand. “I got us a loaner for the night.”
Once out on the street, he gave her his address and settled back for a quiet drive across town. God, he’d miss the rush he got from shoving the accelerator to the floor and feeling the car surge.
“I have a few questions.”
Utah groaned silently. Scratch the quiet drive. “Shoot.”
“Why do you talk about tossing Zero and his pals back out into the cosmos? Why not kill them so they don’t show up again to hassle you?”
He rested his head against the headrest and closed his eyes. “Vampires can be destroyed. I can be killed. These guys are true immortals. They can’t be killed. I could tear them into bite-sized bits, then feed the bits into a wood chipper, and their essence would still exist. They’d just come back in a different form. The best we can do is to send them home with no return address.”
She lapsed into silence for a few minutes, and he hoped she was done with the questions.
“I don’t understand your attitude about vampires. Hey, I don’t blame you for hating the ones who killed your brother, but the rest of it . . .” She shrugged.
This he wouldn’t mind explaining. If she was going to spend time with him, she’d have to know how he felt. “You have to understand pack. It might seem a long time to you, but it’s only been a few months since Rap, Tor, and I hunted together. Fin saved all three of our souls and brought us here so we could once again walk the earth, hunting as one. Pack. Now one of us is gone. Without pack, something big and empty sits right here.” He fisted his hand against his chest. “I might look human, Lia, but my soul is animal. And my beast screams for revenge.”
“I still—”
“Look, a fire ant bites you, you don’t just kill that one. You go in and wipe out the whole hill along with their queen. Make sure they don’t bite anyone else.”
She firmed her lips and kept her eyes on the road. “That’s a lot of hate you’re carrying around. Does Tor feel the same way?”
He laughed. Tor and he might have the same human faces—and how the hell had Fin managed that?—but they didn’t react to things in the same way. “I released my need for revenge in the most violent way I could. Tor holds things in. All that repression can’t be a good thing.”
Lia knew he saw her unease.
“Yeah, Tor is the good brother. I’m his evil twin.” He seemed to find that amusing. “I’ve answered your questions, now I have few of my own.”
Lia gripped the wheel tighter. She didn’t want to talk about her life.
He chose to ignore her wall of silence. “Last I heard, you wanted to become vampire like your mother. Still planning on it?”
“I want to be vampire, but not like her. I want to lead my people in a direction that doesn’t involve draining humans in dark alleys.” And wouldn’t Katherine hate that.
Lia figured that Jude had allowed her to win their battle for leadership of the Northeast vampires not just because he had his hands full with his own territory. He didn’t want to be bothered ruling a bunch of vampires that Katherine had terrorized for so many years. Her mother had never allowed independent thought, so they had none.
“Then why not get it done?” His voice seemed carefully neutral.
“Dad doesn’t want it to happen until I’ve experienced what he feels is the full joy of human life.”
“I remember him. He’s a good man.”
“Yes, he’s a wonderful father.” With issues. Katherine made him and then treated him like she treated everyone. She was in charge and never let him forget it. He didn’t mourn her passing. And there was something sad about that. “So I’ll give him the time he wants.”
To forestall any more questions about her life, she changed the subject. “If you hate vampires so much, why do you tolerate Jude being around? I’m surprised you haven’t torn him apart.”
Good. They’d reached Utah’s apartment building. She quickly pulled into an empty space and turned off the engine. Not a minute too soon. The inside of the car had been shrinking with each question.
He opened his door, but before climbing out, he leaned across to whisper in her ear. “Jude is an ally, sweetheart. Loyalty is my only redeeming quality. Remember that.” Then he got out. But he hesitated before striding away. “You have your own apartment?”
“Sure. Don’t worry about me.” She waved him away.
Lia watched him stride toward the building. She should have told him, but she wasn’t in the mood to listen to his complaints. Once he was inside, she got out, locked the doors, and followed him.
Her apartment was on the fifth floor, so she took the elevator. Amazing how having a dustup with the biggest bad on the planet could wear you out. When the elevator doors opened, she walked down the short corridor and . . . saw Utah standing outside his apartment fiddling with his lock.
Oh shit. Before she could turn around and run back to the elevator, he looked up and saw her. With a resigned sigh, she continued on to her apartment right next to his.
“Having trouble getting in?” Lia knew her smile reeked of insincerity.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” He didn’t even try to hide his disgust.
Now she was mad. “What? Are you afraid I’ll keep you awake at night with wild vampire parties, maybe knock on your door to borrow a cup of blood, or—”
“Just be quiet.” His voice came as close to a roar as she’d ever heard it.
Lia took a deep breath. It had been a tough night, and they were both tired. She kept her mouth shut.
“I don’t care if ten vampire wannabes live next door. What I do care about is bringing my work home with me. That’s what it’ll be like living next to you.” He raked his fingers through his hair.
Vampire wannabe? That hurt. “I don’t know what your problem is. You had a driver back in
Philly. That driver lived next to you because, hello, the Eleven need to have their humans ready to drive them anywhere at a moment’s notice.” Lia threw up her hands. “Oh, this is ridiculous.”
She unlocked her door and left him standing in the hallway. A few minutes later she heard his door slam shut. Good thing. Because she didn’t take her work into her apartment and allow him to sleep on her couch.
Her annoyance kept her buzzing long after she should have fallen asleep. Finally, she started to doze. No bad dreams, she hoped. At least she wouldn’t have nightmares about her mother’s death, because she hadn’t been there when it happened. And she’d never asked which one of the Eleven had killed her.
Lia woke to pounding on her front door. She struggled out of bed and pulled on her robe. Light slipped in around her blinds. She’d have to get blackout curtains once she became vampire. Glancing at her clock—how had she slept till four p.m.?—she ran her fingers through her hair and hurried to the door. Lord, she hoped Utah didn’t want to leave right now. She didn’t function without coffee.
She pulled open the door just as he raised his fist to do some more pounding. “See the little button? It’s called a bell. Use it.”
He looked puzzled.
Lia sighed. She was being bitchy because he’d dragged her out of bed. Get used to it. This probably wouldn’t be the last time it happened. The apocalypse waited for no woman. She stood aside so he could come in.
“Sorry I got you out of bed.” He carried a duffel bag that he set by the door. Then he settled himself on her couch.
Dressed in jeans, boots, T-shirt, and brown suede jacket, he looked ready to take on an army of immortals. His hair was shaggy and a little overlong, but it shone with a blending of shades from pale blond to dark gold. Gorgeous.
And her? She was standing there in a cotton robe, bare feet, and a bad case of bed head.
“No, you’re not sorry.” She padded into her token kitchen and then paused. “How long?”
“A half hour.”
Damn. She reached for the instant coffee. Any caffeine was better than none. “Coffee?”
“Not if it’s instant.”
“Elitist.” Lia made her coffee and then took it into her bedroom to drink as she got ready. Fifteen minutes later, she emerged dressed and minimally functional.
He’d opened the blinds and was staring out the window.
“Who’re you looking for?” She sat on her one easy chair.
“Jude.”
She glanced at her watch. “You have a few minutes. Explain what’s happening.”
“Fin called me about an hour ago. Adam accepted the deal. He’s sending Jude to pick us up and take us to where Adam and his vampires are staying.”
Lia refused to admit that her stomach did a slow roll at the thought of being in Adam’s presence. He might not be a beloved ruler, but he was certainly a feared one. He’d starred in her monster-under-the-bed nightmares since she was a child.
“Why have Jude pick us up? I can drive my car—”
“Flattened.”
She winced.
“Don’t worry, Shen called your insurance company and reported it stolen.”
“We have the one Fin loaned—”
“He needs it back. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, Adam wants us to stay at his place, so you’d better pack a few things.”
What a crappy start to her night. She didn’t have time to argue with him. She raced back into her bedroom, and when five minutes later he yelled that Jude was down in the parking lot, she had her bag ready.
They were silent on the ride down to ground level. She’d swear the walls were closing in on her. And somewhere during the short trip, she admitted that what had started in the alley last night hadn’t gone away.
Utah made her nervous, but not in an I’m-scared-of-you way. He made her aware. Of all six-feet-plus of him filling the small space. Of his hair with its shining strands tempting her to touch, to smooth, to feel. Of those predator’s eyes softened by ridiculously long lashes. Of his mouth . . . She did a mental head shake. Oh no. Recognizing the problem was one thing, encouraging it was another. Thankfully, the elevator door opened and she was free. For the moment.
By the time they stepped from the building, dusk had fallen. Jude was parked at the curb. He didn’t climb out to greet them. Not that she’d expected it. He released the trunk latch, and Utah loaded their stuff inside.
Then Utah glanced at her. “Front or back seat?” He’d already opened the rear door.
Lia hesitated. She wasn’t ready to revisit what she’d felt in the elevator, so she pulled open the front passenger door and slid in. She didn’t look back at Utah because Jude had captured her complete attention.
The vampire’s flow of dark hair was a tangled mess, and she could see blood in it even in the dim light. His jacket was open, and as she leaned in for a closer look, she saw that the front of his white shirt was soaked in blood. Already fading cuts and bruises marred his face.
“Ohmigod, what happened to you?” If he were human, she’d be calling 911. But he was vampire. This wouldn’t kill him, and hospitals were dangerous places for the undead.
“Adam isn’t happy with me helping Fin. He explained that to me at length. Then he sent me here to pick you up.” He didn’t look at her as he prepared to pull out into traffic.
Utah leaned forward and put his hand on Jude’s shoulder. “Stop.”
Jude obeyed, but he didn’t even glance at Utah in the mirror.
Utah opened his door, climbed out, and then opened Jude’s door. “Get out.”
Jude finally looked up at him. “If I stand up, I’ll fall over. Give me a half hour, and I’ll be as good as new.”
“Why did he do this?”
Utah sounded mildly interested, but Lia knew body language. And Utah’s clenched fists signaled barely controlled anger.
Jude shrugged, wincing as he did so. “Adam felt I was getting too cozy with you guys. Afraid I might pass on the wrong information to Fin. He used his considerable powers to make me an example. Probably would’ve taken my head, but he didn’t want to stir up trouble with my people.” His smile was a pained grimace. “Especially the five vampires you saw me with in Philly. Even Adam would think twice about setting them off.”
Lia saw the humiliation Jude was trying so hard to hide. “Look, Adam is millennia old. He has insane power. I don’t know any vampire who could stand up to him.”
Jude nodded, but he didn’t seem convinced. “He made a mistake tonight. You don’t embarrass one of your own in front of a packed house.” His voice dropped to a whisper, all the scarier for its quietness. “I’ll remember.”
Lia got out and walked around to the driver’s side. “Utah can help you into the backseat. I’ll drive. Oh, and I’d get those five vampires here as soon as possible.” She glanced up at Utah to get his support. Uh-oh.
Utah’s eyes almost glowed, and she didn’t need anyone to tell her his soul was close to the surface.
“When I’m finished working for Adam, I’ll kill him.”
“Why?” Jude seemed sincerely puzzled.
“Adam punished you for helping us. The Eleven take care of their own.” Utah’s fury was contained, but that didn’t make it any less impressive. “Did you show Fin what he did to you?”
“No.” Jude rested his head against the seat. “Fin needs the vampires’ help. Adam holds ultimate control over all of us, and he doesn’t like Fin. Your leader is too powerful, and I think Adam sees that power as a challenge. Before he began his teaching session, he said something about Fin threatening him if anything happened to me. Adam wanted to thumb his nose at Fin’s threat by letting Fin see what he’d done. I didn’t want Fin to be forced into doing something that would jeopardize whatever agreement he made with Adam.”
With no further comment, Utah helped Jude into the backseat while Lia took his place behind the wheel. Utah then joined her in the front seat.
Lia followed Jude’s direct
ions, winding through the Portland streets until they got to what he identified as Old Town. Finally, he had her park in back of what looked like an art gallery. It had an “Under New Management” sign in the front window. It was closed.
She started to retrieve her bag, but Utah stopped her. “Leave it here until we know we’re staying.”
“Good idea.” After seeing what Adam had done to Jude, she figured they’d better be ready for a fast escape.
She watched as Utah helped Jude out of the backseat. At least Jude was steady on his feet now.
A dark figure detached itself from beside the back door. Huge, hulking, and probably a seven on her oh-shit scale—he’d never outrank Utah, Fin, or Zero—he moved between them and the door. Vampire.
“This is Reed. He’s one of Adam’s guys.” Jude sounded weary. “Reed, meet Lia and Utah. Now move aside.”
For a moment, Lia thought Reed would refuse, but after glaring at Jude and then giving Utah the once-over, he moved away from the door without a word.
Once inside the darkened building, Jude limped across the room, pulled open a door in the far wall, and led them down rickety stairs that were almost as scary as Reed.
“There’s nothing here.” Utah glanced around the basement.
From the little she could see, it looked like an ordinary basement. A few boxes and other things were nothing but dim shadows in the almost total blackness. Zero along with all his crummy numbers could be crouching in the far reaches of the room, and she wouldn’t know. This wouldn’t be a problem if she were vampire, with a vampire’s enhanced vision. Soon. Lia continued to follow Jude closely as he wound his way around the boxes to a side wall where a large display case stood.
Jude, with Utah’s help, moved the cabinet aside, revealing a brick, arched doorway with a heavy wooden door. “This leads to the Shanghai Tunnels. Legend says that back in the day, men were drugged, then dragged through these tunnels to waiting ships where they were forced to work for years. Talk about cheap labor. The tunnels go under the streets of Portland all the way to the Willamette River. They connect the basements of a lot of old buildings. Most of the entrances have been closed up, though.”