Silenced by the Grave

by Lina Gardiner

  She growled low in her throat. “What do you know about my life? You’d better spill it before I spill you.”

  His image wavered again. “You’d have to find me first, Morana. This won’t be our only meeting. I’m interested in you, and I want to get to know you better.”

  He faded away completely while she stood there, gaping at the wall where he’d been standing. Only he was gone. What the hell? Was he a mirage? A hologram? She spun around, looking for him or a camera that could create a holo-image. There was nothing.

  JESS GRITTED HER teeth, fighting her darkest thoughts about Morana and worrying that their sister might put her baby brother at risk. She went to the window and looked out at the cityscape. Having a sister had been a shock, but honestly, it didn’t mean anything. She didn’t feel the sisterly connection any more than Morana did.

  Given the VNA results, Jess was determined to meet Morana’s elusive adoptive father and soon. He might be the only man on the planet with answers she needed.

  She padded down the hall toward the open concept kitchen. Britt sat on the sofa drinking coffee and staring out the massive windows. He loved the view of the Eiffel Tower from here.

  “I never get tired of this view. It’s amazing, isn’t it?” he said, turning his head to openly admire her.

  She felt the same about him. Vampire or not, she couldn’t get enough of being part of his nightly routines. The predictability of his actions and the fact that he’d always be there for her, helped to ground her—along with the prayers he said for her every day while she was dead. Prayers that kept her partial soul intact.

  She gritted her teeth and had to wonder—what kept Morana’s vampire heart calm enough to work in a bar?

  “Want a little action tonight?” he asked in a sexy, you-can-have-me- if-you-want-me tone.

  His body language told her something else, even though he asked the question. He’d dressed in fighting leathers, which meant he obviously had other plans tonight. She glanced down at her own leather outfit and grinned at him. They were amazingly in tune with each other.

  “It looks as if we’re going out tonight,” she said, striding to the fridge and grabbing two blood bags.

  “I’ve been thinking about Vlad. I wish you’d been able to glean a little more from his office the other night. I think we need to know more about him.”

  “I agree,” she said. “Where do you want to start?”

  “I’m wondering how Veronique fits into this. We have no idea if she’s in league with Vlad or just enthralled by him. I think it’s critical that we find out,” he said.

  Even though Jess had finished her sustenance, she said, “I’m feeling thirsty tonight. Feel like going to that pub again?” She raised one eyebrow, making herself look slightly devious.

  Britt closed in on her, his face inches from hers, his lips nearer still. “I love how we come up with the same ideas so easily.”

  She pressed one hand against his sturdy chest and felt his heartbeat against her fingertips. “When it comes to you and me, good and evil are tighter companions than we’ve been led to believe.”

  Britt exhaled. “I’ve done my share of killing, doll, and I don’t think either one of us is evil. Those shadow demons from hell, now they were evil. You don’t really see yourself like that, do you?”

  She shuddered. “I guess not.”

  “Absolutely not. Intelligence outmaneuvers evil every time.”

  “Don’t I wish that was true,” Jess said. “But I’m glad you think I’m smart.”

  “Don’t tempt me to prove how much I appreciate your smarts,” Britt said, eyeing her cleavage a little too long.

  “My eyes and my smarts are up here, mister,” she said, pressing against his hard body. She needed his touch, his strength to help her believe she was as redeemable as Britt thought she was.

  Taking her silence as acquiescence, Britt kissed her neck and slowly, sensuously worked his way to her mouth while his hot breath fanned her desires. His kisses always brought a flutter of life to the surface of her cold, dead flesh.

  God, she loved him.

  “I can’t tonight,” she said. “I’m too edgy, and that wouldn’t be good for your health.”

  “Now I’m really intrigued,” he said, his expression turning to burning desire. Against her will, her heart quickened.

  Seriously, she had to burn off some steam first, or she couldn’t be responsible for the consequences. And she’d never hurt Britt. “Can I have a rain check?”

  Even though they couldn’t hunt vampires in Paris, she needed to understand how vampires fit into this society, and she wanted to see the underbelly of truth, which was definitely not what they saw on the surface.

  Finally forcing herself to step away, she pulled on her boots. “You know how I mentioned that I enjoyed being a cat burglar the other night? Maybe we should go back to Vlad’s home to see if we can learn anything more about that weird room in the basement.”

  He cleared his throat. “No.”

  “No?” Just like that? Britt never told her no.

  “No way are we going back there, doll. You barely got out without being caught last time. Besides, we’d be going against our promise to Veronique.”

  “I don’t remember promising her anything,” Jess said. “It was more like she warned us to stay out of the way.”

  He opened the door, and they took the elevator down to the main floor.

  “Yeah, you’re right about that. But until we figure these vamps out, I think we should steer clear. It’s weird we haven’t seen many olde vampires, other than those in Vlad’s bar. It’s almost as if they’re avoiding us,” he said.

  “Now that you mention it, we’ve only had a couple of encounters since we arrived, and they were basically peaceful. It makes me wonder why the vamps in North America are so wild and the vamps here so civilized,” Jess said. “I don’t believe they’re really so different. I fight against my inner darkness all the time. I don’t think they’re truly more evolved over here, not deep down. There’s something else going on.”

  “There lies the mystery,” he said, eyeing the building on their right while they walked in the direction of Regent’s apartment. “The Louvre is massive, isn’t it?”

  Jess stared at the brick building they’d been walking beside for the last ten or fifteen minutes. She spotted a gargoyle over a side door and pointed at it.

  “This is the Louvre? I hadn’t noticed,” she said. “I hope we get to visit soon and take a look around. Speaking of the Louvre, this is where Regent’s friend Gaston works. Did I tell you that he’s really invested in deciphering the strange text in the book Regent found?”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Hope Gaston knows what he’s getting into.”

  “Do you think he should be told about the vampires?”

  “Hell no! We’ll leave that up to Regent.”

  “I’m jealous that you get to spend more time with Regent than I do lately.” She gave him a gentle shove with her shoulder.

  In turn, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “If you play your cards right, I’ll tell you everything we discuss,” he whispered in her ear. “But it’ll cost you.”

  “I’m more than willing to repay you in any way you deem necessary, sir,” she said with a fake French accent.

  “Okay, you two, you’re taking this ‘lovers in Paris’ thing a little too literally, aren’t you?” Morana said, stepping out from the shadows. “Jesus, Jess, you’re a vampire. Have some self-respect.”

  Jess glared at Morana. “Did you get out of the wrong side of the coffin tonight, Morana?” Sister or not, Morana needed to know her boundaries when it came to Jess’s relationship with Britt.

  “Aren’t you the witty one,” Morana snarled.

  “Can we help you with something?” Britt asked in an equally cryogenic tone.

  Good thing he cut in, because Morana had sent Jess’s irritation into hyperdrive without even trying. Was it because she couldn’t e
xplain to herself how an angel could possibly love a vampire, how it defied logic and it made her afraid that it couldn’t last, or wouldn’t last, especially since Britt seemed to be becoming more angel than man?

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m just out for a walk,” Morana said.

  “Shouldn’t you be at work?” Britt said.

  “Again, not your business. But, so you don’t immediately turn this into something it isn’t, I’ll tell you. The police have been around so often because of the murders in the tunnel, business is down. I’m not needed until eleven.”

  “Speaking of the murders,” Jess said, “have you seen anyone suspicious in the club?”

  Morana didn’t make eye contact. If her facial expression was any indication, her irritation had ratcheted up another couple of notches. “Of course not. Are you implying I know someone who’d do this?”

  “You know the vampires in Paris. Word might have gotten out.”

  “So now, you’re saying it’s a vampire killing those women? It’s the first time I’ve heard that rumor.” Morana’s irritation made her teeth grow. “I thought it was a human serial killer.”

  Jess’s jaw felt glued together. “I’m just asking questions. What did your father say about the VNA results?”

  “I’m positive he knows about you and Regent, but he’s not talking. Every time I bring it up, he leaves or goes to bed.”

  Possibly the cause of her ultra-bitchy disposition. “Maybe he’ll come around,” Jess said.

  “He’d damned well better. If he knows something about my adoption and hasn’t told me, I’m going to be pissed.”

  Her father must be able to cope with her moods, Jess thought. After all, he’d raised her. They must have some sort of tolerable relationship. On the other hand, Morana didn’t strike Jess as the type of vampire who had a soft side for anyone.

  “We’re on our way to see Regent,” Jess said, hoping Morana would be on her way.

  “I can’t come. I’m busy tonight,” she said swiftly and with no compunction to be civil. Without a goodbye or kiss my ass, she marched off and left them staring after her.

  “As if I’d invite her,” Jess said, making a frustrated face and staring after her twin sister.

  While they continued to watch her stalk away, Jess realized part of her problem with her sister. She felt frumpy whenever she was around Morana. Her sister wore a mid-length silky skirt tonight, leather boots, and a low-cut white silk blouse and a flimsy see-through bra that left little to the imagination.

  She hated to admit it, but she grudgingly admired how well Morana wore designer clothes. If she had worn an outfit like that, she’d feel as if she should be on a street corner somewhere. Morana, on the other hand, looked good enough to stride a catwalk.

  Jess slipped a glance at Britt and felt a frisson of jealousy when she realized he’d been watching Morana, too.

  THE NEXT EVENING, still lying frozen in her bed, Jess thought about her sister. Her mind used to be blank when she woke from stasis, but lately, she’d awakened thinking about someone, or something. Tonight, it was Morana’s clothing.

  She stared at the ceiling, waiting for her frozen muscles to release before she could sit up. Britt moved around in the living room down the hall, probably waiting for her to rise.

  It was weird to think they might never have met if Regent hadn’t stumbled upon Morana in Paris. A coincidence? Her gut niggled. She didn’t believe in coincidences. Her fingers moved, and slowly the rest of her body followed.

  Again, she wondered—why would anyone separate identical twins? Thoughts swirled in her head the whole time she showered and dried off. She’d still been in the process of brushing her teeth when Britt knocked on the bathroom door.

  “You ever coming out of there, doll?”

  “I’m almost ready,” she said, straightening her shoulders and admiring the skintight, low-cut, black leather dress that was so butter-soft, it moved almost like silk on her body. She wore ruby earrings, along with a large teardrop pendant that hovered between her breasts. Britt should only have eyes for her tonight. She hissed at her own pettiness before cursing under her breath because Britt wasn’t like that. Besides, he loved her, not Morana.

  She trusted him with her soul, so why was she acting so . . . human?

  Britt was in the process of checking his watch when she finally appeared.

  “I thought you’d never . . .” He looked up, and his eyebrows shot up before he swallowed hard. “Good God, I’ve died and gone to heaven. You look amazing.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Thanks. You look pretty nice yourself,” she said, narrowing her gaze on his tight jeans and white silk dress shirt open at the neck. He wore a new black and gold Movado watch she’d never seen before. Looked like he’d been shopping, as well.

  “Is that leather?” he asked, moving over and cupping one of her breasts through the dress. Apparently, her choice of attire had the impact she’d wanted.

  His hands roamed her body, intimately, erotically, and she was so tempted to succumb to the pleasures of his touch.

  Reluctantly, he stopped and gave her a final kiss. “Are we still going to the club tonight?”

  “You’re making it a lot harder to go.” She cupped him and watched his eyes widen before she kissed him into submission—turnabout was fair play.

  He was practically breathless—just the way she liked him. “But, first things first,” she said, breaking away from him and leaving him looking disappointed this time. “That was just a taste of what might happen later.”

  “Oh, baby, I’m taking that as a promise.”

  She tipped her head in acknowledgement and slipped into her heels, pleased that his gaze was still on her. It gave her more satisfaction than she wanted to admit. She’d hated it when he’d stared at Morana last night, which was stupid. He didn’t even like her.

  She picked up the tiny silver sequined purse she’d bought and slung it over her shoulder.

  “A purse?” he said. “What, pray tell, will you keep in that?”

  “Money—and maybe a little perfume.”

  He blew out a breath. “You know, I like it when you play hard to get, and I’ll like it even more when I catch you. But I have to admit that tonight, you’re an enigma.”

  She laughed low in her throat and threw him an appreciative gaze. “Now you know how I feel about you most of the time, my love. You’re not exactly the run-of-the-mill kind of guy yourself.”

  He bowed his head just a little. “Thanks, doll. That’s one of the nicest things you’ve ever said to me.”

  “If that’s true, then I’d better start giving you more compliments.” She opened the door and stepped outside to wait for him.

  “Shall we take the car or go on foot? I’d hate to see anything happen to that amazing dress,” he said.

  “Let’s walk. It’s just a dress.”

  Twenty minutes later, they were at LaCave. The waitress had taken Britt’s drink order and had returned with it quickly given the number of people in the club. They sat at a corner table surreptitiously watching Diesel and Morana work. “Morana knows we’re here, even though she’s pretending she doesn’t,” Jess said.

  “I thought so, too.” Britt leaned on one hand and stared into her eyes. “Not that I care.”

  Jess grinned at him and pointed to his drink. “Is that Morana’s famous Longina Iced Tea?”

  He nodded.

  “Since she doesn’t like you much more than you like her, I hope she didn’t spit in it,” she said, holding back full-blown laughter at the expression of horror on his face.

  “What the—?” He picked up the glass and stared at it, as if he suddenly believed her. “That bitch, I wouldn’t put it past her!”

  Within seconds, Morana was at their table—hands on her hips and her fuchsia lips pressed tightly together. “I fucking resent you telling him that I spat in his drink, so-called sister of mine,” she said.

  Jess stood and faced her look-alik
e. “It was a joke, Morana. It seems neither of you know how to take one when it comes from me. And, it seems you have the same ultrafine hearing abilities that I do.”

  Morana looked irritated, most likely because Jess had realized her ability.

  Britt set the glass back down but didn’t take another drink.

  Morana stared hard at him. “You can drink it. It’s not contaminated. We are professional here,” she said, casting another burning look at Jess.

  “Pull your horns in.” Jess stared hard at Morana. “You can go back to work now.”

  Morana sat down at their table and narrowed her gaze on Jess. “Or maybe I’ll take a break and stay right here.”

  “Oh, for God’s sake,” Britt said. “Maybe I’ll leave you two to cat-fight it out.”

  Jess scowled at him, and Morana laughed. “Not used to having two beautiful women fighting over you, lover?”

  Jess felt that squidgy jealous feeling growing in her gut. Shit. Her darker side slithered to the surface, and her eyes darkened. “What exactly do you mean by that, Morana?”

  Britt rose from his chair, moving away as if there might be a fight. Ridiculous. Jess pressed one hand on the back of her neck and looked at her newfound sister and shook her head. “I’m not playing your game tonight, Morana. You’re always causing trouble, but when it comes to Britt and me, you’re going to fail. We’re not only a couple, we’re partners. We cover each other’s back, and we don’t run off scared at the first sign of trouble.”

  “Don’t go there.” Morana’s teeth instantly started to grow. She knew very well Jess was referring to the night Morana had run off and left her behind to be killed by the shadow demons.

  Morana’s teeth showed, and her eyes had blackened.

  Okay—maybe there was going to be a fight.

  Diesel strode purposefully toward them and stepped up beside Morana. “You’re needed back at the bar. I’ve got six orders for your special drink.”

  “Not now,” she said in a lowered, vampire-enhanced voice.

  “Yes, now! You’re not going to make a scene here in the bar. If you and your sister have issues, take them elsewhere or get back to work,” he said in an unusual attempt at bravado. Maybe he wasn’t her lapdog after all.