“She’s at the beach.”
He heard the sound of an engine rev. “On our way.”
Then Smith dialed another number.
“You told me to call if I ever came across a dark-skinned girl with long black hair.”
“Send a photo now.”
Smith cringed despite himself.
The little girl voice that always answered the phone honestly freaked him out every time.
How could a kid’s voice seem so fucking creepy?
It was because he knew that little girl would kill him without blinking an eye.
It was the darkest sort of evil—the combination of pure innocence with senseless violence.
The Sultan had managed to corrupt the most innocent among them.
Smith was a prince by comparison.
His family came to him by choice. They stayed with him by choice. The girls fucked him by choice.
And compared to the tiny babes the Sultan had as followers, Smith’s girls were practically women. At least he waited until his playmates had periods and breasts before they landed in his bed.
Smith also prided himself on the fact that he’d never once had to force any girl ever. They all looked at it like an honor. He was very picky about the ones he chose to share his bed.
His small Family now numbered more than thirty, and about fifteen of those were young women. The three he currently shared his bed with had vied for the honor. The twelve he hadn’t chosen sulked when the others came around. They were jealous.
Everybody wanted to be part of the Family. It was a dream life for the runaways he’d gathered around him. He treated them well. That’s why everybody understood why the monthly sacrifices were necessary. Even the girls had embraced the deaths of the small creatures the past year.
They’d become so accustomed to the sacrificial rituals that they actually looked forward to them. He’d heard them speaking about what gowns to wear and how do their makeup those nights.
A few years ago, Smith told them that in order to keep Satan happy, he would have to help rid the planet of whores. He said that he had been given a sign and that every once in a while, instead of the small creatures they sacrificed to Satan, they would have to sacrifice a girl who was a whore.
The first month the Family had showed up at the quarry and found a girl tied to the altar had been a test. Smith had watched everyone very carefully as he slit the drugged girl’s throat. Only one boy winced and turned away. The others watched glassy-eyed.
Part of the ritual involved everyone drinking an elixir that contained a powerful hallucinogen. They drank it at the compound so that by the time they arrived at the quarry, everything was surreal.
The only ones who never drank it were Smith, Bryce, and Scotty.
Two girls knelt down at the altar and gathered the blood that seeped from the girl’s neck into silver chalices. Then, the chalices were passed around, and everyone had a sip.
Out of the corner of his eye, Smith watched the boy who had turned away shake his head when the chalice was held before his lips.
Two days later he sent the boy on an errand with Bryce. When Bryce returned, he was alone.
The sound of the dial tone in his ear brought Smith back to the present.
He called the tech cabin.
Within moments they sent him a still photo they’d captured from the drone footage.
He texted the photo it to the Sultan’s number.
Seconds later, he received a text back:
“Do not let her get away. We need her alive.”
22
Present Day
Australia
Rose took a step out onto the wooden stairs leading down to the beach where they had found the girl’s arm.
Looking out into the distance at the ocean, she saw that the horizon was clear.
No big black boats floating in the waves.
But that didn’t mean the Sultan wouldn’t appear.
He had an eerie knack for showing up out of nowhere.
Even though the thought of the boat sent a zing of fear down her spine, she was also exhilarated at the possibility. It was, after all, what she lived for—the chance to get close enough to the Sultan to kill him herself.
And that was her main goal.
The police here were actually capable and about to move in to arrest the cult members who killed Maddie May, so she really wasn’t needed here anymore.
She could sense when he was near.
It was a strange feeling. It was almost as if a chill ran down her spine when he was close.
The first time it had happened had been in Barcelona. She’d fallen asleep at Timothy’s grave.
She woke to the sound of Dylan growling. She sat straight up, instantly alert, senses searching for any danger nearby. She couldn’t see a thing.
Clouds had come in with a cold wind, covering the stars and moon. The night was pitch black. She felt Dylan bristling beside her and heard his low, warning growl.
Reaching for the dagger strapped to her thigh, she pulled herself silently to a crouch, searching the blackness around her.
Suddenly, Dylan leaped to his feet, barking furiously.
She grabbed his collar and stood, heart pounding, thrusting the dagger out before her, unable to see anything. It was unearthly dark—a darkness she had never experienced before. She couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face. Terror raced through her.
It couldn’t be?
A terrible stench drifted her way, and she couldn’t help but gag but did so silently.
An icy cold surrounded her. But there was no breeze.
That’s when she knew for certain.
It was the Sultan.
“You cannot escape your destiny, child.”
It was the Sultan’s voice. A voice that she knew immediately but would be unable to describe afterward except to say that it was disturbing and unearthly.
He was there.
Impossible.
And yet, he wasn’t there.
The clouds parted. To her astonishment, the cemetery was empty. There was nobody in front of her.
She would’ve staked her life that the Sultan was standing less than ten yards in front of her. She could sense him.
Her entire body was shaking.
At the time, Rose was convinced it was a spiritual attack. She’d heard of those.
Being born in Mexico, the spiritual realm was not as mysterious to her as it was to Americans and others. Her relationship with the dead was different. She believed that during Dia de los Muertos, the souls of loved ones came back to the visit. She believed that people could appear in a spiritual form only. So why not the Sultan visiting her in this way?
Clutching a cross necklace of Timothy’s had made the presence dissipate.
And she’d spoken on the phone to a priest in Italy, one of Eva’s friends, who told her that, yes, he believed that it was possible she’d really been visited by the Sultan’s spirit.
But the more time that passed, the more she wondered if she’d simply still been asleep when the graveside visit had happened.
But then it happened again in Sumatra.
And now.
The Sultan was nearby.
With Dylan practically glued to her thigh, she felt protected, but still she shivered and looked around. That’s when she heard the buzzing sound again. She quickly stepped back into the shadows of the trees. Peering up through the branches she saw a flash of silver. That fucking drone was back.
No way it was a coincidence.
It had to be the Sultan.
Holding her breath, Rose waited. Then she heard the sound growing fainter.
“Come on, boy,” she said and started down the steps to the beach. When they stepped on the sand, she gave Dylan a nudge. “Go.”
He didn’t hesitate and began to run, full of joy, his ears flapping back, spinning circles in the sand, racing over to the waves and barking at them. As the waves crashed, he raced away from them. Rose watch
ed him and laughed.
Nothing was more healing for the soul than watching a dog full of energy.
Every once in a while, she glanced up at the sky but didn’t see anything.
There was a lone surfer out on the waves toward the rocky outcropping where the beach ended to the south. It made Rose wish she had her own board with her.
Out on the waves was the one place she truly felt free.
But she had to be careful. The drone could be back any minute.
She’d risk it for now. It was worth seeing Dylan run free for a while. It was something he hadn’t done since they arrived in Australia.
All of a sudden, Dylan was joined by a golden retriever. The two dogs excitedly sniffed each other, tails wagging so hard their entire bodies shook, and then they took off on the beach, taking turns chasing each other.
A tall woman with chin-length blonde hair walked their way. She wore a sarong wrapped around her waist and a bikini top. Her skin was tanned and freckled and she was tall and lean.
Rose smiled at her as they grew closer.
“Good day,” the woman said in a cute Australian accent. Up close, Rose saw her hair was wet.
“Hi,” Rose said as the two dogs raced over. Rose kneeled down to pet the golden retriever, which had come over to say hi by pressing its head against her thighs. “Hi there. What’s your name?” Rose said to the dog, more comfortable speaking to it then the woman.
“That’s Honey. And yours?”
“Dylan. He’s sort of a flirt.”
The woman laughed, flashing white teeth. “Perfect. Honey is desperate for other dogs. We don’t get a lot of them out here on the point.”
Rose straightened and looked down the beach.
Up a steep flight of wooden steps, a stone house perched on two different levels.
“That your house?” she asked.
The woman blushed. “It’s a little embarrassing, but yes.”
“Wow.”
“I know,” the woman said. “It’s been in my family for generations. I apparently had a wealthy ancestor who bought this land and built the house way before my time. When my parents died, I inherited it. I’m an only child.”
Rose nodded. “I think it’s great. I was going to study architecture but…” she trailed off and her face grew dark. It was a lie. She wasn’t sure why she had said that. She’d never planned on studying architecture. But Timothy had. It was his passion.
“It is actually on the historical list. It was built by a renowned architect. It is quite cool if I do say so myself. By the way, I’m Tilly.”
She smiled and stuck out her hand.
“I’m Rose.” The woman’s hand was soft and firm.
They both stood there awkwardly for a second and then Tilly said, “I just finished my daily swim, and I’m starved. Would you care to come back to my place for a cuppa? I’d love to show you the inside of the house since you are into architecture and all that.”
“Sure. That’d be great.”
Rose looked up at the sky. It would be good to get out of the open for a little bit in case the drone came back.
When she looked back down, Tilly’s eyes were on her, but the blonde quickly looked away and said, “Let’s go then before I faint of hunger.”
The worn, wooden stairs seemed to go on forever, but finally they were at the first level, a slab of rock with a small stone building attached, but Tilly led her higher up the steps. An arbor covered with grape vines was situated over the steps as they led to another, larger stone building at the top of the point.
Inside the building there was a large great room with a kitchen and living room facing a wall of windows. The view was entirely of the blue sky and sea below.
Rose found herself drawn to the windows and stood looking out at the vastness below. The sea and sky stretched on forever. It made her feel insignificant and small. When you were on the beach or surfing the waves, it felt a little cozier and less terrifying.
“Not a bad view to wake up to in the morning,” a man said stepping into the room.
Rose jumped.
Tilly ran over and gave the man a kiss on the cheek. Then, grabbing his hand, she led him over to Rose.
“Rose, my husband, Tom. Tom, dear, this is Rose. I met her and Dylan on the beach.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Tom said with a grin, the smile reaching his eyes quickly. Rose instantly liked him.
“This is Dylan,” Rose said when the dog came to her side, waiting for her signal about the newcomer. As soon as she said his name in that way, he lowered his head and began to wag his tail.
Tom crouched down and gave Dylan a good head rubbing. “What a fine boy you are. I’m sure you and Honey are already fast friends.”
Rose laughed.
“Quite good friends,” Tilly said.
She led them to the table.
“Let’s eat.”
There was tea and small sandwiches. Rose was not embarrassed to dig in. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was.
Rose jumped up in alarm when she noticed Dylan was eating food out of a dish. “I’m so sorry, he’s eating Honey’s food.”
Tilly laughed. “Her bowl is over there,” she said pointing to another area. “I put that down for him. I hope that’s okay.”
Suddenly her smile faded. “He’s not on a special diet or anything, is he?”
Rose shook her head. “Oh no. Thank you. Our schedule is a bit off lately. Being on the road and all.”
“Speaking of being on the road, is that your car down the lane?” Tom said.
Rose exhaled and then nodded. “Yes. I was looking for something.”
The couple exchanged glances. Rose realized how that sounded. Tilly had found her right where the arm had supposedly been found.
“It’s a long story, but I was wondering if you’ve seen a black boat out at sea nearby? You have such an amazing view here…” Rose trailed off.
“Funny you should ask,” Tilly said. “Tom and I were discussing this over breakfast. There has been a large black boat hovering around these parts. We assumed it was a military or police rig since…well, have you heard what happened?”
“I did,” Rose said. “It’s partly why I came out.”
The couple grew very quiet and still.
“I’m looking for the owner of the boat. He calls himself the Sultan. He may be connected to the murder.”
“Good lord,” Tilly said. “Why on earth would you seek him out?”
“He took something from me. Something precious.”
Timothy.
“And I’m pretty sure he knows I’m here. In Australia, I mean. I came here looking for him and now he knows. There’s a drone that’s been following me since I left my motel in town.” Rose turned toward Tom. “It’s why I left my car under that grove of trees. The drone couldn’t see me or the car under the trees.”
They all sat in silence for a few seconds.
Tilly’s brow was knit together in concern.
“Well, then you must stay here.”
Rose tilted her head confused.
“Yes,” Tom said. “We love guests, and we have plenty of room. Would you like me to fetch your car? Bring it in closer? We could park it in the garage, even.”
“I’m afraid to go back to it.”
“I did see some drones when I stopped to look at the vehicle. I was concerned it was a driver in distress,” Tom said.
Drones? Plural.
“You must stay here,” Tilly said, standing up and smoothing her napkin.
“Thank you for your kind offer, but I don’t think it’s safe,” Rose said. “If my car is here, they will eventually search the entire area. It would be dangerous for you. But thank you.”
“Nonsense,” Tom said reaching for a cell phone. “I’ll call and have the car towed back to the rental place. We will say it was abandoned here. I can pay any outstanding fees.”
“It’s paid for,” Rose said.
“Then it’s settled,”
Tilly said. “That way they can’t trace you to here.”
“I do have a bag inside the car,” Rose said.
“I’ll take a walk down the beach and retrieve it,” Tom said. “I’ll sneak back home along the tree-line. Nobody will be the wiser.”
Rose wanted to argue, but it seemed like a good solution. Staying there would be safer than going back to her motel.
“Thank you.”
Tilly looked at Tom and beamed.
“Our pleasure. And look how happy Honey is. She is lonely. She needs a playmate,” Tilly said.
Rose looked at Dylan and Honey. They were already fast friends and playing tug-of-war with a big length of rope.
“Oh,” Tom said. “And just so you don’t feel stuck here. We have an extra car you can borrow for any errands you might have.”
“You are so kind,” Rose said. “I don’t know why you would be so nice to a strange teenage girl.”
Tilly looked down.
“It’s a story for another time,” Tom said. “but we once had a teenage daughter.”
Rose frowned.
“Oh, Tom, now you might as well explain, so it doesn’t sound so ominous,” Tilly said.
The couple explained that they’d adopted a girl at nine but she had run away from home when she was sixteen.
Rose’s heart skipped a beat. Was the girl one of the Family’s victims?
“We later got a postcard from Kari. She landed in New Zealand. Said thanks for everything, but she didn’t want to hear from us again.”
Tom frowned. “It wasn’t her fault. We loved Kari with everything we had, but we couldn’t get past the abuse she’d suffered before she ended up with us. We just hope one day she’ll want to be in touch again.”
“I’m so sorry,” Rose said.
Tom nodded. “Tilly has been like that since high school. She always takes in the strays. No offense, not that you’re a stray or anything.”
Rose laughed. “Well, I sort of am right now. And very grateful to be taken in.”
Tilly got up and said brightly. “I’ll clean up.”
Rose wondered if she did so to avoid crying.
After a few more bites of her sandwich, Rose stifled a yawn.
“I’m sorry. I was up most of the night.”
“Well, we happen to love an afternoon nap around here, and its nigh time for it. Let me show you to your room in the guest house.”
Blood & Fire (Vigilante Crime Series Book 2) Page 9