Evil Red (9 page)

Heaven help the poor fool, she was the exact
opposite. Why did he suddenly think she was a vampire? She was
about to demand just that when Fane caught her eye.

“You sure about that?”

“I wish,” Valerie said, pulling her hair forward to
cover her neck. “I’d make a damn good vampire. The boys would be in
trouble. I’d suck them dry.”

“Good thing you’re not a vampire,” Fane said.

Valerie leaned forward, inches from his face. Most
people found this intimidating, but Fane didn’t move a muscle or so
much as blink. “Why? Would that scare you?”

“I’m undead. Nothing scares me,” Fane said, leaning
closer. “But draining humans would be the surest way to get a
vampire hunter on your case.”

Valerie snorted. “There’s no such thing.” She sounded
so convincing she almost believed her own words.
Eat your heart
out, Hollywood.

Fane made a similar sound and regarded her with
increased amusement. “You believe in vampires, but not vampire
hunters?”

“You run into one or something?” Valerie asked.

“Heard rumors is all.” Fane glanced toward the
windshield. “Sun’s coming up.”

Valerie turned her head slowly to the east. The
surrounding environment slowly changed color. Valerie opened the
car door and got out. She wrapped her arms around herself, taking a
stand near the bluff’s edge. Another door opened and closed behind
her. Soon, Fane was at her side. He put an arm around her, and
together they watched the sunrise.

Cook Inlet rippled a dull gray below. Valerie had
never seen the ocean that color. It was ugly and beautiful at the
same time, sorta like Fane. The air was electric, her body calm as
though she were going into a trance.

She’d never realized how alone she felt, not until
Fane’s arm went around her.

Valerie kept her own arms folded and, looking out
over the ocean said, “If any vampire hunter ever tried to hurt you,
I’
d kill him.
”

Fane pulled her against his chest in a tender
embrace.

And if Fane Donado ever hurt her, so help him, she’d
hurt him back.

FADE OUT.

THE END

I’d like to thank The Ginger Pimps (Ali, Janice,
Laura, and Lynsey) for their enthusiasm, encouragement, and bad ass
author services. Team Red rules!

A lifetime of thanks to Seb for all the weekends he’s
given up to format my ebooks and paperbacks, keep track of
expenses, do my taxes, and listen to my book related ramblings for
miles on end during our weekend hikes. I adore this man like no
other.

To my butt kicking copy editor, S.M. Boyce, who I
swear has editing super powers. Once more her suggestions and
observations were dead on and this story is stronger for it.

I am pleased to add Rachel Joyce of Bright Side
Editorial to the Aurora Sky editing team. Not only does she have an
eagle eye, but it turns out she used to live in Anchorage… and even
partied at Koots!

To Naj Qamber for nailing the cover of Evil Red. It
turned out even more wicked than I could have imagined.

Thank you to my street team ninjas, Facebook and
Twitter followers, newsletter subscribers, friends, family, and
readers. Without you this series wouldn’t have gotten this far.
Without you I’d be a woman approaching her fortieth birthday
wondering if she’d ever realize her lifelong dream of publication.
Thank you for being a part of the dream making team!

Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan with a
degree in journalism from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She
loves fantasy, magic, fictional bad boys, and heroines who kick
butt.

Nikki married Sébastien, the love of her life, while
working as a teaching assistant at a high school in France during
the 1999/2000 school year. They now reside in Bellingham, WA with
their Westie, Cosmo.

If Valerie’s story entertained you, please tell your
friends about the Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series.

Visit Nikki’s blog at:
www.nikkijefford.com

BAD BLOOD, Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter, Vol. 3

Spring 2014