Hunting Season (Aurora Sky (20 page)

We stared at each other during his lingering pause. After everything he'd been through, Fane had a right to be dramatic—especially since his early life had been encircled by theatrics.

Fane slapped a hand over his heart. “Then I felt it, the slow murmurs of my life returning, blood rushing, heart pumping, my limbs trembling.”

My fingers twitched as he spoke.

“At first I was a numb shell of a person. Death clung to me like a shroud. My mother considered it a miracle I even survived. Then I had my first taste of blood—nothing devious. I found it in the kitchen inside a pail used to collect blood when our cook slaughtered one of the pigs for supper. I drank it when no one was looking, the first time anyway. Not only did I recover fully, but I felt stronger, my senses keener. At first we believed I'd dodged a bullet, until our cook caught me drinking blood.”

I grimaced. Fane was lucky he'd lived in a time of do-it-yourself at home butchery. It wasn't like they had blood bags back then.

“Blood cravings?” I asked.

Fane nodded. “I lost my appetite for food, but I was as thirsty as a newborn babe. The moment I saw the blood, I knew I needed to drink it the way all mammals know they must drink water. It filled me instantly with life and vitality.”

“I imagine the cook found that odd.”

“She thought I was a vampire.”

“What?” I cried. Odd as it was, I hadn't been expecting Fane's cook to actually get it right.

“You have to remember that people were much more superstitious back then,” Fane said. “There were many myths circulating through Europe about vampirism. They were known as the chewing dead. Corpses suspected of being vampires were buried with a brick lodged between their jaws to prevent them from gnawing on neighboring cadavers or going after surviving family members.” Fane squeezed his thigh. “Our poor cook thought I was going to prey on my family and everyone in their employ while they were sleeping. She took off one night, but not before sharing her suspicions with the rest of the staff.” Fane smirked.

“What did your family say?” I asked.

“Oh, they thought it was lunacy, naturally. Donados have always had steady heads on their shoulders. Of course, things got interesting when it became apparent I wasn't aging.” Fane patted his pocket. “Had to leave my smokes in the car, didn't I?”

Forget cigarettes!

“What happened next?” I asked.

Fane hooked a thumb in the pocket he'd been patting.

“My mom feared I'd be decapitated. She and Father decided I must leave Venice and never stay in one place too long. They plotted with my brother that we should stay in contact for as long as they lived. I saw them again before they died. They passed me off as their grandson, the spitting image of his father.” Fane snorted. “It was on my mother's deathbed that she made my brother and me promise to keep the family together as long as my life continued. And so I returned to Venice every couple decades to check in with my brother's children then their children and their children's children and so on down the Donado family line.”

I shook my head. “It's just so wild. And Joss? How did you meet up with him?”

“Our paths didn't cross for another few centuries.”

“Life without Joss, imagine that?” My eyebrows jumped.

Fane hooked his second thumb in his other pocket. “Joss wasn't as fortunate as I. He lived in a small village in England during a cholera outbreak. By this time, I'd lived and traveled enough to figure out I was immune to disease of any kind. I always had my eyes open for others like me. All I knew at that time was it had something to do with disease, but what made it trigger vampirism in a few random souls was a mystery to me—one I was hell bent on getting to the bottom of. When news of an outbreak reached my ears, I headed straight into the thick of things in search of answers, drawn to contagion like a soldier to war. By the time I arrived in England, the cholera outbreak had reached a fever pitch, killing nearly a thousand souls a day.”

“My god.”

Fane frowned.

“In some places the victims were buried so soon after being declared dead that premature burial occurred regularly.”

“Holy shit.”

Fane met my eye. “Josslyn was one of those unfortunate souls buried alive in a mass grave.”

I shook my head. I'd seen plenty of terrifying things in the past year, but the image of bodies being dumped into mass graves, while some of the people were still alive, horrified me. Maybe I'd been too hard on Joss.

“I pulled several poor souls from the pit after hearing their miserable groans.” Fane removed his thumbs from his pockets and mimed lifting a body. “I thought they might go through the transformation like me—weak at first before making a full recovery. I even tried feeding them blood, but eventually they all died.”

“Until Joss,” I said. I was beginning to appreciate their friendship more, especially after all the trouble Fane went to hauling half-dead humans out of a mass grave looking for others like him.

“Joss pulled himself out of the body pit. I saw him crawl out on his hands and knees. Once he made it out, he collapsed onto his back. He just lay there staring wide-eyed at the sky with this dazed look on his face.” Fane turned to me. “I saw the same look on you that day in gym class.”

I lifted my wrists and pressed them against my chest. “Yeah, you called it. Dead girl walking. I didn't even know vampires were real at that point, let alone that I was one of them.”

“Your employer must have given you blood,” Fane said.

I looked down at my wrists. “Transfusion, direct to the veins.”

Fane frowned. “I don't understand why he's creating vampires.”

“Creating vampires to kill other vampires,” I said. “That's Melcher. He believes they're a threat to humanity, God's mistake.”

Fane raised an eyebrow. “And who is he to decide?”

“He's the one with the military backing,” I answered.

“And who would replace him if he died? Does he have a second in command?”

“He had a partner, but he killed her. I suspect he and Jared have been working together a long time. Fortunately, Jared won't be a problem for much longer.”

“I'll help you. After we get out of here.” Fane glanced up at the ceiling. It was as solid as the floor. Fane's eyes found their way to mine. “You won't ever have to kill again,” he said.

A life free of killing. Imagine that. I hadn't even been at this a year, and I was more than ready to retire. The sooner the better. It wasn't my job to police the underworld. Why couldn't Melcher have recruited willing agents? There were candidates out there like Dante and Noel who actually enjoyed what they did. Surely there were more where they came from—without having to force people into it.

The agency might not have all the AB negative recruits they wanted for blood poisoning, but that didn't mean they couldn't train any blood type to battle the unruly undead. As corrupt as they were, someone needed to stop murderous vampires from preying on the public. It wasn't as though the police were monitoring the undead. They didn't even know they existed.

Would Dante wish to continue on with the agency after he found out they'd turned him? If Jared and Melcher were removed, he just might. What else would he do? Finish his degree in Environmental studies? Become a consultant?

I had a difficult time picturing Dante driving to the occasional on-site survey or looking over reports in an office. And that wouldn't work out very well if he never aged.

Where was his place in the world? Where was mine? Noel's?

Maybe I should worry less about the distant future and more about the immediate future.

I dropped my arms, kicked at the ground, and shook my head in agitation. Fane had survived the plague and centuries on the move only to end up trapped inside a padded room. I supposed it could have been worse. It could have been one of Melcher's locked cells.

That thought was hardly comforting.

“When all this is over, the first thing I'm going to do is visit my family,” Fane said as though aware of my thoughts. He straightened his spine. “I want you to come with me.”

My heart fluttered. Fane wanted me to meet his family. “How long has it been since you were home?”

Fane held up his fingers. “I've lived in Anchorage eight years, New York before that. Just before we made the cross-country move from the Big Apple to the Far North, I went home for a visit, but it was very brief.”

Eight wasn't much in vampire years, but Fane's family might feel different.

“Do you get homesick?” I asked.

“The homesickness never goes away. You'll understand once you leave Alaska.”

I lifted my chin. “If you buy me a villa in Tuscany I think I'll manage.”

Fane chuckled. He stepped in front of me, arms relaxing. He tucked my hair behind one ear gently. My neck tingled where he brushed the exposed skin below my ear.

“Sure you can handle something as mundane as life in the country?”

I looked into his devilish brown eyes. “I don't plan on staying in one place for long. You did just promise to take me to the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and the Pyramids. Obviously we have a lot of traveling to do.”

Fane's gaze dropped to my lips. “Among other things.”

I swallowed.

Why did I have to go all school-girl nervous whenever I got within an inch of Fane? We'd made out before. That time of my life seemed like decades rather than months ago.

I wanted to begin fresh, to clear my conscience.

Recovering Dante was more than a rescue mission. If Fane and I were going to have any change of a long-lasting future together, I had to set things straight with Dante. I had to be guilt free.

I backed away from Fane slowly until I reached the big speaker.

Once in front of it, I leaned back as much as I dared without losing my balance.

Fane followed me over, planting a foot on either side of me. His hand slid down my thigh, his lashes lifting as he smiled.

“If only they'd locked us in more comfortable quarters.”

I shook my head. “You left your cigarettes in the car. I left my Trojans at home.”

Fane's lips split open when he laughed. His hand left my thigh as he took a step back. He and I both knew I had no need of contraceptives. I hadn't needed one with Scott Stevens, but I was glad he'd used one, glad there'd been rubber between me and that jock's dick.

I wanted Fane more than ever. I wanted a real man, a vampire. Just not in here, like caged animals with my wrists bound.

“When we get out of here…” Fane said, letting his sentence hang like a lingering look.

When we get out of here, we're going to kick some serious ass
, I thought as the door to the music room flew open.

16

Valerie stood in the doorframe, straightening to her full height as though anticipating an attack. She had her gun at her side, slightly lifted.

“And here you are, just like Henry said.” Valerie took one step inside and glared venom at Fane.

“Where's Josslyn?” Fane demanded.

Valerie tsked. “Don't worry about your mopey friend, Fane. I'm sure the agency has an extra cell they can put him in.”

Fane lurched forward. Valerie's arm lifted at the same time. She leveled her gun at his chest.

Fane stopped in place, hands balled into fists. “He has nothing to do with any of this.”

Valerie's eyes narrowed. “Then he should have stayed home. Instead, I bagged me two for the price of one.”

“What happened to Diederick? And the other guys?” I asked.

Valerie's lips twisted into a smile. “Dead, dead, dead—and dead.”

I winced. There went another informant.

“Melcher isn't expecting Joss. Just let him go,” I said.

Valerie ground her teeth together and swung her head slowly, pointing her heated gaze on me. “How many time do I have to tell you to SHUT UP?”

I scowled.

Valerie turned to Fane. Her shoulders relaxed. “Did she tell you what we are?” Valerie smiled and answered before Fane could. “Vampires.” Valerie looked Fane up and down with a sneer. “You see, Fane? You're nothing special. I don't need to be with a vampire. I am a vampire.”

“Take me, instead of Joss,” Fane said.

My heart slammed against my ribcage. No. God, no.

Valerie stared at Fane a moment. Her lips formed a smirk. “I don't think so. No. I'm going to leave you two love bats right where I found you. This is what you want, isn't it?” Valerie tilted her head to the side and batted her eyelashes. “Privacy? Alone time? No interruptions.” Her tinkling laughter filled the room, but stopped just as suddenly. Valerie's eyes narrowed to slits. “I'll give you all the privacy in the world.” She took a step back.

“Valerie, wait,” I said, stepping forward.

“The good news is you're a vampire,” Valerie said, cutting me off. “If you get hungry you have a snack.” Her eyes flicked to Fane. “Unfortunately for our libertine here, he can't drink your blood unless he's up for an epileptic fit.” Valerie's lower lip pouted. “You never should have left me for a vampire hunter, Fane. Enjoy sucking your own blood.”

Valerie jumped back as Fane lunged, but he was too late. The door slammed just as he reached it.

“Dammit!” Fane yelled. His bellow filled the room. “We have to get out of here.”

I did a full circle in place. The square walls spun around me. There was no getting out of the music room. Not a chance in holy hell. Not even sound escaped those padded walls.

Fane's combat boots smacked the hardwood floors. He raked a hand through his hair. “I should have insisted Joss stay home.”

“We'll get him back,” I said in the calmest voice I could muster.

He stopped in place. His eyes narrowed when he looked at me as though I was someone he didn't recognize. The flirtatious smile had long since disappeared. Did this mean he wasn't taking me to see the Taj Mahal any longer? Okay, not the best time for humor—not even when it was locked tight inside my mind.

“How do you propose we do that from in here?” Fane asked.

“Once we get out, we'll get him back,” I clarified.

My words sounded ridiculous, even to me. We were trapped. We were all trapped. Everyone except Noel. Our fate rested in her hands.

Come on, Noel. You know where we are. Now come let us out.

First she had to get home to Jared and make sure he remained secure. That might take a while. I had to have faith. The alternative—that Jared had woken up, broken through his restraints, and killed or captured Noel—was unacceptable.

I leaned my back against the far wall. Fane stayed by the door as though guarding it. What I really wanted to do was sink to the ground and rest my tired legs and feet, but doing so felt like giving up.

As time wore on, my hope of rescue turned into thoughts of blood.

“If you get hungry you have a snack.”
Valerie's words taunted me.

Blood would give me the strength to get through this ordeal. Unfortunately, the only accessible blood, other than my own, was Fane's. And honestly, it didn't sound so bad despite what most seasoned vamps said about our blood type tasting off.

At some point, Fane stopped pacing and took to staring at the door as though his glare could splinter wood. The silence was unbearable.

Then I heard it. A light knock.

Fane's shoulders straightened. He positioned himself at the edge of the door frame.

The dead bolt clicked, and the door opened. Noel stood on the other side still dressed in her Goth garb.

“Noel!” I cried. I'd never been happier to see her in all my life.

Fane exited the room in a blur, breezing right past her like a dark cloud. I rushed forward. If my hands weren't bound, I would have hugged Noel. “Thank God!”

Her eyes immediately dropped to my wrists.

“Shit,” Noel said. “Let me help you with that.”

While she pulled a dagger from the inside of her coat, I lifted my wrists—more than ready to be freed from the plastic confine. Noel slipped the blade beneath the plastic tie and sliced through it in one upward heave. Once my wrists were free, she replaced the dagger inside her coat.

Free! Free from the music room and free from the zip tie. I threw my arms around Noel.

She sucked in a breath when I squeezed her. So maybe it was more of a crush than a light hug. I released Noel. She glanced beyond my shoulder into the now-vacated music room. Her eyebrows furrowed.

“What the hell happened?”

I started down the hall toward the living room, talking as I went. “Diederick followed me home from the hillside. He called Henry and the two of them collaborated to capture Fane and me, but then Valerie showed up for Henry. She found us inside the music room and left us there locked up.” I stopped and pivoted abruptly to face Noel. She almost ran into me. “Where's Jared?”

Noel's frown quickly shifted into a smile. “Bound, gagged, and stuffed inside the trunk of his car. I had to un-tape his legs from the chair and tie them together with rope. I tied his wrists while I was at it… double-knotted. Harder to chew through than tape.”

Despite the ordeal of the last few hours, the biggest smile stretched over my face. Gleeful laughter bubbled inside me.

I reached forward, grabbed Noel and pulled her against me for another bone-crushing hug. I seriously loved this chick.

I stepped back. “You are a life saver in more ways than one. How did you know we were in the music room?”

“I didn't,” Noel said. “The place was so quiet I was afraid you might not be here anymore, but I wasn't leaving until I checked every room.”

We joined Fane inside the living room. He looked around, a tight frown on his lips. There weren't any signs of the previous group. No bodies. No blood.

“The cleaners must have been here,” I said.

Noel's eyebrows shot up. “Good thing I didn't walk in on them.” She looked from Fane to me, a question on her face.

Time to update Noel on the part of the evening that didn't have a happy ending.

I released a long breath before filling her in. “Valerie said she was taking Henry and Joss in to Melcher.”

Noel's hand flew to her heart. “She got Henry and Joss?”

Fane looked over.

“That's not all,” I said. “Valerie knows she's a vampire. Jared told her.”

Noel lowered her hand. “If Henry spills the beans, we're in deep shit.” She shook her head. “Deep, deep, deep shit.”

I straightened my shoulders. “If Henry says anything, we'll tell Melcher he's lying. Melcher already knows that Henry was onto me at the lodge. And we're friends and roommates. He could easily jump to the conclusion that you're in on the hunting business, too.”

Noel sighed. “It's not ideal, but it's something. Melcher should take our word over his.”

“Maybe he'll toss him to a new recruit before he has a chance to talk,” I said.

Noel rolled her eyes. “Wishful thinking. Okay, so I understand why Valerie grabbed Henry, but why Joss?”

“She's Valerie,” I said. “She's a vindictive bitch.”

Noel looked from me to Fane. “We'll get Joss back,” she said.

Fane's jaw tightened. “How?”

“I don't know. I'll figure something out.”

“
We'll
figure something out,” I said.

Noel shook her head. “Take Jared. Get Dante and Gavin back.”

“Jared?” Fane asked as though suddenly remembering him.

Noel pushed her hair back. “He was unconscious when I got home. I chloroformed him just to be certain he wouldn't wake while I tied him up. I backed his car into the garage and called Daren and Reece over to put him inside the trunk.”

Those guys were turning out to be more useful than I would have guessed.

“The good news is he didn't see me or the boys,” Noel said. “But you need to get him out of our garage as soon as possible.”

Fane crossed the living room and joined us. “We can use him to get Joss back.”

My breath caught in my throat. I stared at Fane for several seconds while the full weight of his suggestion registered.

“If we trade Jared into Melcher now, Dante's as good as gone.”

Fane's jaw tightened. He moved away from me.

“As am I,” I continued. “Jared will know I drugged him. If we return him to the agency… I'm done for,” I finished, voice cracking.

Obviously Fane cared more about Joss than me. Even though they'd been companions for the past hundred plus years, I wished he would have chosen me first.

Tears threatened the corners of my eyes.

“Aurora's right,” Noel said. “We can't give Jared back.”

Fane's shoulders sagged. “I know,” he said. “But the thought of Joss locked up in a cell…” Fane's voice faded with his words. He cleared his throat. “He's my responsibility.”

Noel straightened. “We'll get Joss back. I promise. Dante and Gavin, too. We'll get them all back. Don't forget that Aurora and I are able to get on and off base. We'll come up with a plan.”

Fane nodded slightly, looking unconvinced.

“First, we need to take care of the immediate threat, and that's Jared.” Noel looked at me.

I smiled grimly. “I'll leave with Jared once we get home. I'm going to need a phone. They took mine.”

Fane's head snapped up. “I'm going with you.”

Our eyes met. In his look, I saw concern. Hope fluttered inside my stomach. As long as Fane still cared—still had the capacity to love me—the world around us could crumble like ash, and I would rise above it again and again.