Chapter Six

 

Sirens wailed and cars moved out of the way in record time. Chris would've flown, but that would've required nudity, and he honestly doubted Angeline would hold off whatever she had planned for Erin to give Chris time to get dressed. The city rushed by, but Chris barely saw any of it. Jonah drove like a bat out of hell. Thank God for patrol cars.

"Left here," Lane said from the passenger's seat up front.

Jonah took the turn fast, tires squealing. Chris heard the other patrol car behind them do the same. From his vantage point behind the driver's seat, Chris saw Lane's eyes close.

"End of this street, right at the dead end," Lane said. He'd explained how blood tracking worked, but Chris still didn't quite get it. Jonah made the turn. "Last house on the left."

Both cars halted outside a nondescript brick house. Chris, Lane, and Jonah got out, while Riley and Lane's lover, Erich, joined them from the other patrol car. Erich wasn't a cop, but he was a vampire. Chris figured having four vamps against one would help.

All but Erich and Riley drew guns. Riley's long daggers hung from either hip and he took the lead. Guns would help if Angeline had mortal -- or at least non-vamp -- accomplices. But Riley's swords could take down a vamp with no problem. Riley held up a hand when he reached the door. With a quick glance around, he faded into a black mist and slipped through the lock. Chris itched to bust down the fucking door and storm the place. Riley returned a moment later, retaking human form.

"House is empty, but there's a basement door open. I heard Angeline and guitar music."

"He's keeping her distracted," Jonah said. "Smart man, our brother."

Riley nodded. "Let me open the door."

He took on his mist form and went back inside. Then the front door opened slowly, revealing a human Riley. Knives drawn, he led the way toward the basement. The house seemed perfectly normal. Chris had expected it to look more like a place Erin or Riley would live, with their love of the gothic lifestyle. Instead, the interior resembled something he'd seen on a home improvement show -- very low-key, modern, almost conservative in style. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, for sure.

Riley stopped at the open door of the basement. He started down the steps, the others following. One thing their little group had as an advantage over other law enforcement departments was the ability to move as quiet as Death itself. Vampires could shield themselves from detection -- even from other vamps. Shapeshifters couldn't be tracked or sensed at all without tasting their blood. Chris had to bite back the urge to shift, find Angeline, and peck the unsuspecting bitch's eyes out with his beak.

At the bottom of the steps, Riley held up a hand for them all to stop. He motioned toward an open metal door. A song he recognized as one of Erin's drifted out in acoustic form. He also heard chains rattling. That sound alone set his animal instinct on high-protective mode. Riley pointed at Lane and Jonah, then toward the door, instructing them to take point. Then he gestured for Chris and Erich to stand a bit farther away.

When everyone was in position, Riley sheathed his knives and returned to mist form. He drifted near the door. Chris itched to rush in there, but he forced himself to stay put. He couldn't lose his head right now.

 

***

 

Thank God for small favors.

Angeline's back was to the door, while Erin faced it. Erin's gaze lifted from the guitar on his lap and met Riley's for the briefest moment. Riley had to give the man credit for keeping his cool. Most people wouldn't have in a situation like this. Riley shifted to human form and Erin cleared his throat.

"Angeline, could I have some water please? All this singing is making my throat dry."

"Only if I get a kiss."

Erin closed his eyes and Riley saw the man swallow. Then Erin nodded. Angeline moved closer. Maybe this would go off without a hitch after all. They just had to get her away from--"

Angeline's hand touched Erin's crotch and she jerked back. "Erin?"

Riley heard Erin's heartbeat kick up several notches.

"Angeline--"

Angeline stood slowly and balled her fists. "Is there something you need to tell me?"

"Please, listen," Erin pleaded. "I can explain."

Angeline let out an ear-piercing shriek and launched herself at Erin. Riley shot from his hiding place and slammed her into the concrete wall. Erin scrambled out of the way, shaking.

"You lied to me, you fucking freak!" Angeline's screams echoed in the room and throughout the basement.

Riley resumed human form and tried to draw his left knife. Angeline's nails raked down the front of his shirt, shredding it to reveal deep scratches beneath. The others charged into the room as Riley struggled to gain the advantage. Angeline landed on top of him and hissed. Her fingernails -- now more like talons -- dug into Riley's throat. When Jonah came up behind her, she twisted and lashed out at him. It gave Riley the split second chance he needed. He drew one knife and plunged it into her gut. Angeline screamed and scrambled backward, off of Riley and toward the door. Blood poured onto the concrete floor.

Lane and Erich grabbed her arms and she fought them for everything she was worth. Riley got to his feet and drew his other knife. Angeline froze when he neared her. She went from raving madwoman to sweet and innocent in the blink of an eye.

Riley smirked. "Do you honestly think that will work?" He raised his knife and shoved it into her throat. Angeline jerked, gurgling and choking on her blood as Riley cut. He moved closer and whispered, "You fucked with the wrong vamp, Angeline." He jerked the knife out and swung.

Angeline's head toppled to the floor, and Erich and Lane let her body drop as well. Riley hissed and pressed a hand to his chest. Jonah spun him around and tore off what remained of his shirt.

"Fuck," Jonah grumbled. "Why is it not healing?"

"It will." Riley stopped Jonah from touching it. "Let's get Erin out of here."

 

***

 

Erin panted and fought back another surge of nausea. Chris stroked his hair and murmured something. All Erin could hear were those damn screams in his head. Angeline hadn't resembled anything remotely human when she died. Erin didn't think he'd ever get those sounds or sights out of his mind.

"Shh... hey..." Chris slipped a finger beneath Erin's chin, lifting his head. "It's okay. She's gone."

"What..." Erin sighed and tried again. "What about this mess?"

"Cleaning crew is on the way," Riley said, snapping his cell phone shut. He winced and drew his jacket tighter around his chest. "Forensics will be here in a few minutes."

Erin nodded and let Chris help him stand. "Please tell me you can get these off." He held up both hands, then glanced down at his feet.

Lane stepped up. "Easy enough." He grabbed the manacles, taking care not to pinch Erin in the process. Then he pulled them apart.

Erin blinked, absolutely dumbfounded, at the stretched metal. Both wrist manacles clattered to the floor. The ankle restraints met the same fate. Lane straightened back up and seemed to notice Erin's shock.

"Daywalkers are stronger than other vampires," Lane explained.

Erin looked over Lane's shoulder at Riley leaning back against the far wall, Jonah beside him. "Why isn't he healing?" Erin whispered. "Shouldn't he have healed already?"

Lane and Erich exchanged glances before Lane answered. "We don't know. He should have. But there's nothing we can do here."

Jonah helped Riley out of the room. Chris and Erin followed, while Lane and Erich stayed behind to wait for the cleaning and forensics people. Outside, Erin watched Jonah get Riley to one of the squad cars. Two vans pulled up and uniformed men and women got out. One went to talk to Jonah.

"What's wrong with Riley?" Erin asked Chris once they both were in the other squad car.

"I don't know," Chris said. "But I guarantee you: I will find out."

Ignoring the small crowd that had gathered, now held back by several uniformed officers that Erin didn't realize were there, Chris started the squad car and pulled out onto the street. Erin closed his eyes, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the nightmare with Angeline wasn't quite over.