by Jeaniene FrostNight Huntress #5This Side of the Grave
1
The vampire pulled on the chains restraining him to the cave wall. His eyes were bright green, their glow illuminating the darkness surrounding
us.
Do you really think these willhold me? he asked, an English accent caressing the challenge.
Sure do, I replied. Those manacles were installed and tested by a Master vampire, so they were strong enough. I should know. Id once been
stuck in them myself.
The vampires smile revealed fangs in his white upper teeth. They hadnt been there severalminutes ago, when hed stilllooked human to the
untrained eye.
Right, then. What do you want, now that you have me helpless?
He didnt sound like he felt helpless in the least. I pursed my lips and considered the question, letting my gaze sweep over him. Nothing
interrupted my view, either, since he was naked. Id long ago learned that weapons could be stored in various clothing items, but bare skin hid
nothing.
Except now, it was also very distracting. The vampires body was a pale, beautifulexpanse of muscle, bone, and lean, elegant lines, alltopped
off by a gorgeous face with cheekbones so finely chiseled they could cut butter. Clothed or unclothed, the vampire was stunning, something he was
obviously aware of. Those glowing green eyes looked into mine with a knowing stare.
Need me to repeat the question? he asked with a hint of wickedness.
I strove for nonchalance. Who do you work for?
His grin widened, letting me know my aloof act wasnt as convincing as Id meant it to be. He even stretched as much as the chains allowed, his
muscles rippling like waves on a pond.
No one.
Liar. I pulled out a silver knife and traced its tip lightly down his chest, not breaking his skin, just leaving a faint pink line that faded in seconds.
Vampires might be able to healwith lightning quickness, but silver through the heart was lethal. Only a few inches of bone and muscle stood
between this vampires heart and my blade.
He glanced at the path my knife had traced. Is that supposed to frighten me?
I pretended to consider the question. Well, Ive cut a bloody swath through the undead world ever since I was sixteen. Even earned myself the
nickname of the Red Reaper, so if Ive got a knife next to your heart, then yes, you should be afraid.
His expression was stillamused. Right nasty wench you sound like, but I wager I could get free and have you on your back before you could stop
me.
Cocky bastard. Talk is cheap. Prove it.
His legs flashed out, knocking me off-balance. I sprang forward at once, but a hard, coolbody flattened me to the cave floor in the next instant. An
iron grip closed around my wrist, preventing me from raising the knife.
Always pride before a fall, he murmured in satisfaction.
I tried to throw him off, but a ton of bricks would have been easier to dislodge. Shouldve chained his arms and his legs before daring him like
that, I mentally berated myself.
That arrogant smirk returned as the vampire looked down at me. Keep squirming, luv. Rubs me in allthe right places, it does.
Howd you get out of the clamps? Over his shoulder, I saw a hole in the cave that used to be where the inch-thick titanium cuffs had dangled.
Unbelievable. Hed ripped them right out of the wall.
A dark brow arched. Knew just the right angle to pull. You dont installrestraints without knowing how to get out of them. Only took a moment; and
by then, I had you on your back. Just like I said I would.
If I stillhad a heartbeat, it would be racing by now, but Id lost thatfor the most partwhen Id changed from a half-breed into a fullvampire
severalmonths ago. My eyes turned bright green as fangs slid out of my teeth.
Showoff.
He leaned down untilour faces were only an inch apart. Now, my lovely captive, with you trapped beneath me, whats to stop me from having my
vile way with you?
The knife I stillheld dropped from my hand as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Nothing, I hope.
Bones, my vampire husband, gave a low, sinfullaugh. Thats the answer I wanted to hear, Kitten.
Being underground in a cave wouldnt make most peoples favorite last-minute accommodations list, but it was heaven to me. The only sounds
were the smooth motions of the underground river. It was a relief not to have to tune out the background noise from countless conversations that
were alltoo audible with a vampires hearing. If it were up to me, Bones and I would stay here for weeks.
But taking a time-out from our lives to get some R&R wasnt in the cards for us. Id learned that the hard way. What Id also learned was to grab
moments of escape when we could. Hence the stopover to rest the dawn away in the same cave in which, seven years ago, my relationship with
Bones began. Back then, it had been me in the chains, convinced I was about to be eaten by an evilbloodsucker. Instead, I ended up marrying that
bloodsucker.
Helsing, my cat, gave a plaintive meow from the corner of the smallenclave, scratching at the stone slab that served as a door.
You dont get to explore, I told him. Youd get lost.
He meowed again but began to lick his paw, giving me balefullooks the whole time. He stillhadnt forgiven me for leaving him with a house sitter
for months. I didnt blame Helsing for his grudge, but if hed stayed with me, he might have gotten killed. Severalpeople had.
Rested enough, luv? Bones asked.
Um hmm, I murmured, stretching. Id fallen asleep shortly after dawn, but it hadnt been the instant unconsciousness that had plagued me for my
first weeks as a vampire. Id grown out of that, to my relief.
Wed best get moving, then, he said.
Right. We had places to be, as usual.
The only thing I regret about stopping to catch some sleep here is the lack of a normalshower, I sighed.
Bones snorted in amusement. Come now, the rivers very refreshing.
At forty degrees, refreshing was a kind way to describe the caves version of indoor plumbing. Bones moved the stone slab out of the way so
we could exit the alcove, putting it back before my kitty could leap out, too.
The trick is to jump in, he went on. Taking it slow doesnt make it any easier.
I swallowed a laugh. That advice could also apply to navigating the undead world. Allright. One leap into a freezing river, coming up.
Then it was time to get to the realreason why wed come to Ohio. With luck, nothing was going on in my old home state except for a few random
cases of fang-on-fang violence.
I doubted it, but I could stillhope.
The afternoon sun was stillhigh in the sky by the time Bones and I arrived at the fountain of the Easton mall. Well, a street away from it. We had to
make sure that this wasnt a trap. Bones and I had a lot of enemies. Two recent vampire wars willdo that, not to mention our former professions.
I didnt sense any excessive supernaturalenergy except a smaller tingle of power in the air that denoted one, maybe two younger vampires
mixed in with the crowd. Still, neither Bones nor I moved untila hazy, indistinct form flew across the parking lot and into our rentalcar.
Two vampires are at the fountain, Fabian, the ghost Id sort of adopted, stated. His outline solidified untilhe looked more like a person and less
like a thick particle cloud. They didnt notice me.
Even though that was the goal, Fabian sounded almost sad at that last part. Unlike humans, vampires could see ghosts, but by and large they
ignored them. Being dead didnt mean people automatically got along.
Thanks, mate, Bones said. Keep a lookout to make certain they dont have any unpleasant surprises waiting for us.
Fabians features blurred untilhis entire body disappeared.
We were only supposed to meet with one vampire, I mused. What do you think of our contact having a buddy with him?
Bones shrugged. I think hed better have a bloody good reason for it.
He got out of the car. I followed suit, giving the silver knives concealed by my sleeves a slight, reassuring pat. Never leave home without them
was my motto. True, vampires were keen on protecting the secrecy of their race and this was a crowded, public place, but that didnt guarantee
safety. The knives didnt, either, but they sure tipped the odds in our favor. So did the other two vampires parked farther down the street, ready to
jump into action if this turned out to be something other than a fact-gathering chat.
Scents assailed me as I approached the courtyard fountain. Perfumes, body odor, and various chemicals were the strongest, but underneath
was another layer Id gotten better at deciphering: emotions. Fear, greed, desire, anger, love, sadness . . . allthose manifested in scents that
ranged from sweetly aromatic to bitterly rancid. Not surprisingly, unpleasant emotions had the harsher aromas. Case in point: The vampires seated
on the concrete bench both had the rotten-fruit smellof fear emanating from them, even before Bones gave them a quelling glare.
Which one of you is Scratch? he asked in a crisp voice.
The one with gray streaks in his hair stood up. I am.
Then you can stay, but heBones paused to give a short jerk of his head at the other, skinny vampirecan leave.
Wait! Scratchs voice lowered and he moved closer to Bones. That thing youre here to talk to me about? He might have some information on
it.
Bones glanced at me. I lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. May as wellhear what our unexpected guest has to say, I commented.
Im Ed, the vampire spoke up, with a nervous look over Boness shoulder at me. Scratch didnt tellme he was meeting you guys here.
From Eds expression, I guessed that between my crimson hair, the large red diamond on my finger, Boness English accent, and the tingling
aura of power he emanated, Ed had figured out who we were.
Thats because he didnt know, Bones answered coolly. His emotions, accessible to me ever since the day Bones changed me, were now
locked down behind the impenetrable wallhe used in public. Still, anyone could pick up on the edge to his voice as he went on.
I take it introductions arent necessary?
Scratchs gaze slid to me and then skipped away. No, he muttered. Youre Bones, and thats the Reaper.
Boness expression didnt soften, but I smiled in my best Im not going to killyou way.
Callme Cat, and why dont we find some shade where we can talk?
The suns rays werent lethalto vampires as mythology claimed, but we were easily sunburned. Expending some of our supernaturalenergy just
to healfrom the strong summer rays was pointless. A French restaurant with outdoor seating was nearby, so the four of us found a table under an
umbrella and sat down as if we were old friends catching up.
You said your Master was killed a few years ago, and she left no one to look after the members of her line, Bones stated to Scratch, after the
waitress took our drink orders. A group of you banded together to watch out for one another. When did you first notice something odd was going
on?
Severalmonths ago, around falllast year, Scratch replied. At first, we just thought some of the guys skipped town without telling anyone. We
kept an eye on each other, but we werent babysitters, yknow? Then, when more of us went missing, people whod normally say something before
taking off . . . well. It got the rest of us worried.
I didnt doubt it. As young, Masterless vampires, Scratch and others like him were on the bottom of the pecking order in the undead world. I might
have some issues with the feudalistic system vampires operated under, but when it came to protecting members of their line, most Master
vampires were pretty damn vigilant. Even the evilones.
Then, more ghouls started showing in the area, Scratch went on.
I tensed. This was why Bones and I had come to Ohio. Wed also heard about a recent influx of ghouls in my old home state, and reports of
missing vampires.
Hey, its an undead playground here, Scratch continued, oblivious to my uneasiness. Lots of ley lines and fun vibrations, so we didnt think
anything about allthe flesh-eaters showing up. But some of em act realnasty to vampires. Harassing the Masterless ones, following them home,
starting fights . . . it got us thinking maybe they were behind the disappearances. Problem is, no one gives a shit since we dont belong to anyone.
Im amazed youre interested, frankly.
I have my reasons, Bones said in that same impassive tone. He didnt even glance at me. Centuries of feigning detachment made him an
expert at it. Ed and Scratch would have no idea that the reason we were pumping them for information was to see if my Worlds Weirdest Vampire
condition might be the reason that some ghouls were acting hostileand why vampires were disappearing.
If youre looking for money, we dont have much, Ed piped up. Besides, I thought you retired from contract killing when you merged lines with
that mega-Master Mencheres.
Bones arched a brow. Try not to think too often, youllonly hurt yourself, he replied pleasantly.
Eds face tightened, but he shut his mouth. I hid a smile. Dont look a gift horse in the mouthespecially one that bites.
Do you have any proof that ghouls might be involved in your friends disappearances? I asked Scratch, getting back to the subject.
No. Just seems more than coincidence that whenever one of them went missing, they were last seen at a place where some of those asshole
ghouls were.
What places? I asked.
Some bars, clubs
Names, Bones pressed.
Scratch began to rattle off a list, but allof a sudden, his voice was drowned out under a deluge of others.
. . . four more hours untilI get a break . . .
. . . remember to get the receipt for that? If it doesnt fit, Im taking it back . . .
. . . if she looks at one more pair of shoes, Im going to scream . . .
The sudden crash of intrusive conversation wasnt coming from the mallshoppers around usId tuned that out even before we sat down. This
was coming from inside my head. I jerked as if struck, my hand flying to my temple.
Oh shit. Not again.
2
Whats wrong, Kitten? Bones asked at once.
Ed and Scratch also gave me concerned glances. I forced a smile while struggling to concentrate on them instead of the plethora of
conversations that had suddenly taken up in my mind.
Just, um, a little hot out here, I muttered. Damned if I was going to telltwo strange vampires the realcause of my problem.
Boness gaze traveled over my face, his dark brown eyes missing nothing, while those voices pitilessly continued to chatter on in my mind.
. . . no one saw me. Hope I can get the security tag off . . .
. . . Illgive him something to cry about soon . . .
. . . if she doesnt show up in five minutes, Im eating without her . . .
I, ah, need some air, I blurted before recognizing the stupidity in that excuse. One, we were already outdoors, and two, I was a vampire. I didnt
breathe anymore, let alone have any health conditions I could blame my sudden weird behavior on.
Bones stood, taking my elbow and throwing a stiff Stay here over his shoulder at Ed and Scratch.
I walked quickly, trying to concentrate on the coolpressure of his hand more than where I was going. My head was lowered, because my eyes
had probably turned bright green from agitation. Shut up, shut up, shut up, I chanted at the unwelcome crowd in my head.
The din in my mind seemed to amplify the noises from the people milling around us, untileverything blurred into a sort of white noise. It grew,
overwhelming my other senses, making it hard for me to focus on anything except the relentless voices coming at me from allsides. I struggled to
push them back, to concentrate on anything except the sounds that seemed to grow with every second.
Something hard pressed against my front the same time that a straighter, harder barrier flattened my back. Underneath the now-thunderous
chatter bombarding my mind, I heard a familiar English voice.
. . . allright, luv. Force them back. Listen to me, not them . . .
I tried to picture the countless voices in my head as a TV channelI just needed to turn downwith my willpower being the remote control. Fingers
stroked my face, their touch an anchor I drew strength from. With great effort, I pulled my mind away from the melee, distancing myself from the
noise that wanted to consume the rest of my senses. After severalminutes of dogged concentration, that mentalroar subsided into an annoying but
manageable mumble. It was similar to the sounds from the shoppers around us, oblivious to the fact that they were in biting distance of creatures
that werent supposed to exist.
I have got to stop drinking your blood, I said to Bones when I felt in controlenough to open my eyes. A glance around showed that hed backed
me into a pillar in what probably looked like a passionate embrace, judging from the slanted glances thrown our way.
Bones sighed. Youllbe weaker.
But sane, I added. And safer, too, because if hundreds of voices suddenly crashed into my mind during a battle, it might be distracting enough
to get me killed.
I tugged at Boness short dark curls untilhe pulled back to look at me. You know this cant be leftovers from when I drank Mencheress blood; its
happening more often, not less, I said softly. I have to be getting this from you. And I cant handle it.
Id thought changing from a half-breed into a fullvampire meant an end to my uniqueness, but fate thought differently. I woke up on the other side
of the grave in possession of two things unprecedented in vampire historyan occasionalheartbeat and a craving for undead blood. The side
effect of the latter meant I temporarily absorbed power from the blood I drank, much like vampires absorbed life from human blood. That was allweland
good, but if I drank from a Master vampire, I also temporarily absorbed any specialabilities that Master had. This was great when it came to
enhanced strength, but not so great when it came to other abilities that were out of my depth to control. Like Boness ability to read human minds.
You dont give yourself enough credit, Kitten, he said, his voice low.
I shook my head. Theres a reason why it takes centuries for vampires to get specialpowers, and only if theyre Masters. Its too much to deawith
otherwise. If I keep drinking from you, what happened today willonly get worse. Youve obviously grown into the mind-reading power you
inherited from Mencheres, so much so that Im starting to pick it up from your blood, too.
And if Bones started manifesting any other abilities as a result of the power exchange hed received from his co-ruler, I really wanted no part of
them. Id drunk from Mencheres once out of necessity, and it had fried me for over a week afterward. I shuddered at the memory. Never again if I
could help it. The voices thrumming in the background of my mind seemed to agree.
Wellsort that out later, but we need to go back now, if youre ready, Bones said, giving my face a last stroke.
Im okay. Lets head back, before they freak out and bolt.
Bones slowly uncurled his body from mine. The din in my head was now low enough that I noticed severalfemales around us checking him out. I
stamped even harder on those inner voices. The last thing I needed was to hear a flood of lusty imaginings involving my husband and other women
to really sour my mood.
In fairness, I couldnt blame them. Even in his trademark black pants with a casualwhite pullover, Bones stood out like a jewelamong rocks with
his finely molded features and tall, sculpted frame. Every move of his body sent ripples along those lean muscles, and his flawless crystalskin
practically dared people to see if it felt as good as it lookedwhich it did. Even when wed first met and I plotted to killhim, Boness looks had
turned my head. In that way, he was a perfect predator, enticing his prey to come close enough to bite.
Youre being eye-humped by about a dozen women as we speak, but Im sure you already know that, I said in a wry tone.
His mouth brushed my neck with the lightest of kisses, making me shiver.
I only bother about one womans desires, he murmured, the breath from his words teasing my ear.
His body was close enough to graze mine, a tantalizing reminder of how thoroughly he could satisfy my every lustfulinclination as wellas a few I
probably hadnt thought of. Still, even though heat began to fillme, we had disappearances to investigate. Any intimate investigations between the
two of us would have to wait.
As if in agreement, the cadre of voices in my head rose again, cutting off the warm sensuality that his nearness brought out in me.
I dont know how you stand hearing this racket in your mind every day, I muttered, shaking my head as if that could clear it.
He gave me an unfathomable look as he drew away. When its always there, its easier to ignore it.
Maybe that was true. Maybe if I didnt have only my own thoughts in my head most of the time, picking up on other peoples mentalfrequencies
would seem less overwhelming. I didnt know.
Still, I didnt want to keep drinking Boness blood to find out.
Ed and Scratch didnt comment about our abrupt departure when Bones and I sat back down with them. Their expressions were also suitably
bland, but the furtive looks they darted my way spoke volumes. They were wondering what the hellhappened.
Thought I smelled someone I knew, I offered, downing the gin and tonic that had arrived with the other drinks while Bones and I were away.
It was an obvious lie, but Ed and Scratch made agreeable noises and pretended to believe it. The look Bones gave them didnt lend itself to
further questions on the subject.
Right then, any more names of places these nasty flesh-eaters tend to frequent? Bones asked, as if there had been no interruption in
conversation.
Scratch elbowed the other vampire. No, but Ed has something to tellyou.
Ed looked reluctant but then straightened his narrow shoulders.
A buddy of mine, Shayne, called me last night and said our friend Harris got the shit kicked out of him from some ghouls at a club. Shayne was
gonna go home with Harris to discourage any more beatings on him. Thing is, Ive been callin Shaynes cellallday, but he hasnt answered, which
isnt like him. When I told Scratch, he told me to come here because he was meeting people who might be able to help.
Do you know where Harris lives? I asked at once.
Yeah. Its not too far from here, actually.
Yet you didnt go there yourself to check on him? Bones asked with heavy skepticism.
Ed gave Bones a weary look. No, and I stillwont unless I can get severalpeople to go with me. I dont want to be the next vampire no one ever
hears from. Judge allyou want, but I dont have a bunch of badass powers to protect myself if something did happen to Shayne and Harrisand the
ghouls who made it happen are stillthere.
Sympathy welled up in me, dulling the voices stillyammering on in my mind. Ed and Scratch were doing the best they could to look out for their
friends under the very harsh circumstances of living in a world where they were close to second-class citizens. I knew from experience that it sucked
to feellike no one had your back when the monsters came sniffing around. Of course, technically, Ed and Scratch were monsters, too.
Then again, so was I. In this case, that was a plus.
Bones looked at me and arched a brow.
Lets do it, I said to the unspoken question.
He rose, giving his knuckles a quick, expert crack, and then threw severalbills on the table.
Allright, then, mates. Lets see if Shaynes mobile just ran out of charge.
True to Eds word, Harriss apartment was only twenty minutes away. I found it ironic that it was also only about a mile away from the apartment
complex Id lived in when I went to OSU, seemingly another lifetime ago. If Bones noticed the close proximity to my old place, he didnt comment on
it. He seemed more focused on the exterior of the building, trying to pick up any vibes of danger within. We couldnt risk sending Fabian in first to
check it out. The ghost had snuck into our trunk when we drove off, unnoticed by Ed or Scratch, but if we sent Fabian in ahead of us, that would
draw their attention to our phantom friend.
Tingles of power rode on the air behind us in the narrow parking lot. Ed and Scratch jerked around, but Bones didnt flinch. Neither did I. That
was Tiny and Band-Aid, our backup whod followed us over from the mall.
Tiny, Band-Aid, keep an eye on these two for a moment, willyou? Bones said to them before striding toward the complex. I went with him,
shrugging into my long leather coat. It wasnt because I was cold; the late summer day was warm, but my coat held severalpounds worth of silver
knives. Sure, I had knives tucked under my blouse, but those were the shorter, throwing variety meant for vampires. Only decapitation killed a ghoul,
which meant I needed bigger blades if any sinister members of that species awaited us inside.
Bones inhaled once we reached the second floor. So did I. The front doors were allin a line facing the parking lot, with the fresh air chasing away
most of the telltale scents of their occupants, but I caught a whiff of something inhuman coming from the second to last unit. Bones must have, too,
because his steps quickened. I inhaled again, my nose wrinkling when we were almost at that door. Bones paused to give me a grim look.
The shades were drawn tight, preventing us from peering inside, but I already knew what wed find. The scent of death was unmistakable.
Were too late, I whispered. Seeing the broken lock on the door was almost redundant.
Bones pushed the door open, moving immediately to the side in case a flash of flying silver accompanied his entry. Nothing moved, however.
The inside of the apartment was as quiet as a tomb.
And just like a tomb, it had bodies in it.
I dont feelanyone, but stay sharp, Bones said as he stepped inside. I followed, checking the corners first, joining Bones in doing a sweep of
the interior with as much caution as if we knew enemy forces were within. As wed suspected, though, the place was empty of everyone except usand
two shriveled vampires on the floor of the tiny family room.
The damn voices in my mind began to rise again. There werent as many people in the apartment complex as the mall, so it didnt affect me with
the same sort of mentalexplosion, but it was like my mind was filled with the hum from a nest of angry bees. I rubbed my temple, as if that could
tone them down, but of course, it didnt help.
Bones didnt catch the gesture. His attention was stillfocused on the two shriveled corpses near our feet.
Looks like a dawn ambush, he noted, taking in their lack of shoes and how neither body was fully dressed. Poor sods didnt have the chance to
put up much of a fight.
The lack of disarray in the apartment was testament of that. When supernaturalcreatures fought to the death, things usually got a lot messier than
a few overturned tables and some blood smeared on the carpet. Investigating the deaths of vampires was stillsomewhat unusualfor me. Sure, Id
spent years working for a covert branch of Homeland Security tracking paranormalhomicides, but in those circumstances, the vampires had usually