One Foot in the Grave - Джанин Фрост


Jeaniene FrostOne Foot in the Grave

The second book in the Night Huntress series

To my father.

You are now,

and will always be,

my hero.

ONE

I WAITED OUTSIDE THE LARGE, FOUR-STORY home in Manhasset that was owned by a Mr. Liam Flannery. This wasnt a social call, as anyone looking at me could tell. The long jacket I wore was open, leaving my gun and shoulder holster clearly visible, as was my FBI badge. My pants were loose-fitting and so was my blouse, to hide the twenty pounds of silver weapons strapped to my arms and legs.

My knock was answered by an older man in a business suit. Special Agent Catrina Arthur, I said. Here to see Mr. Flannery.

Catrina wasnt my real name, but its what was on my doctored badge. The doorman gave me an insincere smile.

Ill see if Mr. Flannery is in. Wait here.

I already knew Liam Flannery was in. What I also knew was that Mr. Flannery wasnt human, and neither was the doorman.

Well, neither was I, even though I was the only one out of the three of us with a heartbeat.

A few minutes later, the door reopened. Mr. Flannery has agreed to see you.

That was his first mistake. If I had anything to say about it, it would also be his last.

My first thought as I entered Liam Flannerys house was, Wow. Hand-carved wood adorned all the walls, the floor was some kind of really expensive-looking marble, and antiques were tastefully littered everywhere the eye could see. Being dead sure didnt mean you couldnt live it up.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as power filled the room. Flannery wouldnt know I could feel it, just like Id felt it from his ghoul doorman. I might look as average as the next person, but I had a few secrets up my sleeve. And lots of knives, of course.

Agent Arthur, Flannery said. This must be about my two employees, but Ive already been questioned by the police.

His accent was English, which was at odds with his Irish name. Just hearing that intonation made a shiver run up my spine. English accents held memories for me.

I turned around. Flannery looked even better than the picture in his FBI file. His pale crystal flesh almost shimmered against the tan color of his shirt. Ill say one thing for vampires-they all had gorgeous skin. Liams eyes were a clear turquoise, and his chestnut hair fell past his collar.

Yep, he was pretty. He probably had no trouble scaring up dinner. But the most impressive thing about him was his aura. It flowed off him in tingling, power-filled waves. A Master vampire without a doubt.

Yes, this is about Thomas Stillwell and Jerome Hawthorn. The Bureau would appreciate your cooperation.

My polite stalling was to gauge how many other people were in the house. I strained my ears, but so far came up with no one but Flannery, the ghoul doorman, and myself.

Of course. Anything to assist law and order, he said with an undercurrent of amusement.

And youre comfortable speaking here? I asked, trying to get more of a look around. Or is there somewhere private youd prefer?

He sauntered over. Agent Arthur, if you want to have a private word with me, call me Liam. And I do hope you want to talk about something other than boring Jerome and Thomas.

Oh, I had little intention of talking as soon as I got Liam in private. Since hed been implicated in the deaths of his employees, Flannery had made my to-do list, though I wasnt here to arrest him. The average person didnt believe in vampires or ghouls, so there wasnt a legal process for dealing with murdering ones. No, there was a covert branch of Homeland Security instead, and my boss, Don, would send me. There were rumors about me in the undead world, true. Ones that had grown during my tenure at this job, but only one vampire knew who I really was. And I hadnt seen him in over four years.

Liam, youre not flirting with a federal agent whos investigating you in a double homicide, are you?

Catrina, an innocent man doesnt fret over the wheels of law whenever they rumble in the distance. At least I commend the feds on sending you to speak with me, beautiful woman that you are. You also look a bit familiar, though Im sure I would have remembered meeting you before.

You havent, I said immediately. Trust me, I would have remembered.

I didnt mean it as a compliment, but it caused him to chuckle in a way that was too insinuating for my liking.

Ill bet.

You smug son of a bitch. Lets see how long youll keep that smirk.

Back to business, Liam. Are we talking here, or somewhere private?

He made a noise of defeat. If you insist on traveling this path, we may as well be comfortable in the library. Come with me.

I followed him past more lavish, empty rooms to the library. It was magnificent, with hundreds of new and old books. There were even scrolls preserved in a glass display case, but it was the large piece of artwork on the wall that caught my attention.

This looksprimitive.

At first glance it appeared to be wood or ivory, but on closer inspection, it looked like bones. Human ones.

Aborigine, nearly three hundred years old. Given to me by some mates of mine in Australia.

Liam came nearer, his turquoise eyes starting to glint with emerald. I knew the pinpoints of green in his gaze for what they were. Lust and feeding looked the same on a vampire. Both made the eyes glow emerald and the fangs pop out. Liam was either hungry or horny, but I wasnt going to satisfy any of his cravings.

My cell phone rang. Hello, I answered.

Agent Arthur, are you still questioning Mr. Flannery? my second-in-command, Tate, asked.

Yes. This should be wrapped up in thirty minutes.

Translation: If I didnt answer again in half an hour, Tate and my team would come in after me.

Tate hung up without further comment. He hated it when I handled things alone, but too bad. Flannerys house was as quiet as a tomb, apropos as that may be, and it had been a long time since Id battled with a Master vampire.

I believe the police told you that the bodies of Thomas Stillwell and Jerome Hawthorn were found with most of their blood missing. And not any visible wounds on them to account for it, I said, jumping right in.

Liam shrugged. Does the Bureau have a theory?

Oh, we had more than a theory. I knew Liam would have just closed the telltale holes on Thomas and Jeromes necks with a drop of his own blood before they died. Boom, two bodies drained, no vampire calling card to rally the villagers-unless you knew what tricks to look for.

Flatly I shot back, You do, though, dont you?

You know what I have a theory on, Catrina? That you taste as sweet as you look. In fact, I havent thought about anything else since you walked in.

I didnt resist when Liam closed the distance between us and lifted my chin. After all, this would distract him better than anything I came up with.

His lips were cool on mine and vibrating with energy, giving my mouth pleasant tingles. He was a very good kisser, sensing when to deepen it and when to really deepen it. For a minute, I actually allowed myself to enjoy it-God, four years of celibacy must be taking its toll!-and then I got down to business.

My arms went around him, concealing me pulling a dagger from my sleeve. At the same time, he slid his hands down to my hips and felt the hard outlines under my pants.

What the hell-? he muttered, pulling back.

I smiled. Surprise! And then I struck.

It would have been a killing blow, but Liam was faster than I anticipated. He swept my feet out from under me just as I jabbed, so my silver missed his heart by inches. Instead of attempting to regain my stability, I let myself drop, rolling away from the kick he aimed at my head. Liam moved in a streak to try it again, but then jerked back when three of my throwing knives landed in his chest. Dammit, Id missed his heart again.

Sweet bleedin Christ! Liam exclaimed. He quit pretending to be human and let his eyes turn glowing emerald while fangs popped out in his upper teeth. You must be the fabled Red Reaper. What brings the vampire bogeyman to my home?

He sounded intrigued, but not afraid. He was more wary, however, and circled around me as I sprang to my feet, throwing off my jacket to better access my weapons.

The usual, I said. You murdered humans. Im here to settle the score.

Liam actually rolled his eyes. Believe me, poppet, Jerome and Thomas had it coming. Those thieving bastards stole from me. Its so hard to find good help these days.

Keep talking, pretty boy. I dont care.

I rolled my head around on my shoulders and palmed more knives. Neither of us blinked as we waited for the other to make a move. What Liam didnt know was that I was aware hed summoned for help. I could hear the ghoul creep quietly closer toward us, barely disturbing the air around him. Liams chattering was just to buy time.

He shook his head in apparent self-recrimination.

Your appearance should have warned me. The Red Reaper is said to have hair as red as blood, gray eyes like smoke, and your skinmmm, now theres the real distinction. Ive never seen such beautiful flesh on a human before. Christ, girl, I wasnt even going to bite you. Well, not the way youre thinking.

Im flattered you want to fuck me as well as murder me. Really, Liam, thats sweet.

He grinned. Valentines Day was just last month, after all.

He was forcing me toward the door and I let him. Deliberately I pulled my longest knife from my pants leg, the one that was practically a small sword, and switched it with my throwing knives in my right hand.

Liam grinned wider when he saw it. Impressive, but you havent seen my lance yet. Drop your trappings and Ill show you. You can even keep a few knives on, if youd like. Would only make it more interesting.

He lunged forward, but I didnt take the bait. Instead I flung the five knives in my left hand at him and whirled to avoid the blow from the ghoul behind me. With a single swipe that reverberated through my arm, I sent the blade into the ghouls neck with all my strength.

It came out on the other side. The ghouls head rotated on its axis for a moment, wide eyes fixed on mine, before it plopped to the ground. There was only one way to kill a ghoul, and that was it.

Liam yanked my silver knives out of him as if they were merely toothpicks.

You nasty bitch, now Im going to hurt you! Magnus has been my friend for over forty years!

That signaled the end to the bantering. Liam came at me with incredible speed. He had no weapons except his body and his teeth, but those were formidable. Liam pounded his fists into me, and I retaliated with punishing blows. For several minutes, we just hammered at each other, knocking over every table and lamp in our path. Finally he threw me across the room, and I crashed near the unusual art piece Id admired. When he came after me, I kicked out and knocked him backward into the display case. Then I tore the sculpture off the wall and chucked it at his head.

Liam ducked, cursing when the intricate artwork broke into pieces behind him.

Dont you have any bleedin respect for artifacts? That piece was older than I am! And how in the blazes did you get eyes like that?

I didnt need to look to know what he was talking about. My formerly gray gaze would now be glowing as green as Liams. Fighting brought out the proof of my mixed heritage that my unknown vampire father had left me.

That bone puzzle was older than you are, huh? So youre what, two hundred? Two fifty? Youre strong then. Ive skewered vamps as old as seven hundred who didnt hit as hard as you do. Youre going to be fun to kill.

God help me, but I wasnt kidding. There was no sport when I just staked a vampire and let my team sweep up the remains.

Liam grinned at me. Two hundred and twenty, poppet. In pulseless years, that is. The other ones werent good for anything but poverty and misery. London was a sewage back then. Looks much better now.

Too bad you wont be seeing it again.

I doubt that, poppet. You think youll enjoy killing me? I know Ill love fucking you.

Lets see what youve got, I taunted.

He flew across the room-too swiftly for me to avoid him-and delivered a brutal blow to my head. It made light explode in my brain and would have put a normal person right into the grave. Me, Id never been normal, so while I fought nausea, I also reacted quickly.

I went limp, letting my mouth hang open and my eyes roll back as I dropped to the ground with my throat temptingly tilted upward. Near my relaxed hand was one of the throwing knives hed pulled from his chest. Would Liam kick me while I was down, or see how badly I was hurt?

My gamble paid off. Thats better, Liam muttered, and knelt next to me. He let his hands travel over my body, and then he grunted in amusement.

Talk about an army of one. Womans wearing a whole bloody arsenal.

He unzipped my pants in a businesslike manner. Probably he was going to strip me of my knives; that would be the smart thing. When he pulled my pants past my hips, however, he paused. His fingers traced over the tattoo on my hip that Id gotten four years ago, right after I left my old life in Ohio behind for this new one.

Seizing my chance, I closed my hand over the nearby dagger and drove the knife into his heart. Liams shocked eyes met mine as he froze.

I thought if the Alexander didnt kill me, nothing would

I was just about to deliver that final, fatal twist when the last piece clicked. A ship named the Alexander. He was from London, and hed been dead about two hundred and twenty years. He had Aborigine artwork, given to him from a friend in Australia

Which one are you? I asked, holding the knife still. If he moved, it would shred his heart. If he stayed motionless, it wouldnt kill him. Yet.

What?

In 1788, four convicts sailed to South Wales penal colonies on a ship named the Alexander. One escaped soon after arriving. A year later, that runaway convict returned and killed everyone but his three friends. One of them was turned into a vampire by choice, two by force. I know who youre not, so tell me who you are.

If it were possible, he looked even more astonished than he had when I stabbed him in the heart. Only a few people in the world know that story.

I gave the blade a menacing flick that edged it fractions deeper. He got the point, all right.

Ian. I am Ian.

Motherfucker! On top of me was the man whod turned the love of my life into a vampire almost two hundred and twenty years ago. Talk about irony.

Liam, or Ian, was a murderer by his own admission. Granted, his employees may or may not have stolen from him; the world never lacked for fools. Vampires played by a different set of rules when it came to their possessions. They were territorial to a fantastic degree. If Thomas and Jerome knew what he was and stole from him, theyd have known the consequences. But that wasnt what stayed my hand. Eventually it boiled down to one simple truth-I might have left Bones, but I couldnt kill the person responsible for bringing him into my life.

Yeah, call me sentimental.

Liam, or Ian, if you prefer, listen to me very carefully. You and I are going to stand up. Im going to pull this knife out, and then youre going to run away. Your hearts been punctured, but youll heal. I owed someone a life and Im making it yours.

He stared at me. The glowing lights of our eyes merged.

Crispin. Boness real name hung between us, but I didnt react. Ian let out a pained laugh. It could only be Crispin. Should have known from the way you fought, not to mention your tattoo thats identical to his. Nasty trick, faking to be unconscious. He would have never fallen for it. Hed have kicked you until you quit pretending.

Youre right, I agreed mildly. Thats the first thing Bones taught me. Always kick someone when theyre down. I paid attention. You didnt.

Well, well, little Red Reaper. So youre the reason hes been in such a foul mood the past few years.

At once my heart constricted with joy. Ian had just confirmed what I hadnt allowed myself to wonder. Bones was alive. Even if he hated me for leaving him, he was alive.

Ian pressed his advantage. You and Crispin, hmm? I havent spoken to him in a few months, but I can find him. I could take you to him, if youd like.

The thought of seeing Bones again caused a shattering of emotions in me. To cover them, I laughed derisively.

Not for gold. Bones found me and turned me out as bait for the marks he was paid to kill. Even talked me into that tattoo. Speaking of gold, when you see Bones again, you can tell him he still owes me money. He never paid me my share of the jobs like he promised. The only reason its your lucky day is he helped rescue my mother once, so I owe him for that, and youre my payment. But if I ever see Bones again, itll be at the end of my knife.

Each word hurt, but they were necessary. I wouldnt hang a target around Boness neck by admitting I still loved him. If Ian repeated what I said, Bones would know it wasnt true. He hadnt refused to pay me on the jobs Id done with him-Id refused to take the money. Nor had he talked me into my tattoo. Id gotten the crossbones matching his out of useless longing after I left him.

Youre part vampire. You have to be with those glowing eyes. Tell me-how?

I almost didnt, but figured, what the hell. Ian already knew my secret. The how was anticlimactic.

Some newly dead vampire raped my mother, and unluckily for her, his sperm still swam. I dont know who he is, but one day Ill find him and kill him. Until then, Ill settle for deadbeats just like him.

Somewhere on the far side of the room, my cell phone rang. I didnt move to answer it, but spoke hurriedly.

Thats my backup. When I dont answer, they come in with force. More force than you can take on right now. Move slowly; stand up. When I take this knife out, you run like hell and dont stop. Youll get your life, but youre leaving this house and youre not coming back. Do we have a deal? Think before you answer, because I dont bluff.

Ian smiled tightly. Oh, I believe you. Youve got a knife in my heart. That gives you little reason to lie.

I didnt blink. Then lets do this.

Without another comment, Ian began to pull himself to his knees. Each movement was agony for him, I could tell, but he thinned his lips and didnt make a sound. When we both stood, I carefully drew the blade out of his back and held the bloody knife in front of me.

Goodbye, Ian. Get lost.

He crashed through a window to my left in a blur of speed that was slower than before, but still impressive. Out in front, I heard my men rushing up to the door. There was one last thing I had to do.

I plunged the same dagger into my belly, deep enough to make me drop to my knees, but high enough to avoid mortal injury. When my second officer, Tate, came running into the room, I was gasping and bent double, blood pouring out onto the lovely thick carpet.

Jesus, Cat! he exclaimed. Someone get the Brams!

My other two captains, Dave and Juan, fanned out to comply. Tate picked me up and carried me out of the house. With jagged breaths I gave my instructions.

One got away but dont chase him. Hes too strong. No one else is in the house, but do a quick check and then pull back. We have to leave in case he comes back with reinforcements. Theyd slaughter us.

One sweep and then fall back, fall back! Dave ordered, shutting the doors of the van Id been taken to. Tate pulled the knife out and pressed bandages to the wound, giving me several pills to swallow that no regular pharmacy carried.

After four years and a team of brilliant scientists, my boss, Don, had managed to filter through the components in undead blood to come up with a wonder drug. On regular humans, it repaired injuries such as broken bones and internal bleeding like magic. Wed named it Brams, in honor of the writer whod made vampires famous.

You shouldnt have gone in alone, Tate berated me. Goddammit, Cat, next time listen to me!

I gave a faint chuckle. Whatever you say. Im not in the mood to argue.

Then I passed out.

TWO

MY HOUSE WAS A SMALL TWO-STORY STRUCTURE at the end of a cul-de-sac. The interior was almost spartan in its bareness. A single couch downstairs, bookshelves, some lamps, and a minibar loaded with gin and tonic. If my liver wasnt half vampire, Id have expired from cirrhosis already. Certainly Tate, Juan, and Dave never complained about all my booze. A steady supply of liquor and a deck of cards was enough to keep them coming back. Too bad none of them were great poker players, even when sober. Get them drunk and it was funny to watch their card skills drop by the second.

So, how does one sign on for this life of luxury? My boss, Don, found me at twenty-two when I got into a little trouble with the law. You know, the usual youthful stuff. Killed the governor of Ohio and several of his staff, but theyd been modern-day slavers who sold women to the undead for food and fun. Yeah, they deserved to die, especially since I was one of the women theyd tried to sell. Me and my vampire boyfriend, Bones, had delivered our own brand of justice to them, which left a lot of bodies.

After I was arrested, my funky pathology reports tattled on me for not being totally human. Don snapped me up to lead his secret Homeland Security unit by giving me the quintessential offer I couldnt refuse. Or death threat, to be more accurate. Id taken the job. What choice did I have?

But despite his many flaws, Don truly cared about defending those the normal law could never protect. I cared about that as well. It was why I risked my life, because I felt this was the reason Id been born half dead but looking all human. I could be both bait and hook to what prowled in the night. It wasnt a happily-ever-after, true, but at least Id made a positive difference for some people.

My phone rang as I changed into my pajamas. Since it was almost midnight, it had to be either one of the guys or Denise, because my mother was never up this late.

Hey, Cat. Just get in?

Denise knew what I did, and she knew what I was. One night while minding my own business, Id come across a vamp trying to turn her neck into a Big Gulp. By the time I killed him, shed already seen enough to know he wasnt human. To her credit, she hadnt screamed, fainted, or done any of the things a normal person would. Shed simply blinked and said, Wow. I owe you a beer, at least.

Yeah, I answered. Just got in now.

Uh, bad day? she asked.

But she didnt know Id spent most of the day healing from a self-inflicted stab wound with the help of Brams and the dubious benefit of having gutted myself with a knife coated in vampire blood. That in itself had probably done more to heal me than Dons magic pills. Nothing but nothing healed like vampire blood.

Um, the usual. How about you? How was your date?

She laughed. Im on the phone with you; what does that say? In fact, I was just about to defrost a cheesecake. Want to come over?

Sure, but Im in my pajamas.

Dont forget the fluffy slippers. I could almost see Denises grin. You wouldnt look right without them.

See you soon.

We hung up and I smiled. Loneliness was put on hold. At least until the cheesecake ran out.

At this time of night, the Virginia roads were mostly deserted, but my eyes were peeled because this was prime undead foraging hour. Usually it was just a vamp taking a snack. They used the power in their gaze and the hallucinogenic in their fangs to drink and run, leaving their meals with a false memory and a lower iron count. Bones had been the one to reveal that to me. Hed taught me all about vampires: their strengths (many!), weaknesses (few, and sunlight, crosses, and wooden stakes werent among them), their beliefs (that Cain was the first vampire, created when God punished him for murdering Abel by changing him into something that must forever drink blood as a reminder that hed spilled his brothers), and how they lived in pyramidlike societies where the top vampire ruled over all the children they created. Yeah, Bones had taught me everything I knew.

And then Id left him.

I swerved and hit the brakes as a cat darted in front of my tires. I climbed out to find it lying near my car. It tried to run, but I caught it and looked it over. There was blood on its nose, some scratches, and it let out a cry when I moved its leg. Broken, without a doubt.

Mumbling soothing nonsense, I got out my cell phone. I just hit a kitten, I told Denise. Can you find a vet for me? I cant just leave it.

She made a cooing sound of sympathy and went to fetch the phone book. After a moment, she was back.

This one is open all night and theyre not far from you. Let me know how the kitty does, okay? Ill put the cheesecake back in the freezer.

I hung up, then called the vet to get directions. In ten minutes, I pulled up to Noahs Furry Ark.

Over my pajamas I had on my coat, but instead of boots, yes, I was wearing blue fuzzy slippers. I probably looked like a housewife from hell.

The man behind the desk smiled when I entered. Are you the lady that just called? With the cat?

Thats me.

And you are Mrs?

Miss. Cristine Russell. That was the name I went under now, another tribute to my lost love, since Boness human name had been Crispin Russell. My sentimental curse would be the end of me.

That friendly smile widened. Im Dr. Noah Rose.

Noah. That explained the corny name of the place. He took the kitty for X-rays and returned after a few minutes.

One broken leg, some abrasions, and malnutrition. He should be fine in a couple weeks. This was a stray?

As far as I know, Dr. Rose.

Noah, please. Cute little kitten; are you going to keep him?

The word kitten made me flinch, but I covered it and answered without thinking.

Yes.

The kittens wide eyes fixed on me, as though he knew his fate had been settled. With his tiny leg in a cast and ointment in his scratches, he looked truly pitiful.

With food and rest, this kitty will be good as new.

Thats great. How much do I owe you?

He smiled in an abashed way. No charge. You did a nice thing. Youll have to bring him back in two weeks for me to remove that cast. When is good for you?

Anything late. I, er, work strange hours.

Evenings arent a problem.

He gave me another shy smile, and something told me he wasnt as accommodating with every client. Still, he seemed harmless. That was a rarity in the men I met.

What about eight on Thursday in two weeks?

Fine.

Thanks for the help, Noah. I owe you one. With the cat in tow, I started toward the door.

Wait! He came around the desk and then stopped. This is entirely unprofessional, but if you think you owe me, not that you do, of course, butIm new in town, andwell, I dont know many people. Most of my clients are older or married andwhat Im trying to say is

I raised a questioning brow at this ramble, and he actually flushed. Never mind. If you dont show up for your appointment, Ill understand. Im sorry.

The poor guy was a sweetheart. I gave him a quick feminine perusal, far different from the danger-assessment one Id done when I first came in. Noah was tall, dark, and boyishly handsome. Maybe Id hook him up with Denise-she just said her other date hadnt impressed her.

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