Garrison groaned.
“Y-you were the one outside of the cemetery, weren’t you?” She hadn’t been able to see the vampire’s face, not clearly. He’d been running toward her, a big, menacing shadow. Because he’s a big guy. Then he’d just…vanished.
“I was there for you.”
“You need to stay the hell away from me.” She pressed her gun into his back. “Because my last meeting with a vampire didn’t go so well.”
“We’re not all the same. Humans are good and evil. Werewolves, too. Why would you think that vampires would be any different?”
Because—
He snapped the cuffs. Just ripped them straight apart. She’d only seen one other guy ever do a move like that—Aidan.
The vampire whirled toward her. Her finger squeezed the trigger because she was not about to let him attack her. If he thought she would be his meal for the night, he needed to think again.
The bullet slammed into him, hitting his chest as he turned, at nearly point-blank range. He grunted at the impact, but didn’t so much as stumble back.
Because I hit him with silver. A silver bullet won’t take out a vampire. But blood loss would hurt him. So she’d just keep shooting—
He grabbed the gun, his fingers curling over hers. “It hurts like a bitch to get shot.”
She stared at him. He was right, it did. She’d been shot before so she knew that truth.
He smiled. This time, she could see his fangs.
“I’m not here to hurt you.”
So he kept saying.
“Your lover…he’s the one you have to fear.”
What?
“And he’s coming…”
Vamps had enhanced senses. So if the guy said Aidan was coming…then he is. “You need to get your ass out of here.”
“You’ll need me, Jane. When he turns on you, I’ll be the one to help you.”
“Aidan won’t turn on me.”
“Yes, he will.” Vincent sounded so absolutely certain of that fact. “It’s his nature. The beast lives to destroy us.”
“There is no ‘us’ here. I’m not like you.” She was still talking to him for one reason—to buy time. Because if Aidan was coming, she wanted to keep the vampire there with her. Together, she and Aidan could stop him. “I’m not a vampire.”
“Not yet.”
“Not ever.”
He laughed. “You sure about that? If you want to know what your future holds, then perhaps you should pay a visit to the voodoo queen in town.”
He’s talking about Annette Benoit. Because when it came to voodoo in New Orleans, Annette was the real power. Everyone else was just a sideshow for the tourists.
“Ask her to scry and see what the future holds.” His voice turned into a whisper. “Though I don’t think you’ll like what you find.”
“Jane!” Her name was a roar that seemed to shake the street.
“And here’s the lover, rushing to the rescue…” Vincent didn’t seem at all worried.
He should have been.
She looked to the right and saw Aidan rushing toward them. He was little more than a blur, so fast, so—
He hit the vampire. Just slammed his body into Vincent’s. They both went hurtling to the ground. Aidan lifted his claws, aiming them for the vampire’s throat. He’s going to take Vincent’s head.
But…the vampire wasn’t fighting back. And he hadn’t hurt me. He hadn’t killed Garrison or her other guard, even though he’d had the chance. Garrison was rising slowly to his feet right then. The other guard was groaning.
And the vamp isn’t fighting. Something was very wrong with that scene.
“Aidan, stop!’ Jane yelled.
His claws sliced toward the vampire’s throat. Blood spilled. The vampire still didn’t fight back.
Jane grabbed Aidan’s arm, yanking as hard as she could. “Don’t kill him!”
Aidan’s head turned. His gaze met hers, and Jane had to swallow down her fear. He was still in the form of a man. He was her Aidan, but his gaze—that bright blue stare was pure beast. So much rage and hate blazed in his eyes.
“He’s not fighting back,” she said.
Aidan’s expression didn’t alter.
“He doesn’t care,” Vincent snarled, still on the ground. “I came to this town to help you. He doesn’t care. Take a long hard look at him, Mary Jane. This is what he is. He’s the killer. He’s the beast. And soon enough, you’ll just be his prey.”
A snarl broke from Aidan. She felt the rush of power in his body. His muscles jerked beneath her touch. His bones snapped.
He’s transforming. Right here. Right now.
“Get…away…Jane…” Aidan ordered, each word a dark rumble. “Get…”
Fur burst from his skin. His body seemed to double in size.
She stumbled back.
“See…him…” The vampire blasted at her as he rose. Blood dripped from his throat. “See what he really is.”
Aidan was on all fours now. Transforming fully.
Garrison grabbed her arm. “You need to get away from them.”
Aidan was going to kill the vampire. “Why aren’t you defending yourself?” Jane asked Vincent, truly confused. He was strong, they all knew it.
Vincent gave her a sad smile. He acted as if his blood wasn’t currently soaking his shirt. “Because you need to see that we aren’t all evil. We aren’t what he says. You aren’t.”
She shook her head.
Garrison wrapped his arms around her stomach and lifted her up. “Come on, Jane!”
Aidan wasn’t a man any longer. His shift was complete. A giant wolf had taken the place of the man. He tossed back his head and howled.
“No.” This was wrong. Something just didn’t fit. The vampire wasn’t trying to save himself. He was just standing there. Defenseless.
She broke from Garrison’s arms. “Aidan, stop!”
He froze, just inches from the vampire. Froze for the briefest of seconds, and then he leapt forward, slicing out with his powerful claws.
But the vampire vanished before those claws could rip into him.
The wolf howled. Frustration and fury fueled the long, echoing cry.
Like even the people in New Orleans can ignore that cry. She glanced around the street, but it was still empty. Thankfully.
Garrison grabbed Jane once more. He sure was grabby that night. He pushed her behind his back, putting his body between her and Aidan.
The wolf pawed at the ground before Garrison.
“Aidan.” Garrison’s voice broke a bit. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Tell me that you have control in there. Tell me—”
The wolf’s head butted against Garrison’s leg.
“Shit, shit,” Garrison rasped. “Jane, you’re gonna need to walk away. Slowly. Do not run. That will just make him want to chase you. That’s what happens when the wolf is in charge. It’s all animal. You run, he chases you down. You—”
“His animal isn’t in control. He’s Aidan. Wolf or man, he’s Aidan.” Jane sounded a whole lot more confident than she felt. The wolf had circled around them and now he was right by her side. Jane slowly lifted her hand toward the beast. “He’s Aidan.”
Aidan with some very, very big teeth.
He sniffed her hand. His eyes—those same brilliant blue eyes—gleamed up at her.
“Aidan,” Jane said his name again, only stronger this time. More determined. “Get your ass back into human form before you start to freak out some tourists.”
The wolf stared up at her.
Her heart drummed in her chest. She knew he could smell her fear. Aidan had told her once that he didn’t like it when she was afraid. That the scent was wrong, coming from her.
She stared at him.
He licked her hand then he slid back onto his haunches. He stared up at her as the change swept over him again. Hard. Brutal. The snapping of bones was a sound she’d never be able to forget. The fur seemed to melt away. Smooth mus
cle was revealed. Powerful shoulders. Naked skin.
And soon Aidan crouched before her. He rose, slowly, never taking his gaze from her.
“Aidan…”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her tightly against him, and held her there, right against his heart. “I was afraid…” His voice still sounded more like a beast’s growl than a man’s rumble. “Afraid I wouldn’t get to you in time.”
A bit hesitant, her arms curled around him. “It’s all right. I’m fine.”
A shudder slid along his body. “This time.”
A vehicle’s headlights suddenly lit up the street. Jane stiffened. Humans, coming now? Oh, jeez—
“It’s just Paris. Get in the SUV, Jane.” His voice was still rough but, more Aidan. “I don’t know where that vampire went, and I need to get you out of here.”
She wasn’t about to argue. The night had been more than weird enough, thank you very much. She was ready for it to end. When the SUV rolled to a stop, she jumped in the back, and a naked Aidan followed right behind her. “Scout the area,” Aidan ordered Garrison through the open back door. “See if you can catch the bastard’s scent.”
“I didn’t catch it before,” Garrison admitted glumly as he rubbed his forehead. “The guy just—attacked. No warning. He came from fucking nowhere.”
And that was where he’d gone, too. Just vanished. Disappeared.
Garrison slammed the SUV’s back door shut, sealing them inside.
“Take us to the apartment, Paris,” Aidan said. “As fast as you can.” Then his fingers caught hers. He squeezed her. “You’re safe now.”
But…was she?
Jane looked at his fingers. The claws were gone, but they’d be back. With Aidan, they always were. His beast stayed close.
***
Vincent smiled as he watched the SUV’s tail lights vanish when the vehicle turned the corner.
A successful night.
He’d been able to get a little one-on-one time with Jane. Sure, she’d shot him, but the wound had been worth it.
And as for Aidan Locke…
Now maybe she’ll start to see just what you really are. The guy pretended to be a hero, but he wasn’t. There was nothing heroic about the werewolf. Vincent knew the man’s secrets. Soon enough, he’d make sure that Jane knew them, too.
Vincent swiped his hand over his bleeding throat. He didn’t feel weak, not yet, but the blood loss—both from the bullet wound and Aidan’s attack—wasn’t acceptable. He had to always be at full power, at least while he was in New Orleans.
He slipped down the street, making sure to stay in the shadows. Some of the wolves were searching for him, but they’d gone one way and he’d gone another. Vincent wasn’t about to be captured. If they got too close, well, he could always eliminate them.
Another few turns and he saw a small tour group huddled together. One person stood before the group, wearing a long black cloak.
“This is the LaLaurie Mansion,” the figure in the cloak announced with a dramatic wave of his hands. “Terrible, horrible crimes were committed here by Dr. Louis LaLaurie and his wife Delphine. They tortured their slaves. Performed fiendish experiments…”
A few gasps came from the group as they eyed the house.
They were all busy staring up at the imposing structure. No one noticed him when he slipped toward the group.
There are always stragglers in a group like this…
“Madame LaLaurie was rumored to be the ringleader, the one who ordered one of her servants to have her mouth sewn shut! Madame and her doctor husband created human spiders, they chained their victims to operating room tables…” The tour guide turned away, telling more of his grisly tales as he headed down the street.
The small group followed him.
All except…one woman. She stopped. She tilted up her camera and snapped pictures of the house.
Vincent smiled. “You like…scary stories.”
She gave a little jerk, then turned toward him in surprise. He was still in the shadows. The better for him to hide the blood soaking him. The woman’s hair was pulled back in a ponytail, giving him a delectably tempting view of her neck. She laughed, the sound high and nervous, before she said, “Isn’t that why we’re all on the paranormal tour? Because we like to be scared?”
He wasn’t on any tour.
She turned away. “Better hurry up. The others are getting ahead of us.”
He moved quickly, catching her arm. “I want them to get ahead.”
“G-get your hand off me.”
“I’m sorry.” He was. He didn’t normally feed this way. “But I have a need…”
She twisted against him. The woman opened her mouth to scream—
His left hand clamped over her lips. He bit her, his fangs sinking deep, and her blood spilled onto his tongue.
Chapter Five
Aidan was still asleep. Jane tip-toed around the apartment. Their apartment, she supposed. After her place had been torched, she’d planned to find a new place to live. She was still in that whole new-home hunt. But, meanwhile, Aidan had told her that he kept an apartment in the city, one that they could use for as long as she liked.
He’d had a heavy emphasis on the they part.
The apartment wasn’t Aidan’s home, not his real one, anyway. He had a massive, antebellum mansion—a serious freaking mansion—out in the swamp. But the place was pretty much werewolf central, and Jane didn’t like staying there. The one time she’d visited the place, all hell had truly broken loose.
So she and Aidan had been compromising with the little apartment in the French Quarter. A place that had top of the line security and a real killer view.
She felt safe in that apartment.
Even with a vampire loose in the city.
Normally, Jane worked nights. Since she was the cop on the paranormal beat, it paid to stay up when the monsters were out. But to learn information about Alan Thatcher, well, she intended to do her research on him during the day.
When I’m not as likely to run into a vamp again.
Jane tip-toed toward the door. She and Aidan hadn’t talked when they got to the apartment. They’d collapsed. Or rather, he’d collapsed. She’d huddled in the bed, the vamp’s words playing in her head again and again.
What had bothered her most…
I’m afraid he’s right. If I do change…what will Aidan do? What did she want him to do?
Jane opened the door and slipped outside.
There weren’t any werewolf guards waiting to tail her. She didn’t normally have a day shift of guards. Vamps weren’t out during the day—they were weaker during the sunlight hours. So her guards just kicked in when the sun set.
She hurried down the stairs, moving down to the first floor, and a few moments later, Jane was outside of the building. The streets gleamed, and she could see the heavy suds washing down the gutters. The street cleaners got out early in the city. Bourbon Street was their number one spot each day—she didn’t even want to think about the things they cleaned up there.
It wasn’t a long walk to the Voodoo Shop, even with a quick pit-stop.
Voodoo Shop. Simple name, straight to the point. A CLOSED sign hung in the window, but Jane didn’t let that stop her. She walked up the narrow porch—the shop had once been an old home, and actually, she still thought Annette Benoit had a place upstairs—and she knocked on the door. For good measure, Jane called out, “It’s the police! Let me in!”
And then she waited, her right shoe tapping against the wood beneath her. A few moments later, she heard the soft pad of footsteps rushing toward the door.
Her shoulders straightened.
The door opened with a squeak. Annette Benoit’s narrowed eyes swept over her. It was just a few hours past dawn, and it really didn’t seem fair that Annette looked so insanely gorgeous that early.
Annette’s soft chocolate cream skin glowed as if she’d just gotten a freaking facial. Her hair—long and perfectly straight—slid
over her shoulders. Her deep set eyes showed no signs of sleepiness. Instead, her light brown gaze was curious as it slid over Jane.
“You’re still human,” Annette announced, as if surprised.
That couldn’t be good.
“Yeah,” Jane muttered as her hand lifted and she pushed the door open a bit more. Annette had only opened it a few inches. Not very welcoming. “We seriously need to talk…”
Annette’s lush lips pressed together. She looked over Jane’s shoulder—
“I came alone.”
Annette seemed to relax.
“I don’t really want an audience for this little meeting.”
Annette’s head tilted to the side as she studied Jane. “What is it that you do want?”
Jane lifted the bag of beignets that she held. Based on their previous meeting, she knew Annette had a weakness for them. “I want a reading, and I’m prepared to pay.”
Annette’s eyes gleamed. “A reading will cost more than a bag of beignets.”
“I figured as much. Like I said, I’m ready to pay. Name the price.”
“You really believe in my voodoo?”
After everything Jane had seen? “Name the price.” She pulled out some cash—
But Annette waved that away. “A few twenties won’t cover this.” She started nibbling on the beignets. “But a favor will. Agree that you owe me, Mary Jane Hart. Promise that you’ll pay the debt to me when I come calling.”
Annette could be so weird. “Fine. Whatever.” Jane looked over her shoulder. “Can we get off this porch already? You know there are too many eyes and ears in this town.”
The voodoo queen waved her inside.
And Jane quickly entered, then shut the door behind her.
***
Humans. He hated them. Hated their smug smiles and the stupid, useless waste that was their lives. They thought they were so superior—at the top of the fucking food chain.
But they had no clue.
He was the apex predator. The one that everyone should fear. Hell, they should freaking worship him. It was time the world understood that truth.
He flipped on the TV, ready to see the morning news. He knew the cops had found the little surprise he’d left in the cemetery. After all, he’d called and tipped them off. Told them that there was trouble on Ann Street and that a beat cop needed to get over there.