September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)(8)

I turned and headed toward my car without a word or a glance back. The dagger was still gripped firmly in my hand.

“Hey, Alexa,” Falon called, the lilt of a laugh in his smooth tone. “When is your twin flame due home? I’d hate for him to miss what’s coming.”

My body stiffened, and each step felt like my feet were encased in lead. I stopped and turned back to look at him. “That was a really pathetic attempt at getting under my skin, Falon. You need to work on that. Better luck next time.” I resumed walking, painfully aware of his gaze upon me as I went.

His chuckle was a low murmur on the night air. It made my skin prickle. It took great strength to keep moving without looking over my shoulder.

Chapter Three

I hightailed it away from Borden Park with a squeal of tires. Falon was one of the last people I wanted to be around. The most unnerving part was knowing he could lurk anywhere unseen in an incorporeal form. Even inside the car with me.

With a noise of disgust, I drummed a finger on the wheel in time with the radio. Slow, deep breaths helped to calm the rising storm threatening to wreak havoc on my mind.

What I wanted to do was go home for a bath and a drink. Instead I headed back to The Wicked Kiss to make sure the doors were closed after last call. Things had been rowdier than usual since I got home. I was convinced that had something to do with Kale and what went on there while I was away. People were pushing the boundaries there, him included.

The parking lot was almost empty. Good. I wouldn’t have to kick too many people out then. Kale’s old Camaro was still there, which was a bad sign he’d be banging and bleeding some lucky woman all day. Jez’s Jeep was gone, and a pang of worry struck me.

Something was amiss. The metaphysical remnants of death lingered to touch me with cold, clammy hands. I was alert and ready as I made my way across the parking lot. With the doors closed, no light spilled out to cast a warm glow. That didn’t prevent me from seeing the body sitting propped against the front entry.

It stank of blood and violence. It was a woman with multiple puncture wounds, heavy red lipstick, and long black hair. I turned to survey my surroundings before kneeling beside her. I didn’t sense anyone else out there with me. Only the true immortals could hide their presence, the angels and demons. This kill wasn’t one of theirs.

With a frustrated sigh, I reached to touch her. Cold, lifeless, and tainted with a honey sweet vibe I’d know anywhere. Kale. My first thought was that he’d dumped her here, but that didn’t fit his MO. It was definitely suspicious. Even more so was the scrap of paper balled up in her hand. I tugged it out, careful not to tear it. In the pale lighting of the nearest streetlight, I was able to make out the words: Long live the queen.

“What the f*ck?” I muttered. It was a threat, a shitty one at that. But the fact that it was on Kale’s victim made me suspect that it wasn’t only for me. I was curious to see what Kale had to say about this. Too bad for him if he didn’t want to talk to me.

The body couldn’t have been dropped long ago. The club hadn’t been closed more than an hour. I shoved the door open and sent the first vampire I came across outside to get rid of it.

“Where’s Kale?” I barked at anyone within earshot.

The place was relatively empty other than the staff and a few lingering regulars. After last call, the back rooms filled up quickly. Kale was back there already. Again. Shit.

My gaze passed over Willow’s empty barstool. I briefly wondered where he’d been all night. More often than not he was parked at the bar drinking tequila.

“In the back,” Justin said with a thumb jerk toward the rear. “I’m taking off now. Need anything before I go?”

I scrutinized the big man. “Do you know anything about the body outside? Looks like one of Kale’s blood whores.”

“Not a damn thing. Sorry.” He rubbed a hand across his short, black hair. A frown creased his brow. “Do you want me to hang around a bit longer?”

I considered it. Justin was a big, intimidating guy. He had once scared the crap out of me. I did feel safer with him around. “No, thank you. Go do your own thing. It’s all good.”

“Call me if you need me, Alexa. I mean it.”

It was nice to have people I could rely on. They were growing fewer in number. I flashed him an appreciative smile and waved as he left.

I stared around at the remaining patrons. Suspicions flooded my mind. I didn’t trust a damn one of them. The city’s underworld was talking. The vampire queen rumors were flying, and evidently they were being blown out of proportion.

I felt torn. I had questions for Kale, but I could hardly burst in on him while he was between the legs of another mortal conquest. That could end in many ways, none of them good. My other alternative was to go home and deal with it tomorrow night. It didn’t feel right. Like I wouldn’t be taking the situation seriously enough. I could spend the last few hours of the night seeking the one who dumped the body, or I could wait for a better time.

My gaze landed on the back hall entryway. I thought about Kale back there, bleeding some pretty thing. It taunted me. Would it be so bad to just knock on the door?

Yes. Yes it would.

Fuck it. He was part of this problem. He too had remarked on this vampire queen nonsense. In fact, he had said I was in denial about the whole thing. It wasn’t denial; it was reluctance.