Pretty When She Destroys (24 page)

Jeb flashed a wide, good ol’ boy grin at them, his blue eyes sparkling. “Hey, ladies. Nice to see ya.”

“Hi, Jeb. Nice to see you, too.” Samantha tried to look lighthearted and enthusiastic. Instead, she was sure she came across as a bit spastic.

Amaliya made a noise that sounded like a cross between a snort and “hello.”

Varra opened her purse and took out a small packet of hand wipes. Her brow furrowed, she cleaned the table surface. Samantha caught herself before she rolled her eyes. Finishing, Varra tossed the wipe onto the discarded plate and set her Coach bag on the area she had washed.

“I’m not pleased to see anyone,” Varra said. “I think this meeting is a waste of everyone’s time.”

Silence ruled the table.

Amaliya appeared to be so mad she couldn’t find her voice, while Samantha was too stunned to come up with a retort.

Thankfully, the waitress appeared to take Samantha’s dishes and listen to any potential orders from the newcomers. Jeb requested a Coke while Varra asked for a coffee. Samantha was glad for the few minutes to collect her thoughts. She wasn’t sure if Jeb’s friendly demeanor was a good sign or not, but it was clear that Varra was bad news.

The waitress collected the dirty dishes, then sauntered away.

“So...” Jeb set his hands on the table, interlocking his fingers. “What do you ladies want to talk about? My mistress, Courtney, is very anxious to hear any additional news about you know who.”

Varra lifted her eyes, shaking her head.

“Nicole isn’t interested?” Samantha asked her.

“Nicole sent me to hear what you have to say. That’s all.” The right-hand of the master of Houston didn’t smile in the least.

“Well, Cian wants to extend his friendship to both Courtney and Nicole. This is a difficult time-”

“For you,” Varra said cutting off Samantha. “We’re fine in Houston.”

“Yeah, we’re sitting pretty in Dallas, too.” Jeb winked.

“You won’t be though,” Samantha said swiftly. “The Summoner is planning to claim the whole world.”

“I thought he was planning on tearing the veil,” Varra said, her dark eyes boring into Samantha.

“Well, yeah! But so he can take over the world! World domination!”

Varra laughed.

Samantha stared at the other woman in disbelief. “That’s all kinds of bad.”

“See, this is where Courtney isn’t too sure why Cian is upset. The veil tears and eternal night comes. That’s really good for vampires and supernaturals,” Jeb pointed out. “Not so great for humans, but it’s not like they’re much more than cattle.”

“You’re human.” Amaliya’s voice was clipped with annoyance.

“For now.” Jeb grinned. “Once the veil rips, Courtney will bring me over.”

“We’re looking at an extinction event for all of us,” Samantha argued. “Without the sun humanity will die. Vegetation is a goner. Animals will follow. Humans starve.”

Varra wagged her head. “There are plenty of technologies to keep humans alive. Many of the vampire masters across the world have been preparing for the coming night.”

Jeb nodded in agreement. “Except for Cian, of course. He should be creating vampires to police the humans in Austin, hoarding food, setting up hydroponic gardens, moving cattle to secure locations...but instead he has you two sitting in a fuckin’ Denny’s in Waco flappin’ your jaws with old information.”

“They’re
mocking
you,” Roberto’s disembodied voice whispered to Samantha, both annoyed and amused.

Amaliya muttered, “Assholes.”

The waitress appeared long enough to set down a glass of soda and a steaming cup of coffee. She gave them all a curious, yet disdainful look, before moving on to another table.

Varra leaned over her purse and stared into Samantha’s eyes. “Do you really believe the supernaturals will help you? They’re going to finally be able to come out of the darkness and live freely once The Summoner succeeds.”

Samantha pounded her fist on the table, rattling the coffee cups and glasses. “The creatures of the abyss will come through. You do realize that, right? Demons!” she hissed. She felt the other customers looking her way, but didn’t care.

Jeb laughed. “It’ll be great. The humans will need vampires to hold back the demons. Vampires will be their saviors. They’ll open their veins willingly for protection against the creatures of the abyss.”

Nodding in agreement, Varra said, “Governments will plead with the supernaturals for assistance once they realize their militaries are useless. Science will be obsolete as magic takes its place.”

“You do realize that if your masters don’t change you, you’re fucked?” Amaliya glared at the two human minions. “Who’s to say they won’t fuck you over?”

Jeb and Varra exchanged glances. They both chuckled.

“We threw our lots in with vampires who understand how this world works,” Varra said, her voice dripping with scorn. “Nicole suspected you
’d have nothing new to say. I see she was right. This has been a waste of time.”

“Cian’s playing hero when he should be doing exactly what Courtney has been since he first told her about The Summoner’s plan.” Jeb shrugged his wide shoulders. “Maybe you two should tell him that. You’re wasting time spinning your wheels against something you can’t stop.”

“We
are
going to stop him one way or the other,” Samantha hissed. She was furious at how easily they were being dismissed.

“After The Summoner is dead, I’ll be the only necro-vampire left,” Amaliya said in a low voice. “And I’ll fuckin’ remember this night.”

Samantha visibly shivered as Amaliya’s power rippled outward. It was cold, full of fury, and ready to strike. Nervously, she set her hand on Amaliya’s forearm. Their connection flared to life. Amaliya’s anger licked along the connection, pulling on Samantha’s own high emotions. Instead of steadying Amaliya, Samantha felt sucked into the vampire’s vortex of rage.

The two humans across from the table were very still. Samantha was happy to see fear registering on their faces. Instead of being dismissive, they looked uncomfortable.

“Yeah, you heard me, shit-stains. I’ll remember what you said tonight and the fuckin’ bitches you serve. When The Summoner is gone I will still be here and you’ll have to deal with me.” Amaliya glowered at the two humans.

“You can’t do jack shit to us. We’re under a peace pact,” Jeb said, trying to sound calm, but failing.

“Maybe not tonight, but some night.” Amaliya pointed at him. “Trust me on this.”

Samantha willed Roberto to smack Jeb in the back of the head. She was still working on her telepathic links, but when Jeb exclaimed out loud, jerked, and twisted about in his seat, Samantha grinned.

“What was that?” Jeb gasped.

“What?” Samantha asked innocently.

Varra slid to her feet. “We’re leaving.”

Amaliya virtually shoved Samantha out of the booth, moving swiftly to confront Varra. Samantha frowned, but quickly stepped to Amaliya’s side, trying to be supportive.

“You might think you have the upper hand and that we’re doomed, but keep this in mind. Even if we fail, even if the veil drops, I will come for you. I don’t give a rat’s ass who your masters are. You’re turning your backs on humanity.” Amaliya’s voice was low, clipped, and dangerous.

Everyone in the restaurant was watching now. Jeb’s jaw was dropped, his white teeth gleaming in the fluorescent light.

Varra’s cool exterior started to crumble, her jaw tightening. “I’m doing what I have to in order to survive. You should understand that.”

“I understand that you’re traitors. That’s what I’m hearing.”

Stepping closer, Varra whispered, “Do you really think you can defeat him?” Her dark eyes searched Amaliya’s for the truth.

Amaliya didn’t answer immediately, which made Samantha very nervous.

“I’ll die trying,” Amaliya said at last.

Varra’s scornful look returned. “I thought so.”

“I can trip her,” Roberto’s voice suggested to Samantha.

Narrowing her eyes, Samantha said, “
Fine.
Be a total moron. Just remember we warned you.”

Twirling about, Varra stormed toward the exit, her guard rising to follow. She stumbled, nearly falling into him. Catching her, the guard looked around nervously, then they both hurried out the exit.

Amaliya glanced at Samantha, lifting an eyebrow.

Samantha smiled innocently.

Jeb scooted out of the booth. Hesitantly, he set his hands on his belt and stared at the two women. “I can try talking to Courtney, but she thinks this game is over. Honestly, so do I.”

“If she’d stand with us, we’d have a better shot,” Samantha said swiftly, hoping he was swaying to their side.

Lifting his shoulders, Jeb said, “Maybe. Or it would be a fast way to die. Courtney wants to survive. She’s not going to sacrifice herself for humanity. Like all the other vampires, she’s aiming to be ready for when the veil falls and not get on The Summoner’s bad side.”

“Well, you tell her she’s now on Amaliya’s bad side.” Samantha set her hands on her hips. “And Amaliya is a total bitch. I mean, like a total raging bitch.”

Tilting her head, Amaliya said, “She’s right.”

Swallowing visibly, Jeb said, “I’ll talk to Courtney...”

“Yeah, do that.” Samantha tried to look as threatening as Amaliya, and wondered if she was doing it right.

Jeb twisted about and stalked toward the door. His guard slid out of his booth and followed. Amaliya stormed toward the cash register, fishing her wallet out of her jean pocket. She never carried a purse. Samantha remembered her own and hurried to yank it off the floor beneath the table. While Amaliya paid, Samantha kept an eye on the entrance. Just a few months before she would have been scared out of her mind doing something like this, but now she was much more confident.

Amaliya checked her iPhone after paying the surly waitress and quickly tapped in a message. Samantha scanned her own messages. It was like Cian and Jeff were tag-teaming her phone.

“What did you tell him?” Samantha asked when they headed toward the exit.

“That I’m going to kill Courtney and Nicole and their cabals,” Amaliya answered tersely.

“Cool.” Samantha shoved open the door. “After you.”

Chapter 20

Amaliya didn’t feel like talking on the return trip to Austin, but the perky blonde driving wouldn’t shut up. Maybe it was her nerves getting the best of her, but Samantha rambling on endlessly was making her feel twitchy. Feet propped on the dashboard, Amaliya scrutinized her chipped toenail polish. She was still pissed off. It was nauseating how easily the supernatural world capitulated to The Summoner. She wasn’t naive. The only reason they were afraid of her was because she was a necro-vampire made in The Summoner’s image.

“I’m so sick of this shit,” Amaliya said, interrupting Samantha. She realized after she spoke that she hadn’t even registered what Samantha had been talking about.

There was a beat, then Samantha said, “Yeah. Me, too.”

“You know, my kind really sucks it.”

“Well, you
are
blood-sucking vampires. You’re not supposed to be the good guys.” Samantha flashed a teasing smile, then sobered when she saw Amaliya’s expression. “I’m kidding.”

“But you’re right. We’re not supposed to be the good guys. I hated hearing them mock Cian. He’s the only one with the freakin’ balls to stand up to The Summoner and they’re making fun of him.” Twisting the ends of her hair with her fingers, Amaliya gazed into the night slipping past the car.

“Cian’s a good guy. I always knew that. That’s why I loved him. That’s why I’m still his friend.” Samantha’s voice didn’t hold a hint of malice.

It was a relief that they had put animosity behind them. Of course, Amaliya still felt guilt over the chaos she had brought to the lives of the people she now stood on the front lines with in the battle against The Summoner. Bringing him into their lives was much worse than sleeping with Cian when he was still with Samantha. Sometimes she wondered how any of them forgave her.

“Maybe I’m too new at this vampire thing to understand their thinking. Or maybe I’m just damn naive, but I thought some of them would step up and defend humanity. Rachoń and Cian are doing what they can.”

“Amaliya, you have to remember they’re both attach
ed to humans. That’s the big difference. Courtney and Nicole use their dickwad human minions, they don’t love them.” Samantha switched lanes, scooting the car out of the wake of a big semi-truck, the wind shear buffeting the car briefly. “Cian and Rachoń have more invested in this than the other vampires. Don’t you think Cian is thinking about his daughter? Cass is a dhamphir, but she lives as a human. If she’s going to survive once the veil drops, she’s going to have to go full vampire. What about me? If the abyss swallows the world am I even going to be human anymore? I hardly feel human now at times.”

“I’m so sorry about that.” Amaliya sighed, guilt clawing at her gut.

“Stop apologizing! Fuck me! We had no clue it would happen. You did save my life. Plus, I’m adjusting.” A smile crept onto Samantha’s face. “I kinda like it, honestly. It makes me feel like a bad ass.”

That elicited a laugh from Amaliya. “Well, yeah. You even have Roberto being your minion. And he’s a total bitch.”

“Oh, yeah. Totally.”

“We have a few weeks. Just a few more weeks.” Amaliya hated that fact. Biting at a hangnail on her thumb, she wondered if they’d find the location where The Summoner planned to tear down the veil in time to stop him. They were assuming it would be in San Antonio, but that wasn’t necessarily the case.

“We can do it. Somehow. We have to.” Samantha glanced significantly at her diamond ring. “I mean...c’mon. I have so much to live for. Besides, I’ll look like shit without a tan.”

“You could always try spray-on tanner,” Amaliya suggested with a smirk.

“And be orange? Gross!”

Samantha urged her little car past yet another semi-truck. Interstate 35 was crammed with long haul vehicles. The highway narrowed when they entered a construction zone, the sides hemmed in by concrete dividers. Amaliya exchanged glances with Samantha.

“This is it,” Samantha said.

“Yeah,” Amaliya whispered through still lips.

Setting her arm on the console between them, the vampire opened her hand. Samantha wove her fingers around Amaliya’s. Instantly, their magicks tangled together. The two women steeled themselves for the attack they knew was coming. There was no chance The Summoner wouldn’t attack when both of them were together and outside of Austin.

The rending of metal, squeal of tires, and screech of air brakes tore through the night. Amaliya whipped about in her seat to see out the rear window. One of the big trucks traveling behind Samantha’s car was jackknifing across the two lanes. The fender of the cab slid along the concrete barricade, sparks cascading into the air. The squeal of brakes was followed by the crash of vehicles colliding. The trailer flipped onto its side, blocking the entire road behind them.

Samantha pressed her foot down on the accelerator, keeping her little car ahead of the epic collision. The two lanes ahead were strangely clear of traffic. There was an absence of red brake lights in the all-encompassing darkness before Samantha’s car. On the other side of the construction barricades, oncoming traffic continued to roll past, the headlights blazing in the absolute darkness. They were miles between towns, hemmed in by overgrown fields, trees, and silent construction vehicles.

“This is it,” Samantha muttered again.

Amaliya observed that the semi-truck had finally come to a standstill. “We’re cut off.”

The spell exploded seconds later. The purple haze shimmered in the air, arcing over the area. A second spell popped into action, encompassing the car in a protective shell of blue power that would block any spell attempting to render the occupants unconscious. Samantha shoved her foot onto the brake, her fingers tightening on Amaliya’s hand. Their seatbelts caught across their chests as the car squealed to a sharp stop. The dome of purple black magic spread out overhead, glittering menacingly. It appeared to be a repulsion spell, one that would keep humans out of the area until the ambush was over.

“You’re on, little bitch!” Amaliya tensed her hand around Samantha’s.

Samantha closed her eyes, her ghostly magic shimmering around her, sucking Amaliya’s necromantic energy into its swirling mist. “Roberto!”

The handsome Mexican man flashed into existence in the back seat of the car. His hands became solid, cupping the intertwined fingers of the two women. Amaliya bit her bottom lip, allowing Samantha to drag deep on her power and pump it into the ghost.

“Do what I told you,” Samantha ordered. “No fucking around, or else.”

Roberto scowled. “Of course.”

A dark shape leaped over the concrete barricade and hurtled toward the car. Amaliya freed herself from her seatbelt just as the werewolf hit the car, flipping it over onto the passenger side. The window shattered. Amaliya didn’t pay the bits of glass any heed as she kicked out the windshield and jumped out. The werewolf rushed her. It was massive, well over six feet tall and covered in a dark black pelt. Long claws swiped through the air aiming for her chest. Amaliya ducked under its attack and slammed her fist into the taunt muscles of his stomach, sending the wolfman sprawling.

Amaliya unfurled her necromantic power, feeding it into the darkness to summon the dead. “Come to me,” she ordered. She felt the dead stirring, but something was wrong. They couldn’t come to her.

“Amaliya?” Samantha called out.

“They’re blocking me! Fuck! The spell they cast is blocking me! I need bodies!”

“Bodies? Gotcha!” Samantha shouted back.

The patter of feet in the darkness announced the arrival of more attackers. The sound of gunshots echoed through the air.

Amaliya rushed the werewolf as it sprang to its feet. When it straightened to its full height it was even taller than she realized. The half-man, half-wolf creature growled, revealing all its gruesome fangs. Amaliya bared her own sharp teeth and attacked. It caught her about the waist as she jumped at it, trying to kick it in the groin. Sharp claws raked her skin, drawing blood. Amaliya grabbed its snout with her hands in an attempt to keep it from biting her. The pointed teeth ripped at her hands.

Amaliya hissed with frustration, determined to take the werewolf down. Its massive head whipped back and forth, trying to break her hold. She managed to brace one of her heels against its leg, gaining some traction. Her long black nails dug into its face, drawing thick, dark blood.

To her surprise, it fell forward onto its knees, releasing her from its grip. Amaliya fell onto her backside and hands. Behind the werewolf, Roberto gleefully plunged a silver dagger into the back of the great beast. Whipping about, the werewolf knocked Roberto into the concrete divider, but the ghost only laughed, winking out of sight. The wolf howled in frustration. Roberto reappeared on the other side of the creature, and silver blade flashing, kept up his assault.

Amaliya climbed to her feet just in time to deflect the oncoming blow from a vampire. Shoving him off his feet, she followed him to the ground and her hand punched into his chest. One hard tug and his heart was in her hand. Tossing the crumbling organ away, she surveyed the battle scene.

Samantha sat on the driver’s door of her lopsided car, wielding her pink Glock. The werewolf continued to try to attack Roberto, but the ghost was slipping in and out of the physical plane
, eluding its swipes. At least six vampires and vampire-infused minions were circling, trying to get to both Amaliya and Samantha. It was Samantha’s blessed bullets that were slowing them down. The low number of vampires was a very good sign. It meant that a powerful being was among the attackers and that they were over-confident in their ability to seize Amaliya and Samantha.

“I need bodies!” Amaliya screamed again.

“Working on it!” Aiming at the werewolf, the blonde unleashed a volley of bullets.

Dark blood pumped onto the cold asphalt from the many wounds of inflicted upon the wolfman. The red liquid steamed in the frigid air. The beast twisted away trying to avoid the silver dagger and bullets. Amaliya darted after him. She jumped onto his furry back, arms wrapping around its thick neck. It thrashed beneath her body as the spikes from her shoes dug into its sides. Amaliya sensed, more than saw Etzli descending on her and thrust her long nails into the wolfman’s fur and flesh. Rolling off his back, she dug in, ripping out his throat as she fell. The creature crashed to the ground beside her seconds before Etzli was on her.

Flying dark hair, blazing eyes, and a feral snarl was all Amaliya saw seconds before the bone knife thumped into her ribcage, ripping through her flesh and shattering bone. Amaliya screeched in pain. The Aztec was clad in a black dress slashed to her thighs. She appeared every inch of the blood goddess she claimed to be. Etzli jerked the blade out, twisting it as she did so to cause even more damage. An arc of blood flowed from the wound to form a red aura around Etzli. The vampire could draw blood from wounds, living up to her name perfectly.

Roberto fought against the vampires savagely, slipping in out of the night, stabbing and slashing with his silver dagger. Samantha reloaded and opened fire again on the vampires trying to close in on her. The smell of vampire blood filled the night. The blessed bullets exploded in their bodies, slowing their healing while also crippling them.

Amaliya grinned at the vampire. “Hey, cunt, what’s up?”

Etzli started, obviously surprised by her flippancy. Spinning her daggers in her hands, she brought them downward, intending to stab Amaliya again.

A burst of sharp, cold wind knocked the Aztec vampire off her feet. Landing on the road, she skidded into the darkness with a cry of anger.

Amaliya scrambled to her feet. Blood was still flowing from her wound, streaming through the night like a red ribbon. “Fuckin’ bitch!”

Baptiste, clad in a leather jacket, stepped out from behind Samantha’s car. “Amaliya, you okay?”

“No!” she shouted, then felt the touch of death slither through her. “Wait, no! I’m good!” With a grunt, she gestured toward the werewolf with her bloody, mangled hand. “Up!”

The dead wolfman rose in obedience.

A vampire darted past her toward the car, heading toward Samantha. The blonde was reloading her Glock.

“Baptiste!” Amaliya shouted.

“Got him!” The black man raced forward,
his hand lifting. In his palm a fire orb formed.

The vampire in the black jumpsuit skidded to a stop. He looked like one of Santos’s henchmen that had abducted Amaliya earlier in the year.

“Catch,” Baptiste said, grinning, and tossed the ball of flame.

The night lit up with an orange glow as the vampire was transformed into a torch.

Amaliya sent the werewolf after the nearest human infused with vampire blood. She needed more bodies. Etzli would be coming back to finish the battle at any second. They had managed to surprise her by hiding Baptiste in the trunk of Samantha’s car. Now The Summoner’s ally would be much more careful.

The zombie-werewolf killed the human minion with a powerful blow to her chest. Amaliya immediately snatched the dead woman with her power. Another fell dead under the onslaught of Samantha’s bullets and Amaliya gripped that one in the web of her necromancy as well. Casting a quick look behind her, she saw Baptiste helping Samantha off the car and setting her on the ground. Meanwhile, two vampires had retreated into the night with Etzli. Roberto hacked at the last infused human and soon Amaliya had four zombies at her call.