Scarlet Assassin (10 page)

Pulling a tab from her pocket, she snapped it and placed it under her tongue. Feeding time. Energy surged through her instantly. The new blood formula was working better than she had anticipated. A process of dehydration, and then rehydration through the body’s system made the blood the ultimate food. Fewer feedings, longer lasting energy and more time in between capsules all made for a vampire super food. In the wrong hands…that wasn’t an option.

Any other time AJ would love the drive. The lush green scenery was breathtaking, the brisk mountain air, a brush of snow on the trees. It all made for a Christmas card style landscape. In fact she wished Clarissa was sitting right next to her, but she had some unfinished business with the coven and then maybe they could finally take that vacation they’d been planning.

A man wearing camouflage fatigues standing in front of a barricade flagged her down and she slowed to a stop. Not a vampire. There were few light walkers and that was AJ’s advantage.

“Can I help you miss?” His face was covered so making an identification later would prove difficult.

Yes, of course you can, AJ crept into the man’s mind.
You’ll let me pass and forget I was here
.

“Let me move the barricade. Down about a quarter mile you’ll see a fallen tree, turn left and continue for about a half mile. You’ll see a boulder off to the left, look for a quick right. If you’re not careful you’ll miss it.”

Thank you.
AJ closed the bond. She smiled and was ready to leave when he said one last thing.

“There are only five ways into the coven, but a hidden passage lies directly below the master’s chambers. He often takes women through there when he’s done with them.”

AJ furrowed her eyebrows at the useless information. Oftentimes someone she melded with gave more information than she needed. She called it diarrhea of the brain, a brain dump, basically. The human condition had a guilty need to purge itself when she bonded with them, it seemed.

“Thank you, I’ll be on my way. Have a good day, officer.”

“Yes, ma’am, you too.” He returned to his position and didn’t move.

Creepy. If this kept up, she was sure she wasn’t coming back.

****

Clarissa stared at the offered hand. What did he mean he was taking Carol’s classes for the rest of the semester? Where was Carol? She’d never leave without telling Clarissa. Something wasn’t making sense.

“What’s happened to Carol?”

“Don’t know. The dean called me and asked if I was available, and boom, I was,” he said almost proud of himself. “I think he said something about her father taking ill.” Shrugging his shoulders, he stared at Clarissa and then flashed a toothy grin. “So, guess it’s you and me in the Lit department till summer.”

“Yeah, I guess it is.” Clarissa suddenly got a sickening feeling. Carol’s father had died years ago and her mother was her only living relative. Someone was lying, Carol, the dean or this guy, but she wouldn’t find out until she went to the dean’s office in the morning. Besides, this guy was too perfect, to nice, to pale. The only way to find out was to… Pulling her hand from her pocket she grabbed his and the jolt was instantaneous. She absorbed his energy and shook his hand firmly. He was a vamp, a young one, so she doubted he had picked up on her essence, but he was around for a reason. It was just too coincidental that he showed up to take over Carol’s classes.

“Clarissa Du Monte,” she said, removing her hand from his sweaty grip.

He cocked his head, then looked at the door and shot her a quizzical look. Pointing to the door, he said, “But the door says, De Marcus.”

“I recently got married.” Clarissa lied. Who was he to questions what she said? She was sure the firm tone made it clear it wasn’t up for discussion. “Well, if you’ll excuse me I need to prepare for class. I’m sure you have to get ready as well.” Shuffling some papers on her desk she was sure she had dismissed the interloper, but he plopped down on her sofa.

“Nope, I did all that last night. I’m ready. My mom said I was born ready. Said I came out ready to greet the world and take it on.”

“How nice, but—”

“Hey how would you like to get some coffee after class, Professor Du Monte? I know this great little coffee shop close to campus. I see the students there all the time, so you know it must be good if they’re fillin’ up the place.”

She turned her attention to the talking head, wanting to be rude, but it just wasn’t her style. Besides, what was that old saying–keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Well, until she knew better this guy was the enemy. That still didn’t mean she had to have coffee with him.

“I’m sorry, I have dinner plans with my wife.”

Marshall sat stunned for a moment, after closing his gaping mouth, he gracefully recovered enough to at least blush.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I mean, I hope you didn’t think I was trying to pick-up on you or anything when I asked you out for coffee. I was just trying to be collegial, that’s all. Hey, it’s cool.” Standing, he pulled at the legs of his pants and practically ran to the door. “You know I just realized I do have a little bit of prep for the class. Hey, it was nice to meet you. Let’s get that coffee soon though, okay?”

The only thing missing was the two finger salute men like that shot at women when they suddenly found out they didn’t stand a chance with them. Weird…no it was beyond weird. There was no doubt in Clarissa’s mind it was all an act. From the impish grin to the “let me show you how suave I am” lines he was throwing around. She pulled her cell phone from her purse and dialed AJ’s number but it instantly went to voice mail. Odd. She tried again and it happened again. Dialing AJ’s office, she got Maggie. Now she was perplexed.

“Maggie? Why isn’t AJ answering her phone?”

“I don’t know, she called and said she had an appointment out all day and would be in the office tomorrow. I thought maybe she was playing hookie with you.”

Clarissa could hear the smile in Maggie’s voice. She loved Maggie. It was clear she kept all AJ’s secrets and loved her anyway. Unlike Kevin who had practically destroyed AJ with his betrayal. At least Kevin had the decency to take his own life and avoid the certain painful death she knew AJ would exact upon him. No, AJ would have to have that on her conscience too.

“No, I’m afraid I have to work. Unlike your boss, it seems. If she calls in, would you tell her to call me? It’s important.”

“Did you try her cell?”

“I did and she’s not answering.”

“Oh dear.”

That didn’t sound good. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“Oh, no. I didn’t mean to sound rash or anything. I was just worrying aloud. You know how us old women like to worry. I think we should teach classes in it at the university since we’re such experts in it.”

Maggie laughed trying to lighten the mood. She was hiding something and Clarissa knew it. Noticing the time she realized she didn’t have time to quiz the woman.

“Well, thanks Maggie. Have a good evening and tell your husband hello for me.”

“Will do and don’t worry, I’m sure AJ is fine. She’ll be waiting for you when you get home.”

“You’re right of course. Have a good evening.”

“Bye now.”

Clarissa was worried. It wasn’t normal for no one to know where AJ was. Her last hope was Selene. She doubted they’d kissed and made-up, but they did keep in contact.

Punching a button, her phone speed dialed Selene.

“Hello, Clarissa.”

“Selene, have you talked to AJ today?”

“No, why?”

“I can’t find her and I have a little…oh I’m sure it’s nothing. If you talk to her could you tell her to call me?” Clarissa noticed the time and rushed past the niceties of the conversation. “Thanks.”

Before Selene could say anything, Clarissa hung up and dashed to her class. The rule was, if a student was late said student had to sing their favorite nursery rhyme, and Clarissa wasn’t going to be called out by her students for being late.

Chapter Twelve

Alexandra, you look wonderful. How long has it been?” Butch sauntered into the room looking like he had stepped out of a fifties movie: velvet slippers, a smoking jacket, fingering a cigarette in a holder. He air kissed each cheek and then sat down in a huge wingback chair that almost swallowed the slight man. “You look fantastic, being a light walker suits you. Pretty soon you’ll be tan and healthy looking. It’s such a shame we can’t get out and tan like we used to, I miss the sun’s heat. So…what brings you to the coven?”

A smoke ring encircled AJ, who stood, still trying to take in the ridiculous outfit.

“Sit.” Butch motioned toward a chair to his right facing the roaring fireplace. “What brings you all the way out here? Tell me you want to rejoin the coven. We could use someone like you in the coven, Alexandra. I hear you’re doing drug research into a blood replacement.”

“Well that’s not exactly right, Butch. I’ve got a government contract for plasma, extracting it out of the blood and making it into powder form.” AJ lied. She didn’t want Butch getting any ideas for her new hyper-concentrated blood product. He could use it for his legions of vampires, giving them a normal appearance to the humans who might suspect they had a vampire in their midst. It didn’t have the ability to make them light walkers, and AJ wasn’t sure what had given her the ability, but she wasn’t risking anything. “They use it in the field, by adding water they get a stabilizer for the patient until they can get them the real stuff. At least we’re hoping it works out that way.”

“Hmm, I thought Kevin had said something else. Guess I misunderstood.”

Kevin had shared her work with the coven? What other secrets would she find out that Kevin had shared? At least he was dead and couldn’t say anything counter to her assertions now.

“I didn’t know Kevin was reporting back to the coven. How long had that been going on?” AJ was starting to get steamed at the possible implications of Kevin’s betrayal.

“Alexandra don’t be so paranoid. He was a friend. We shared many conversations about different things. You weren’t the only thing we talked about, besides I didn’t know your research was a secret.”

“When you work with the government on research like this, it
is
secret. I could lose the contract if word leaked out and they thought I was sharing information.”

“Ah, I see. Well your secret is safe with me.” He crossed his heart and held up three fingers emulating the scout code. “On my honor.”

“I appreciate that, Butch. Now can we get to the reason I’m here?”

“Oh of course, where are my manners?” At the snap of his fingers an attendant appeared with two glasses filled with a red liquid on a serving platter. He presented it first to AJ and she hesitantly took a glass. She hadn’t had real blood in years—with the exception of feeding off Clarissa in a sexual frenzy when they made love—but she wasn’t sure she could drink it like this.

Butch lifted his glass in salute. “To your health and continued success, AJ.”

“To the coven and your leadership, may you never waver about doing the right thing.”

“Touché.”

Lifting his glass, he slurped at the thick liquid. The action made AJ want to throw-up, setting the glass on the table she cringed thinking about how Butch had acquired the vampire lifesaving liquid. It was something that wasn’t discussed in proper circles, but rumors swirled about how the coven
farmed
humans for their blood. It wasn’t as bad as it sounded. The humans were paid for their fluids, but it was better than the barbaric way many still did it, often killing the human. The newbies resorted to killing their lunch, while the more sophisticated left them with little more than a few puncture marks and no memory of how they acquired them.

Pulling herself back to the present, she studied Butch as he devoured the liquid. Clearly, Butch was consuming more that his body required for survival. His exaggerated gut and body spoke volumes, but she didn’t take him lightly even if he looked like a heart attack waiting to happen.

“I’m looking for some help with a problem, Butch.”

“Hmm,” he said lifting his finger to pudgy lips. “What would that problem be? Better yet,
whom
would that problem be?”

“I think you mean
who
.”

“Who, whom, whatever. The result is still the same. I can’t help, Alexandra.”

“AJ.”

“Whatever, Alexandra, AJ it’s all the same person. I still can’t help you. De Marcus is gone from the coven.” He flitted his hand around as if dismissing her. She wasn’t going to be rid of that easily.

AJ stepped closer to tower over Butch. She’d had enough of his pompous routine. “I know you two were thick as thieves. He knows where all your dead bodies are buried and you’re afraid he’ll expose just how you came to be the High Lord of the fucking coven, but guess what? I don’t care. I’d be doing us both a favor by eliminating him from our vocabulary. Tell me where he is and I’ll leave, never to be seen or heard from again.”

She leaned in and Butch backpedaled in a failed attempt to escape. Their history kept him focused on her and on alert. AJ had almost killed him once and if he didn’t come clean with the information he had on De Marcus, she might actually do it this time.

He straightened and tried to reassert his dominance by stepping forward and going nose to nose with AJ. She took another step forward. Butch slipped around her and placed his empty glass on the table. He moved to rest his elbows on the top edge of his wingback chair, creating a barrier between them. AJ smiled and sat casually on the sofa, waiting for his answer.

“Would you like a tour of the place?” Butch said, trying to work a diversion.

She glanced at her watch. “It seems I don’t have time for the grand tour, Butch. I’m having dinner with my wife in a few hours.”

“I’d love for you to see what we’ve done with the art collection. Thanks to you we have a few stunning pieces. I thought you might like to visit them for old time’s sake.”

Butch started toward the open doors to her left, leaving no room for discussion. Either she went along or went home to Clarissa. Leaving her mission incomplete was unacceptable. She wasn’t ready to let Butch off the hook quite yet. The fact that he was taking her to gloat over
her
art collection was like adding salt to an open wound, but it would only sting for a little while.