Scarlet Assassin (11 page)

“Fine.”

He clapped his hands together and squealed with delight. No man should act like that, especially one who was in his position. AJ rolled her eyes as she followed him deeper into the bunker. Filing past one door and then another until they were almost at the end of the hall concerned AJ. The fact that no one was around gave her an uneasy feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

“Here we are,” Butch said rather loudly.

Light barely peeked out from the doorway as Butch entered. A crushing blow dropped AJ to her knees and then there was nothing but total darkness.

****

Selene jerked the phone from her ear in surprise. Clarissa wasn’t usually rude, but something had her rushed. Dialing her back, Selene waited only to get her voice mail.

“Hey, it’s just me. You hung up so fast that I didn’t have time to ask what’s going on. Call me back.”

Selene had a feeling she knew what was wrong, but it wasn’t her place to tell Clarissa that AJ was probably at the coven. There was something else in her voice though, fear, panic or…

She checked her watch.
Class
. If she was right, Clarissa’s night class was just starting which would explain her hurry to hang up, but not the fear in her voice. Grabbing her jacket she slung it on, patted her chest to make sure her weapons were still in place and rushed to the door. It wouldn’t take but a few minutes to get to the campus and then she could put her own concerns to rest.

Sliding into her low-slung black sports car, she cranked the music. The head banging tunes would drown out her thoughts. Her demons called her out when she was alone. There was no exorcising them.  Since her family’s death the demons were a constant reminder of why she did what she did—dealt death to those that deserved it. Only now she was paid for what she had taken pleasure in doing before. Before she could walk in the light.

The drive to the campus was too short. Sitting in her car, she let the music vibrate through the speakers into the doors and up through the floor. She kept the windows rolled up, and the world at bay. Suddenly, she wondered what Doctor Francesca Swartz was doing right at that moment. The doctor’s shock of platinum blond hair and fair skin had instantly made Selene think vampire, but the warm pulse thrumming through her body alerted Selene that she was all human, and a scared one at that. But was she really scared? Doctor Swartz tensed when she walked in unannounced on Selene’s meeting with AJ. A subtle reaction, however, Selene had picked up on the quickening pulse, the dilated eyes and the jagged breath Doctor Swartz drew when they made brief eye contact. Unfortunately, Selene wasn’t as good at hiding her emotions when someone like AJ was around. AJ had honed in on her own visceral response like a hawk eyeing dinner. Doctor Swartz intrigued Selene and she would have to think of a way to see the good doctor, even if the excuse was for a brief cup of coffee. She’d better start drinking coffee if her stomach was going to handle the acidic liquid.

Jumping out of her car, she turned her attention back to the reason she was at the university, Clarissa. Selene jogged to the hallway where Clarissa’s class was in session. She stood outside the door and listened as Clarissa lectured on how culture affected literature. Her voice steady but reserved, at least that’s what Selene heard. Something was definitely up. Clarissa loved teaching. She had the gift of inspiration. Her students loved her and she loved them, genuinely loved them. They would go all out for the Renaissance Ball, held by the literature club every year. Selene had almost killed De Marcus at that same ball last year. If it hadn’t been for that damned teacher he used to get to Clarissa, she would have one more on her kill list. Fate had its way of waving its boney fingers at her, flipping her the bird more times that she could count. No matter. She would get De Marcus if it killed her and that wasn’t going to happen, not in this lifetime. Selene giggled at the thought.

“Okay class, meet back in fifteen minutes. When we get back we’ll discuss how religion impacts literature.”

The groan echoed out to the hallway. Students filed out the door and past Selene in the direction of the coffee klatch at the end of the hall. Clarissa walked past Selene too, not even giving her a glance. Tapping her on the shoulder earned Selene a squeal and a slap.

“What the–”

“Whoa, students,” Selene said, pointing to the last few to exit the class.

“What are you doing here?”

“You called, I came.” Selene sniffed the air, looked around and sniffed again. “Who is that?”

“You smell it too, huh?”

“Who?” Selene narrowed her eyes and peered down the hall searching for whomever the scent belonged to, but she couldn’t pinpoint anyone.

Clarissa grabbed Selene’s hand and led her down to her office, slamming the door behind them.

“Fuck, I’m scared shitless.”

“What happened? Did someone touch you? Threaten you? If so, I’ll kill them.”

“That’s just it. He was nice, too nice.”

“Who was too nice?” Selene stood and tugged at the corner of the drapes, just enough to peek down the hall at the throng of students talking. Nothing, or should she say no one, out of the ordinary stood out. The giggling banter of young girls assaulted her ears, so she stepped away from the door hoping to avoid any more torture. “So who’s this vamp?”

“I have no idea. He just showed up, taking Carol’s place with some lame excuse that she had a family emergency.”

“Maybe he’s telling the truth?”

“Doubtful, Carol’s dad is dead.”

“Hmm.”

“Have you talked to AJ? I really need to speak to her now.” Clarissa sat behind her desk and worried a slip of paper and then wadded it up, throwing it in the trash with a sweeping arc.

“No, sorry. Maybe I can help. Where is this douche?” Selene stood and made a show of pushing up the sleeves of her jacket and walking to the door. Stopping, she looked over at her shoulder to Clarissa, hoping she wouldn’t need to convince her that the guy only needed a good tongue-lashing.

Clarissa shuffled a few articles on her desk trying to appear busy, but Selene wasn’t leaving without making sure Clarissa was safe. AJ wouldn’t let her live if anything happened to Clarissa and she could’ve prevented it.

“I’m probably just over reacting. Don’t pay any attention to me, Selene.” Clarissa gave a half-hearted smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

A sensation flooded through Selene, a feeling of dread perhaps. Clarissa’s wide eyes told Selene she felt it, too. She opened the door and jerked the man walking past inside. In the next instant, she threw him on the sofa and straddled him.

“Is this him?”

Silence.

“Is this him?” Selene waited, hoping for confirmation before she did something someone would regret. Fear washed off Clarissa in waves and was all Selene needed. Her body took over before her mind could control it. Nails lengthened, her fangs dropped with a pop and she could feel her saliva glands start to overproduce, a signal she was ready to feed.

“Who the fuck are you?” Selene’s voice dropped to a deadly level, whispering near his ear. She inhaled his scent as she leaned in closer to his neck. She could smell his last feeding as the blood boiled just below the surface of his skin. He was so young. He hadn’t harnessed the ability to control his emotions and Selene fed off that kind of aggression.

“Get off me,” he said trying to angle himself from under Selene.

She only tightened her thighs, holding him under her.

“Look, obviously you don’t know who I am, so take some advice, answer the question and I might let you live…” Holding his throat with one hand, she reached behind her and pulled a mat black dagger from its sheath. Pressing the thin chrome tip against his jugular she waited for it to pierce the skin releasing a drop or two of blood. Knowing the smell would send her further over the edge she resisted. “Or don’t. Makes no matter to me.”

Selene

“Clarissa, leave and you can say you don’t know what happened to Mister Happy here.”

Selene
.

Clarissa’s didn’t have to give voice to her fear, Selene could read her mind, but it didn’t matter. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Clarissa turn away, obviously not wanting to witness what was about to happen.

“So where were we? Aww yes, now where are your manners? You were about to introduce yourself. Weren’t you?”

“Fuck you.”

“Well, I have some bad news, you’re not my type,” Selene said rather casually. “Now see, you really don’t know me. I like mine soft, with sexy curves and big red lips. Kind of like Clarissa over there, so that brings me back to my question. Why are you following Clarissa?”

“I’m the new substitute for Carol–” Selene clamped down further on his throat. “…while she’s out on emergency leave.”

“Now you’re lying. Carol’s parents are both dead. Try again.” Selene remembered a conversation between Clarissa and Carol when her job was Clarissa’s safety.

Squeezing harder she closed her eyes and felt a sense of tranquility take over. His blood rushing past her fingers signaled a meal waiting just beneath grip. If his heart continued at its frantic pace, he might have a heart attack. That would solve the problem, but give her no answers. She relaxed her grip slightly, hoping he would see it as reluctance on her part to kill him. Selene liked playing cat and mouse with a prospective victim. The chase excited her, trying to out think her opponent had its merits and kept her sharp.

The vibrating fluorescent lights started to hurt her eyes. She was in hunt mode and her sensitivity to light and sound were heightened.

Turn off the lights.

Selene!

Leave now, Clarissa. I don’t want you to be a part of this. Lock the door on your way out.

Her command left no room for resistance. Clarissa’s haggard sigh, followed by footsteps and click of the lights showed her acquiescence to the situation. Selene didn’t want Clarissa exposed to the impending death of this coward who was clearly only here to hurt Clarissa. Obviously, he hadn’t counted on Selene and whoever sent him hadn’t alerted him to the possibility of her presence. No, they had probably sent the young blood out to do their bidding without explanation, but a promise from a master would make any newling act like a loving puppy and do his bidding.

The sudden darkness added to the terror her victim experienced. Sweat started to bead on his top lip, another few slipping down his throat. She could almost taste his salty skin just before her teeth broke the surface to the delicate copper taste that would coat her throat. She tried to sweep his mind, but he was a young vampire who couldn’t hide his fear. All she could see in her mind’s eye was a chaos of thoughts, images flashing through his mind.

“Fuck off.”

“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Oh, I suspect your mother is long dead isn’t she?” Selene could feel the man under her trying to change. She squeezed his neck tighter. “Let me be frank, you’re going to die tonight and you can either go with a clean conscience to meet your maker or you can carry all this baggage with you to the pearly gates. Makes no difference to me.”

His eyes started to bulge as she squeezed the jugular smooth as it filled with the blood that wasn’t making it past her grip. She flicked the tip of her blade and let loose a few droplets that dripped down his neck. She flicked her tongue up the drips catching them before they stained his shirt collar. Her mouth salivating, she plunged her fangs into the beckoning invitation. A long pull and her mouth filled with his essence. Pulling her head back, she stared into eyes ready to roll back into submission.

“Now, who sent you?” She licked the holes on his neck whispering again. “Tell me and I’ll might let you live, don’t and you’ll surely die.”

It had been at least a year since her last feeding on a person. Her body jerked and her mind reeled from the sudden infusion of raw human blood. It was almost orgasmic the way it sent spikes through her body. Her clit stiffened and wetness spread between her legs. A blood lust would set in after this and she knew what that meant. She’d be in need of a sexual partner.

“Butch.”

“Hmm?” she hummed, her mind swimming in endorphins. Had she heard him right? The fucking high lord himself was sending someone to kill Clarissa. Why?

“Why would Van der Plume send someone to kill, Clarissa? You’re a liar.” Shocked at the revelation, she squeezed his neck tighter. Blood oozed from the puncture marks on his neck. While there was no love lost between the two, Butch didn’t seem to have the balls or even the need to kill Clarissa. De Marcus, yes, Van der Plume, no.

“Why?”

“He has a plan to bring the coven back together and Alexandra and Clarissa are fucking with that plan. That’s all I know.” He croaked his answer past her grip.

Biting him again, she swallowed another mouthful or two and then pulled off his neck. Draining him almost to the point of death would keep him compliant and weak, but it would have the opposite effect on Selene. She would be unstoppable for the next few hours. Her mind raced in directions that were even fearful for her.

“How does Alexandra fit into all of this?” She knew, but needed him to confirm what she was afraid had already happened.

“She’s at the coven as we speak. He’s got a plan for her and—”

His head dropped back into unconsciousness. He’d been drained too far and would be in a coma like state for at least a few days until his body recovered enough to produce enough blood to sustain life. At least now he wasn’t a threat to Clarissa, but Selene wasn’t through with him yet.

Fuck.

Selene knew AJ had planned to visit the coven today. Remembering the last time they talked it was clear he was beyond reason. He wasn’t one to do his own dirty work; this guy was evidence of that fact. She suspected whatever Butch had planned would involve more guys like this one. Drones who did their master’s bidding.

“Selene?”

“Clarissa. Come in but don’t turn the lights on. Do you have anything to clean this guy up with? I don’t want to carry him out of here with a bloody neck.”