Hunting Season (Aurora Sky (23 page)

My stomach gurgled. The digital clock on the dashboard read 11:06. Having been up all night, my stomach thought it was much later. The blood bag sounded good, but not with Jared conscious. I might have to share.

In the distance, an SUV was parked within a couple inches of the highway, and a man crouched in front of a camera propped on a tripod just off the shoulder.

My eyes searched for the source of his interest and found a beautiful pair of trumpeter swans in the center of Tern Lake.

“Tourist,” Jared said with disgust.

“And you're a resident?” I challenged.

“Of Alaska? Not a chance.”

“I hear Paris is a beautiful city,” I said, fishing.

Jared looked up, meeting my eye in the rearview mirror.

“Beautiful,” he intoned as if the opposite were true. “You should have seen it during the French Revolution. They locked me up for killing an imbecile, but thirty years prior to that the streets of Paris ran red with the blood of aristocrats and anyone even suspected of being sympathetic to the monarchy. People used it as an excuse to kill anyone who practiced a religion other than their own or had so much as ever looked at them cross-eyed. Whether you want to admit it or not, we live in a rotten world.”

“Is that what Melcher wants you to believe?”

“I've always known humans are sinners. I was, too. But not anymore.”

“Not anymore?” I asked incredulously.

Jared leaned forward. I didn't like that his head was close to mine.

“I am a true crusader, chosen by God. Faith doesn't matter. I have been blessed with immortality.”

My fingers tightened around the steering wheel. “I thought you said our kind was a mistake.”

“Some of our kind. Not me.”

No, not Jared. Of course not. The way he talked, he probably considered himself an avenging angel rather than a vampire. And then there was Melcher. No doubt he considered himself the messiah.

What came first? The recruiter or the commander? If Giselle was correct, Melcher had been around longer—recruited the recruiter.

“I have a hard time believing you're one of the good guys,” I said.

Jared's forehead lowered as he leaned toward me. “Vampires suck life from the weak. I should know. Some of us are tasked with balancing the scale. Nature requires every predator be kept in check. Since the vampire is at the top of the food chain, god-like in his immortality—not even time can touch him—only one worthy predator remains and that is a vampire's only equal. One of his own.”

My heart sped up. I shook my head.

“Yes, you,” Jared said. “You're a killer, and like it or not, you and I are the same.”

“We're nothing alike.”

Jared chuckled. “Deny it all you want. It doesn't change a thing. You need me, Raven. Giselle needed me, too.”

Right. Giselle needed Jared the way a human needed a blood clot. I snorted.

“Don't be fooled by my daughter's cold demeanor. Inside she's a lonely child who has lost her family. She won't last long on her own. I wouldn't be surprised if she's attempted to lure Dante to her side.”

“Not in a million years,” I said, gripping the wheel. Jared was delusional. Dante was the last person in the world who would ever succumb to Stockholm syndrome.

Jared stretched his still-bound hands over his head and back down to his sides. “I'm sure my imprisonment caused her great distress. We used to work together, you know? Grave robbers.” Jared's nose wrinkled. “Nasty business that. The others never had the stomach for it.”

Giselle had told me they did more than rob graves. She'd said that Jared began killing victims so that he could sell their bodies to medical labs.

“I thought you said she didn't know how to follow orders.”

Jared turned his head. “She did what she was told right up until a week before my imprisonment. Robbing graves is a rough way to make a living, so we started a new venture.” Jared's eyes shined.

I wanted to cover my ears.

“We killed people and sold their corpses to doctors for dissection.”

I shook my head. “I don't want to know.”

“It didn't bother Giselle, not until Simple Seymour. He was a half-wit, you understand.” Jared's fingers tightened into a fist. “I did him a favor, but Giselle chose that moment to develop a conscious—over an imbecile, no less. The irony. She kept his pocket watch—thing didn't even work—and would just stare at it for hours on end. Refused to accompany me after that, which is how she escaped capture while I was left to rot alone.”

“Poor you,” I said sarcastically.

Jared's eyes narrowed. “Do not bait me, Raven. There is nothing as hellacious as an eighteenth century prison. The miscreants caged inside those dungeons are the foulest smelling creatures you can possibly imagine. I wouldn't want to be a flea inside that hellhole.”

“Well, you got out.”

“Eight months later,” Jared said. “Eight months.”

So what? Now he was traumatized for life? Hard to believe.

“Time does not erase memories,” Jared continued. “If anything, it brings the past closer. I remember that time of my life like it was yesterday.”

I cleared my throat. “Why did you kill your family if they weren't to blame?”

Jared's jaw tightened. “They did nothing to try and get me out.”

“Are you sure? Maybe they couldn't get past the guards.”

I knew from Giselle that this wasn't the case, but Jared didn't know that. The way he glowered indicated that he knew perfectly well no such attempt had been made on his behalf.

“They left me to die.”

I didn't like the way Jared's eyes narrowed on me as though I'd been part of the family who'd forsaken him over a century ago.

Time to ask the million dollar question.

“So Melcher rescued you from prison and you've been hunting vampires for him ever since?”

“At first,” Jared said. “As science and technology evolved, so did our understanding of vampirism. Melcher has studied the phenomena for centuries. He traveled the world investigating the origin of our condition until he put it all together. Disease triggers immortality in people with our blood type.”

“How did he manage to get his own government agency?”

“Easy. Gabriel comes from one of the world's oldest and most powerful families. Who do you think is really in charge? Your president?” Jared snorted.

The mountains beyond the windshield blurred out of focus. A sense of hopelessness overcame me. I couldn't let it. There had to be a way to beat Melcher no matter how powerful he was.

In the review mirror, I saw Jared lean his back against the car door and close his eyes.

I turned my attention back to the road. All fear of driving had left me. I drove ten miles over the speed limit. I wanted to get back to Anchorage as quickly as possible. I wanted to get to Dante.

Right before the turn-off to Portage Glacier, the phone rang. I pulled onto the highway's shoulder, answering after I threw the car into park.

“Yes?” I answered impatiently.

“When you reach Girdwood, turn right and head to the Alyeska Resort. Park in the far lot and walk up to the tram. When you reach the tram, call me and I will give you your next set of instructions. Bring Jared with you.”

I flipped the phone shut and put the car back into drive. There was no traffic in either direction as I pulled back onto the highway.

“Where next?” Jared asked, voice slightly muffled through the backseat.

How nice that he could nap, relax, or whatever he was doing back there at a time like this.

“We're going to Girdwood, Alyeska Resort tram.”

Jared sat up. “Does she want us to go up the mountain?”

“She didn't say. I'm supposed to call when we reach the tram.”

Jared leaned forward, staring through the windshield wide-eyed. He rested his arms on top of the seat back, wrists still tied and way too close to my face. Jared claimed to not care where she was taking us, but he suddenly appeared very interested—excited, even.

“She's taking us to our final destination,” Jared said.

“Maybe she's having us switch vehicles again.”

Jared shook his head. “No, she has us getting out this time.”

He was right. It felt different. I was beginning to wish she had made me drive all the way back to Anchorage. I didn't fancy heading off into the wilderness to witness two killer vampires face off.

Three, I reminded myself. I counted as a killer vampire. It was my duty to take down both Jared and Giselle. If I got Dante back, I had no more use for her. He could lead me back to Gavin. Even if he couldn't, I might have to chalk it up to collateral damage. Noel wouldn't like that, but she wasn't the one in the middle of a hostage situation. There was no telling what would happen.

“She's going to draw us into the open,” Jared said, grinning. “Very mistrustful, that one. Did you pack any mosquito repellent, or better yet, bear spray?”

“You afraid of bears or something?” I asked.

Jared leaned against the seat back. “Those things will bite a person's head off. Show a little respect.”

Bears didn't worry me. Biters like Jared and Giselle were another story.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened when the Chevron gas station and Food Mart came into view. We'd reached Girdwood.

18

Jared laced his fingers together as I turned right and drove down Girdwood's main drag. Soon, Mount Alyeska came into view. The chair lifts were suspended in mid-air, awaiting the first snow dump. The road came to an end at the old lodge. I took a left and headed for the Alyeska Resort.

Unlike the parking lot at Exit Glacier, the one at the resort was half-full. I found a spot at the end as Giselle had suggested, turned off the ignition and pocketed the key.

“This is it,” Jared said, voice rising. “Doing this outdoors is a nice touch, don't you think?”

I grabbed the gun off the passenger's seat before stepping out of the vehicle and opening the back door.

Jared stepped out, eyeing the gun in my hand. “Keep that thing hidden,” he hissed. “There are people around. Take off your jacket and ball it up inside.”

Lips pressed together, I whistled for Tommy. He bounded out of the car.

Jared frowned. “You should leave him here.”

“Not a chance.”

“At least hide the gun before someone sees it and reports you. I am not missing an opportunity to get to Giselle because you were stupid enough to have the state troopers called on us.”

My eyes narrowed. “Fine, but just remember, any sudden moves and Tommy will attack.”

Upon hearing his name, Tommy sat beside me and stared at Jared.

What a good boy.

I set the gun on the hood of the car and covered it with my jacket.

Jared held his wrists out. “And remove these.”

“Not a chance," I said. When he glared at me, I added, "What about Giselle?” I didn't care about her, honestly. I preferred Jared with his hands bound together.

“Holding me at gunpoint is enough. There's a switchblade in my left pocket.”

I stared at Jared for two seconds before looking down at his crotch. I so didn't want to be fishing around anywhere near there.

He cleared his throat impatiently.

Crap. Like I wanted my fingers within an inch of his nasty bits.

I reached forward quickly, wanting to get it over with already.

“
My
left,” Jared snapped.

I pulled my hand back and moved to the opposite pocket, shoving my fingers down until I touched something solid. I dug out a thin black handle and snapped the blade open. Jared held his hands higher.

I sucked in a deep breath, pulling oxygen into my brain before slipping the blade beneath the rope tie and sawing through.

Jared shook his wrists at his sides while I kept a wary eye on him.

He stopped and reached a hand forward. “Give it here.”

Tommy bared his teeth. A low growl rumbled through his sharp canines.

Jared leaned back, a frown about as friendly as Tommy's forming over his mouth.

I glanced at the switchblade, not wanting to let it go. “You shouldn't have any weapons on you. What if Giselle pats you down?”

Jared snorted. “The only way she'll touch me is if she's trying to kill me.”

“What if she asks me to pat you down?”

Jared grinned slowly. His eyebrows jumped. “You'd like that, wouldn't you, Raven? Hands all over my body, giving me a rub down.”

“Get over yourself,” I said in disgust. “I'm keeping the knife.” I closed the blade and stuffed it into my back pocket.

“You better not lose it,” Jared said.

I took my jacket and gun off the hood of the car, keeping the coat draped over the pistol. I held it aimed at Jared. Had to get into the role. There was no telling what we were walking into, but at least I had the weapons. Giselle had to be armed to the teeth. I trusted her as much as Jared. If anyone was going to give me trouble, I expected it would be her. Dante better be with her, unharmed.

Jared walked in front of me to the tram. Tommy followed a few steps behind. The moment we left the parking lot, all conversation stopped. We reached the tram landing, but it must have been at the top of the mountain—it wasn't waiting below.

I flipped open the phone and called Giselle.

“We're at the tram.”

“Good,” she said. “Now walk to the Winner Creek Trailhead. Keep me on the line.”

I looked at Jared and nodded to the left. “Winner Creek Trailhead. Let's go.”

We walked up the hill to the signed trail. Below the sign, a piece of paper had been tacked to the post.

DANGER

Due to bear activity, area beyond this sign

CLOSED

To all travel

Jared looked at the sign and frowned.

With the phone still pressed to my ear, I said, “The trail's closed.”

“I posted that sign so no one would bother us,” Giselle said.

“Oh,” I said, stomach tightening. How very nice and isolated we'd all be. Goody gum drops.

“I want you to walk the trail until you reach the gorge. Keep the phone on at all times. If you disconnect and attempt to call for backup, I will push Dante over the edge.”

I seized the phone against my ear. “If you hurt him I won't leave these woods until you're dead.”

“I won't hurt him unless you give me a reason to,” Giselle said evenly.

I breathed heavily through clenched teeth. “How far is the gorge?”

“Two and a half miles.”

“What if the signal drops?” I demanded.

“It won't. I tested it.”

“But what if it does?”

If she killed Dante over a lost signal, I'd never forgive the bitch—even after I killed her. It wouldn't be enough.

“Just get going and stay on the line.”

I met Jared's eyes and nodded forward. He began walking, leading the way without comment. I cradled the phone between my shoulder and ear while I slipped my jacket on, setting the gun down briefly. There was no reason to hide it anymore. We were alone in the woods.

We stepped onto a boardwalk and followed it through Girdwood's rain forest. I kept the phone pressed against my left ear in case Giselle issued any more commands, but she remained silent as we walked over the boards, further into the forest.

Moist air settled over my face. Mosquitoes buzzed around my head. The little bloodsuckers hadn't gotten the memo that summer was over—time to drop dead and die. I couldn't do anything about the one biting the hand holding the phone as I gripped the gun in my right palm.

A second one bit the top of my head.

Jared set a brisk pace.

In two miles, I'd see Dante. He must be at the gorge for Giselle to threaten to push him over. The whole thing made me sick to my stomach. I didn't like it at all. An accident could happen. What was I thinking? Accident or not, something bad was about to go down. We weren't all walking out of here alive to go on our merry little ways.

I cursed under my breath.

Jared glanced back briefly before pushing ahead. Neither he nor Giselle asked what my problem was.

The boardwalk ended. We hiked a dirt trail deeper into the dark forest. Thick bright green moss clung to a third of the trees. Ferns covered the forest floor, lining the edges of the trail. From time to time, light filtered in before extinguishing itself in the next step.

I kept the phone to my ear until the trail narrowed along a steep edge. Until that point, the landscape had been relatively flat and level. This wasn't a mountain top, but the drop was enough to do bodily harm. I held both arms out for balance, pressing the phone back to my ear once we'd passed.

The deeper in we got, the more I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.

I'd never been religious, but I found myself making deals with God if only he'd keep Dante safe and allow us to walk out of here alive.

I'm here, Dante. I'm coming for you. Hang tight.

Jared continued leading the way, not stopping until he reached a trail sign.

Winner Creek Gorge Tram Ahead

“We're almost there,” I said into the phone.

There was no answer.

“Giselle?” I asked, voice rising.

Oh god, had I lost connection at some point during the trek and not realized it? The tree coverage was thick in here.

The phone gave a slight
crackle
before Giselle said, “Continue to the hand tram.”

For once, I was happy to hear her voice.

Jared folded his arms over his chest. I raised the gun, pointing it at his chest. “After you.”

As we neared the gorge, the sound of rushing water filled my ears. I could see a platform up ahead. I gripped the gun. Giselle could be anywhere at this point.

Jared uncrossed his arms as he stepped onto the platform, walked to the ledge and yelled across the gorge. “Giselle!
Je suis arriv
é
!
”

There was no answer back.

I stepped onto the platform, gun aimed at Jared's back. I entertained a brief fantasy of Giselle instructing me to take the shot, but no such order came.

“I want you and Xavier to get inside the tram and cross the river,” she said. “But first throw the phone into the gorge. I will see you on the other side.”

My throat tightened. I walked up beside Jared, stared down into the deep, wide gorge with the river rushing by below, and chucked the phone.

I had to be setting a record for number of phones destroyed or lost in the last twelve hours.

Jared looked from the steel cage to me and grinned. “We're crossing the gorge, aren't we?”

I nodded, unable to take my eyes off the rapids below.

“Well? What are you waiting for? Let's go.”

As Jared stepped into the tram, I swung around and stepped down to the dirt trail where Tommy sniffed at surrounding ferns. He trotted over, tail swishing when he saw me waiting. I held a hand up in front of him. “Tommy, wait here,” I said. “I'll be right back with Dante.”

Tommy sat, ears and nose dropping. The sad look he gave me tugged on my heart, but he needed to stay. There was only enough room on the hand tram for two people. If Dante and I had to make a quick getaway, we wouldn't have time to take turns crossing the gorge. That, and Tommy could easily attack Giselle if he perceived her to be holding Dante against his will. Unlike Jared, Giselle had weapons to use against him.

Tommy's head sagged. The fact that he minded so well increased my guilt. This way was safer. We'd be right back. I hoped.

Tommy didn't get up or follow me to the platform.

The tram wasn't much bigger than a phone booth. Real cozy standing against Jared in a steel cage, suspended over a deep gorge.

I hesitated outside the cage, glancing across the way. What if Giselle cut the cable while we were crossing? No, it was too thick, and she wanted to face Jared before she killed him. Otherwise she wouldn't have made a big deal about bringing the bastard to her alive.

I took a deep breath and stepped onto the tram, latching the door once I'd settled across from Jared.

He immediately grabbed the ropes and pulled us away from the platform. The tram gained momentum temporarily as it plunged down. Once we were dangling level from the ropes, the cage bounced several times in place. Jared pulled us steadily across. When we reached the midway point, I ventured a glance down. The river thundered beneath my feet, liquid blue with sprays of white visible through the bottom of the cage.

The second platform got closer with each pull of the rope. I gave up the charade of pointing the gun on Jared. If he really wanted to, he could snatch it from me in an instant. He obviously wanted to see Giselle as much as she wanted to see him.

I didn't care who the winner at Winner Creek was so long as Dante and I walked out alive. Once he was free, we could take out the last man—or woman—standing.

As we neared the platform on the opposite side, I moved my focus forward. There were no signs of Giselle or anyone else. The platform was empty. My body tensed. I looked all around the woods surrounding the platform on high alert.

“Don't worry,” Jared said under his breath. “She's not going to jump out and surprise us. Mark my words, she'll wait until we've stepped off the platform and be waiting calmly in the woods on the other side.”