Forever Night Sins (7 page)

“I’ll be waiting.”

Jolted out of sleep, Harper sat up and yanked off her sleeping mask. Danik was setting on the edge of her bed. His hand was gripping her shoulder. “What the hell?”

“Sorry, I pounded on the door, but you were out.”

“I had a rough night.”

“I heard.”

Harper rubbed her neck. She was wearing a black t-shirt and underwear. Although Egan’s fang marks on her neck were faint, she didn’t want Danik to see them. “What did you hear?”

“That you froze and the sergeant had to step in and take out the bloodsucker.”

“So much shit was going down, I didn’t act fast enough. Won’t happen again.”

“What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing. Thanks to that crew from
Lawmen,
I’ve been on duty for twelve straight days. I need a day off.”

“You look tired and pale. Nothing else going on?”

Harper rolled out of bed. “I’m fine.”

“You’d better be. You’re scheduled for a full evaluation.”

That meant she’d have to meet with a psychiatrist and have a physical. She’d never pass. Her brain was spinning. She needed to think clearly. She had to talk with Egan and she had to get Danik off her case. “I need coffee. Will you brew us a cup while I shower?”

“Sure.”

Before she made it to the bathroom, Danik grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. His eyes widened. “What’s on your neck?”

She struck with her free hand, hitting him in the chest. “Fuck off.”

Danik took the blow and grabbed her other arm. “Have you been bitten?”

“No.”

“Those marks on your neck say otherwise. When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“The night I took out those vampires protecting the TV crew the old vampire nailed me.”

“You were wearing your jacket.”

“He grabbed the collar, nearly choked me to death. If I hadn’t lost my wand, I would have burned him.”

“I’m your friend, Harper. I care about you. You don’t have to lie to me. I’m here for you.”

“That vampire got the better of me. It’s embarrassing.”

“Your rep is safe with me.” Danik let go of her arms. “Take your shower, I’ll make the coffee.”

Relieved that Danik had accepted her explanation and was already banging around in the kitchen, Harper ducked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She stepped beneath the spray, relishing the heat of the water.

Startled by the screech of the metal rings of the shower curtain dragging along the rod, Harper’s eyes popped open.

Danik was staring at her breasts. “I knew it!”

Harper swung at him. “Get out of here!”

Danik caught her by the forearms and focused on her left breast. “The bite is fresh. Why are you lying to me?”

Harper glared at him. “Let go of me.”

He released her and turned off the shower. “Talk to me.”

Harper grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her torso, hiding the bites. She raked her fingers through her wet hair. “I’m okay.”

“It’s the old one, the one the TV people were so excited about, isn’t it?”

Harper nodded.

“Don’t be fooled by his looks. The old ones are the worst. They seduce you and draw you in. It’s how they’ve survived for so long.”

“I’m okay.”

Danik grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her out of the shower. “Look in the mirror and tell me you’re okay.”

Her skin was pale and her lips bloodless. Had Egan taken more than a sip?

“This has to stop or you’ll end up like Mia.”

Danik had lost his older sister to a vampire. Unlike Harper who had joined the DSA for the money, Danik wanted to wipe out the vampires. He raged at the government officials for being soft. While the DSA appreciated his zeal, Danik was too radical to put in the streets.

“Mia fell in love, but all the old one wanted was her blood. He only took a little at first. At the end she was feeding him on a regular basis.” Danik’s eyes dampened with tears. He scrubbed his face with his hand. “She swore me to secrecy, and I helped her hide the truth.”

Was that all Egan wanted? Was she merely a source of food and pleasure?

No, Egan loved her. And she loved him, more than she loved anyone.

“I still have nightmares,” Danik said. “You’d think after all these years I could forget how Mia died.”

Danik had told Harper the story. Mia had come home one night in a zombie-like trance. She shut herself up in the closet and fell into a deep sleep. Danik couldn’t awaken her. Panicked, he told his father what had been going on. Danik’s father had prayed, then he’d carried Mia outside and exposed her to the sun. Just a boy at the time, Danik had witnessed his sister’s agonizing death.

Danik pulled Harper into his arms and hugged her. “You’re my friend. I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

“You’re not going to lose me.”

He took her by the arm and propelled her into the living room. He yanked open the curtain, flooding the room with sunlight.

Harper threw her arm over her eyes. “Are you trying to blind me?”

“I’m trying to save you. Save your soul. I won’t let you become one of them.”

Harper realized Danik was testing her, and he’d do to her what his father had done to Mia. Danik believed fried was better than fanged.

“Does the sunlight burn?”

Her skin was fiery and tingling, a sure sign of vampire infection. She stood in the bright sunlight. “No.”

Finally, Danik let the drape fall, blocking the sunlight.

“I’m okay. I just need to let these wounds heal.”

“You’d better hope they’re healed before your evaluation,” Danik said. “Or you’ll be sent to the infection center.”

Fear shot down Harper’s spine. “I can’t go there.”

“Then we can’t let that bloodsucker get to you again. I’m going to stick to you like glue.”

Harper panicked at the thought. If Danik stuck around, she wouldn’t be able to sneak away and see Egan. “I’m going to get out of town and visit my dad,” she said, lying without feeling a smidgen of guilt. “The vampire won’t be able to get near me.”

Her father and his new family lived a few hours’ bus ride south of Blight. If Danik believed she was leaving the city, he’d back off.

“Good, you’ll be safe there. When are you leaving?”

“Tonight. I’ll have to check the time for the southbound bus.”

“I’ll walk you to the bus station. Make sure you get on safely.”

If she tried to discourage Danik, he’d be suspicious. “Thanks.”

“Finish your shower. I’ll pour the coffee.”

Harper stepped into the shower and turned on the cold water. She’d have to explain the situation to Egan, and he’d have to lay off the blood taking.

Worried that Danik might follow her, Harper rode the bus to a station outside the city limits. She cooled her heels for close to an hour before catching a northbound bus back to the central station. Then she started walking. If she walked all the way to Egan’s place, it would take around two hours. She’d be there by midnight if she were lucky enough to make it across the city without encountering a vampire.

The smart thing to do at night was travel by cab, but she’d spent her money on bus fare. She stuck her hand in her pocket and closed her fingers around the mini-burner. It wasn’t much of a weapon, but it was better than nothing.

Sticking to the busier roadways, Harper kept a watchful eye for vampires.

Danik was right about one thing. There were far too many vampires hunting in the city streets at night. Vampires like Egan were venturing out of the Cemetery to mingle with humans at private clubs and the popular vampire raves. Rubbing elbows with vampires gave humans a risky thrill, but the real danger was the roving gangs of newly turned vampires. Too many unwanted teenagers lived in the streets of Blight, making them easy prey for the more experienced vampires. They sold their bodies and their blood. When the teenagers were turned, no one cared.

Harper understood the pain of being unwanted. Once her father remarried, his new wife and son were the center of his world. Harper, the product of his first marriage, was a constant reminder of the woman who had deserted the family. She barely remembered her mother, but her father’s wrath was delivered on a daily basis.

She walked, her fast pace eating up the miles. Harper saw red neon lights in the distance and glanced at the street signs. The Carmichael was only four blocks away. She’d made it.

A low hiss chilled her joy. On alert, Harper snatched the mini-burner out of her pocket and prayed for a passing vehicle, even harder for a DSA patrol car.

Another hiss. If vampires had spotted her or caught a whiff of her scent, she’d be lucky to make it to the Carmichael’s bar before they were on her. This part of town was safer than the area she usually patrolled, but danger lurked in every dark corner.

Her gaze scanning the street, Harper picked up her pace. She caught a flicker of a dark shadow and readied her finger on the trigger.

Just ahead a young woman appeared beneath the one functioning streetlight. Her skin was so pale it looked white. Her hair was flame red. She moved too fast to be human.

Harper prayed the attractive woman was alone. One-on-one, Harper might have a chance.

“If you’re selling blood, I’m buying.”

If the vampire lived in the Cemetery, she’d know Egan. Harper had to take a chance. “I have a date with Egan, or are you so foolish you steal food from an old one?”

The vampire retreated into the darkness.

Harper ran.

Shadows crossed her path, and Harper triggered the burner. The dark shadows rushed her. Holding the burner with both hands, she swung her arms and was rewarded with screams.

Less than two blocks away, the Carmichael’s lights shone, a beacon of safety. Her one shot was the street level bar. Her nostrils filled with the stench of burnt vampire flesh, Harper sprinted up the middle of the street.

The attack came from behind, taking her down to the pavement. She landed badly, her right arm taking the brunt of the vampire’s weight. She tried to rise, but cold fingers snagged her wrist and a knee slammed into her back, knocking the air from her lungs.

Without her helmet and uniform jacket, Harper was easy prey. Nails dug into her back, tearing her clothing and digging into her skin. The hot sting of fangs sank into her neck and right wrist. She was face down on the street, tiny chunks of asphalt digging into her cheek. More bloodsuckers would come, and she’d pay for her night sins.

The heavy weight was lifted off her back, and the fangs were ripped out of her neck and wrist. Still holding the mini-burner, Harper struggled to her feet and started running into a dark fog.

“Harper.”

The familiar voice penetrated her fear and strong arms lifted her. “I’ve got you.”

“Egan?”

Cool lips touched her forehead. “You’re safe.”

Held to his chest within the comfort of his arms, Harper succumbed to the fog.

* * *

Egan blamed himself. He loved Harper, but his love had almost cost her life. That was unforgiveable.

He’d bathed her, cleaning her wounds, and laid her on her stomach. Looking at jagged cuts on her back, Egan was glad he’d torn off the heads of her attackers.

Her skin was pale and she was weak, but taking her to a hospital was out of the question. Doctors didn’t cure humans with multiple bites. They called in the authorities. After that the victims simply disappeared.

Egan climbed into bed beside Harper to watch over her. For the first time in two hundred years, Egan prayed.
Don’t let her die. I’ll never see her again. Just don’t let her suffer
.

Egan watched over her, paced for hours, prayed, then repeated the process. She slept for hours, the minutes agonizingly slow. What if she didn’t recover, but turned? Then she’d be his forever.

He forced away the thought. If he’d had a choice, Egan doubted he would have chosen to join the soulless. But he’d accepted his fate and made the best of it. He’d had many great years, but everything had gone sour about fifty years ago. The future looked bleak.

Harper had to live.

Egan slipped his hand beneath the blanket and touched the small of Harper’s back. Her skin was warmer. Perhaps his prayers had been answered.

A few hours later, she stirred and uttered his name.

“Harper.”

Her eyes fluttered open. She started to roll onto her side, grimaced and swore.

Egan helped her to a sitting position.

“What happened?”

“You were attacked.”

“The pretty woman with the red hair?”

“Amelia isn’t like the others. She’s a friend.”

“She asked me if I was selling blood.”

“People need money. Amelia’s willing to pay. You mentioned my name and she sought me out at the hotel. If she hadn’t, I never would have reached you in time.”

He saw something flicker in Harper’s eyes and waited for her to ask about his relationship with Amelia. Egan didn’t like to talk about his prior sexual partners, but if Harper asked, he’d tell her the truth.

She looked at her bandaged wrist and reached over her shoulder with her right hand to touch the edge of the bandages. “How bad is it?”

Egan brushed her hair off her forehead. “You were bitten on the neck and the wrist. Your back is lacerated, but the cuts aren’t deep. I cleaned the wounds.”

She touched her lower lip.

“You have a cut on your lip.”

Her hand dropped to her chest. “I’m too warm to be a vampire.”

He kissed her, a brief brush to her lips. “You’re okay. Just running a low fever.”

She licked her lips. “I’m really thirsty.”

Egan was too. Stripping off her blood-soaked clothing and cleaning her bleeding wounds had triggered an intense thirst, but Egan’s worry over Harper’s well-being had overridden his urges. “I’ll get you some water.”

He poured a glass of water and returned to the bedroom. Although the Carmichael was close to a hundred years old, the Carmichael’s plumbing, electrical and heating still worked.

“Thanks. Got any coffee?”

“I’ll make you a cup, but drink all the water. You need it. How do you take your coffee? Cream? Sugar?”