Chasing Midnight (Dark of Night Book 2) (7 page)

I set the flowers in the center of my kitchen table. Xavier liked to send me roses, which was a nice thought, but daisies were actually my favorite flower, and these were lovely. As I gently arranged them, the overly suspicious side of my brain wondered how he knew they were my favorite, but it was quickly squelched by the more reasonable side, which kicked it hard in the shin and told it to shut up.

Hey, I said it was more reasonable, not more mature.

“Yeah, well you know. It’s home.”

“Xavier said your friend Shane lives here too?”

I nodded. “Yep. He’s the dude in the attic. Most of the time. I feel bad for him actually. He kinda got booted from the mansion because of me.”

“Nah, this is nice. Better. It’s like, you can breathe here,” he said, taking a deep breath before wincing in pain.

I slid a kitchen chair out for him. “Should you be out of the hospital yet?”

He sat gingerly. “Probably not, but I was going nuts in there. I don’t guess you know this about me, but I’m a terrible patient.”

I couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “Yeah, I can see that. You want something? Coffee? Water?”

He held up a hand. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down across from him, folding one leg under me. “So you wanna tell me why you’re really here?” I asked over the rim of my mug.

He sat back, his hands in his lap. “Am I that obvious?”

I shrugged.

“Okay. The truth is, I feel really bad about the other night. If my mother were still alive, she would have killed me for speaking to a lady like that. My only defense is that I’ve been kind of on edge lately.”

“Anything to do with the guys you let beat the shit out of you in that alley?” I asked sharply.

He opened his mouth, and then snapped it closed. “Well, I… I mean… wait. What do you mea
n
le
t
?”

“I mean that at any point you could have called for help and a bunch of very scary vampire bouncers would have come running. But you didn’t. For whatever reason, you took the beating very quietly. Hence
,
le
t
.” I clicked my tongue on the last letter.

“Wow. You don’t miss a trick, do you?”

I shrugged again and shot him a cool look. It was the same look my mother used to give me when I was in high school. It was a smug expression that led you to believe that despite the odds, they just might know everything, so your best shot at escaping alive was fessing up quickly. I’d been practicing it in the mirror for years.

“Let’s just say that not a lot gets past me, skip the pretense, and drop the other shoe for me, m’kay?”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “It’s nothing really. Nothing I want to involve my uncle in, at least.”

“Not judging. But most people don’t get beaten to an inch of their lives ove
r
nothing reall
y
. And just so you know, if you need help, I’m sure Xavier would give it.”

“I’m sure you’re right, but unfortunately, nothing my uncle does is without a price. I’m sure a sharp woman like you has already picked up on that.”

I blew across the top of my coffee, looking at him through bored eyes, waiting.

He sat back again. “The truth is, I was hoping to get your help. I want to be considered for admission to the Conclave.”

He must have noticed my lack of surprise because he smirked and folded his hands. “I guess Xavier mentioned it.”

“He did. The truth is, I don’t understand the desire.”

“For immortality?” He looked at me, tilting his head. “I mean, what’s not to want? Money, status, oh, and never having to die. It’s pretty much the ultimate package.”

I sat my mug on the table, my mind briefly spinning back to Shane. “I suppose, if you don’t mind leaving everyone and everything you loved, your entire human life, by the wayside.”

“I don’t have much in the way of those.”

“You might think that now, but once you make that choice, there’s no going back. I mean, you’d basically be selling your humanity. I don’t know if that’s a decision you want to make at your age. Hell, at any age. I know that it’s not what your uncle wants for you.”

“Ah, and you have hit the crux of my problem. Why should I live for what my uncle wants for me? I’m a grown man. The white picket fence he’s picked out for me feels like prison bars. At the end of the day, it is my choice.”

I sighed and got up from the table, circling around to the sink. “You’re right. It’s not up to Xavier or anyone else how you live your life—or death, as it were.”

“So you’ll talk to him for me?”

I jerked back. “Oh, hell no. This falls clearly under the heading o
f
none of my busines
s
. Besides, I doubt he’d take any advice from me.”

Standing, he grabbed my cup and took it to the sink. He looked down at me with warm, human eyes. “My uncle thinks more of you that you realize. I’m beginning to see why.”

I looked at him, feeling like I should deny it or at least apologize for it. I shook my head. “Sorry, you are on your own here. Xavier and I have a professional relationship, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

He snorted. “It didn’t look very professional to me.”

And he was back to calling me a whore. Or at least, assuming he understood my motives. Either way, it made me want to throw my coffee on him. “If that’s all you needed?” I moved toward the door, handing him his jacket.

“I just meant that… well, are you seeing my uncle?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but no.”

He held up his hands. “I only ask because I’d like to take you out for coffee sometime.”

“Oh.”

It was the second time that day that he’d caught me off guard. I blinked and forced myself to look at him, not just as Xavier’s nephew, but also as a potential date. I shook my head. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think so.”

“If you change your mind, you can reach me here,” he said, handing me his card.

He was out of the door before I glanced at the tiny slip of paper in my hand.

“Who was that?” Shane asked as he lumbered down the stairs, still wearing his plaid pajama pants and no shirt.

“What, your vampire hearing on the fritz?”

“I wear these noise-canceling headphones Richard gave me. They block out the noise so I can rest.”

Huh. I learned something new every day. “It was Xavier’s nephew Devon.”

He followed me into the kitchen. “What did he want?”

I paused, rinsing out the coffee mugs. “Oh, you know. He brought me flowers to thank me for saving his life. Oh, and he wants me to talk Xavier into turning him.”

Shane’s head popped up from behind the fridge door. “What?”

I shrugged and went back to washing. Behind me, I could hear the fridge clank shut. “And he asked me out.”

Shane reached over me and grabbed a paper cup from the cabinet. “I hope you had the good sense to say no.”

I turned, shooting him a dirty look. “Do I look stupid? Besides, that guy is trouble with a capital T. I can smell it on him like cheap cologne.”

“Yet Xavier is a fluffy bunny,” Shane muttered as he nuked the cup of blood.

“A—bunnies are terrifying. B—that’s my saying and you are not allowed to steal it. Besides,” I said and tossed the dishrag in the sink, “at least with Xavier, I know what drives him. But Devon, he’s hiding something, something that’s driving his desire to be changed. Something big. And until I’m one hundred percent sure it’s not something that’s going to come bite me in the ass, I’m out.”

“Practical,” Shane said before taking a long gulp of his beverage. I suppressed a shiver.

Yep. That was me. Practical.

SHANE

Shane was right on time for his meeting with Xavier. It was the first time he’d been summoned by the Chancellor since he was told he was being forced from the large plantation mansion that housed most of the Conclave. It was his punishment for attacking a ranking member of Xavier’s council. It was a hard lesson, but a soft punishment, as punishments went. The problem was that Isabel had proven herself smart, capable, and dangerous. Part of his being sent back to her was that he was supposed to keep an eye on her. Which basically meant make sure she was staying out of Conclave business and keeping her mouth shut about the things she’d witnessed there.

He strode up to Xavier’s office door, which was closed, and knocked twice. Ahnarra, Xavier’s second in command, answered. She wore a perfectly fitted grey business suit that clung to her, making her look less masculine and more like day-trader Jessica Rabbit. The effect was completed by her long, red hair and vibrant green eyes. She motioned for him to enter.

Walking past her into the room, he saw Xavier standing behind his tall desk chair, hunched over it as he gripped the back. Other than the three of them, the room was empty. Shane gave Xavier a bow, their formal acknowledgement, and took a seat. Ahnarra slipped out.

“Shane, how are things at Stone PI?” Xavier asked, his mouth half smiling.

“A bit slow, truly. Isabel has been worried, but it appears that her sister has gotten some sort of scholarship, so a bit of the financial burden has been relieved.”

Xavier’s smile widened. For the first time, Shane realized exactly where that mysterious scholarship came from. He clenched his teeth until his jaw muscles twitched. Just another thing Xavier could someday hold over Isabel’s head. Maybe he could subtly encourage her to dig into the foundation. She was resourceful; she would be able to connect the dots. Then she would finally give Xavier the royal kick to the curb he so desperately deserved.

“I’m glad to hear that. I know how important her family is to her.” Xavier was still smirking. “I called you here because I have an assignment for you.”

Shane sat forward. His official post was as liaison between the Conclave and the local police, but that had yet to bear any fruit other than a few sound bites about the new level of Conclave and human cooperation.

“Isabel’s father was looking into something before he died. A file somewhere in his old belongings details that case. I want you to find it and bring it to me.” Xavier stepped forward, leaning on the edge of his desk, folding his arms over his chest. His expression had shifted from mischievous to downright cold. “Isabel must never see that file or know of its existence.”

Shane swallowed. Biting back the million questions that hovered on his tongue, he nodded.

“Good. The file will be labeled either Ambrose or Project Genesis. You have access to these files?”

Shane nodded. “I do. But she has been using this slow time to convert all of her father’s old files to electronic. She has them pretty organized. How do you know she hasn’t already come across it?”

Xavier snorted. “Because if she had, I’d already have a few bullet holes in my head.”

“What’s in the file?” Shane blurted. If he was going to go behind Isabel’s back, he’d better have a damn good reason to do so. Plus, anything that would make Isabel want to shoot Xavier had to be a good thing.

In a blink, Xavier was nose to nose with Shane, his face tight as he bared his fangs. “That is none of your concern. Just get the file and bring it to me. As soon as possible.”

“Of course.”

Xavier backed off slowly. “Good. Also, you should know that Mercy will be released on Monday.”

“So soon?” Shane had been eaten up with guilt since Isabel had been forced to defend herself against his one-time girlfriend. Maybe jumping into a relationship with Mercy had been a bad idea, but Isabel’s rejection had put him in a bad place. Having Mercy had eased the ache. If he’d known how toxic the situation would become for all of them, he’d have thought twice.

“Her punishment has been served. If you intend to continue your relationship with her, you should be aware that she is forbidden to enter Isabel’s home.”

“I understand,” Shane said, clenching his fists at his side. As if he was going to put Isabel in danger like that again.

“I would hope so. As a matter of fact, I would encourage you to leave Isabel’s home permanently. I know you have been assigned to watch her, but it can be done from a distance. Perhaps you should get your own apartment.”

“Are you ordering me to move out? To leave her unprotected?”

Xavier glared. “She is never unprotected. As you are well aware, Isabel is a formidable woman and is more than capable of protecting herself. I simply suggest that your living arrangement might be…” He paused, as if searching for the right word. Apparently finding it, he continued, “Harmful for her, emotionally. You should consider that.”

Shane was biting his tongue so hard that he felt blood erupt in his mouth. The metallic fluid was bitter, not sweet like human blood, as it was hard to swallow. “I’ll take that under advisement.”

As if on cue, the door swung open and Xavier pointed for Shane to go.

On his way out, Shane stopped. “There’s nothing in this file that could hurt Isabel, is there?” Orders or not, there was no way Shane would ever put her in danger, not if he could prevent it.

“Just the opposite,” Xavier said, looking pensive.

Shane frowned, but he nodded and closed the door behind him. He’d find the file that Xavier wanted. And then he’d figure out how to use it to get Isabel out from under his boss’ thumb permanently.

"I don’t know how I let you talk me into this,” I complained, cradling the phone between my shoulder and chin.

“Don’t be petulant. It’s five hours out of your life. I’m sure you can spare that for your mother. The woman who gave you life. Who fed you and clothed you and tucked you in every day for eighteen years.”

Shane walked in as I was still negotiating terms with my mother. He pointed to the phone and tilted his head questioningly.

Mo
m
, I mouthed, then grabbed a pencil from my desk cup and pantomimed stabbing myself in the chest with it, earning me a smile and wave as Shane backed out of my office.

“Why five hours? The event is only three.”

“Because I’ll also need help with setup and clean up in the kitchen.”

I groaned.

“Isabel, you know I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I could do it myself, but I can’t. I need the money from this event to help pay the bills this month. You know how slow things have been at the bakery since that damned Starbucks opened down the street. Now all your sisters are more than happy to help. I really think it’s the least you can do…”

My God, she didn’t even take a breath. I grabbed the phone, smacking myself in the forehead with it a few times as she continued on her guilt trip. “Ma. Of course I’ll be there to help. No problem.”

The annual Sons of the Confederation dinner and fundraiser was one of the biggest events in Charleston. I knew the money they paid my mother was plentiful, and I knew how much peace of mind it would buy her.

“Are you sure? I know how busy you are.”

This wasn’t actually her giving me an out, it was just her being able to say later that she gave me an out. If I actually tried to take it, I’d be on the phone for the next three hours listening to her talk about her arthritis and how much of a disappointment it was to have no one to rely on. No way was I going to fall for that.

“Of course, Ma. I’ll be there.”

“And be there fifteen minutes early to get dressed.”

“It’s just black slacks and a white shirt, right? I can come dressed.”

“Oh no, dear. It’s period costumes for the help.” Before I could process the words, she finished, “Thanks, Isabel! I’ll see you then.”

“Period costumes? Ma! Ma?” I pressed the off button and chucked the phone.

Shane poked his head in, glancing at the phone carnage on the floor. “Nice chat with your mom?”

“She tricked me! That woman has been trying to get me in a corset and hoop skirt since I was fourteen and she wanted me to be in the Southern Belles thanksgiving parade!”

“Hoop skirt and corset?”

I glared at him. “Not one word,” I warned, pointing my finger at him.

“Why, yes, ma’am. I would nevah—”

I cut him off. “I mean it, Shane. I will put the hurt on you.”

He straightened. “Frankly, my dear Isabel, I don’t give a damn.”

That was it. I jumped up from my seat, and Shane vanished in a blur of speed. Fifteen minutes of good-natured battle later, I was wheezing on the bottom step.

“Tired already?” Shane teased.

I pointed to myself. “Human. Besides, I need to get ready.”

“I can’t believe you are going to that séance tonight. You sure that’s a good idea?”

“Not really.” I leaned back against the banister. “But I’m still going. You know, I talked to Heather about this today.”

“What did she say?”

“A lot. She’s a veritable fountain of supernatural info. Whether or not she’s right is another story.”

Shane leaned forward, tying the loose lace on my boot. “Does she believe in ghosts?”

“Of course. As a matter of fact, she thinks vampires are just ghosts who managed to hold onto their bodies.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“I know. Crazy, right? But then, do you have a better explanation?”

He sat back, thinking about it for a minute. “I suppose not.”

“What do you remember about it? Dying, that is?”

“Wow, Isabel. That’s…” He paused, as if he was going to say rude, but changed his mind. “I’ve tried never to think of that night. I remember being calm, being cold. It felt sort of like I was going to sleep. I remember that for a moment, I felt disconnected, like nothing was holding me to anything anymore. Then there was just…” He trailed off, his face tightening. “I remember bits and pieces inside the cage. I remember being so hungry that my throat burned like I’d swallowed fire. And moments of clarity when I realized what had happened. I remember Xavier talking to me, trying to explain things. But the rest is just sort of lost.”

I touched his hand where it was still on my boot. “I’m so sorry, Shane. I’m sorry that happened to you, but I’m mostly sorry I wasn’t there, that you had to go through all of it alone.”

He looked up, blinked, and shook his head, slipping his hand away.

“Do you want to go with me tonight?” I offered. Truthfully, I wasn’t one hundred percent sure it was a good idea, but the idea of leaving him alone, in that moment, seemed like an even worse idea.

“Nah, I have some reports to take care of for Xavier tonight. You go. But take the panic button, okay? If you need anything…”

“I’ll be fine. Besides, I ain’t afraid of no ghosts.”

i

No matter how bad ass a person thought they were, walking through a cemetery at night was just scary. Especially an old cemetery like St. Phillips. Weeping angel statues were the worst for me. I was always afraid I’d blink and they’d be two inches away, ready to eat me. No matter how rational I tried to be, it was the longest walk of my entire life. The oldest part of the cemetery, the place where Nana Elsie wanted to meet, was clear in the back corner and surrounded by large weeping willow trees. I could hear them before I saw them, even with my tactical flashlight.