Blood Kissed (Lizzie Grace 1)

“It appears you were right.”

Amusement stirred through me. “And is that why you’re so annoyed, or is it something else?”

The faintest hint of curiosity glimmered through the annoyance as he said, “Do you always try to make light of a situation?”

“When I can, yes.” I paused. “What was I right about?”

He thrust his hands on his hips and spun around to study the valley below us. Getting his emotions under control, I suspected, and felt like telling him that it didn’t really matter because—for who only knows what reason—I was sensing them anyway.

“That was my sister—”

“Ciara?” I cut in. “The one who’s also the coroner?”

He nodded. “She’s got the prelim results on cause of death.”

Trepidation stepped into my heart. “And?”

The waves of emotion rolling off him got fiercer, making my breath catch in my throat.

“Cause of death was catastrophic blood loss.”

“From what?” I knew, God help me, I knew, but something within had to hear it confirmed.

He turned around and his gaze finally met mine again. The blue depths were dark, and spoke of fear and fury combined. “The two wounds on her neck have been identified. We have a vampire on the reservation.”

Chapter Four

There was little point in wasting air on an I-told-you-so—not when this was one situation where I wished I hadn’t been correct. “What are you going to tell Marjorie?”

“Nothing,” he said, voice sharp. “And neither will you. Is that clear?”

“Crystal.” I paused, and then added, “Unfortunately, a vampire may not be all you’re dealing with.”

“Cryptic statements are not something I want or need right now, Ms. Grace,” he all but growled, “so whatever it is, just spit it out.”

“Ms. Grace was my grandmother’s name. I prefer Lizzie.” I hesitated. “The reason I couldn’t give you much of a description of the vampire is because I think he was using magic to conceal his presence.”

He frowned. “I didn’t think vampires were capable of magic.”

“Most aren’t. Those who are were generally capable of such before they turned, and the magic they use is the blood kind. Which,” I added, forestalling his next question, “is magic whose source comes from sacrifices rather than the purer energy of the world. Have there been any recent reports of chickens or other small animals going missing?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but that’s the province of the animal management section. I’ll check with them.” He frowned. “There also haven’t been any reports of people being attacked, either.”

“He might be moving outside the reservation to feed.”

“Yes.” He ran a hand through his hair, sending ripples of brighter silver through the dark blond. “The council is not going to be pleased.”

No one ever was when it came to discovering there was a vampire in their neck of the woods. “I suggest you contact the IIT and ask them to bring in a vampire specialist.”

“Indeed.”

He grimaced as he strode toward me. “I need to get back to headquarters, so I’m afraid you’re on your own from here on in. The boundary into our compound is the river that lies at the bottom of this valley. Don’t cross it unless you wish to land in serious trouble.”

“I’ve gone as far as I intend to today, Ranger.”

“Really?” Surprise ran briefly across his expression. “I hadn’t pegged you as someone who’d give up so easily.”

“It’s hardly giving up when there’s no point in going on. The wellspring is on your mountain.”