Chasing the Shadows (Nikki & Michael 3)

Tell him that his best friend's wife is currently some desperate vampire's meal? I'm not that insensitive.

Her mental tone implied that he was. He pushed away his annoyance and met her glare. Jake is aware we are hunting vampires.

Maybe. But he doesn't need to know what is happening to her right now. How could he keep the horror of that from Mark? They've been friends all their lives. Mark would see it in Jake's eyes. Jake has been a private investigator a long time. I think he'd be able to conceal a truth or two from a client.

Not this truth. Not everyone is as an accomplished a liar as you, you know. His annoyance rose another notch. I have never lied to you. She gave a mental snort. How true. You work on a need-to-know basis—and I never seem to need to know it all, do I?

Nikki, it's—

For my own safety, she finished tartly . Yeah, I know. He pushed away his growing irritation and the need to keep arguing. Now was not the time for this sort of quarrel. We have a woman to rescue. Let's save our petty squabbles until after that job is done. This is far from petty, believe me.

Not when compared to what has already happened to two women, and what might currently be happening to Dale.

She stared at him for a minute then looked away, but not before he'd glimpsed the brief sheen of tears in her eyes. He frowned, not sure whether the cause was his continuing refusal to discuss her working with him or the thought of Dale's life being sucked away. Either way, it didn't really matter—he still felt like a bastard.

Damn it, why couldn't she just see sense and give this insanity up?

"So you saw nothing that gives us a clue as to where she might be?” Jake said into the silence. "No.” She hesitated and glanced at the bra on the table. “But I can try to track her. If the bra is in the plastic, maybe I can hold the images at bay long enough to get a fix on her direction." She didn't sound convinced, and he certainly didn't wish her to risk going into Dale's mind again so soon—especially if the vamp was still feeding on her. He studied the daylight behind Jake for a moment, then said, “Maybe you won't have to."

Nikki raised an eyebrow. “Why not?"

He pointed toward the window. “How did that vampire get into the hotel? Wasn't dawn rising when you arrived?"

She nodded thoughtfully. “And he was carrying the mother of all knives, yet he wasn't a strong enough telepath to take over the mind of more than one guard at a time. Jake has two stationed at the exits." He nodded. “So, if not secured exits, where from?"

"Basement?” She glanced at Jake. “Or parking garage?"

"They're one and the same,” Jake said. “It won't hurt to check, though I know the cops have gone over them thoroughly."

"The cops do not know they're looking for vampires,” Michael commented. “It gives us a certain advantage."

"I'm not sure it's an advantage I really want.” Jake pushed away from the wall. “I'll go collect some flashlights, just in case we need them, and meet you down in the lobby." Michael nodded and headed into the bedroom. Nikki followed him but stopped in the doorway, her expression an endearing mix of fear and determination. “Why does knowing we're after vampires give us an advantage? Surely if there was anything to find in the basement or parking garage, the cops or FBI would have found it."

"Not necessarily.” He sat on the bed and pulled on his socks. “Vampires have become very adept at hiding. Many of us have literally had centuries in which to learn. Getting in and out of buildings is just another method of concealment."

"So you think they have a hidden entrance somewhere?"

"It would be the most logical explanation.” Though it didn't exactly explain how they'd gotten into the second victim's home. They certainly wouldn't have been able to cross the threshold without her inviting them.

She frowned. “But how would that help them avoid the sunlight?"

"They're probably using the sewer system to get around. It wouldn't be the first time it has happened.”

He slipped on his shoes and walked across to her.

Her gaze searched his. “The vampire who attacked Dale smelled like dead water." He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. Her pulse was a rapid beat that pounded through her body and his. “Then that would certainly suggest my guess is right.” He brushed a kiss across her lips and wished they had the time to do more. This morning had been wonderful, but he still wanted her. Would always want her, physically and emotionally—something she still didn't seem to understand.

“You will do as I ask down there, won't you?"

Her expression was the picture of stubbornness. “Just don't try ordering me out, because I won't go unless you leave with me."

He smiled and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Right now, I have no plans to go anywhere without you."

Amusement and love washed through the link, and a smile touched her lips. “Good. Because I have no intention of letting you go."

"So I discovered,” he said dryly. He caught her hand, weaving his fingers through hers. “Shall we go?" She sighed and cast an almost wistful glance toward the bed. “Yes." On the way out, he grabbed the plastic bag containing Dale's bra, tucking it into his pocket. If the vamps were in the sewers, they could literally be anywhere. And with Dale Wainwright slated as the next victim, speed was of the essence. As much as he hated using Nikki's unpredictable psychometric abilities, it might be their only real chance of finding this woman alive.

Jake was waiting in the lobby. He tossed Nikki a flashlight and led them toward an exit. “This will take us down to the basement.” He swiped a keycard through the lock and opened the door. “From there we can get into the parking garage."