Hunted By the Others. Jess Haines

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СКАЧАТЬ and noted absently that light from the streetlamps was filtering in between the blinds. Pausing, I looked up at the ceiling.

      The light was off.

      “The hell?” I muttered, getting out of bed. Hadn’t I left all the lights on in my moment of insecure paranoia after meeting with the vampire? I had just changed the bulb not that long ago. Did it burn out from being left on all night?

      I moved to the door. As my hand rested on the knob, about to turn and open it, a very large, very male hand clamped over my mouth as another snaked around my waist and yanked me back, pinning my arms in the process. I didn’t have time even to gasp in shock, my eyes widening as I was pressed back against the guy’s chest. His sour breath slid over my cheek as he whispered in my ear, “Don’t move, or we’ll gut you like a fish. Are you one of his whores?”

      Another man became visible, stepping around the guy who’d grabbed me so I could see the hunting knife glittering in his gloved hand. It was too dark for me to see his face. “She’s not. Not yet. Look what she’s wearing.”

      My eyes were open so wide they stung. I didn’t want to hyperventilate and pass out, but I was scared shitless and couldn’t move. The guy’s gloved hand stayed clamped over my mouth while his other hand slid between my breasts and fingered the cross at my neck. He gave a little dissatisfied grunt. “Doesn’t mean anything.”

      “Sure it does. It means she saw him, but she didn’t let him touch her. Isn’t that right, princess?”

      I made an incoherent sound of confusion against the glove held to my mouth, rolling my eyes to the side to try to make out the features of the other man. What the hell was going on?

      “If we let you go, do you promise not to scream or run? My companion wasn’t joking. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to. Blink once if you agree.”

      I did. He nodded, and his beefy companion reluctantly let up his grip on me. The second the man let go, I rounded and slapped him. “Don’t ever touch me!”

      The big guy staggered back, a hand lifting to his cheek in shock. Seemed like that was the last thing he was expecting. Turning back to the smooth talker, who appeared to be the leader, I balled my fists at my sides and seethed, “What the fuck are you doing in my apartment, threatening me? Get the hell out!”

      “That’s quite a mouth you’ve got on you. Don’t worry, we’ll be gone soon enough. We just want to know if you’re one of us or one of them.”

      That gave me pause. Us or them? “What are you talking about?”

      He laughed softly, the sound for some reason making me shiver. This guy was nuts, completely unhinged. It was his companion who answered me, his low voice rumbling in a growl deep enough to do any Were proud. “Are you a donor? Do you work for or with the corpses?”

      Oh no. White Hats. Not like the uptight Mr. and Mrs. Borowsky. These were the right-wing, guntoting, business-torching kind. The ones who made vamps and their people disappear.

      “God, no. Of course not, I’m not psychotic.” Not like you, buddy.

      He nodded, gesturing with the knife for me to back up and sit down on the bed. I did, yanking the sheets over my bare legs and wondering what was coming next.

      “You saw him tonight. The leech. What was your purpose?”

      Well, this was just a peachy keen development. Was I being followed, or did they just happen to be scoping the place out when I got there?

      “I was there on business. I’m a PI, and I’m trying to track a missing person for a client.” I took a breath, noting the unspoken condemnation in their postures, and plunged ahead, hoping I wasn’t digging myself a deeper grave. “He was last seen with a vamp. The leech’s contacts may be the only way for me to find the kid in time.”

      Maybe using the offensive slang for vampires would help my cause. Maybe making him think the kid was in danger would make him back off. Yeah, and maybe they’d put on top hats and coattails and start singing showtunes for me while they’re at it.

      The bigger guy glanced to his partner, who didn’t relax. “That’s only a half-truth, Ms. Waynest. We’ve been watching you. I know you have some ties to The Circle.”

      Shit.

      “That’s true,” I muttered warily, trying to swallow back the sudden surge of fear those words caused in me. Some White Hats were more liberal when it came to magi than they were with Weres and vamps. What type were these two? “We want you to join us.”

      More than a little nonplussed, I stared in the general direction of his shadowed face. Would he take a stab at me if I let out the hysterical laughter that threatened at his words? It took more than a little effort to swallow my first reaction back.

      He slid the knife into a sheath at his belt before spreading his hands and taking on an apologetic tone.

      “I can only imagine what you must think of us, but we had to make sure you had not gone over to the vampire. As I said, we’ve been watching you. You are capable of dealing with and against the Others, and you have an excellent front of a legitimate business to carry out our line of work. You simply forced our hand by going to the leech so soon.”

      Good God. This was getting more and more like a bad gangster movie by the minute.

      “Look, no offense or anything, but no thanks. I’m just trying to do my job.” Man, I could be remarkably polite when under threat of having my throat slit. “I didn’t ask to get involved with these things, and I have no plans on ever working for either leech or mage ever again once I finish out my contract.”

      Since my eyes were adjusting to the dark, I was finally able to make out the small white cowboy hat pins at their collars, and some of the smooth talker’s features. Tall and skinny White Hat was about as white bread as they come, probably blond and blue-eyed though it was still too dark to be sure. Mr. Deep Voice had mahogany skin, blending well with the shadows. They were both wearing dark clothing, leaving most of their bodies indistinct, though I could now see well enough to note that Mr. Smooth Talker was frowning.

      Thankfully, it didn’t seem like they were going to press the issue. After the two shared a look I couldn’t read, Mr. Deep Voice spoke up.

      “We’ll give you some time to think about it. Remember what you’re dealing with, little girl. Leeches and sparks are dangerous. They both play for keeps. Be a real pity to stumble over your body in an alley somewhere.”

      “Thanks for the advice. Get out.”

      Under the circumstances, that was about as polite as I could be. I wanted to add a few colorful expletives, threats, and suggestions of my own to the mix, but I figured I could do without the gaping stab wounds I’d likely get for my efforts.

      The two of them quickly exited the bedroom, fading into the deeper shadows of my living room. I got up and rushed over in time to watch them slip out a window and onto the fire escape. Damn, they’d cut a neat little hole in the glass and simply flipped the lock over to let themselves in. I considered calling the cops, but chances were I could call in an order for pizza, too, and the food would get here first. The trail would be stone cold by the time they arrived.

      Just great. Slamming the window shut and locking it behind them, not that it would do much СКАЧАТЬ