Page 49 of Infernal Hearts

I shake the feeling off and put on a bright face. “If you say so, handsome. Now who’s this client you know?”

“It’s tricky because I don’t exactly know where he lives, and I’m not sure he even has the power to do what I hope he can, but the long shot might pay off.”

“At least we can find him with the necklace. But still, say more.”

We drive down the road as the dusk light reaches through the leaves and needles around us. “It’s this vampire I was helping a few months ago. He was trying to wean off human blood for some reason. For one, he’s known my dad since before I was born. I was hoping he’d know something.”

I cock my eyebrow, wondering what the rest is. “And two?”

“If he’s old enough, he might be able to scout the area and see if he feels anything demonic. Lord knows they can cover more ground than we could in a week, but no guarantees.”

We get to the edge of town, park the truck, and step out on the side of the road as the sun completely sets.

My eyes adjust to the darkness as I stare out into the forest. Up the hill I see a few houses nestled on the incline, but aside from that, we’re alone in the night. “Well, at least we know he’ll be awake.”

Jason’s face and voice go flat. “Duh. He’s a vampire.”

For a brief second, I get lost in those chocolate brown eyes, but a look of annoyance crosses his face. “What?”

“The necklace?” He motions to my chest with an unwavering gaze. “We don’t have all night.”

“Oh shit, that. Got it.” I slip it over my head and grasp the purple crystal in my palm. Closing my eyes, I open up my connection to the area, feeling for any magic around.

Faint glimpses of auras cloud my vision depending on where I turn—some red, some green, but what I’m looking for is black. After all, it doesn’t get darker than a vampire—a creature that consumes life. At last, I turn in the direction facing the mountain, and a supremely dark aura appears in my mind’s eye.

I turn back to Jason, grin, and point at the houses on the hill. “That way.”

“Great. I’ll drive us. You just keep sensing.”

We get back in the car, and I give him directions as we go, keeping the dark aura in front of me. Left, right, right again, forward, left, left for more time. Finally the truck pulls to a complete stop, and we’re in front of a dilapidated cabin on the cliffside.

Jason looks at the house. “Well, that was easy.”

“Don’t speak too soon.” I tuck the necklace into my pocket and wrench the door open, stepping out into the night.

The moon and the stars are incredibly bright out here—not a porch light in sight to pollute them. A light breeze filters through the trees, a soft, loamy scent swirling around the forest as we walk up to the door.

Jason knocks a few times, and he waits. And waits. And waits. “You sure this is the right place?”

“Positive. I can feel the energy inside.” I walk over to the window and try to take a look inside, but the windows are too dirty. “Maybe yell his name?”

“Mr. Aranda!” He knocks harder. “It’s Jason Blackwell! I need your help with something!”

Finally, the door opens, and a man with pale white skin and shoulder-length black hair appears. He looks around with shifty eyes and rushes us in. “Come inside before anyone sees you.”

Jason and I exchange glances warily but do as the vampire asks. Mr. Aranda closes the door behind us and suspiciously checks out the windows.

He runs a jerky hand though his hair. “Were you followed?”

I narrow my eyes. “Who would be following us?”

“I have no idea.” Mr. Aranda turns back to face us, fidgeting. “But rumors are running around the creatures in town. One can’t be too careful, I’m afraid. First our local doctor goes missing, then there’s talk of a demon getting attacked in the middle of the woods.”

“That’s me.” I hold out my hand to shake his. “I’m Levi. Visiting demon. Not sure how you heard about me, but I’m fine now. Definitely alive.”

Mr. Aranda slowly shakes my hand. “Interesting. Must take a lot more to take down an incubus.”

I struggle to swallow. “You know what I am?”

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