Chasing The Shadows

Chapter Eleven

Nikki ducked to her right and ran forward. The night stirred in front of her, something she felt more than saw. She flung out her hand. Kinetic energy caressed the night, and something heavy hit the distant wall with a grunt.

She ran on. The necklace was a ribbon of fire, burning with fear. Anne was very close. A booming of a gun cut across the tense silence, followed quickly by another. Laughter spun through the night, a harsh, sarcastic sound.

A man screamed—a sound that quickly became a gurgling cry. She closed her ears to the noise, knowing it was more important to get to Anne than to help the cops right now. The harsh laughter stopped, and the scuff of flesh hitting flesh filled the night. Michael had joined the fray.

Goose bumps ran across her skin, a chill sensation that warned of danger. She slid to a stop but was flung backwards as the night found form. She hit the ground with a grunt, her flashlight slipping from her hand and scuttling away into the darkness. The vampire was heavy, smelling of blood and sweat and sex.

He snarled, canines extended and dripping wet, dark moisture.

Blood.

Her stomach rolled, and energy surged through her body, the sheer force of it making every muscle shake. "Burn in hell," she muttered and thrust her hand in his face.

But what came out was a mix of kinetic energy and fire. It ripped the vampire from her body and flung him across the room like a flaming comet. He hit the far wall with a splat and slipped to the floor, the high-pitched sound of his screams stinging the night as he rolled in a futile attempt to put out the inferno consuming him.

For several heartbeats she could only stare. Despite her words, she hadn't intended to burn him. While she felt no sympathy for the vampire, fear caught her heart and squeezed it tight. This was only one more piece of evidence that suggested she was changing faster—and in more ways—than she'd feared.

But now was not the time to dwell on such fears. She thrust to her feet then reached for the nearby wall, leaning against it heavily as the darkness swam around her. She felt drained, weak, her legs shaking and barely supporting her weight.

The back of her neck prickled in warning. She looked up, saw the slight blur of movement across the darkness. Knew another vampire was coming at her.

She reached again for kinetic energy. Pain slithered through her body and arrowed into her brain, became hot lances of fire that had her blinking back tears. She'd barely used her abilities, and yet she was close to reaching her limits. The flames, whatever they were, obviously took a lot more strength than kinetic energy.

The unseen vampire screamed, and the wind of his approach stroked cold air across her skin. She raised her hand, energy dancing like weakened fireflies across her fingers and pain booming through her brain. But suddenly Michael was in front of her, flowing into being from the inky gloom.

He grabbed the vampire with one hand, then twisted him around and snapped his neck in one smooth, vicious movement. He tossed the body to one side and turned, gently touching her cheek.

Are you okay?

She nodded, a little chilled by his ruthless efficiency. Go help the cops.

He flowed back into the darkness. She took a deep breath, then pushed away from the wall and retrieved her flashlight. Clenching her fingers around the bagged necklace, she continued. The frantic pulsing led her past an entrance that had been smashed into being through bricks and into a smaller room.

There, on a soiled, sorry-looking mattress, she found Anne.

She lay on the mattress, curled up in a fetal position, her skin marred by bruises and bloody nips. Her eyes were closed, and even when Nikki knelt beside her, they didn't open.

She touched a hand to Anne's shoulder. Her skin felt like ice. "Anne?"

The older woman didn't respond. Nikki felt for a pulse, which was rapid, unsteady. It was the rhythm she could feel in the necklace. She gently lifted the older woman's eyelids—her pupils were huge. She'd been drugged, undoubtedly to stop her running.

"Miss James?"

The sharp voice bit through the darkness, and she jumped. "In here."

The FBI agent with the blue eyes appeared in the doorway. The beam of his flashlight hit her square in the eyes, and she threw up her hand to cut the glare.

"Sorry," he said, moving the light to one side. "You found her?"

She nodded. "She's been drugged and assaulted. You'd better get the paramedics down here quickly."

He stopped by her side, his expression grim as he stripped off his coat and placed it carefully over Anne.

It wouldn't have offered much in the way of warmth, but at least it offered a little more dignity.

"They've already been called. We've got one man dead out there and another with half his neck ripped apart." He hesitated. "What were those things?"

"What did they look like?" she hedged, wary of telling him the truth.

"Well, they certainly fit the image of every damn vampire I've seen on the silver screen. But vampires just can't exist."

"Why can't they? Vlad the Impaler was certainly real."

He stared at her for a second. "Yeah, but he was a sicko human."

"So were those men, once."

He continued to stare at her. It was hard to read his expression, hard to know his thoughts.

After what he has seen, he believes, Michael said softly. He just doesn't want to.

The heat of his unseen presence pressed warmth into her back. She resisted the urge to lean back against him and offered the agent the bagged necklace. "You want to take care of this from now on? I don't think Harris trusted me with it all that much."

"Yeah, I noticed that myself." His slight grin suggested he was relieved to be moving on to safer subjects.

He looked past her as several more officers walked into the smaller room. "Davidson, those paramedics here yet?"

"On the way down now."

"You want to direct them here the minute they arrive? And keep an eye out in case any more of those… men… decide to attack."

"Will do."

The officer moved away, and the big man's gaze came back to her. "That's some talent you have there.

We would never have been able to find Mrs. Harris so quickly ourselves."

She rubbed her arms. "I just hope we're fast enough to save her."

"So do I." He hesitated. "Would you like an escort back to the hotel?"

"Just back to the sewer cover will be fine." The vampires wouldn't attack her once she was out in the sunshine. Which was some place she desperately needed to be, just to warm the ice beginning to form in the pit of her stomach.

The agent nodded and called to another of his men. "You're not intending to leave San Francisco for the next few days, are you? We may need to talk to you a bit more."

"I'm staying at the Diamond Grand."

He smiled. "Yes, I know. We did a thorough check on you when Mr. Harris requested your help."

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time a supposed psychic has worked a kidnapping scam."

"Do you really think anyone human could have done what was done to those first two women?"

He studied her for a moment, gaze calculating. "And how do you know what was done to them?"

"The same way I knew where to find Anne and Dale. It's not a very pleasant gift to have, you know. I'd much rather do without knowing the gruesome details." She hesitated. "I have something else for you, too. The name of a possible suspect."

"Who?" He grabbed a notebook and pen out of his pocket.

"Billie Farmer. Apparently he was taunted in high school by a gang of twelve women."

He raised his eyebrows. "And I suppose the four victims so far were a part of that gang?"

"You catch on rather fast."

"That's what they pay me for. We'll check it out. In the meantime, don't leave the city. We may need to talk to you again."

"I have no intention of going anywhere." Not until this fiend was caught. Killed.

He nodded. A second agent made an appearance and motioned her to follow him.

I dare not risk the sun again, Michael said as they began the walk back to the sewer entrance. I'll have to meet you back at the hotel.

And perhaps do a little exploring along the way?

He hesitated. Yes. But don't ask to come with me. Not when Farmer is aware of your every movement.

Don't worry. I have no intention of invading your work space right now.

Nikki—

She flung up a hand. Yeah, I know. It's for my own safety. Which was a load of crap. She was probably safer with him than being alone at the hotel. Especially when Farmer and his gang had no apparent trouble getting into that building.

Which is why I don't want you to go immediately back to the hotel. Walk around and do some sightseeing. I'll contact you when I'm heading back myself.

Like hell she'd be doing the touristy thing while there was a madman running around underground. I have to call Jake and let him know what's going on.

Then do so. Just don't go back to our room until it's safe.

Fine. I'll play it your way. For now.

Warmth flowed through the link, a tender caress that made her toes tingle. Keep safe. I'll see you soon.

She blew him a mental kiss, and the heat of his presence disappeared. The cop stopped and motioned her up the rusting ladder. She climbed, blinking as she reentered the bright sunshine. Two cops helped her out, another helping her escort a second later.

"You want a ride back to the hotel, Miss James?" he said.

She shook her head. "It's a nice day. I think I'll walk."

They let her go. She dragged her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Jake's number.

"About time," he grumbled. "What's happening?"

She gave him an update, and he swore softly. "We need to catch this bastard fast."

"The problem being we have no idea where he is, while he has every idea where I am." And until Seline came through with this charm Michael was talking about, there wasn't much they could do to alter that situation.

"Wish there was some way we could make that work for us," Jake muttered.

She bit her lip for a moment, mind racing. "Maybe there is," she said slowly.

"What?"

"How's Dale?" she said, by way of answer.

"Not good. She's still in intensive care, and the doctors are not saying much."

"Is she conscious?"

"Apparently not. Why?"

"Do you think you could convince Mark to get us in there?"

"I'm not sure we'd be allowed. He could try I suppose. Why?"

"Because going to the hospital is not likely to raise any major alarms in Farmer's mind. And if we can get in to see Dale, I might be able to touch her mind and see if she's retained any memories of how she was snatched, and how she arrived at her cell."

Jake was silent for a minute. "I don't think Michael will be too pleased about you trying something like that."

Annoyance surged through her, and she struggled to keep her voice even as she said, "Right now, I don't really care what Michael would or wouldn't be pleased with. And since when did it matter to you if it means solving the case?"

"He said it's dangerous, Nikki."

"So you'd rather sit on your hands doing nothing while this madman runs loose?"

He sighed. "No. But I don't want anything to happen to you, either."

"I'll be fine. Really." She forced her voice to be positive, even though she was far from certain. "I'm walking up Hyde Street now. You want to talk to Mark, then zoom by and pick me up?" She hesitated and glanced at the street sign. "I'll wait near the corner of Ellis."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

She hung up, then sat down on the nearest fence to wait.

The scent of evil was distant but powerful. Michael ran swiftly through the darkness, keeping the shadows locked around him. It wasn't Farmer he was following, but rather his fledglings. The scent wasn't evil enough or strong enough to belong to a master vampire.

Though why he thought of Farmer as a master when the vampire was obviously a lot younger than he himself, Michael wasn't entirely sure. But only masters could control the minds of other vampires—or a very strong telepath.

Farmer certainly wasn't what he'd term strong when it came to psychic gifts—at least not when compared to Nikki or himself.

So how could one so young become a master?

He wasn't sure. Even he, despite his years and experience, could barely be classed as one. Elizabeth had been a master, though. She'd been comfortable with what she was, comfortably aware of her strengths and weaknesses. Had he wished, he could have taken that knowledge, that skill, from her mind when he'd killed her. It was his right as victor.

And perhaps that was his answer. Perhaps Farmer had killed the vampire who'd turned him and sucked all the knowledge from his mind. But he was still too young in vampire years to process all that information and use it to full advantage.

For which they could be extremely grateful.

He slowed as the scent of evil grew stronger. Night stirred ahead, and the languorous beat of half a dozen hearts filled his ears. He'd found a nest that contained yet another loop. Farmer himself was nowhere near—which wasn't unusual. Fledglings could never be entirely trusted, even those mostly over the initial blood frenzy. It usually took ten to twenty years before true sanity returned—if the turning hadn't made them completely crazy.

He slowed and switched to the infrared of his vampire vision. The vampires were blurs of red heat in the small chamber just ahead. They were all asleep—the sun was high, and vampires this young had no choice but to slumber during the day.

If he killed them, Farmer would know. But if he didn't, these six would kill again and again and again.

Their evil stained the very air. There was no goodness left in them—if there had been any in life. He had no choice but to destroy them.

He moved into the chamber and began his bloody task. It didn't take long. Once he'd finished, he carried their bodies to the nearest sewer cover, piling them underneath it. Then he kinetically lifted the cover, stepping back quickly so no stray rays of sunlight caught him. He'd been burned enough for one day. The fledglings flamed instantly, and the smell of burning flesh stung the dank air.

He watched until they were nothing more than ash then stepped back into a small chamber to wait.

Farmer would have felt them burn. It would be interesting to see if he came to investigate. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the cold brick wall.

Seline?

Here.Her mind voice was decidedly cheerful. You'll never guess what has happened—Jon and Maddie have finally set a wedding date. The invitation just arrived in the mail. They've sent one for you, too.

He raised his eyebrows. I thought Jon had a thing about commitment?

Seline's unladylike snort rattled the mental lines. No. Like you, he feared to make a commitment because he feared his enemies taking revenge on those he loved.

I don't fear making commitment.Though, like Jon, he did fear enemies being motivated enough to take revenge on those he loved.

Perhaps not. But you have every intention of compartmentalizing your life.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to keep her safe.

Unless it's something that will kill her emotionally. She's not the type to play mother at home, Michael. If she was, I seriously doubt you'd still be together.

Her words reminded him of the pain Nikki had revealed at never being able to have kids. He briefly closed his eyes. Seline was wrong about one thing—he could have easily played family man with Nikki.

Could imagine nothing better than coming home from a normal day and relaxing with her and their kids.

But he'd given up any sense of normality long ago, and there was no point in wishing for what could never be.

I can't risk her working with me, Seline.Couldn't risk losing her. She was his heart, his soul. He couldn't imagine life without her now. Didn't want life without her.

It won't work, I'm telling you that now. You can't ever hope to keep Nikki and what you do separate. Nikki is a part of your life because of your work, and you're just going to have to accept the fact that she will forever be a part of it.

He rubbed a hand across his eyes. I didn't open this line of communication to get a tongue lashing, you know.

I know. It's just a bonus.

One I can do without, thank you very much.Especially when he was hearing much the same words from Nikki herself. What did you find out about Billie Farmer?

Not much. He dropped out of sight just after graduation and wasn't seen for a good ten to fifteen years.

He was spotted a couple of times in the years since then, but the first reliable sighting we have of him is in Albuquerque two and a half years ago.

Six months before the first killing.

Yes. We're reasonably sure he was turned shortly after he dropped out of sight, because by the time he was spotted in Albuquerque, he was well past the fledgling stage.

Don't suppose there's any chance of finding out who turned him?

You know how difficult a task something like that is. We haven't enough researchers to keep those sorts of records.

But you're still keeping records of master vampires?

Yes.Her mind voice was suddenly cautious. She knew, as he knew, that a master was serious trouble.

Why?

Was there one around Boston around the time of Farmer's turning?

I could certainly check. You think Farmer was turned by one?

Yes. I also think he somehow killed the master and sucked in his knowledge. Fortunately for us, he's too young yet to assimilate all that knowledge.

Thank the stars. A master is not what we need in this sort of situation.

No.Especially with Nikki and Jake involved.

Are you still intending to meet him tonight?

Yes. But I've just killed his nest of fledglings, and he'll know it could only have been done by another vampire. He won't walk into that meeting without some form of insurance now.

Then why tip him off that way?

Because he's obviously created more than one loop, and the number—combined with an inept master—would test even my capabilities.

True.She paused. Just watch Nikki over the next few hours. He may make a grab for her.

He'll probably try. Which is why I told her to stay in the sunshine. Master or not, he hasn't the years behind him to walk out in sunlight.He hesitated. Speaking of which, it appears sharing my life force with Nikki has had some unexpected side benefits.

What do you mean?

I mean, I was out in the sunlight for several seconds after eleven in the morning, and I didn't instantly flame. I did have sunscreen on but, given the hour, it wouldn't have made that much difference.

Concern flooded the link. Michael, you could have died.

I know, but my only other choice was letting Nikki enter the sewers alone, and that wasn't going to happen.

How badly were you burned?

He glanced down at his hands. Originally, they'd been a red so fierce they practically glowed, but the color and the heat were beginning to fade. Bad. But that's not the point. It was after eleven. I should have died.

Your merging with Nikki has improved your immunity.

So it would seem. Either that, or sunscreen offers vampires better protection than it does humans.

Not that much more, I'd wager.She paused. Has anything else happened?

I think you were right about me developing precognition—and I'd like to know how my merging with Nikki has bought all this about.

Until we find out more about thralls, we won't really know. But I've got a feeling this has more to do with your compatibility to each other.

He frowned. What do you mean?

She hesitated . Do you remember the night we stood watching Hartwood burn?

Yes.How could he forget? That night had signaled the end of a sorcerer's bitter reign. The end of a twenty-year battle for revenge and justice. But it was also the beginning of what had become the Circle.

Do you remember what I asked that night?

He frowned . Not really.Though he could remember what he'd been feeling. Not elation, despite the fact his quest of twenty years had finally reached fruition. Just an odd sense of… emptiness.

I asked what you intended to devote your life to now. You said perhaps finding the other half of yourself.

He smiled, remembering. I was being flippant, Seline.

But in many a jest there lies a truth. I think in Nikki you have found your other half. What is happening to you both now is merely the end result of locking two highly compatible pieces together—which is what you've done by sharing your life force with her.

That doesn't explain either of us developing new skills.

It does if the skills are not new but latent. By combining life forces, you've forced those skills into the light.

If he'd had latent skills, surely they would have made some sort of appearance by now. After all, he'd been on this earth for more than three hundred and sixty years. This is all nothing more than theory.

True—at least until you come into headquarters so we can run tests.

It isn't going to happen. You know I hate those damn tests of yours.Her sigh was overly dramatic, and he smiled as he added, And you can cut the theatrics, as well.

She didn't answer, and the link between them suddenly hummed with tension—became a whirlwind of color that was oddly electric. He knew instantly what was happening—she was having a vision.

No good will come from you putting these tests off,she warned. It will only throw you into greater danger when he comes.

Her mind voice had become abstracted, vague. He held back his questions, knowing from experience talking at the wrong moment could shatter the dream.

He seeks revenge. He seeks our destruction. Not the Circle itself, but you and me. For what we did to his brother so long ago. And he will start with you.Silence swirled through the link, thick with fear, then she added, Nikki could be our savior or our destruction. It very much depends on your actions.

What actions? And who was this 'he' Seline was talking about? It could have been any one of hundreds—between the two of them and the Circle itself, they'd been responsible for a fair number of dispatches back to hell.

And if what Seline was seeing was indeed the future he faced, then in many ways, it only ratified his determination to keep his life with Nikki truly separate from his work.

He is a brother who has kissed the night good-bye,she continued absently. If he cannot steal your heart, he will steal you then destroy you. But only after he has destroyed all you care for.

A cold sensation crawled through his gut. Seline's visions were vary rarely wrong. The ending often varied, but never the initial facts. If she saw this madman taking vengeance on them both, then it would happen. Lord, he had to walk away from Nikki. He couldn't risk dragging her into something like this….

No. Michael, no.Seline's mind voice was suddenly clear again, but filled with fear. I sense it is already too late for that.

I won't have her involved—

She's already involved. This man has been planning his revenge for a very long time. And there's nothing either of us can do to stop him until he comes out of the shadows and actually attacks.

He took a deep breath and released it slowly . Did you have any sense of time?

No. It could be next week, next year, or ten years from now.

Do a search, he said. Backtrack over every case you and I have handled. See which of them had brothers who turned. I want this madman found before he finds us.

Will do. In the meantime, be wary of Farmer. If he has stolen the knowledge of the master who turned him, then he may prove very dangerous indeed.

I'll be careful. Just make sure you are from now on, too.

I rarely leave headquarters nowadays. I am as safe here as I would be anywhere.

Then make sure you don't leave at all. Not for anybody.

I won't. By the way, I've couriered that charm you wanted. You should be getting it late tonight or early in the morning.

Thanks, Seline.

He cut the link and pushed away from the wall. Farmer obviously wasn't that attached to his fledglings, because it certainly didn't look as if he was coming down to check what had happened to them.

Time to get back to Nikki. Before she did something stupid—like try to track Farmer's whereabouts.

He stopped suddenly, a cold sensation running down his spine.

Or try to enter a dying woman's mind to search for clues.

He swore softly and blurred his form, running for the hospital.

Nikki took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies battering the walls of her stomach. Though they felt more like condors than butterflies.

A steady bleeping filled the silence. Dale's heartbeat, stable for the moment. Dale herself lay on the bed, her face as white as her sterile surroundings. She hadn't yet woken. Nikki suspected she never would.

"Five minutes is all you have," Jake prompted softly.

She took another deep breath and released it slowly, gathering her courage. Then she glanced past Jake and met Mark's red-rimmed gaze. In his brown eyes she saw a mix of emptiness, despair and deep, dark fury. The sort of fury that fired the bitter quest for revenge.

"I can't promise this won't hurt her," she said. "I've never tried anything like this before."

His nod was tight. Angry. "The doctors said she might never…" he hesitated, his gaze moving back to his wife as he took a deep, shuddering breath. "If she doesn't, I want the bastard that did this to her. I want him dead. You understand me? Dead ."

Jake placed a comforting hand on his friend's arm. Mark shook it off. "Just tell me you'll try. Tell me you won't hand this bastard over to the cops. He doesn't deserve justice. All he deserves is death. A long and lingering death."

"We'll do all we can." Jake glanced at her. "You sure you want to do this?"

She nodded. "It's our only chance of finding out where Farmer might be hiding."

"Then do it now, because we're running out of time."

She walked over to the bed and stared down at Dale's still features. Goose bumps chased their way across her skin, and the sensation of evil stirred through her mind.

Imagination, she thought. She flexed her fingers then raised her hands, lightly touching Dale's temples.

She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the condors making such a mess of her stomach, and gingerly reached with her mind.

And met not the thoughts of a sick woman, but the trap of a vampire.