The Hunt for a Vampire_An Alien Vampire Romance Page 3

  Dakota shook her head emphatically. “Never trust the work done by law enforcement officers. The one thing you can be guaranteed of is that their work is extremely shoddy. That and nothing else explains the low rate at which they solve these cases. I cannot tell you the number of times I have found overlooked evidence and such.”

  Jared sighed. “If we’re lucky, I might get an opportunity to see that first hand when we get to the park. Maybe we will find something they overlooked.”

  They both knew that was probably a pie in the sky dream after nine days.

  Jared was preoccupied and his mother seemed content to leave him to his musings. He had a lot of information to absorb. As the silence spun out between them, Jared spoke. “Do you mind if I ask where you learned to hunt?”

  His mother’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. Jared wasn’t particularly concerned. She liked to hold onto it out of habit. They were more of a safety fail safe now that hover cars were programmed to self-navigate from one location to another.

  Being forced to give you up broke my spirit. The day I came of age, I returned to your father and we searched the globe for you for years. Garen is among the best of us. You remind me a lot of your father. He too was quiet and had a propensity toward introspection. I’ve noticed your intelligence seems to be a strange mixture of my analytical thinking and your father’s talent for intuition. It’s why I wasn’t a bit surprised you were drawn to hunting. It’s in your blood.”

  Jared gaped at her. He could not possibly have been more shocked to find out his father was a hunter as well. Stammering, words poured from his mouth without him willing it so. “I had supposed my father was Durk.”

  Laughter spilled from her lips. “Durk? He’d be thrilled to discover you him capable of such.”

  “You two are inseparable?”

  Her face cleared and she glanced at him. “Durk was my best friend growing up. I was abducted at sixteen. My parents were old money, but refused to pay the ransom.”

  “Are you kidding? Why would they do that?”

  “They believed it would only make others think they were easy targets. Instead they hired your father to hunt for me.”

  It’s clear that he found you.”

  “He’s a vampire prime. Locating a missing teen didn’t even take him a full morning. By nightfall he’d secured my release from a drug lord on the southern continent. We held up at his safe house for a few days. The thing was, there was no forgiving my parents for risking my life when they could have just paid the money and got me back. I refused to return home for almost four months.”

  “And when you did return home, you were pregnant with me.”

  “Yes, but it’s not what you think. Your father is a good man.”

  Totally closing off, he didn’t want to hear any more about the man who’d taken advantage of a vulnerable ward. “Roger that. Can we get back to the task at hand?”

  Pulling up at the park where Mr. Shardon had disappeared, Jared shoved all the disturbing news about his dysfunctional family aside in favor of working the case. The surrounding area was neat and well-manicured.

  His mother pulled out a DNA scanner and Jared assumed she’d programed Shardon’s DNA into the small handheld device. She scanned every park bench, hand railing, and water fountain. Water fountains were a high value target because although vampires drink blood for nutritional content, they must also drink copious amounts of water to stay hydrated.

  They hit every hard surface and ended up at a small statue toward the lower end of the park. Dakota looked around and seemed to perk up. “This would be the perfect place to grab someone, because of the geography.” Pointing to a nearby patch of trees, she continued excitedly. “This area is hidden by dips in the terrain in three directions, there’s parking nearby, and it’s just isolated enough for an abduction to go unnoticed.”

  Jared surveyed the area visually, astonished to find that she was correct. They proceeded to comb every square inch of the area. Jared was careful not to trample potential evidence as he searched around the fountain. Spying something suspicious, he raised his hand and called out to her. When she kneeled down, he pointed to a small round piece of metal that had rolled back into a crevice along the edge of the statue.

  Dakota opened the leather zip pouch at her waist and pulled out a pair of tweezers. She picked up the tiny piece of metal and held it up. Jared looked at her questioningly and she responded. “I am not sure what it is but we can analyze it once we get back to my weapons room. Scan it for DNA.”

  Jared scanned and excitedly turned the back of the gun so she could see the screen was blinking a green light indicating a match. She pulled a small plastic evidence bag from her pouch and bagged it.

  “Let’s continue searching, but this is more than I expected to find after nine days.” They continued looking but didn’t turn up anything else. The park did not have security cameras, which was unfortunate. They managed to finish their search at the park prior to catching the midday sun.

  Jaren quickly scanned the clear evidence bag with his com device and send the image to his tablet. Pulling up cross matching software designed by the retail establishment to help shoppers find places to purchase random objects they saw, he hoped to get a match.

  “That’s very resourceful. I have similar software but it’s keyed for weapons. I was worried it wouldn’t recognize this particular object.”

  He stood and she nodded her head in the direction of their hover car. They were halfway to Alek’s place when Jared’s tablet beeped. He frowned when he looked at the information and turned it around for Dakota to see, saying, “It is a tranquillizer dart designed to be used on large animals. I suppose that is one way to take down a dangerous vampire warrior without getting yourself killed.”

  “It’s clear he was abducted from the park. I’m leaning toward thinking that it was professionals and there were probably more than one of them. Our target has a war record and anyone with the ability to do a basic data stream search would have known he is an accomplished warrior. You are right about bringing him down with a tranq being one of the few ways to abduct him without being mangled in the process. It looks like this was very premeditated; they researched him, took precautions, knew his routine, and were successful on their first attempt.”

  “If there had been a prior attempt, he would have no doubt mentioned it to his good friend, Detective Charles Weaver. If he was taken by professionals that usually means they want something particular and gives him a little bit of a longer life expectancy as a missing person. They won’t kill him until they get what they want and if Mr. Sharon is smart, he won’t give it to them. It just comes down to how long he can stand up to their…techniques of persuasion.”

  Jared paled at the thought of Mr. Shardon being tortured.

  She continued, “We should visit the home and his work. We’ve both reviewed the rough outline of his day provided by the when he was abducted. It would be interesting to know if he was abducted on his way to or from the spa. If it was from there then we already know he was being followed so maybe someone knows something that can help us.”

  Jared spoke up. “That was my thought as well. I spoke to Nares and he said he never saw him on the day in question.”

  “Good work, but we need to be a little more thorough. We’ll visit and scan for DNA.”

  Jared’s com jingled again. Grabbing it, he gasped. “Gods of chaos, I just got a message from someone saying they have information on his whereabouts. The message says, Mr. Shardon told him to contact me specifically.”

  “Why would they contact you?”

  Cursing softly under his breath, he came clean with his mother. “I’m his younger daughter’s preferred feeding partner.”

  “The fourteen-year-old?”

  “Selene’s fifteen now”

  “You’re age mates. Why would you be so secretive about something like that?”

  “I don’t like people knowing my business.”

  “Did Mr
. Shardon know?”

  “He did.”

  “And he approved?”

  “Vampire primes always prefer someone with a vampire heritage for their children. Even a weak one like me is a better option than a full blood human.” Catching himself being an ass to his human mother, he added. “No insult intended, mother.”

  “None taken. I’m proud of you. Feeding is a very altruistic behavior.”

  Changing the subject back to the task at hand, Jared looked down at his hand held. “I believe the sender is a fellow vampire. He referred to Mr. Shardon as his brethren. He wants to meet me right away at a noodle shop in the eastern end of town.”

  “Message him back that you will be there in thirty minutes.”

  Jared’s thumbs flew across the touchscreen. “Do you think this is for real?”

  “How many know you are connected to the Shardon family?”

  “No one. I’ve done my best to make sure Selene seen with me.”

  “Any particular reason for the secrecy, son?”

  Squirming in his seat, Jared marveled at how many skeletons this case was shaking from their combined closets. “I do not wish to discuss my past with you, mother. Let’s just say, I thought it best for her safety that no one associate her with me.”

  His mother jolted in her seat. “Are you saying that you’re in some kind of danger?”

  “Not at the moment, but one never knows when old troubles might become current problems. I prefer to error on the side of safety.”

  “Jared…”

  “Don’t make me regret getting you involved in this search. Mr. Shardon is likely to be the man destined to become my father-in-law. We need to case aside our differences and concentrate on bringing him home alive.”

  Swallowing thickly, his mother cleared the navigation details and Jared read her off the new address. She keyed it in quickly and the vehicle adjusted course.

  Mr. Shardon’s disappearance was turning Jared’s meticulously ordered life upside down. A beautiful melody alerted him that Selene was trying to get ahold of him. The thought of trying to talk to her with his mother so near, irritated him. Instead Jared responded via text.

  Where are you, Jared? I feel so alone.

  He pecked out a reply, one meant to give her hope. I’m with Dakota. She took your father’s case. We’re working it together.

  Really! That’s great!

  We found evidence law enforcement missed at the park.

  Anything useful?

  We believe they shot him with an animal tranquilizer. It means they wanted him alive and unharmed.

  Always quick to put the pieces together, she responded quickly. That means there is a higher chance he’s still alive, right?

  Yes, my sweet. It appears that you father got a message out to me thought a fellow vampire. We’re on our way to meet with him now.

  For the first time, I’m beginning to believe this might all work out.

  You’re right. Things are looking up.

  Jared, please be safe. I can’t lose you both.

  As of now, you haven’t lost either of us. Stay inside, like we talked about. I’ll stop by as soon as I can.

  Alright. I’ll wait up for you.

  Clicking the hand held off, Jared sighed. Hoping he could somehow make the assurances he gave her a reality, he began reading the message from their contact again.

  Chapter 4

  Noodles And Intel

  ~ Dakota ~

  Upon arriving at the noodle shop, Dakota noticed a smaller vampire sitting in a booth in the back. His eyes got big when he saw that Jared was not alone. Grabbing some readymade noodles and a couple of bottles of water, she tossed some bills on the counter and followed her son back.

  She wasn’t totally sure he was their contact, until he spoke. “Thank you for coming. Mr. Shardon said he was known to you personally, but I didn’t know if it was really true.”

  Sliding into the far back of the booth, Jared made room for her to sit beside him.

  “I’m certain you recognize my mother.”

  The smaller man nodded. “Of course I do. She is on the news feed and in the advertisements for the academy. Her fact is very recognizable. Mr. Shardon asked me to speak with you are about retaining her services. Am I to understand that she is already involved.”

  “She agreed to take the case, as a favor to me. How do we know this is not some kind of prank?”

  Reaching into his pocket, the man pulled out something and dropped it onto the table. Jared’s trembling hands picked up what appeared to be a burnished cross necklace. “Mr. Shardon was given this by the fighting partner he lost in the alien wars. I recognize it as the one item he never seems to take off.”

  Looking contrite, the small vampire murmured. “He said you would know this is sacred to him and that I am his emissary.”

  A strangled noise rumbled in the back of Jared’s throat. “He often jokingly called me his emissary when he sent me on errands for his family. Can you tell us where Mr. Shardon is being held?”

  “I can tell you that, but you must know that he has made some powerful enemies. I work for a powerful syndicate. None on my crew are high enough on the hierarchy to know why they wanted him or who is calling the shots.”

  Dakota spoke for the first time. “Turning on your partners can be a very dangerous decision. Do you mind if I ask why you have agreed to such?”

  “As stupid as it sound, I wish to actually deserve the beautiful female who has chosen me as her mate. She thinks I work in an office. When put into a situation where I was forced to choose between risking my safety or saving the life of vampire brother, I chose the latter.”

  Dakota murmured, “That’s very bold of you.”

  “This was actually Mr. Shardon’s idea. He came up with a plan that offered the most protection to me and my wife. He believes my employers will not suspect me or my crew if a real hunter tracks him down.”

  Dakota smiled slightly. “Alek would be correct about that. Hunters often go after jobs where there is a hefty reward to be had.”

  Jared chimed in, “His business partner is beside himself with worry. The reward is now sitting at a quarter of a million credits.”

  Dakota sighed. “Tell us where he is, if he unharmed, and when he is least heavily guarded.”

  Sliding a small slip of brown paper across the table, Dakota sees that he’s written an address on the crumpled paper. He speaks quietly, “Mr. Shardon has not been harmed. It is best to come at night, since only one of our crew will be there and he will be easy to overpower. Little John has only been with us for a few weeks. He has a long rap sheet and a history of being uncooperative. Come alone and do not involve the police.”

  Jared’s hand closed around the necklace. “How do we know that we can trust you?”

  “If it is proof you want, I have none to give. I come to you as one who deeply regrets his involvement in this matter. I am doing my best to mitigate the damage. Will you retrieve Mr. Shardon?”

  Dakota nodded. “We will come for him tomorrow night.”

  Jared turned to her with questioning eyes. She ignored him, keeping her eyes on the small Vampire. He seemed satisfied with her answer.

  “I will leave the details in your capable hands. Please keep your word, for he will be very disappointed if you do not come for him.”

  Once they were alone, Jared shoved the necklace into his pocket. “What do we do now?”

  Ignoring their food, Dakota responded tightly. We gear up and work out a plan. We move tonight, not tomorrow. I don’t trust our informant.”

  Jared responded. “Let’s go.”

  They headed to her home and made directly for her private study. She voice prompted the door to her hidden panic room, and the entire wall of a bookcase slid slightly back and to the side. When they walked in, the lights activated. Her son had been in her professional space several times, so he was familiar with her set up.

  Most were laser weapons but there were some old fashion
projectile weapons as well.

  Jared picked up on and looked it over curiously. “Why do you collect projectile weapons? Aren’t they a little obsolete?

  She smiled at him and shrugged. “Until you get hit with a real bullet you probably can’t understand the fascination.”

  Gaping at her, he stammered. “You’ve been shot with an actual bullet?”

  Pulling up the edge of her shirt, she showed him her small scar.

  “What in the world was that like?”

  Images of rolling up on a serial killer early in her career floated through her mind. She’d been around twenty five at the time. Hell, she was only thirty –four now. Answering her son’s question, she pulled out all her favorite weapons. “I heard a pop, there was a searing pain in my side and I didn’t really put two and two together until later. I was too focused on the woman he’d chained to a tree. He was hovering over her and she looked absolutely terrified. I was looking into her eyes when he got a shot off.”

  “Jesus, what did you do?”

  Frowning down at the laser weapon before shoving it in her holster, she replied dryly. “The only thing I could do, son. I drew down on him, catching him in the head with a shot from this very gun.” Tapping it smartly, she began picking their her battery packs for the laser weapon.”

  “I guess you’ve seen some shit in your day.”

  “Gunning down a serial killer doesn’t bother me. It’s the ones I can’t save that truly gut me.”

  Turning on her heel, she left him to gear up on his own.

  As he geared up, Dakota took a moment to reflect on her prior hunts. Looking at the smiling faces peering out of all the pictures covering her walls always gave her the motivation to go the extra mile when the going got rough. Each photo was of a person she’d saved, and had a glad signature and a note of thanks scrawled across the bottom. Whereas the average serial killer collected personal effects from his victims as a way of reliving the emotions associated with the kill, she collected photographs of the people she saved. Pausing for a second she selected empty space on the wall she wanted to mount Mr. Shardon’s image.