Dark Realms Page 16

  He snorted. “Or worse yet, you are not the real Miranda and he decides to kill you when he figures it out.”

  I glared at him. “Oh, thanks, Nathan. Just when I think it can’t get any worse.”

  “Hey, I’m just trying to keep everything in perspective. I mean, we shouldn’t rule anything out,” he said with a yawn.

  His yawn triggered one from me. “True, but I hope you’re wrong,” I said as we headed out of the kitchen and back upstairs.

  Ten minutes later, Nathan was snoring on the floor but I was still awake. I stared at the door to my balcony, which was now closed and locked. Part of me still longed for Ethan and I wondered if I’d have the strength to say no if given the chance to surrender to him again.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Wake up, Princess of Darkness,” teased my brother the next morning.

  “Very funny,” I mumbled. I looked at my alarm clock to find it was already after eleven o’clock.

  “I talked to Duncan already,” said Nathan, between bites of a banana. “We’re supposed to meet him at the marina around four o’clock.”

  I yawned. “Did you tell him about last night?”

  “I told him some things but left out the part where you were sitting on Ethan’s lap, panting away.”

  I groaned. “It was pretty bad. I’m so disgusted with myself.”

  “You were certainly enjoying it last night.” He grimaced. “Heck, I was the one disgusted.”

  “Come on, you know very well that it wasn’t me, last night. Aren’t I typically the frigid and shy twin?”

  His lips curled up. “True. I’m usually the one fighting off the opposite sex.”

  I got out of bed. “I’m taking a shower now. At least you don’t have to follow me everywhere during the day. Vampires don’t like the daylight.”

  “As far as we know,” he said. “But this is real life. I wouldn’t count anything out.”

  “I’ve only run into Ethan at night. In fact, he usually hangs out at the diner after dark.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What in the hell does he order? Steak Tartare?”

  I grimaced. “Gross, no, he only orders coffee; he and his five friends.”

  “Oh, hell, more vampires?”

  “I think so, although the others never say a word. They just sip coffee and stare at the rest of the customers.”

  “Probably planning a strike.”

  “I wouldn’t doubt it. Look, I’m taking a shower. I’ll meet you downstairs in a little while. Is mom awake?”

  His face darkened. “No, that’s another thing that’s still bothering me. This isn’t like her, at all.”

  “I know. We’d better keep an eye on her. Maybe give the sheriff a heads-up, too,” I said.

  “He already thinks we’re nuts,” said Nathan. “Can you imagine if we tell him about last night?”

  I bit my lower lip. The sheriff would never believe us. “Let’s keep it to ourselves, for now.”

  “We’re going to have to.”

  Nathan left my room and I took a hot shower. When I was done, I slipped on a white sundress and a pair of sandals. After I dried my hair and added a little makeup, I stared at the results and frowned. I definitely looked like I was going on a date.

  I’m doing it solely for Duncan, I told myself.

  “You getting dolled up for Duncan or trying to catch a vampire?” joked my brother when I stepped into the kitchen.

  I scowled. “For your information, I am doing it for Duncan.”

  “Wow, you look very fresh and lovely this morning,” said mom as she walked into the kitchen.

  I smiled. “Thanks, mom. By the way, it’s the afternoon, now.”

  She removed her sunglasses and looked at the clock. Her face fell. “Oh.”

  “Your eyes still bothering you?” I asked.

  She nodded. “I have an eye appointment today. I was lucky to get one on a Saturday.”

  “I thought the entire town would be shut down with everything going on,” replied Nathan.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “The town barbeque thingy,” I said. “We’re meeting Duncan there later this afternoon. Want to join us, mom? It should be a lot of fun.”

  “Yeah, actually, I do.” Her eyes lit up. “Maybe I’ll see Caleb there.”

  “He’s the sheriff. He’s probably heading up the security,” said Nathan.

  “I’m sure. I’ll probably just meet you both there after my eye appointment. Keep your cell phone on so I can find you.”

  “Just call me when you’re done and we’ll come look for you, mom,” said Nathan.

  “Okay. This should be fun,” she said, turning on the coffeemaker.

  “Either of you want eggs?” asked Nathan, opening the fridge. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m craving a late breakfast.”

  “No, that’s okay,” she replied, picking out one of her gourmet coffees from the carousel on the counter. “I’m hungry, but nothing sounds good. I think I’m just going to grab a bite in town before my exam.”

  Nathan and I looked at each other, both of us obviously wondering the same thing, was she craving something rare and bloody?

  “Nikki, are you hungry?” asked mom.

  “Uh, just some toast.”

  “Okay.”

  Mom made some for me and then took off with her coffee, while Nathan made himself a monster omelet. After watching him down a half dozen eggs while I nibbled on my toast and jelly, we decided to take a drive over to Abigail’s, to see if she was still in town.

  “I think this is her place,” he said as we drove up the dirt road to the next cabin over. It was older and much smaller than the one we were staying at, but kept up nicely. With all of the flowers and shrubs surrounding the cabin, it seemed inviting.

  “Yeah, there’s her truck,” I pointed next to the cabin. “Obviously she didn’t skip town just yet. Lucky for us.”

  We got out and walked up to the porch. I could hear a dog barking somewhere inside and smiled. “At least we know she’s not living alone.”

  “I don’t blame her,” said Nathan, swatting at a mosquito. “Not with Ethan and his band of freaks flying around at night. Hell, maybe we should consider getting a dog.”

  “Something tells me a dog isn’t going to frighten a vampire,” I said. “If anything, it might put the dog’s life in grave danger.”

  “No doubt,” he replied, ringing the doorbell. We waited and rang it again, but nobody answered.

  “Maybe she’s fishing on the dock?” I asked.

  He stared over my head towards the side of the cabin and nodded. “Good thinking. Let’s go check it out.”

  We went around to the back and looked out towards the lake, but there was still no sign of anyone.

  I looked up at Nathan and frowned. “You know, I’m getting this creepy feeling, that something isn’t right.”

  “Don’t get all paranoid, Nik. She’s probably taking a walk or over at a friend’s nearby.”

  “Yeah. Let’s hope so.”

  We walked to the back door, and this time, I pounded on it. When nobody answered, I looked through a small kitchen window and saw a dog sitting inside in a kennel, whining.

  “Aw… poor thing. She’s got her Golden Retriever caged up. Maybe Abigail really is getting ready to leave town, today.”

  He scraped his teeth over his lower lip and nodded. “Makes sense. Heck, I’m surprised she’s still here.”

  “Let’s wait on the porch for a little while,” I said, walking towards the front of the cabin again. “If she is heading out, we need to catch her beforehand.”

  We both sat down on the wooden rockers on the porch and stared pensively towards the dirt road. After about fifteen minutes, I glanced back at her empty truck and sighed. “Something isn’t right, Nathan. I just have this horrible, horrible feeling.”

  He stood up. “I know. I’m wigging out a little here, myself. You know, she’s pretty old. What if she had a stroke or heart a
ttack, and is lying inside, unable to move?”

  I rose to my feet, too. “Oh crap. Check the door.”

  Nathan reached for the handle, and it opened easily. He stuck his head inside. “Hello? Abigail? It’s Nathan from the next cabin over!”

  Nobody answered.

  “Keep going,” I said.

  We stepped inside and were immediately engulfed in a smell that made me want to puke.

  “What’s that smell?” I whispered in horror, stopping in my tracks. It was worse than garbage that’s been baking in the sun and dog shit – combined.

  “Oh, hell, I don’t know. Let’s go find her bedroom,” he mumbled, his hand over his nose. “Just stay behind me.”

  We searched the cabin until we found a room that appeared to be her bedroom. On the full-sized bed were two open suitcases and piles of women’s clothing, ready to be packed.

  I looked at Nathan. “What now?”

  “Kitchen.”

  I followed him out of the bedroom and we both gasped in horror the moment we entered the kitchen. On the floor, next to the refrigerator, lay Abigail – her neck ripped open and her lifeless eyes fixed on the ceiling. We both shrieked and then ran like hell out of the cabin, back to his Mustang.

  “Oh, my God, we have to call the cops!” I cried. “That was horrible!”

  “Did you see her eyes?” he choked, his face whiter than my dress. He pulled his phone out and dialed nine-one-one. After he hung up with the police, he started the engine.

  Dizzy and afraid of puking, I opened my window to let some fresh air in. “I guess there’s no question that vampires are involved, now, is there?”

  “Hell no. Let’s get out of here and call mom when we get back to the cabin. The police told me to stick around, but screw that. They know where to find us.”

  “I agree.”

  He kicked up rocks as we peeled out of the driveway and I closed my eyes, trying to get the image of Abigail’s body out of my head. If Ethan was responsible for that, there was no way in hell I’d want to see him again. As far as I was concerned, it was time to talk mom into leaving town.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  A squad car stopped by our cabin an hour later, asked us several questions, and then left. Because we didn’t want to sound crazy, we didn’t mention a word about vampires.

  “That must have been so horrifying,” said mom, who’d stopped back home after we’d called to let her know what had happened.

  “Her throat was torn apart, mom,” said Nathan. “There was blood everywhere. It was just… crazy.”

  Sighing, she picked off a piece of lint from her jean skirt. “Maybe it was a bear or a mountain lion that attacked her.”

  Nathan’s face darkened. “Or maybe it was a vampire.”

  She groaned. “You’re not going to start with that business, again, are you?”

  He sighed. “Look, you know us. We aren’t making it up, mom. This Ethan dude, he literally flew out of Nikki’s room.”

  “He’d better think twice before he sneaks into your sister’s bedroom, again.”

  He smiled grimly. “Mom, if we aren’t careful, they’ll be bloodsucking lovers for the rest of eternity. No lie.”

  Mom burst out laughing. “You’re so melodramatic.”

  I knew she still wouldn’t believe the vampire story, and part of me didn’t blame her. I was still having a hard time accepting it, myself.

  “Listen,” she said, looking down at her watch. “I’m going to be late for my eye appointment if I don’t leave. Are you both still going to this town barbeque?”

  Nathan and I looked at each other.

  “We should,” I told him. “Duncan’s expecting us and I’m afraid that Ethan is coming back later. He might hurt you.”

  “Nikki, if you think someone is going to hurt your brother, then you call the police right away!” snapped mom. “I mean, seriously!”

  “Mom,” said Nathan. “The police can’t stop this guy.”

  She rubbed her forehead. “Well, we’ll talk about this later. I’ll see you at in town. Have your cell phones on you.”

  After mom left us, I called Duncan and told him about finding Abigail.

  “No shit? I wonder if Ethan was responsible for killing her.”

  “I don’t know. I mean, he didn’t actually seem like a killer to me.”

  Duncan paused. “Even so, if I catch that guy anywhere around you, I’m going to pound his head in.”

  I smiled. “You’d do that for me?”

  “Damn right,” he replied. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re my girl now.”

  “I like that sound of that,” I replied, softly.

  “Oh, hell, my dad’s calling me. Look, I’ll see you guys around four o’clock. Call me if you have any problems. I can’t wait to see you. I thought about you all night.”

  “Me too,” I replied, although I’d been thinking about how I’d pretty much cheated on him, even though I’d been a victim myself. I only hoped that he wouldn’t find out about it. He was such a sweet guy and didn’t deserve to be hurt.

  As I hung up, Nathan walked out of the kitchen with some garlic and told me to try and find the cross necklace that my father had given me.

  “I lost it,” I said with a grim smile, “last summer.”

  He sighed. “You know, I never thought I’d meet someone more dangerous to us than our dad.”

  “We don’t know for sure if Ethan killed our neighbor or those girls.”

  Nathan scowled. “Don’t start making excuses for this…thing.”

  “He has friends. Maybe one of them killed Abigail?”

  “Just stop, okay? Ethan is no good for you. If he has killed people, then you have to stay away from him.”

  “I know,” I said.

  “Rub some of this garlic on your wrists,” he said, holding it out.

  I backed away. “Yeah, right. I’m not going to walk around smelling like pizza, especially walking through crowds of people.”

  He shrugged. “Fine then, let’s just go.”

  Twenty minutes later, we arrived in town and parked at the marina. Duncan was waiting for us in the shop.

  “Hey, Duncan,” said Nathan.

  “Hey, Nathan.”

  Duncan walked over and put his arms around me. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded.

  He tilted my chin up and stared into my eyes. “I’m not leaving your side anymore. Not until this guy is behind bars. Or… whatever the hell he is.”

  I nodded.

  “Wow, you look… beautiful,” he said. “I’d better keep my eyes on you.” Then he brushed my lips with his.

  “Let’s get going, I’m starving,” interrupted Nathan.

  Duncan smiled and put his arm around my shoulders as we started walking towards the town festival.

  “Wow, they really go all out,” said Nathan.

  Large tents and carnival rides were set up in the park and the smell of succulent barbequed meat and corndogs drifted through the air. Crowds of people were already stuffing their faces, standing in line for the rides, or chasing after their kids.

  Nathan groaned. “I’m starving, lead me to the chow.”

  A half hour later we were sitting at a picnic table watching Nathan devour his second helping of ribs and listening to some band play old time rock-n-roll songs. Nathan’s cell phone began to ring. He licked his fingers and answered the phone.

  “Mom’s on her way,” he said after hanging up.

  “Nikki!”

  I looked up and saw Susan walking over. I introduced her to Nathan and Duncan.

  “I thought you had to work today?” I asked her.

  “No. They closed down for the day because of the festival, thank goodness,” she answered.

  “Did you eat yet?” asked Nathan, sliding over to make room for her at the picnic table.

  She shook her head. “No, but that’s okay. I’m going to get something later.”

  “You can sit down with us. I don’t bi
te,” he said, his lips curling up. “Unless you want me to.”

  Susan blushed and sat down next to him.

  I smiled in amusement as Nathan began teasing her some more. Susan looked totally different out of uniform and reminded me a little of a younger Jennifer Aniston. My brother must have liked what he saw, because he was totally laying on the charm.

  “So, do you know this Ethan character?” asked Nathan after a while.

  “I only know that he pursued Amy and she had this notion he was a vampire.”

  “Did she say why she thought he was a vampire?” asked Duncan.

  She shrugged. “Just that he only came out at night and had this power to make her do whatever he wanted. It freaked the hell out of her.”

  “So, did he ever try hitting on you?” asked Nathan.

  She stared at her clasped fingers. “No, but I went out with one of his friends a couple of times.”

  My eyes widened. “You went out with one of the guys he comes in with at night?”

  “Not one of them. I went out with Drake, who was more of a loner. Then, he kind of just fell off of the face of the earth. He used to come in at night alone and we’d go out after my shift. Then one night, he just never came back. I tried calling him but he never even returned my calls.”

  “Did you really think he was a vampire?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “No. I mean he was kind of intense and kept weird hours, but of course he wasn’t a vampire. There’s no such thing, right?”

  Nathan and I stared at each other, but didn’t respond.

  “Did you ever go to his house?” asked Duncan.

  “We stopped by once, but he made me wait outside. He lived with Ethan and the others; they rent this house on the edge of town.”

  “You didn’t think it was weird that he made you wait outside?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “Not really. Besides, Ethan and the others really creep me out. Drake was different, though. I wish I knew what happened to him.”

  “Did you ask Ethan?” I said.

  She made a face. “Yeah but he didn’t say much. Personally, I think he went back home to Australia. He talked about his family a lot and how he missed them.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “He was Australian?”