Splintered Nights Read online

  Splintered Nights

  Veronica Del Rosa

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Books by Veronica Del Rosa

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue

  More Books by Veronica Del Rosa

  Standalones

  Connect with Me

  Splintered Nights Copyright 2018 Veronica Del Rosa

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, organizations and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  License Notes

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only then please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover Art by Harper at Dark City Designs

  Editing by Elizabeth Nover from Razor Sharp Editing

  http://www.razorsharpediting.com/

  Created with Vellum

  Acknowledgments

  This book wouldn’t have existed without several amazing people. My husband for always encouraging me to write, even when I’m feeling overwhelmed by it all. Jen Winters for seeing the potential in this story idea. Heather R. Blair for her enthusiasm from the moment I told her the premise. And Elizabeth Nover, my gifted editor, for seeing the best in my writing and helping it shine.

  Books by Veronica Del Rosa

  Standalones

  Splintered Nights

  Enforcers and Coterie Series

  Throwing Away the Good (Novella 0.5)

  Magic Resistant (Book 1)

  Sylvia’s Torment (Book 2)

  Unexpected Werewolf (Novella 2.5)

  Dawn’s Keeper (Book 3)

  Assassinated Love (Novella 3.5)

  Chained in Desire (Book 4)

  The Love of a Good Fae (Novella 4.5)

  Dabbling in Magic (Novella 4.6)

  Poisoned Message (Book 5)

  Chapter One

  I marched along the sidewalk, dodging other pedestrians and grumbling under my breath. “Of course, I’ll stay late. Why, I have nothing better to do, like claiming a bed before they’re all gone.”

  I would’ve loved to tell my boss no, except I needed my job. I had some money put aside in case Doug ever followed through and fired me, since any excuse would do for him, including me refusing extra hours. However, my money would dwindle quickly. Plus, the overtime ensured I could afford to eat more than ramen noodles and Kraft Dinner.

  My stomach grumbled at the thought of food, but I had no time to stop. The darkening sky and slowly sinking sun spurred me on, and my sensible, flat-heeled shoes clicked against the concrete. My knapsack tapped a steady rhythm on my back and I took comfort in its familiar weight. It would keep me safe. All my gear was stashed in my knapsack, including a hunting knife and a sharpening stone. A few years back, I never would’ve known how to sharpen a knife, let alone used one to protect myself.

  Aw shit, I had perhaps an hour before the sun completely disappeared and then they would be searching for me. I still couldn’t figure out how they found me every single time. Was it my scent? Did I leave a trail I couldn’t see?

  A shame I couldn’t scrub myself clean of any and all smells. Maybe then I could find a safe haven at night and rest undisturbed. Even at the shelter, I slept lightly and with the knife close by. Trusting others was no longer in my nature. I’d been fucked over too many times.

  Fat drops of rain spattered on my head, soaking me through within minutes and plastering my chin-length hair to my scalp. Wet strands clung to my cheeks, though I tried to ignore the uncomfortable sensation. I should’ve tied it back in a ponytail.

  “Up yours, universe,” I muttered. Worse, the rain meant they might come out earlier than usual, since the dying sunlight was hidden and wouldn’t harm the evil bastards.

  I patted the strap of my knapsack, more for reassurance than out of fear. Tucked inside, I had one, maybe two stakes. I’d need to sharpen at least three more before true darkness fell, or else I might find myself as dinner tonight. Once, and only once, I’d had the misfortune of feeling fangs pierce my skin, sucking my life force from my body. Never again.

  “Hey Pearle, whatcha doing out here so late? It’s not safe. Go home, pretty lady.” I almost jumped when Cole melted out of the dark shadows of a nearby shop. I hated how easily he could sneak up on me, like my radar didn’t work at all on him.

  “The shelter’s full. No home to go to.” My feet didn’t stop. I didn’t have the time to chitchat and if Cole wanted to spend his time wandering the dark streets, that was his insanity, not mine.

  “Ah, that’s tough. You can come home with me. Promise I don’t bite.” He bared his teeth. “See? No fangs.”

  I chuckled and shook my head. “I’ve told you before, Cole, I’d rather take my chances with the bloodsuckers.”

  “You wound me, ma petite chérie.” He placed his hand on his chest, hamming it up, while keeping pace with me. His other hand never left his side, hovering close to the machete he kept there. That hunk of metal could slice clean through a vampire’s neck. I should know, since I’d been sprayed with the resulting fountain of blood. I’d had to buy a new workout uniform the next day, pretending my one and only had had an accident with bleach.

  “Yeah, yeah, enough with the French. It doesn’t charm me. Did you learn a few words to woo unsuspecting ladies?” The rain turned into a light drizzle, though it made no difference to me. I was still soaked and so was Cole, except he looked like the leading male in an action film ready to take out the enemy, while I looked like a drowned rat desperate to flee a sinking ship.

  “Doesn’t seem like it works on you, eh? I’ll find another way to charm you. Perhaps over dinner? Or breakfast?” He waggled his eyebrows. He should’ve looked ridiculous with all that water dripping down his face. So why didn’t he look like a pathetic man hitting on an uninterested woman?

  Because his eyes darted around, tracking any potential danger. His walk wasn’t a swagger, it was the prowl of a confident hunter. He thought I was a damsel, one who attracted vampires, and he wanted to use me as bait. He held himself ready, anticipating a fight, eager for one. I could be anyone, so long as the bloodsuckers came out to play.

  “I don’t think so. See you around. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.” I waved him off and hurried down a deserted side street.

  The vampires preferred to hunt along the major routes. They picked off tourists, ones who’d had too much to drink, or loners, or the weak. Sometim
es they assumed I was one of the weak. Two or three times a week, whenever I was unlucky enough to miss getting a bed at the shelter, I’d kill a vampire in search of food, namely my blood.

  Yay me! Maybe one day I’d let one survive so it could spread the word to leave me alone. I wasn’t a walking blood bank ready for tapping. When I was a child, my dad had taught me how to defend myself, and while he’d alluded to monsters being real, I’d never fully believed him. The first vampire attack had caught me off guard because I hadn’t expected them to actually exist.

  Let’s see what they had in store for me tonight.

  If they found me.

  In the last few weeks, I’d spent a few early mornings scouting out an abandoned house on the outskirts of town. It looked condemned and probably had a few squatters I hadn’t discovered yet, but that made the place more enticing, not less. Regular occupants would strengthen the threshold, keeping vampires out.

  Though I didn’t like the thought of dragging civilians into my little war with the bloodsuckers, of innocent blood on my hands. Could I live with myself if others were harmed because I’d drawn a target on their little haven?

  But dark was almost upon me and I had to be inside before they found me. Besides, those living on the fringes of society probably already knew how to protect themselves or they wouldn’t have lasted so long out here.

  A familiar and unwanted sensation scuttled across the skin on my arms. I slowed my pace and grabbed the last stake from my knapsack. Gripping it tight, I inched my way forward, hoping I was wrong.

  Shadows twisted and turned around me, agitated by the darkness lurking in their midst.

  Pretending ignorance, I walked past the hiding vampire. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel its oily sludge curling around my flesh. One step, two.

  I whirled and rammed the stake into its chest. Male, female, I had no idea, and I didn’t care. The monster deserved to die.

  It screamed, high-pitched and agonizing. Claws raked at my hand, carving thin furrows into my skin. I pushed harder against the wood and pierced deep into its blackened heart. Slick blood poured from the wound, dripping to the ground. I stared into its eyes as it died.

  Its body burst apart into ash.

  The only good thing I’d discovered about vampires? No cleanup afterwards. My stake had a bit of soot on it. I tossed it into my knapsack instead of wiping it off on my pants.

  I waited a tense moment. My skin stayed creepy-crawly-free. Either the creature had been alone or its friends had scurried away when I’d struck. Running from a meal wasn’t normal behaviour for vampires, though, so the former was more likely. The monsters enjoyed company and attacked in groups of two or three. Or maybe it was just me they swarmed at night. So far, no vampires had survived to answer my questions.

  I resumed walking. Time to introduce myself to my potential roommates for the night and hope no one would leave me unsheltered during the unforgiving hours of darkness.

  The house was a two-story built in the late eighteen hundreds, and the sagging veranda and roof added to the air of neglect. The second floor was smaller than the first with its large rectangular windows. No curtains adorned any of the glass. Vampires did not nest here.

  Smoke puffed upwards from two chimneys on opposite sides of the roof.

  Someone was home. Would they welcome me or kick me out into the dark, treacherous night? Only one way to find out.

  Squaring my shoulders, I marched up the front stairs and turned the doorknob. To my surprise, it opened. Why the hell wasn’t it locked?

  “Hello?” I called out, my voice wavering. If they barred me entrance, I’d have to find another place to hide. And there wasn’t any time left to find one.

  Chapter Two

  No one answered, just a hushed silence that unnerved me, like the house itself was holding its breath. I crossed the threshold, and a light tug on my body confirmed people did indeed live here. I hadn’t realized until I’d met my first vampire why I always felt a tug when I entered someone’s home. The harder the tug, the more established the threshold.

  A soft, menacing voice slithered out from the darkness. “Why are you here? Who sent you?”

  “No one sent me. I just need a place to stay for the night.” I glanced over my shoulder, debating the wisdom of closing the door and cutting off my only escape route. Except leaving it wide open would entice the vampires. “Look, I’ll be gone first thing in the morning, okay?”

  Across the hallway from the man, a woman whispered, “Let her stay. It’ll strengthen the threshold and maybe keep them away from us. More people might deter them.”

  Apparently they, too, had had run-ins with the vampires. Since they’d survived, surely it meant they could also protect themselves, right?

  “I don’t need another one to watch out for.” The menacing voice stepped out of the shadows and I clutched my throat to stop a gasp. He was a behemoth, closer to seven feet than six, and he had to weigh at least three hundred pounds. And it was all muscle. He could probably crush my skull with his massive hands.

  I took an involuntary step back and then regretted it when a cold wind blew past me through the open door. “You won’t have to protect me. I can do that myself. I wasn’t able to snag a bed at the shelter in time, so please, let me crash here.”

  The behemoth stared at me for a moment, long enough to make me want to crap my pants, but I’d fought and survived vampires. I could handle a stare down with a giant. If not, then I deserved to wander alone at night in the city, praying the vampires left me alone.

  “Fine, you may stay. But as soon as dawn hits, you’re gone. Hear me?”

  “Yeah, I hear you.” I reached behind me and swung the door closed. The thud felt like a nail in my coffin and I shivered at the morbid thought. “Where can I sleep? Is there any place off-limits?”

  I had no desire to poke around. Sleep and nothing more. These people were strangers to me, and I wanted it to stay that way. If we became friends, I would worry about them when I wasn’t here. I’d feel the desire to check up on them, search them out.

  No way, no how. Best to remain distant strangers, destined to pass in the night and perhaps never meet again. Unless I found myself screwed out of a bed at the shelter once more. Then I might come back, provided I survived this night first.

  A woman slinked from the room to my left, a quick smile alighting on her face before she turned, gesturing for me to follow her. I glanced at the behemoth, who said nothing. With a shrug and a reassuring pat on my knapsack to verify it was still with me, I trailed after the friendly one.

  The house was dark, but my eyes had adjusted to the gloom. Dark shapes loomed around me, and occasionally something moved. A trick of my senses, or people hiding from me? I listened but couldn’t pinpoint any breathing.

  Some days I wished for supernatural senses. It would’ve made evading vampires and other things that go bump in the night much easier. But alas, I was an ordinary human. The one and only time a vampire had sunk his teeth into my neck, he’d made these disgusting, orgasmic sounds. I wanted to hurl just thinking about it. At least he hadn’t lived through the experience.

  “You can stay here. Don’t wander, okay? People are jumpy and might stake you.” The woman gave me a quick, nervous grin before she scurried away from the room she’d pointed out. She disappeared into the darkness and I shrugged, not in the mood to decipher the occupants of the house.

  If they’d seen vampires at night, had been attacked, then I couldn’t fault them for their paranoia. I had a healthy dose of it myself.

  Entering the small room, I had the sense it had been hastily constructed. The window was uncovered, but half of it was hidden by the wall. Had they made smaller rooms out of a larger one? If the house was a sort of halfway home for those in need, it would make sense to create as many rooms as possible.

  I dropped my knapsack by the window and followed suit, my back against the wall, legs crossed. Crisscross applesauce. The childhood rhyme popped into my hea
d and I smiled a little, though it didn’t lessen the seriousness of my plight.

  I kept the two exits—and possible avenues of attack—in my line of sight. Contrary to myth, vampires couldn’t fly or turn into bats, but they could jump as high as a four-story building. The second floor was child’s play for them.

  Cursing the adrenaline pumping in my veins and giving my hands a tremor, I pulled out my short carving knife and a blunt piece of wood. I’d lost three stakes last time I’d stayed outside of the shelter, and I hadn’t been able to replace them yet. In the shelter, no one would understand my need to create pointy death sticks.

  The blissfully ignorant cattle.

  Dad had been obsessed with teaching me self-defence, and not once had he reassured me there were no monsters under my bed or in my closet. He died when I was thirteen. I wish I’d asked him how he’d known about vampires.

  But life didn’t care about wishes and hopes. It continued on without a backwards glance and barrelled over those who didn’t pay attention. I had to focus on surviving the night and maybe one day I’d find out the reasons behind my father’s obsessions.

  The slow, methodical drag of knife over wood soothed me as it always did. Curls fell to the floor by my knees with each long stroke. Soon I had a decent pile of kindling and one stake ready for a vampire’s chest.