Hunting for Death: Hunter Elite, #4

Chapter One

JONAH’S VOICE WOKE me just before the alarm was due to blare to life. Are you awake, Ari? he asked loudly from right beside me.

Forcing one eye open, I glared at him. I am now. He lay beside me, grinning from ear to ear. He was clearly far more excited about our impending trip to Scotland than I was. A moment later, the alarm noisily beeped five times before cutting off.

Time to get up, the ghost said cheerfully. Quin’s even grumpier than usual, he warned me as I dragged myself out of bed. You’d better not keep her waiting.

Tugging my singlet down so it covered my butt, I cast a look at him over my shoulder on my way to the bathroom. She’s always grumpy after the full moon, I replied. Three nights without sleep will do that to a person.

He vanished and was suddenly standing in front of me when I turned around. I walked through his insubstantial form as I entered the bathroom, shivering at the brief sensation of coldness. She’s getting worse, he said to my back. I heard her howling all night. It sounds like her pain is increasing with each year that passes.

An alpha werewolf, Quin had all the characteristics of a shifter, except she couldn’t actually change shape. I wish there was something I could do to help her, I said. When Jonah made no move to leave the bathroom, I stared at him pointedly. Are you going to stand there and watch me pee?

His lips quirked up in a mischievous smile. I’m not really into that sort of thing, you weird pervert, he said, then disappeared.

"He spies on me when I’m in the shower and I’m the pervert," I muttered. Connor snorted out a laugh from his room down the end of the hall. It was a reminder that there was very little privacy in our wing of the building. Jonah had the option of hiding himself from the others, but I didn’t have the ability to keep him out of my rooms. There was probably an incantation in the blood red spell book Spencer had given me that could prevent him from entering. He would be hurt if I shut him out, so it wasn’t really an option.

I took a quick shower, then dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and a warm jacket. Since we couldn’t take any weapons with us on the jet, my pockets were empty of spare ammo for once. Jonah would never forgive me if I left him behind, so I grabbed the gold locket that held photos of both him and his ex-fiancé inside. I usually put it my pocket, but I opted to wear it this time. It should be safe enough to wear it while we weren’t in the thick of battle. The locket made a slight bulge beneath my shirt once it settled into place. It remained cool against my skin. Being a vampire, my body temperature was lower than usual and it would take a while for the metal to warm up.

I was the last to enter the kitchen and I eyed Quin warily when she looked up from her seat at the table and glowered at me. The circles around her eyes were darker than usual and the bags were more pronounced. I’m glad you could finally join us, Arienna, she said snarkily.

Glancing at my watch, I saw I was no later than usual. Jonah shook his head in warning, urging me to keep my mouth shut. He sat at the end of the table, watching us eat in envy. He missed many things about being human, but eating was at the top of the list.

Taking my seat, I poured disgustingly healthy cereal into a bowl and began to eat. Connor had made me coffee and I nodded my thanks. He winked in return, which made heat rise inside me. Quin’s scowl deepened and we concentrated on eating. Apparently, she wasn’t in the mood to watch us flirting.

In the seat next to me, Mirra sent sidelong looks at our boss. She was wise enough not to say anything that would trigger the alpha’s temper. Quin wouldn’t hurt us physically, but she could use her tongue to cut us to pieces effectively enough.

Just then, the ground trembled slightly and the table shook. The workers must be getting close to completing our escape tunnel by now, Connor said. The humans tended to get an early start. He was brave for speaking at all, but at least the topic was neutral.

They should be finished by the time we return from our mission, Quin said. Her voice was gravelly and she sounded as weary as she looked. With luck, we won’t ever have to use the tunnel. Since luck never seems to be in our favor, I assume we’ll be utilizing it at some point.

Jonah opened his mouth, but snapped it shut again when she glanced at him. He didn’t want to jeopardize his chances of coming with us by making a wisecrack that would annoy her even more than she already was.

We barely had time to clean up our breakfast dishes before we heard Spencer’s helicopter approaching. We each carried a duffle bag full of clothes outside and lined up on the front lawn to wait for the chopper to land. Quin used her phone to make sure the house was securely locked. Our security system was linked to the device. It would send her updates if anyone breached the property. Not that there was much we could do about it where we would be going. The workers would have to liaise with Von Hades to gain entry to the building to complete the tunnel during our absence.

The pilot impatiently motioned for us to approach the helicopter while her copilot left his seat to assist us. They were a different pair from the ones I’d met on a mission I’d undertaken with Spencer. The blades were still spinning and we automatically hunched over as we crossed to the chopper. The door was opened from the inside by the copilot. There were just enough seats for all four of us in the back. Connor and I rode backwards, facing Quin and Mirra. Jonah sat on the floor among our bags, since there wasn’t an empty seat for him.

We buckled ourselves into the harnesses and put headphones on as the chopper took off again. We didn’t talk much during the flight to the closest international airport. After landing on a helipad, we were led to a check-in area that was usually reserved for diplomats and VIPs. We handed our passports over to be scrutinized and stamped. Security guards patted us down and our bags were checked, then we were given clearance to head out to the tarmac.

Spencer had chartered a jet for us, which must have cost him a fortune. A steep set of stairs were wheeled over and we climbed upwards. Small and sleek, the jet had cream leather seats and deep cream carpet. Mirra sank down into one of the seats and swiveled it around to face us. I could get used to this, she said with a pleased smile. The door to the cockpit opened and the pilot appeared. His gaze landed on the siren’s crossed legs. Her tight white dress had ridden up to expose her thighs. He forgot what he’d been about to say and gaped at her.

Snap out of it, man! Quin said harshly and the human blinked. She cut a look at Mirra and the siren sighed and dutifully dampened her power as much as she was able to. He would need his wits about him to be able to fly the jet.

I’m sorry, the pilot said in a crisp British accent. Did you say something?

No. I was just clearing my throat, Quin replied dryly.

I’m Captain Carlson, your pilot for this flight. He bowed slightly to us all. Mr. Von Hades specified that he didn’t wish for any other crew members to be made available, which means you will have to tend to your own needs during our journey. That didn’t surprise me. Our boss didn’t want anyone to learn anything about us that they shouldn’t.

We’ll manage, Quin said. She was trying hard to maintain a polite façade, but I could tell it was costing her.

My copilot will check in on you from time to time, the captain said. Please stow your baggage in the storage units at the back of the jet and buckle yourselves in. We will be taking off soon.

The copilot emerged and closed the outer door while we shoved our bags into the cupboards that lined a wall at the back of the jet. We probably should have put them in the cargo hold, but the pilot hadn’t been bothered that we’d brought them on board.

We chose seats and the engines rumbled to life. I hadn’t flown much and this was my first trip overseas. Jonah sat across from me, bouncing up and down in excitement. Quin had taken a seat at the back of the jet and appeared to have fallen into a deep sleep. I can’t believe we’re going to Scotland! Jonah said quietly, eyes bright with anticipation. What’s it like? he said to Connor.

Cold, snowy in the highlands and often miserable during winter, the shifter replied. He’d taken the seat beside me. Mirra sat across the narrow aisle from us. I haven’t been home in six decades, but I doubt much has changed, he added.

Are you going to visit your foster family? I asked.

He shuddered almost imperceptibly at that possibility. I don’t think that would be a very good idea, lass. He slanted me a look and I knew he was thinking about our forbidden bond. If his people discovered he’d become mated to a vampire, there were bound to be repercussions. Jake was the only one who knew about our bond so far. He’d warned us to remain quiet about it and we were going to heed his advice.

Chapter Two

IT WAS A LONG, MOSTLY boring flight. We kept each other entertained as much as we could while also trying to be quiet. Quin slept through the entire trip. The copilot popped his head through the door every now and then to make sure we weren’t getting up to any mischief. Spencer had ensured snacks and beverages were supplied, so we didn’t go hungry or thirsty.

Quin finally woke when we were making our descent. The dark circles and bags beneath her eyes were gone and she seemed far more alert now. She joined us and took the window seat next to Mirra just as the copilot appeared. We’ll be landing in an hour, he informed us. His accent was similar to Connor’s, but was thicker and much harder to understand. Please buckle yourselves in. The jet must have brought someone from the UK to the States and Spencer had been lucky enough to hire it for the return trip.

We did as he requested and he retreated to the cockpit again. Jonah stuck his head out through the side of the plane rather than merely looking through the window. Connor sat with his arms crossed and an uneasy expression on his handsome face. He was worried about running into someone he knew. Although the Hunter Elite was meant to be a secret, Lilly had probably told her friends and family all about our team. I hadn’t met his ex yet, but I doubted she would care about divulging things that she shouldn’t. She was a woman scorned, after all.

Leaning past Connor, I took a quick peek through the window as we banked to the left. All I could see was darkness with a few spattering of lights far below. There were no signs of a large airport. Where are we landing? I asked.

At a private airstrip, Quin replied. Her tone was back to normal now that she’d slept. She was no longer as sharp and cutting. Spencer arranged it.

We landed safely and coasted to a stop next to a gigantic silver hangar. The copilot emerged from the cockpit moments later. He opened the door and signaled for someone to wheel another set of steep stairs over to us. We retrieved our gear, then descended to the tarmac.

A tall, thin man with a pinched, pale face and curly black hair approached us. He wore a brown tweed suit and a long brown coat that seemed better suited to someone in their fifties than the mid-thirties he seemed to be. He held his hand out to Quin, instantly pegging her as our boss. You must be Quintessa Vale, he said in an upper-crust British accent. I am Edward Roderick III, but most people simply call me Roderick. I am the local Archivist in these dreary parts. He gave a shallow bow, then blinked watery blue eyes when he straightened up.

Quin shook his hand brusquely, then introduced the rest of us. We received nods of acknowledgment, then he saw Mirra. His eyes widened and dropped to her chest to latch onto her boobs. She rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh.

Jonah hadn’t been introduced, since we were just supposed to be normal hunters and the Archivist wasn’t aware he was there. He studied the haughty Englishman with a sour look. How do you do? he asked in an exaggerated posh accent. I am Percival Jonah Gable I, resident poltergeist of the Hunter Elite mansion in West Virginia. I’m so very, very pleased to make your acquaintance, old chap.

I turned away, met Connor’s laughing eyes and pretended to cough so I could let out a few of my sniggers. Mirra was dampening her powers as much as she could, yet Roderick’s gaze was firmly locked on her impressive chest. Even without her siren allure, most men probably would have stared. She crossed her arms in a futile attempt to break the spell and he finally managed to tear his gaze away from her. Follow me, please, he said, cheeks going red with embarrassment that he’d momentarily lost control of his poise.

Spencer didn’t give us much information about our mission, Quin said as the Archivist led the way to his vehicle. I’d grown used to the black SUVs Quin was fond of using and had to stifle a grin when we reached a white minivan. It looked more like something a soccer Mom would drive than a badass band of monster hunters like us would ever use.

Roderick looked suspiciously at the civilians who stood near the jet, then leaned in and spoke in a whisper. It isn’t safe to discuss private matters out in the open like this, Ms. Vale. My Archives are only half an hour from here. We will be able to talk freely once we’ve reached the safety of its walls.

Oh, yes, Jonah said loudly. We completely understand, your lordship. We mustn’t let the peasants become aware of the monsters that roam the moors.

Will you stop that! I hissed quietly while trying hard to suppress my laughter. Quin glared at the ghost over her shoulder, which effectively shut him up. Firmly chastened, Jonah climbed into the minivan while the rest of us stuffed our gear in the cargo hold in the back.

There were just enough seats for all of us, including the ghost that Roderick wasn’t aware was tagging along for the ride. Low mist covered the winding country road as we headed away from the airstrip. Jetlag was real, I discovered. It affected me even though I was no longer human. My brain insisted it should only have been dinner time by now, but it was after midnight in Scotland. We’d travelled forward in time and would have to adjust accordingly to the new time zone.

My stomach rumbled loudly enough for our chauffeur to hear me. Roderick glanced at me in annoyance in the rearview mirror. Apparently, bodily noises offended his delicate sensibilities. The snacks we’d consumed on the jet hadn’t been enough to fill the void inside me. Speaking of which, I should have topped up on blood before we’d left. I would have to find a supply without the Archivist knowing what I was. My eyes slid to Connor in the seat next to me. He knew exactly what I was thinking and slanted me a wicked grin.

Aw, they’re making googly eyes at each other again, Jonah said in a loud whisper to Mirra. They’re so freaking adorable that I can barely stand it.

Quin cleared her throat warningly and the ghost pretended to zip his lips shut and throw away the key. We all knew his silence wouldn’t last long. He didn’t have much of a filter and couldn’t stop his mischievous nature. Not that I really wanted him to. He offered me the comic relief that I needed to save me from going insane from the stresses of my new life.

It was strange to be driving on the wrong side of the road. Quin was in what would have been the driver’s seat back home. She didn’t seem to be disgruntled at being a passenger for once. Her alpha instincts usually forced her to take over, but she was probably still recovering from her ordeal during the full moon. For now, she was content to allow our host to take the wheel.

Roderick maintained a grim and almost dramatic silence during our journey. His shoulders were tense and he kept sending sharp glances at the shadows that leaped among the trees from his headlights. A small animal burst out onto the road and the Archivist swerved to avoid it. Quin reached over and grabbed hold of the wheel before he could drive us into a ditch. She yanked us back on track and received a stiff nod of thanks in return.

Is it just me, or is Lord Roderick a trifle jumpy? Jonah asked.

Mirra smirked at his snark and began to hum almost beneath her breath, letting out a small trickle of power. It lulled our driver into a semblance of calm without turning him into a drooling idiot. He visibly relaxed and stopped jumping at shadows.

We slowed down after half an hour and he nudged the minivan onto a narrow, dirt track. Trees grew close to the pathway on both sides, forming a tunnel of leafless branches. Skeletal branches reached towards us, but they weren’t quite long enough to scrape on our windows.

It was a bumpy ride and Connor reached up to brace himself with a hand on the roof of the van. I stared at the flash of toned abs that winked out beneath his shirt and jacket. Jonah opened his mouth to make a snide comment and I put a hand on the locket hidden beneath my shirt in warning. Thinking better of