Damned if I Don't (The Harker Trilogy Book 2) by Erin Hayes Read Free Book Online

Progenitor.
    Son of a bitch. I’m so fucking stupid.
    I remember the look of betrayal on Edie’s face as I stopped her, then the look of utter horror as she came to her senses. She even apologized, though she was only doing what she was supposed to do.
    It kills me that I had to stop her, that I betrayed her, but I had to. Because if Reiko (or Ryoko, I don’t know which one is left alive) knows anything or works for anyone, I have to know.
    “Dean,” I command, “get the kid.”
    The younger vampire turns wide eyes on me. Oh hell, idiot, don’t go into shock on me as well. He looks like he’s about to pass out at any moment. For a vampire, he’s got a hell of a weak stomach.
    “Wh-what?” he stammers.
    “Get him.” I nod to Carl. I kneel to pick up Edie in my arms. I bring her face close to mine and quickly lick the line of blood on her cheek where the katana nicked her, my saliva helping to close the wound. Dean makes a face at that—Edie’s blood smells downright rotten to vampires, but it’s also like a hit of PCP for anyone who has a taste. My heart pounds more quickly, and my eyes dilate in response. I feel like I could do anything at the moment, which is what I need. Super vampire strength.
    “What’re we doing with them?” Dean asks.
    “Just put them in the car.” I open the back door. The front passenger’s side has the shattered window which is going to be a bitch in the May heat. I guess I’ll have to steal another car soon. This one is getting too banged up, too recognizable, especially after that attack.
    I quickly wipe away any excess glass shards and gently place Edie in the back seat. The damn cat cries from her carrier as a reminder that she’s still there. Like an echo, Reiko/Ryoko screeches from her spot on the wall. I’ll have to hurry. She’s stuck there solidly, but she can get free if she tries hard enough.
    I take off my jacket and cover Edie with it. I give her hand a quick squeeze even though she’s passed out, just to let her know that we’re okay.
    Dean struggles with Carl’s weight, but manages to put him in the other side, slamming the door. How the hell Dean survives as a vampire, I’ll never know.
    With both Edie and Carl’s unconscious forms more comfortable, I straighten and turn back to the girl I’ve impaled on the wall.
    I hope the taste of Edie’s blood is enough.
    “What’re you going to do?” Dean asks, coming around the other side of the car.
    “Going to see what she has to say.”
    “But-” His eyes flick to the girl who’s glaring at us.
    “What do you suggest?” I ask.
    “I…I don’t know.”
    I nod, my point made, and I stride towards Reiko/Ryoko. I don’t know if she’ll talk, but I have to try.
    She’s gone very still, watching me with wary eyes as she bleeds from the wound in her chest. Both of her hands are on the blade as she cautiously regards me. Blood runs down the length of the blade, dripping on the ground. Beside me, Dean licks his lips at her ichor. Vampires don’t generally like to drink other vampire blood—it tastes like a hard shot of whiskey, rough and raw, so we only drink it if we’re desperate.
    Apparently Dean is desperate. I must have interrupted him at the beginning of his feeding of that girl back at the Hive.
    “So you followed us,” I intone. “You and your sister.”
    She coughs, spluttering some blood. She’s not mortally wounded, but based on the twist in her features being impaled hurts like a son of a bitch.
    “Speak,” I tell her.
    “You didn’t ask a question,” she hisses, her voice strained. She turns her head away from us and lets out a sigh. She’s spent from the fight earlier. And from seeing her sister incinerated, I imagine.
    “Okay. Why did you follow us, Reiko?” I ask.
    “Because you took a patron from the Hive.” She sneers. “It’s my job to make sure that all visitors have a good time.”
    Apparently, I guessed her name correctly. Still though. “Bullshit. The kind of