Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between by J. A. Saare Read Free Book Online Page B

ritual and powers are still required to make it work.”
    “So someone is killing vampires off for their organs? Who would be that stupid?” I was as edgy as hell. The concept of capturing vampires to collect hearts made me sick.
    Someone who would willingly go against a force that powerful wouldn’t care if they lived or died.
    “We need to go to my office. I need to do some digging and research.” Goose was deep in thought, fingers on his chin rubbing the skin as he contemplated where to start.
    “Oh no.” I lifted my hands, stepped back, and shook my head. “I did what I promised. I’m taking my sorry ass home.”
    I ran off the sidewalk and across the street. I didn’t stop when Goose asked me to reconsider, and I didn’t look back when he called my name. The constant thuds of my footsteps were the only sounds I cared about as I hauled ass to the L train and went home.

Chapter Six
    I arrived to work on the wrong foot. I was jumpy and agitated, constantly watching the doors.
    A loud fart would have sent me skyrocketing into orbit.
    I tried to focus on the patrons, the music from the stage, and even Lonnie’s fat ass, who as luck would have it, reverted to calling me bartender again. It was grueling and tedious, and I just wanted to go home and climb into bed.
    Gathering my few belongings, I hit the door after close. I couldn’t shake touching Baxter, and it wasn’t because of my own personal hang-ups. Embedded in those shared memories was the perception of dread. I could feel his sense of doom, of damnation. He knew his life was ending, but it wasn’t death he feared. He was terrified of what came after, because he didn’t know if he would go to heaven or hell.
    I couldn’t move past that. His regret at not knowing if he would gain admittance inside the pearly gates because of what he was.
    I was curious about the answer myself.
    I exited through the back of the building. Pushing open the door with a heavy scrape of metal, I entered the darkened morning dank with mist. I stared at the ground, too confused to pay attention, and nearly busted my ass when I bumped full speed into a hard body. Strong hands held me upright and I threw my weight back, lifting my arms to protect myself.
    “Jesus, take it easy!” Disco spoke softly, letting go. He was in his normal black ensemble, the collar of his trench coat pulled up and around his turtleneck. He didn’t move closer, but regarded me carefully. “Ethan wasn’t exaggerating. You did have a bad day today.”
    “Don’t sneak up on me like that!” I snapped. Pulling in a ragged breath, I wrapped my arms around my stomach. I was wrong. I wouldn’t skyrocket into orbit. My heart would simply burst inside my chest.
    “I wanted to see if you were all right. Ethan said you wouldn’t return his calls.” Disco turned his blue eyes to my brown ones, and they were full of concern, not demands or expectations.
    “Look.” I took a jagged breath. “I’m not cut out for this shit. I did what you asked, and now I’m done.”
    “He told me what you saw. I apologize. I know it wasn’t easy, and believe me, I would have done it myself if I could. My friends are dying, Rhiannon. You confirmed our worst suspicions. If you walk away, they will keep dying. Can you turn your back and let others be murdered the same way Baxter was? The way Cash was?” he whispered the last part quietly, bright blue irises sparkling beautifully behind sooty lashes.
    I ran trembling fingers through my hair. Whoever was behind this wouldn’t stop. The number of missing vampires made that painfully obvious. Could I walk away and save my own ass, turning my back on them and letting it happen because I was too afraid to do the right thing?
    Haunted green eyes flashed in my mind.
    “No,” I exhaled the word, answering both of us at the same time. “I guess not.”
    Disco relaxed, standing tall and straightening his shoulders in one agile movement. “I’m relieved to hear you say