Grave New Day

Other Books by Lina Gardiner

from ImaJinn books

Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter

Grave Illusions

Beyond the Grave

Grave New Day

Grave Expectations

Graves of Wrath

Silenced by the Grave

Graves of Retribution

Sons of Horus

Black Moon Awakening

Grave New Day

Jess Vandermire, Vampire Hunter

Book 3

by

Lina Gardiner

ImaJinn Books

Copyright

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

ImaJinn Books

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Ebook ISBN: 978-1-61026-080-0

Print ISBN: 978-1-933417-56-1

ImaJinn Books is an Imprint of BelleBooks, Inc.

Copyright © 2010 by Lina Gardiner

Published in the United States of America.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

ImaJinn Books was founded by Linda Kichline.

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Cover design: Debra Dixon

Interior design: Hank Smith

Photo/Art credits:

Background (manipulated) © Melkor3d | Dreamstime.com

Woman (manipulated) © Simba3003 | Dreamstime.com

:Engd:01:

Dedication

To Kate Kelly, friend, fellow Domino Diva and amazing writer—your strengths and talent never cease to amaze me.

Special thanks to Linda Kichline,

a wonderful editor.

The dignity of a soul is so great that each has a guardian angel from its birth.

—St. Jerome

Chapter One

JESS VANDERMIRE leaned against the desk in front of her and pressed her eyes closed. Her human social graces were quickly running out.

Do you want flowers at the graveside, Captain? The funeral director’s attention shifted down to his price list.

On the brink of vampiric transformation, she gritted her teeth so hard the man at the desk raised his head again and he looked at her. Not his fault that his every expression, every attempt at sympathy, turned her stomach. Had driven her to the raw edge of transformation and put him in more danger than he realized.

She straightened and forced a restorative breath—step one. She might not be handling her grief as well as she could, but she needed to get through this ordeal without giving away her dark side. Part of that ability to focus came from her brother’s strength and his prayers. His faith in her. She glanced back at Regent, waiting patiently in the background. With his help, she’d make it through this day.

Never mind the cost. I want every red rose you have, she added.

Every single one?

Yes. And by the overpowering floral scents billowing across the room, they had plenty.

He scribbled on the paper in front of him. Certainly. How do you want them arranged?

In a basket.

Of course. Not a problem, he said. All of them in one basket?

She nodded. I also want the headstone to be granite, but with a core of solid silver. She held out a piece of paper. With these symbols engraved into the silver. Hopefully, the cross would keep away unwanted scavengers with sharp teeth. The last thing she wanted to see was Britt’s grave defiled.

He splayed his hands out in an apologetic manner. That’s quite a complicated job. I really don’t think I can—--

If you can’t, I’ll have to go somewhere else. Jess started to rise out of her seat, but didn’t rush. She had the feeling this man would come around to her way of thinking.

Wait. Let me see what I can find out first.

As suspected. Just fax the final amount to this number. She pressed her card into his waiting hand. I think you’ll find we can come to an agreement.

The moment the spark of greed appeared in his eyes, she knew she’d get what she wanted. Sometimes being filthy rich got her more than she deserved.

Pain ripped into her, anew. John Brittain had died for her! Had given up his pure soul to save her unworthy skin. The least she could do was give him the best funeral money could buy. She pushed her fingers against her lips, hoping to force her eyeteeth to stay dormant.

Always aware of her body language, Regent cleared his throat, giving her a subtle cue to hold herself in check. He’d kept an even sharper eye on her since Britt’s death. And for good reason. Strong emotions of any type could precipitate her transition into a vampire and give her true self away.

Good thing most New Yorkers were oblivious. They wouldn’t accept the fact that vampires walked among them. Especially a vampire like her, a New York City cop, leader of a secret Black Ops teams. One of the so-called good guys. Even she knew that moniker was tenuous at best. She had to fight every minute for the good inside her.

She looked at her brother again. He’d had no reprieve as her human protector until a year ago when Britt had been recruited as a member of her Black Ops Team of vampire hunters. Now, with Britt gone, it was Regent’s job again. Only he wasn’t physically up to the task any more. In his seventies, he probably hadn’t been for years, but she’d been too selfish and too blind to see that.

Now, besides worrying about her, he also had to face an inspection by a Vatican Cardinal whose job it was to get to the bottom of the most serious of complaints against its clergy. In Regent’s case, too many dead bodies showing up in his church. Again, her fault.

The funeral director finished the paperwork with flourish. I can’t give you a complete price until I locate a source for the silver and the carving.

It has to be soon, she said. The funeral is in three days.

But I thought the body hasn’t been recovered, he mumbled, suddenly looking nervous under her sharp gaze.

The funeral is in three days—body or not. She purposely let her voice grate over him in the invasive way that would cause icy chills to run up his spine. The voice that demanded and always took. He pursed his lips momentarily, but did a pretty good job of holding himself together. Understood, Captain Vandermire. I will do everything I can to get it done on time.

Regent stepped outside and held the door for her. On the way to his SUV, he grinned. Poor man probably didn’t know what hit him.

She sighed as they reached the car and climbed in. Regent was trying to lighten her mood, but she was in a deep, dark place right now. Without thinking, she slammed the passenger door too hard, and the window vibrated noisily in the doorframe. Normally, Regent would chastise her, but he didn’t today.

Jess’s thoughts kept returning to the same moment of her life. Over and over again, it repeated. As if she could change one damned thing . . ,

JESS FOUGHT AGAINST the arms that pulled her back from Britt until she realized it was James, her Black Ops partner. He was speaking softly, encouragingly in her ear. Let Sampson help him, Jess. Give him room to help Britt.

Sampson’s serious expression made her knees go weak, and she literally dropped to her knees on the ground beside him. James didn’t let go, he dropped with her, his arm still securely around her. She could hear Regent praying, but couldn’t tear her gaze away from Britt. His throat terribly torn by Constantine’s fangs.

"Is he going to be all right? Jess asked.

Sampson slowly took his fingers away from Britt’s carotid artery. His eyes were red-rimmed and watery. He’s gone, Jess.

No, he’s not, Sampson. He’s alive, she said. He has to be.

Sampson slowly took his cell phone from his belt and phoned for the team. Jess stared at him in shock. What are you doing? Why are you calling the Black Ops team for Britt?

Sampson gave her a caring look. He’s been killed by a vampire, Jess. He has to be processed through our lab.

She collapsed on top of Britt. His body still felt warm. Britt, no! Don’t leave me. Dear God, don’t take him from me, she sobbed.

Sampson looked at James. Get her out of here, James.

Regent sniffed behind her, then placed a loving hand on her shoulder. Jess, come with us. We should let Sampson do his job.

No, Regent. It’s a mistake. Britt’s going to be fine. He saved me. He gave me the time to revive so I could kill that bastard, Constantine. Britt’s strong. He can’t be killed so easily.

James bent down and lifted Jess up. She felt like a rag doll, no vampire anger, no ability to fight back. She felt as if she had no bones left in her body, and her world had gone horribly wrong.

Tears were coursing down her cheeks when she pulled herself back to reality. Those cruel memories, indelibly etched in her mind would always be part of her. And she could live for a very long time...

Jess, are you okay, sweetheart? Regent asked, wiping away her tears with his thumb.

Unfortunately, I’ll live, she said in a cynical tone. Her brother had been a priest longer than she’d been a vampire. A priest who’d been fighting vampires with her, side-by-side for the last fifty years.

If it hadn’t been for him, she’d have been lost all those years ago when she’d been bitten. Only Regent wouldn’t give up on her. He had invoked every saint, said every prayer and finally resorted to holy water, incense, scripture, and baptism. It was baptism that worked. It burned her flesh, but the prayers kept her flesh from evaporating. Somehow, through his belief and love he’d managed to save her soul from total damnation.

It hadn’t been easy to fight to stay in the light all these years, and now that she’d lost Britt, she just didn’t know if she could go on.

I’ve seen many forms of grief, Jess. It takes time to get over the pain. I know it doesn’t feel possible now, but some day when you don’t even expect it, you’ll find the memories don’t hurt quite so much any longer.

She sucked in a long breath and stared out the window of Regent’s SUV. She shared most things with her brother, but not this time. She couldn’t talk about the loss she felt. About the love she’d lost. Not yet. It feels strange not to be going home. She tried to make amends for her show of weakness by indulging in small talk. The last thing she felt like doing right now. And truth be known, she felt safer living with her brother at the rectory—in close proximity to the Church. She might not be able to attend service, but being nearby soothed her somehow.

He stuck the keys into the ignition. It’ll be over before you know it, Jess. The inspection shouldn’t take much more than a month. It’s just too bad it’s happening at such a bad time.

Yeah, a time when she needed her brother the most.

Who was she kidding, there was always some reason or other she needed him the most. Being a vampire made sure of that.

Regent, I’ve decided to make some changes in my life. I’ve been with the police force for fifty years. I’m going to retire.

He jerked around to gawk at her and nearly sideswiped a taxi. He managed to wrench the wheel just in time to miss the yellow cab. Retire? And do what? You’re not the type of person who can sit around. And you have no hobbies other than work. Besides, you’re only twenty-nine.

Yeah, twenty-nine for the last fifty years. Please watch where you’re driving, she said in a calm voice that belied the gut rending turmoil churning up her insides.

Good idea, he said, grabbing the steering wheel even tighter.

Besides, I won’t be bored. I’ve decided to hunt vampires as a freelancer.

He gasped. You can’t turn into a vigilante, Jess. You could lose yourself in the process. His faded blue eyes, watery and worried, searched her face.

I like to think of it as being more of a bounty hunter than a vigilante.

But that’s exactly what you’ll become, a vigilante. I can see how angry you are, Jess. This is about vengeance for Britt, isn’t it?

She sighed and fingered the cross at her neck. After Britt’s death . . . well, you of all people must understand my need to protect the citizens of New York.

Don’t you mean eradicate every vampire threat in this city? His fingers were so tight on the steering wheel his knuckles had become sharp edged bones under his paper thin, mottled flesh. But Jess, you know it’s not right. It goes against our faith.

"I go against our faith, Regent." The statement came out as cold and unfeeling as she felt inside.

Oh honey, you’re wrong. You’re proof of the blessings we’re given.

She looked away from him and mentally shook her head. Despite his claim, she knew the truth. She was a killer. A vampire. Not one of God’s creations.

And you can’t quit the police force, Jess. You’re the Captain of the most important unit in this city. Maybe you could ask to be reinstated as a Lieutenant and work the field again. Wouldn’t you get the same satisfaction from that?

No.

Why not?

You just want me to have the safety net of other police officers, she said. I don’t want to be restrained by red tape any more.

He looked at her without swerving into the oncoming lane this time. Damn straight I want you to have a safety net.

Regent! Don’t curse. It makes me feel like I’m corrupting you all over again.

You could never corrupt me. I can’t even tell you how much I respect and admire what you’ve accomplished, he rejoined.

Stop kidding!

I’m not kidding. What happened to Britt wasn’t your fault.

She swallowed hard against the anger rising within her. He meant well. I appreciate your sentiment, but it’s hard for me not to be a realist.

Regent parked the SUV in the parking garage and followed her into the elevator.

Inside her new penthouse apartment, the bright red and gold decorations accentuating black Italian marble, leather furniture and white accent furniture did nothing to lift her spirits.

Though stylish, her decor lacked life. A lot like her. Maybe there was some irony in that.

Would you like a cup of tea, Regent? She pointed in the general vicinity of the door leading to the glistening, never used kitchen.

You have tea?

Of course. The only thing I don’t have is a dried herb cabinet. His favorite way of curing her injuries. And her least favorite. The herbs didn’t work, other than making her gag.

A few minutes later they left the kitchen. Jess watched Regent sip his steaming tea in obvious enjoyment. How are things going with your papal inquisition? she asked.

Now, don’t call it that. You’ll have me repeating that to the wrong person. He stifled a grin then set his teacup down on the white marble coffee table. You know I was a little worried about it in the beginning, but during my morning prayers I realized God has been with us all along in one way or another. How can I not accept that whatever happens will be His will?

I wish I had your ability to believe.

"You do! If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have a partial soul. If your heart wasn’t with God when I prayed to save you, there’s no way you’d have been able to retain most of your humanity. Look at all you’ve accomplished since then. You’ve created a secret Black Ops team of vampire hunters to protect the people of this city, and to do that you’ve drawn from the prisons and from the dregs of society. You’ve managed to create a unit of brave men and women who have something to live for again, and who make a real difference.

He cleared his throat. That’s why they need you.

Because she got good people killed? She sighed. She wanted to maintain her faith in order to stay strong. But grief had fogged her reasoning, and even she knew she was drowning in her own misery.

Jess, I’ll feel much better if I have the sense that you’re going to be okay without me during my review, he said.

I’ll be fine. I know you’re worried about me being here alone, but I’ve got the best security system on the market, and I’ll lock myself down before I go into stasis each morning.

He touched his heart. How are you going to get by without assistance? He meant keeping up the prayers necessary to maintain that part of her soul he’d managed to help her salvage all those years ago. Truth was, it had been nearly as hard to maintain as it had been to save in the first place. But she’d done it—for him.

As always, I’ll do my best. She pressed two fingers to her temple.

That’s not quite good enough, Jess. Since you lost Britt, you’ve been much closer to the edge of the abyss. I can see it, so you must realize it too. Regent stood, the chords in his neck straining from tension.

"I’m not that bad, Regent. I’m just sad right now. You know me, I’ll get through it." She didn’t tell him the truth this time. In fact, the abyss was beginning to look sweeter than she’d ever had imagined possible.

But he didn’t need any more worries at his age.

Chapter Two

WITH DUSK TURNING the sky from red to violet, Jess stood over the empty coffin being lowered into the grave. Into that black hole of the afterworld. Would they ever find Britt’s body to put his soul at rest? She knew the way her dark brethren thought. There’d be vamps in the city who’d like nothing more than to desecrate the great John Brittain’s grave site. Body or not. Hopefully, the cross, with its silver core would be enough of a deterrent to keep the undead away.

A warm gust of air lifted her hair, spun it around, almost as if someone had touched it, had twirled it with ghostly fingers. She closed her eyes and inhaled long and slow. Cool night air, mixed with the earthy aromas of freshly dug loam and pungent cedar from a nearby hedge, helped to ground her in reality. She’d chosen this site because it was where honored members of the police force were most often buried. But the memory that Britt hated this cemetery sent a feeling of unease scuttling across her skin. A strong sense of being watched sneaked up on her. She shoved her hair back and scanned her surroundings. Had she merely been imagining things? Vampires weren’t usually susceptible to intangibles.

You know, I’m really surprised James isn’t here. He wasn’t at the funeral service either, Regent said, suddenly stepping up beside her and making her jump. She’d thought he was still mingling with