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  Second Alliance

  By Kelly Goode

  Book 2

  (Ember Lane Series)

  Copyright © 2017 by Kelly Goode

  All rights reserved.

  Cover design by Melody Simmons

  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 author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

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

  Kelly Goode

  Visit my website at www.KellyGoode.co.uk

  This book is dedicated to Darren

  My lobster

  Contents

  Part One – Denial

  Part Two – Awareness

  Part Three - Attachment

  Part Four - Allegiance

  Part One – Denial

  1

  My stomach clenched as I sank to one knee. I kept my breathing shallow, and only through my mouth, in order not to gag. Using a latex covered finger, I began moving patches of thick, dark, curly hair to expose a face.

  The girl may have been pretty once, but death had devoured her features. Her milky white eyes bulged from their sockets and her swollen tongue protruded from her blue-tinged lips.

  Her elaborate white dress remained intact, albeit grass-stained and dirty. The hem was hitched high up her thighs, revealing dark purple discolouration to her skin. A pair of matching court shoes lay at an angle beside her outstretched arm.

  Her veil was no longer in its rightful place atop her head, but wrapped around her throat. A bouquet of thorny, red roses rested on her chest.

  A corpse-bride.

  Another corpse-bride according to the whispers I’d heard as I’d entered the crime scene.

  ‘I’m getting a serious sense of déjà vu, Ember.’

  My eyes locked with the man crouched opposite me. His posture was the mirror image of mine. We were both wearing white protective coveralls even though chances of him contaminating the scene were minimal.

  Doctor John Alvis was a vampire.

  ‘Déjà vu seeing me again? Or her?’ I dared to ask, refusing to let the despair I felt reflect on my face.

  ‘Both,’ Alvis replied. ‘I didn’t think our paths would cross again so soon, or under these circumstances.’

  ‘Me neither.’

  I couldn’t think of many professions that would test a vampire’s resolve as much as being a doctor, but as Alvis patched me up last year without draining me dry, I conceded he was able to keep his bloodlust under control around humans.

  ‘Why would Carter want me to see this?’ I asked. ‘Where is he?’

  I wasn’t part of this world anymore. I’d done my time. I’d paid for my crimes.

  I was out.

  ‘I think the “why” is between you and him,’ Alvis replied diplomatically. ‘I was just told to show you the crime scene, in case anyone gave you any trouble before he arrived.’

  Alvis brushed aside enough of the victim’s hair to expose her neckline. I stared at the gaping wound that was evident beneath the sheer netting. She hadn’t been strangled using the veil. The macabre damage inflicted on her slim neck was too deep for that. It looked like a dark red line had been drawn across her throat.

  ‘Who would do something like this?’

  My question had been rhetorical, but Alvis replied anyway.

  ‘It’s definitely the M.O. of a serial killer. Whether that someone is supernatural or human, is yet to be confirmed, but they are extremely strong and extremely angry. The murder weapon is still buried inside that deep channel in her neck.’

  My body’s instinct was to heave, so I sucked in a series of small breaths through my teeth, determined not to crack in public.

  ‘Looks like she was strangled using some kind of wire,’ he continued. ‘I’d say the same type which was recovered from the first two dead brides, but as I didn’t examine their bodies only the photos, it’s just my instincts I’m going on.’

  Vampires had enhanced senses, which meant they could see and process trace elements far quicker than humans could. If Doctor Alvis said it was probably the same murder weapon, I believed him.

  ‘Thanks for being here,’ I murmured.

  If this was the third such victim then Carter couldn’t be anywhere close to solving the case, or else he wouldn’t be bringing me in on it.

  ‘No problem. You’re doing remarkably well, considering you probably haven’t seen a dead body before.’

  I shook my head uneasily and avoided making any further eye contact. I was lying. I had seen a dead body and an image of Roger Lane, his throat slit from ear to ear, consumed my thoughts.

  My own hands covered in blood as I stood beside him…

  I got to my feet and peeled off my dirty latex gloves, wishing it was that easy to remove the older stains from my conscious too.

  2

  Hampstead Heath comprised of acres of sprawling woodlands and meadows to the north side of London. There were plenty of wild and untamed areas, even ponds and bridges to hide a body, but this corpse-bride rested beside a footpath making it easy for someone to find.

  The forensic team from the Supernatural Police Task Force had already taped off a large part of the surrounding wooded area and officers were busy sketching, photographing, and gathering evidence.

  I resisted the temptation to ask any questions, as the interruption would only garner animosity from the busy officers trying to piece together any traces left behind by the killer.

  The February morning sky was grey with shards of purple erupting from the horizon. I shivered as I stripped off the all-in-one paper suit and threw it into the clinical disposal bin.

  I needed coffee.

  It was just before six in the morning and I felt sluggish. I stifled a yawn as I strolled across the heath. Too many late nights and early mornings working on my mother’s release plea were taking their toll, but I didn’t want anyone, especially not Carter, to see me struggling.

  In half an hour or so, the sun would be too high in the sky for Alvis to remain at the scene and he would head back to HQ. The question I kept asking myself was whether I was going with him or not?

  I shoved my unusually cold hands into my jacket pockets and shifted from foot to foot, trying to warm up. I felt the throb of a migraine set in, aggravated by a sudden shrill whistle behind me.

  I winced as the sound affected me like fingernails down a blackboard and I massaged my temples.

  ‘Has anyone seen Chief Carter?’

  I directed the question at no one in particular, so was not surprised to be met with silence. Agent Liam Carter had been my handler when I’d joined The First and Only Team shortly before Christmas last year. It was a secret branch of S.P.T.F, which offered supernatural criminals a chance to earn their freedom in exchange for completing an assignment using their unique abilities.

  I’d been one such criminal.

  I wasn’t proud of my actions, which culminated in me being arrested and detained in a supernatural confinement unit. I’d been naive and complacent, and innocent people had died. Not by my hand, but by a man I’d admired and trusted.

  Offered the chance to repay my debt to society I’d agreed, but the cost had been higher than I’d anticipated. The previous chief had been corrupt, and didn’t think resorting to manipulation and murder to get what he wanted was unethical.

  Now Carter was running the team in-between playing bodyguard and coordina
ting an internal investigation, which made his absence even more unsettling.

  The whistling continued to penetrate my skull like a dentist drill. As I searched for the culprit, I finally found an irate looking S.P.T.F. agent doing his best to keep up with two men as they strode towards the sectioned-off crime scene.

  ‘Hey you there, stop,’ the officer shouted, between bursts from his whistle. ‘Where do you think you’re going?’

  I was not close enough to hear a reply, so put the search for coffee on hold and made my way over to see what was going on.

  I stayed on the correct side of the caution tape, watching as one of the men crouched beside the victim, conversing in whispers with Doctor Alvis, while the other engaged in a shouting match with the agent.

  ‘I need to see some identification to authorise you access to this scene.’

  The tall man pulled at the protective white jumpsuit that stretched tightly across his giant frame.

  ‘This is my authorisation, now scram.’

  I couldn’t see much of his face but his long, dark blond hair seemed to be battling to free itself from beneath the confines of his white hood. The agent put his whistle to his lips again and blew loudly.

  ‘Is there a problem here?’

  My question startled the S.P.T.F. agent, who nearly swallowed the offending item, causing the large man to snigger.

  ‘I like a woman to have a profound effect on a man,’ he said, giving me a thorough once over. ‘You must be Ember Lane. Pleased to finally meet you.’

  ‘Finally meet me? Who the hell are you?’

  ‘My name is Jason Croft, but everyone calls me JC.’

  ‘How do you know my name?’

  ‘Your hair gave you away.’

  I put my hands on my hips and automatically straightened my back at his reference to my hair, which was a distinctive cranberry red. The colour was natural, as was my fiery temperament and the ability to sporadically set things on fire.

  ‘He told me you were beautiful, but I didn’t realise just how much.’

  ‘Save it,’ I barked, not wanting to dwell on who had spoken about me with such familiarity. ‘Does Chief Carter know you’re here?’

  I again scanned the crowd, hoping Carter might appear and clear up the confusion.

  ‘He knows,’ JC said. ‘We’re part of this now.’

  ‘Part of what?’

  JC nodded towards the victim and at the same time, the second man stood up and faced me. Somehow, I knew who it was going to be before he spoke, and my heart thumped stupidly in my chest.

  ‘Hello, Red.’

  3

  ‘Hello, Shit-face.’

  Harvey’s jaw tightened at the insult, even though he’d earned it. This wasn’t the way he’d envisaged his reunion with Ember occurring, and it seemed just his luck that there would be with a dead woman between them.

  There was unreserved fury in her green eyes as she stared him down. Eyes he’d been trying to forget for weeks. He deserved her anger and more, but he wasn’t here to make amends. There was a murderer on the loose, and it was his job to catch the creature and kill it, so he could get S.P.T.F. off his back for good.

  Ember pushed her long, red hair over one shoulder, and Harvey’s hands actually itched to reach out and touch the soft strands. To inhale the scent of her apple shampoo that filtered through the air, and reminded him of better times.

  Harvey sucked in a ragged breath. This was why he’d made the difficult decision to stay from her after they’d left the First and Only team. He lost control when he was around her – lost focus – and an assassin with a weakness was as good as dead.

  ‘It’s good to see you again,’ Harvey said, but the words seemed achingly inadequate compared to what he really wanted to say. ‘I see you’ve already met JC.’

  Her eyes flicked across to where his friend stood. JC smiled and winked, but Ember scowled rather than return the friendly acknowledgement.

  ‘Yeah, he’s a real charmer,’ she replied, her sarcasm causing Harvey to smile.

  ‘And a damn good private investigator,’ JC added, taking the rebuff on the chin.

  ‘And you’re both working this case?’ she continued, her disdain coming across loud and clear.

  Harvey nodded, wishing he could smooth away the frown lines around her mouth. His gaze lingered on her full lips, and when Ember realised what he was looking at, she thrust her hands to her sides. He noticed that in doing so, she also extinguished a small flame that had flickered from her fingers. Wow, she was really mad at him, but that was good. Being mad at him would give her something to focus on.

  ‘Did you know about this, Alvis?’

  Harvey’s lips twitched into another smile, as it seemed not even vampires were immune to Ember’s reproach.

  She certainly hadn’t lost her fiery temperament in the month or so they’d been apart. She’d always been strong, but there was a hardness to her now, almost like virtual armour, warning people to stay away.

  Alvis got to his feet and removed his protective suit. Harvey liked the doctor. He owed him his life, and one day, he had the feeling the vampire would call in his debt.

  ‘Carter didn’t mention anything to me,’ Alvis said. ‘Maybe we should head back to base for a proper briefing. The sun is rising and I can’t afford to delay my leave much longer. Ember, I can escort you if you have no means of transportation.’

  ‘I have my car,’ she said.

  ‘Fancy giving me a lift?’ JC asked.

  ‘No,’ Ember snapped. ‘You came here with Harvey, so you can sure as hell leave with him. Do you have a problem with that?’

  Ember’s eyes met his and Harvey’s dead heart took a solitary beat. He winced, as he’d forgotten that sometimes happened when he was around her.

  ‘I don’t have a problem,’ he replied, discreetly massaging the pain in his chest. ‘I’m not here to cause trouble. JC and I have to work this case. The question is – do you, Red?’

  4

  Hearing Harvey call me “Red” again, made my chest tighten. I’d been trying to forget this man and the way he made me feel, yet here he was, standing before me as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t forgone his freedom for mine, been shot in the heart, and then disappeared without a trace.

  ‘Are you in or out?’ Harvey asked.

  I could not meet the eyes that I knew were so dark that they appeared almost black inside his handsome face. Did not allow myself so much as a peek at the long lashes that I knew framed a dazzling but dangerous stare.

  Was I in?

  I was certainly in something – most probably a shit-load of trouble.

  ‘Carter better have a good explanation for dragging me back into all this shit,’ I said.

  ‘Maybe he needs help with his filing,’ JC replied, as he rubbed his stubbly chin with an innocent expression on his face.

  I opened my mouth to tell him exactly where I would shove the filing, but stopped as someone cleared their throat. I turned to the young whistle-wielding officer, having forgotten he was even there.

  ‘I need to report this. The primary crime scene has been tampered with.’

  ‘This is only the secondary crime scene,’ Harvey said, stepping away from the corpse-bride and vaulting the caution tape with ease. ‘You don’t need to report anything.’

  He landed in front of me and I took several small steps backwards, trying to put some distance between us. I’d not seen this man in over a month, and my anger towards him felt like a physical being, eating away at my stomach, causing an ache like none I’d experienced before.

  ‘The body was dumped here for us to find, but she was killed elsewhere,’ Harvey continued as he stripped off his protective paper-suit.

  I hastily looked away, hating that the mere sight of him caused my body temperature to increase. I couldn’t deny that he looked good in a fitted grey jumper and dark blue jeans. He ran his hand through his short black hair, and I remembered doing the same thing when we’d made love�
��

  I immediately shut down that trail of thought.

  ‘He didn’t dump her,’ I replied, my voice raspier than it should have been. ‘He arranged her. This was personal. Do you know who she is? Or rather, who she was?’

  ‘Not yet, but we’re working on it.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Why what?’

  ‘Why are you working on it? Why are you even here, Harvey? What does any of this have to do with you? You’re a demon that likes to kill and doesn’t usually give a shit about anybody else.’

  Harvey’s jaw clenched at my spiteful words.

  ‘Believe me, this is the last place I want to be, but until Carter catches the bastard that did this, you’re stuck with me, so deal with it,’ he said, before turning to JC and adding, ‘let’s go.’

  I watched in fury as Harvey walked away from me. I hoped he could feel my gaze like a boring tool in his back. In fact, I wished I could shoot laser beams from my eyeballs because then he would’ve been cleanly cut in two.

  I considered hitting him with a fireball, but just as I raised my hands, he disappeared into a cloud of black smoke.

  Damn!

  ‘You better get a move on, Red. Last one there makes the tea,’ JC said, removing his white paper coverall to reveal a solid body and ruggedly handsome face.

  ‘Don’t call me Red,’ I said, but he just gave me a wide smile before sauntering away.

  I sighed as his silhouette eventually blurred into the distance. I took one last look at the crime scene, not sure what was unsettling me more - the smell of the bride’s decomposing body or Harvey’s aftershave.

  Either way, they both left an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  5

  Carter never wanted to be chief of the unit. He was a soldier, not a politician. He was out of his comfort zone. Give him jeans and a gun, over a suit and a pen any day of the week. He was drowning in paperwork and now he had a formal internal investigation to contend with.