Page 100 of Black Bird

“Sadly, it won’t be you either, Peaches,” a female voice said from behind her. Conrad strained his eyes, looking past Sarah into the darkness beyond. Sarah turned and the skirts of a flowing red dress slowly crept into the light. The light continued to spill over the rest of the approaching figure, revealing the barrel of a gun pointed straight at them. The young blonde stepped fully into the light. He didn’t recognize her.

“You …” Sarah breathed, standing as still as death.

Sarah stared at the end of the gun that didn’t shake at all as it pointed straight at her chest. Conrad started sniveling behind her. It was either talk her up, or both of them die right here. And she’d bedamnedif she died next to this slug.

“So, you knew each other. You and the guy that went after Wren,” Sarah said, forcing calm into her voice.

“We weren’t friends. Please don’t take it personally, you’re actually a hot kisser. I’m just doing what I’m told.” The blonde shrugged, steadying her aim and moving closer. “I have to admit, I’m surprised you remember me … we gave you enough to tranquilize a small elephant on Halloween. Your tolerance is fucking impressive.” She laughed.

“So I’ve been told. Who are you working for?” Sarah dared ask.

“I dunno if she’s awho, so much as a …what.” She smiled devilishly. “But she’s already given me more than I could have bargained for, and since your saucy little ginger friend made target practice out of poor Tank, I’m the one that gets to finish the job.”

“And what job is that? To kill me?”

“Actually, no … I’m supposed to bring you to her alive. I don’t think you’re much good to her if I bleed you out right here.”

Sarah snorted. “Well, I’d say you’re about the stupidest henchman I’ve ever seen, then.”

“Oh?” She cocked her head. “Bold words for someone pointing a gun at you.”

“You just said I wasn’t any use to her dead.” Sarah glanced behind her to find Conrad had vanished like the cowardly little prick she knew him to be. Escaped into the darkness like a roach. She returned her attention to her current threat.

“I sure did, but I never said that I gave a shit. So, this is how it’s gonna go.” She tossed a pair of cuffs at Sarah’s feet. “You’re gonna put those on and come quietly … or I’m gonna put a bullet between those pretty tits and go somewhere the bitch can’t find me. Either way, it’s gonna suck for you. Sorry, friend.”

Sarah’s heart sank. All this, and she was gonna be either dead, or become somebody’s gold nugget anyhow. The only option that seemingly kept her alive was to reach for those cuffs until she could figure out how to escape. She slowly bent down, picking them up and cuffing one wrist. “You never told me your name,” she breathed.

“Raine.” She grinned. “And I did tell you … once or twice, but we were a bit busy. I’m glad you’re seeing some reason. I really didn’t wanna have to kill you. I quite enjoyed our little romp. It’s kind of ironic, really.”

“What is?” Sarah asked, fitting the cuff around her other wrist.

“Your choice of Halloween spirit. A slutty vampire.” She cackled. “I have to know … did you pick that on purpose?”

Sarah drew her brows. “What?” Raine stepped up to her, tightening the cuffs until they bit into her skin.

“Touch her again … make my fucking day. I’ve been itching to torture somebody,” a rumbling purr echoed from the dark. Raine startled, moving herself behind Sarah and hooking an arm around her neck. The gun stabbed against her temple. “Hmph …” the voice growled. “Wrong choice.” She knew that voice. It haunted her mind, even in sleep. Athan stepped out of the shadows and into the light. He looked like a god of the fucking underworld in that tux. Sarah’s heart pounded.

“Ah … the hot detective. I’ve heard about you. She wants you bad. I wonder what she’d do if I brought back both of you?” Raine snickered, digging the pistol deeper into Sarah’s head.

“What the hell is she talking about, Kane?” Sarah’s voice shuddered. She could swear his eyes were pure flame when they met hers.

“She doesn’t know?” Another haughty laugh. “Your boy-toy belongs to somebody else, chickpea. He’s walkin’ around Boston on borrowed time, if I had to guess. I don’t know all the details, and I could care less … but she’s gonna have him back. One way or another.”

“Who?” Sarah struggled, Raine’s arm tightening around her neck.

“Dahlia. She’s the main squeeze at Black Bird. That’s who we’re gonna go see.” Raine giggled. “Won’t this be a fun-filled evening.”

“It’s about to get a lot less fun for you,” Athan bit back, mercilessly rushing toward them.

“Athan! —Don’t!” Sarah screamed, but it was too late. The element of surprise had Raine pointing that gun right at him, and she shot once … twice … right into his chest. “No!” He staggered, grunting, and grabbing her gun by the barrel. Before Sarah had a split second to react, he emptied it into Raine’s face. Her body dropped and Sarah leapt for him, her cuffed hands reaching for his chest. “Oh my God!” Tears started pouring from her eyes, those damned lashes struggling to bat them out.

“I’m alright,” he said raggedly, throwing both arms around her. She scrambled beneath his hold, still convinced he’d die right here. “Sarah …” He grabbed both sides of her face and forced her to look at him. “I’m fine. I swear.” He opened his shirt, and the bullet holes were already almost completely closed. Her mouth dropped open.

“Did they go through?!” She gasped, turning him around.

“Yeah.” He grunted, obviously still in some pain. There were two exit holes in the back of his jacket. He turned himself to face her again and she lifted her hands to smooth over the shirt and look one more time, still in disbelief about what she was seeing. Her eyes caught something else, and she stopped dead, her fingertips grazing over a tattoo on his breast. He stilled … stopped breathing entirely. She turned her wrist over, a smaller tattoo identical to his inked on her arm. Sarah raised her eyes to his.

“Did you—”

---