Page 10 of Captured Desires

Chapter Three

As the noon sun burnedits rays through the threadbare curtains, Pearl's eyes fluttered open, her mind still hazy with the remnants of dreams she couldn't quite remember. She lay there for a moment, letting the events of the previous night wash over her like a tidal wave.

Maverick's kiss still lingered on her lips, a phantom sensation that sent shivers down her spine. The memory of his touch, the feeling of his body pressed against hers, was seared into her mind like a brand.

She shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs from her thoughts. This was not the time for distractions, not when there was so much at stake.

With a groan, she pushed herself out of bed, her muscles protesting the movement. She dressed quickly, her fingers fumbling with the buttons of her shirt as she tried to focus on the task at hand.

Outside, the streets were already beginning to fill with people, the hustle and bustle of daily life in full swing. Pearl kept her head down as she walked, her eyes scanning the crowds for any sign of trouble. She had to find those vampire bounty hunters and convince them to move on. The best place to start looking was the Guild Hall.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and cheap whiskey, a haze of smoke curling lazily toward the rafters. She spotted the vampire hunters immediately, huddled around a table in the far corner of the room. They were a rough-looking bunch, all weathered skin and hard eyes. They were playing poker and looking like they wanted an excuse to start a fight. She was about to give them one.

As she approached, one of them looked up, his gaze narrowing as he took in her badge. "What do you want, Pinkerton?" he growled, his voice rough with suspicion.

Pearl met his gaze evenly, her hand resting lightly on the butt of her gun. "I'm here to ask you to move on," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "The Pinkertons have business with Maverick Richman's gang, and we can't have you interfering."

The hunter scoffed, his lip curling in a sneer. "And why should we listen to you? We've been tracking that bloodsucker for months, and we're not about to give up now."

“The Pinkertons would take this as a special favor.”

“A favor, huh?” The hunters exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, the leader spoke up, his voice grudging. "Fine. We'll leave. But if we catch wind of that leech again, we'll be back. And not even the Pinkertons will be able to stop us."

Pearl nodded curtly, her message delivered. She turned on her heel and strode out of the Guild Hall.

***

THE SUN HAD LONG SINCEset by the time Pearl arrived at the abandoned mine, the entrance looming like a gaping maw in the side of the hill. She dismounted, tying her horse to a nearby tree before making her way inside.

She walked several yards, led by the hanging lanterns. As she was about to climb down to the next level, a flurry of motion caught her eye. Harlan appeared before her, his form shifting and twisting as he transformed from a bat back into his human shape.

"You were followed!" he snarled.

Before she could respond, the sound of gunfire erupted from the opening of the mine, echoing off the stone walls like thunder. Pearl drew her revolvers, her heart pounding as she raced toward the source of the commotion.

In the main cave past the entrance, Maverick and his gang were engaged in a fierce battle with the vampire hunters. The hunters had brought friends. A lot of them. She counted at least two dozen men, armed to the teeth with crossbows, stakes, and firearms. They had taken up positions behind rocky outcroppings and wooden support beams, using the natural cover of the mine to their advantage.

Bullets ricocheted off the stone walls, sending up showers of sparks and dust. Crossbow bolts shot in, splintering against the hard rock.

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