Page 47 of My Boyfriend Bites

“Many?”

“Surely you didn’t think I was the only one. I’m not sure how many vampires currently exist in the world, but while not as populous as lycan, we number a few. And of those, you’ll find different types, like those who won’t drink anything but blood and claim those who eat solids are a disgrace to vampire kind and should be staked out in the sun.”

She winced. “Wow, that’s kind of extreme.”

He shrugged. “But not surprising. Every culture and religion have those who adhere to a strict set of rules that make sense to them but no one else.”

“Okay.” Learning there was a whole population of vampires on the earth was a lot to take in, but they had a bigger issue to deal with at the moment. “Well, if you’re not the vampire leaving bodies all over, who is, then? Was it one of the pirates we killed?”

Dante shook his head. “Tonight’s body count matches Rennie’s tally for how many boarded from the pirate vessel. Not to mention you found that drained corpse before their appearance which would seem to indicate the killer is still lurking as either a passenger or crew member.”

“Unless they left.”

“I’ve destroyed their means of escape,” he said, gesturing back to the sinking pirate ship.

“There’s still lifeboats.”

His lips pinched. “Thanks for the reminder.”

“Do you think this killer is in cahoots with the pirates?”

“It seems likely they’re linked since there were many mysterious disappearances on the other cruises the pirates targeted.”

“Other cruises?” She frowned. “There was more than one?” The news hadn’t mentioned that.

“This is the fourth that I’m aware of. The pattern with each was pirates board, rob, then leave. Only once they get to port does a headcount reveal the missing passengers and crew, currently presumed dead.”

“Not all the bodies were missing,” she pointed out. “The article I read said some were taken to hospital before passing.”

“To be treated for heart attacks and other stress-aggravated ailments. The pirates themselves didn’t harm them.”

“They had guns.”

“They did, and they threatened but didn’t shoot.”

“They shot at me!” she huffed.

“Shot at a wolf,” he corrected.

“What does the pirates’ lack of actual killing have to do with the vampire murdering folks?”

“Nothing, more just pointing out the two have been happening in tandem. I’d think it too coincidental for them to not be working together.”

A gust of wind slapped across her bare flesh, the coat only coming down partway on her thighs. She shivered and hugged the fabric closer.

Dante held out his arm. “The evening is getting chilly. Let’s get you to the room so you can put on some proper clothes.”

To think, less than an hour ago, she’d been yearning for him to take them off. Now… she didn’t know how to feel. Annoyed was a start.

“How long have you known this cruise would be hit by pirates?” she grumbled as they began the trek back to the suite.

“Since before I boarded.”

“Why and how?” her next question.

“Let’s just say I’ve taken an investigative role in instances with suspicious deaths. Villages with unexplained disappearances. Out-of-the-norm animal attacks. Cruises being robbed and missing passengers. After doing some research on the cruise-line incidents, I discovered some commonalities that bore looking into.”

“Such as?”

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