Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter - By Nikki Jefford Page 0,38

lit up. "Cookies? You've discovered my weakness, Mrs. Sky."

Mom returned from the kitchen in a matter of seconds, holding out a plate of home-baked chocolate chip cookies to Dante. He grabbed not one, but four.

"I'll get you a paper towel," Mom said.

I sat on the edge of the couch on the end closest to our good looking guest. "So you're my mentor."

Dante stuffed down half a cookie and talked with his mouth full. "Mentor is one of Melcher's terms. I prefer to think of us as a team."

"Have you always lived in Alaska?" Mom asked, handing Dante a napkin.

"Thanks, Mrs. Sky. These cookies are fantastic. I grew up in Fairbanks. Now I'm working on my degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage."

"How do you like UAA?" Mom asked.

"Small classes, top of the line professors, and in-state tuition - paid for courtesy of the government. You can't beat that."

Mom smiled.

Dante had the build of a jock and face of a Hollywood heartthrob. I couldn't imagine him in one of Melcher's messy white rooms.

"So, how did you die?" I asked.

Mom clicked her tongue. "Aurora..."

Dante sat up and grinned. "No really, that's my favorite question. It happened last winter. Maybe you heard about it on the news. Some friends and I were flown to the top of the Chugach Mountains to snowboard. Man, the powder rocked that day. So I got on my board and headed down - not my first time up there, mind you. I'm boarding, surfing the white wave," Dante said, swishing side to side in the armchair. "Then I go over a small cliff, like I've done a hundred times before, and land not on my board, but my shoulder. Next thing I know I'm somersaulting down the mountain, crashing through brush and trees, gathering speed like a human avalanche. There's cloud coverage everywhere. I'm tumbling and I can't tell the snow from the sky. Then I'm tossed over the next cliff side and land a hundred feet down into a pile of fucking rocks. Excuse my language, Mrs. Sky."

Mom was too busy holding a hand to her heart.

I grinned. "And next thing you know you wake up in a white room?"

"Good as new," Dante said and winked.

"I'm sure you haven't gotten on a snowboard since," Mom said.

Dante leaned back. "Au contraire. The moment I was patched up I ran straight up to Alyeska and did a double-black diamond. Well, I shouldn't say right after - there was that little sabbatical I took first."

My face hurt from smiling. I liked this guy in a big brother kind of way. Melcher had finally done something useful.

"Can you stay for dinner?" Mom asked.

"I'd love to."

Mom radiated with pleasure every time Dante helped himself to more chicken tenderloins and mashed potatoes. Dante hummed with pleasure at each bite.

"Do you know how long it's been since I've had a home-cooked meal?" he asked.

"You should come over for dinner again soon," Mom said.

"I won't turn down an invitation."

While Dante scooped another heap of potatoes onto his plate, Mom shot me another one of the 'he's a keeper' looks.

I returned it with a narrow eyed 'leave me alone.'

I cleared my throat. "Would you like something besides water to drink? Soda or juice?"

"Water's good, thanks." Dante chewed heavily and looked up suddenly. "Sky, how can you not eat with all this delicious food in front of you?"

Oh, he was winning points with Mom, all right. I glared at him.

If he noticed, he ignored me and continued. "You should eat up. We have a long drive ahead of us."

I gaped at Dante. I must have heard wrong because I swear he just said 'drive.'

"Training," Dante said between mouthfuls. "Got a mission planned in Fairbanks."

"Fairbanks!" I don't know which had me more flabbergasted.

"Sorry to spring this on you, Mrs. Sky - agents' orders."

Mom shifted in her seat. "Did Agent Melcher not tell you that Aurora was in a car accident?"

Dante stopped chewing. "I know it's difficult, but Aurora has to get over her phobia if she's going to get the job done. Unless, Aurora doesn't feel up to the task." Dante squinted at me. "Well, Sky, are you game?"

Oh, he was good, goading me like that. The last time I did something for the agents I ended up with a bloody neck. At least Dante wanted to take me out on field work. I could do without the locked rooms.

I grumbled under my breath. "And you want to leave now?"

"No time like the present." Dante leaned back and