Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter - By Nikki Jefford Page 0,41

You're not going to run into many rabid vampires. The agents round those ones up, contain them, and sic 'em on new recruits. The kind of creatures we're after are cagey. They know how to blend in, and they're certainly not going to tear into your flesh the first chance they get. They feed on the feeble-minded."

I pictured my Mousketeers: Noel, Whitney, and Hope.

Dante continued. "And then they feed on them again and again. There are the hunters, of course, who enjoy the kill, but the crafty ones find willing sources to supply them."

"Why would anyone willingly let a vampire bite them?"

"Like I said, Sky, better than sex."

"And again, ew."

"Makes people feel alive."

"What about you? I don't see any bite marks on your neck."

Dante chuckled. "That's vanity for you. I don't let them bite my neck."

I faced forward and rolled my eyes upward. "I don't even want to know."

"Sure you do. Chest and biceps work equally well; occasionally I'll throw in a wrist if I have to."

"So if they started out with human teeth, how do they pierce the skin to get to the vein?"

"Most of them sharpen a couple back molars. It's rather thoughtful of them, actually, more like a sharpened needle piercing the skin above the vein than a rusty nail."

"Can't we take them out before they bite us?"

"What's the fun in that?"

"I don't think any of it sounds fun, but I'll avoid getting bitten if I can."

"Believe me, Sky, you're going to have a lot easier time taking these things out when they're twitching on the floor. Are you really up for hand-to-hand combat?"

I shrugged and stared out the window as we passed through Wasilla. The city was like one long strip mall paved with parking lots leading to supermarkets, sporting good warehouses, restaurants, liquor stores, gas stations, and gun shops.

"This is one ugly ass town," I said.

"This isn't the real Wasilla," Dante said. "It's just a front. Think of all the beautiful lakes and mountains in the area."

Great, more mountains. I found them repressive.

I didn't want to know how fast Dante was driving for us to have reached Wasilla already. There were still around six hours left to go - well, that would be the case if he'd obeyed the speed limit.

Once we passed Willow, there was a whole lot of nothing. Only, it was pitch-black out, so I couldn't see the nothing. But I could feel it out there - great empty expanses of wilderness. It was the middle of the night, and we were the only vehicle on the road.

Dante pulled off the Parks Highway into an empty parking lot at mile 135.2 to let Tommy take a pee. The retriever leapt from the Jeep as soon as Dante opened the back door. He sniffed the snow and began marking. I stepped out to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. Maybe not the best idea. The air was the kind of cold that hurt to breathe. I hugged myself in my arms and danced in place.

Dante walked to the end of the lot and stared in the distance. I joined his side.

"I always pull off here," Dante said. "It's one of the best views of Mount McKinley...when you can see her."

He seemed like he was trying awfully hard to see through the dark. I knew why he did it, because I could feel it out there, too - a majestic presence.

I turned and headed back to the Jeep.

"Tommy," Dante called. "Let's go."

Tommy ran back as soon as Dante opened the back door. The blast of the heat felt good on my legs.

Dante had the Jeep in fifth flying back down the highway in no time.

"So what's the assignment?" I asked.

"Got a target that needs taking out. Calls himself Ivo. He's been snacking on college freshmen. Last month he strangled a girl and sucked her dry."

I flinched. "She's dead?"

"Yep. Ivo hangs with another vampire named Patrick. Patrick's not violent, but he's a feeder nonetheless. I figure two of them...two of us..."

"And you want me to take Patrick?"

Dante grinned. "No, I want you to take Ivo."

I crossed my arms. "Of course you do."

"First conquer the mountain."

"What are you? A psych major?"

"Nope. Environmental studies."

"Of course."

"What about you, Sky? Got a major in mind after high school?"

"I like to read and write."

"I imagine you'll find yourself with plenty of material. It could be worse. We could be dead."

"...or in Fairbanks." I leaned forward in my seat. Were we there already? The time on the dashboard clock