Better Off Undead - Cynthia Eden Page 0,19

gorgeous that early.

Annette’s soft chocolate cream skin glowed as if she’d just gotten a freaking facial. Her hair—long and perfectly straight—slid over her shoulders. Her deep set eyes showed no signs of sleepiness. Instead, her light brown gaze was curious as it slid over Jane.

“You’re still human,” Annette announced, as if surprised.

That couldn’t be good.

“Yeah,” Jane muttered as her hand lifted and she pushed the door open a bit more. Annette had only opened it a few inches. Not very welcoming. “We seriously need to talk…”

Annette’s lush lips pressed together. She looked over Jane’s shoulder—

“I came alone.”

Annette seemed to relax.

“I don’t really want an audience for this little meeting.”

Annette’s head tilted to the side as she studied Jane. “What is it that you do want?”

Jane lifted the bag of beignets that she held. Based on their previous meeting, she knew Annette had a weakness for them. “I want a reading, and I’m prepared to pay.”

Annette’s eyes gleamed. “A reading will cost more than a bag of beignets.”

“I figured as much. Like I said, I’m ready to pay. Name the price.”

“You really believe in my voodoo?”

After everything Jane had seen? “Name the price.” She pulled out some cash—

But Annette waved that away. “A few twenties won’t cover this.” She started nibbling on the beignets. “But a favor will. Agree that you owe me, Mary Jane Hart. Promise that you’ll pay the debt to me when I come calling.”

Annette could be so weird. “Fine. Whatever.” Jane looked over her shoulder. “Can we get off this porch already? You know there are too many eyes and ears in this town.”

The voodoo queen waved her inside.

And Jane quickly entered, then shut the door behind her.

***

Humans. He hated them. Hated their smug smiles and the stupid, useless waste that was their lives. They thought they were so superior—at the top of the fucking food chain.

But they had no clue.

He was the apex predator. The one that everyone should fear. Hell, they should freaking worship him. It was time the world understood that truth.

He flipped on the TV, ready to see the morning news. He knew the cops had found the little surprise he’d left in the cemetery. After all, he’d called and tipped them off. Told them that there was trouble on Ann Street and that a beat cop needed to get over there.

He’d even circled back and seen that wonderful swirl of blue lights a bit later on.

His kill had been found. Soon, everyone would know what was happening. They would know about his power, and there would be no denying the truth…

Werewolves were real.

He watched the news. Watched the stupid weatherman make small talk with the pretty, blond anchor. Watched while they talked about a mugging near the Riverwalk. Watched while school kids were shown singing in some stupid recital.

Where’s my body?

The minutes ticked by. More stupid stories about the humans.

Nothing about him. Nothing about his kill.

Fury burned in his blood.

And claws broke from his fingertips.

***

Jane glanced at her watch. “Could we get on with this? I have a case waiting.”

Annette’s brows rose. “Jane, you and I both deal with the dead. You’re a homicide detective—any case you have can just keep waiting. Not like the guy will get any deader.”

“But the trail can get colder.” Jane leaned forward and pointed toward the black scrying mirror that sat on Annette’s table. “So do what you need to do and let’s get the show on the road.”

The temperature in the room seemed to instantly drop a good five degrees.

Wrong word choice.

“I’m sorry,” Jane said, and she meant it. “You’re not a show. I’m just…I’m being a bitch.”

Annette smiled at her. “Nothing wrong with being a bitch. Men like to use that word because they think it makes us seem weaker. I don’t think so—I’m a strong bitch and proud of it.”

It was so easy to like the woman. Even though Jane was pretty sure Annette had a serious dark side…Jane strongly suspected Annette had been behind the mysterious death of the voodoo queen’s ex-lover…But in Annette’s defense, the guy was a homicidal maniac. And Annette hadn’t killed him outright. She’d used her magic to do the job. That’s why I can only suspect that she took him out. Suspicions didn’t hold up in court, so Jane hadn’t pursued the case. And…

And Annette had saved my ass. Because Annette’s ex-lover had been hell-bent on killing Jane, too.

Jane huffed out a breath. “There’s a new vampire in town.”

“I know.”

Jane’s brows rose. “Has he been to see