Ghost Cat (Totem Book 5) Read online

  Kinley bit her tongue. Yelling out Victorian vampire would not be a good thing. Bert was actually a vampire, after all. And quite possibly older than ones from the Victorian era.

  “Casey Jones!” Ransom grinned and received a blank stare from his employer.

  “The Phantom of the Opera?” Kinley held back her giggle.

  “Very good, my dear.” Bert bowed low at the waist. “I’ve found a lovely young woman with a magnificent voice to be my Christine, and she has red hair. She’ll be the feature performer at my masquerade.”

  Bert had arranged to have a Halloween party at his new house in a week. Except his house hadn’t been built yet. Only the foundation had been laid. He’d mentioned something about tents and bonfires and dancing until dawn. Not even Ransom knew all the details as it had gotten so big.

  The Phantom costume was clever, though. Bert hadn’t healed completely from his battle with the giant. His skull had been crushed, along with almost every bone in his body. The fact he was walking around and planning a masquerade was astounding. It made Kinley wonder just how many “a few generous donors” actually were in his need for blood to heal.

  “I thought my band was going to be in the spotlight.” Ransom faked a pout.

  “You’ll have your moment.” Bert patted him on the shoulder. “But the music you play isn’t conducive to the atmosphere I wish to portray. I hope that does not hurt your feelings.”

  Ransom shrugged and smiled. “You can make it up to me by lending me your floatplane.”

  How smoothly he slipped into asking about the plane. Kinley couldn’t stop her smile. She could tell he wasn’t at all bothered by not being the star act at the masquerade. But whether Bert knew that or not, she couldn’t ascertain.

  “Of course. Let me fetch you the keys, and I’ll make a call to the pier. Are you two off on a romantic getaway?” Bert gestured for them to follow as he glided down the hall to his office.

  “Not precisely…” Kinley wasn’t sure how much to tell him. Would he deny them the use of the plane if he knew what they were going to do?

  “Everything with Kin is a romantic adventure.” Ransom winked at her. “We’re going to Iliamna Lake, landing at Newhalen where a buddy of mine lives.”

  “How scenic. A pity about all the missing children in the area. Very sad, indeed.” Bert retrieved a set of keys from his desk and handed them to Ransom with a solemn expression.

  Kinley held her breath for a moment. Vampires couldn’t read minds, so why did Bert bring up the missing kids? She didn’t believe in coincidences. Or had Ransom already told him everything?

  “Thanks. Yeah, it is. We’re going to check out the disappearances. This many in such a short period of time isn’t normal. Plus, there’s been a bunch of Bigfoot sightings.” Ransom jingled the keys in his hand and then pocketed them.

  “Bigfoot.” Bert shook his head and waved his hand in the air before pursing his lips. “Though it is mating season for the inhabitants of the lake…”

  The lake monster! A small rush of excitement surged through Kinley. Not that she wanted to deal with a crazed serpent or dinosaur or whatever it might be. Yeah, probably better if it was just Bigfoot. She could handle him in her polar bear form.

  “Any which way, be careful, and I hope you’ll be able to return those children to their families.” Before Bert could say anything more, there was a knock at his door. His eyes gleamed behind his mask as he held out a hand. “Miss Victoria Elizabeth.”

  Kinley turned as a beautiful woman smaller than Bert entered. Luxurious dark brown curls bounced around her elven face. Enchanting didn’t begin to describe this woman. No, not just a woman. Vampire.

  “Berton, darling. I arrived early for your party, haven’t I?” Her smile danced along the line of innocent and naughty. Victoria took Bert’s hand and let him draw her in to kiss her on each cheek.

  “A tad bit early.” Bert waggled a finger at her.

  Strange how Kinley had never seen Bert with another vampire. The castle she designed for him could house several. It would make sense he’d have house guests. Though would Victoria be like a little sister or a lover…

  “Ransom, my gorgeous cat. It’s been too long.” Victoria held open her arms, and Ransom enfolded her in a hug, picking her up off the floor.

  They knew each other? Ransom hadn’t worked for Bert that long.

  “It’s good to see you too, Miss Vicki.” Ransom chuckled and set the vampire on her feet.

  Miss Vicki?

  Victoria kissed him on each cheek and then, with her too red lips, kissed his mouth. No chaste little peck either.

  More so, Ransom allowed it.

  Every instinct in Kinley screamed to rip the other woman limb from limb. She clenched her jaw and fists. The world blurred for a few seconds. Never had such fury filled her veins.

  “Victoria, please let me introduce my lovely and immensely talented architect, Miss Kinley Dorn.” Bert rolled his hand as he gestured to her.

  Did he want Kinley to bite his friend’s head off? She’d already torn Victoria to pieces in her mind. If she didn’t open her mouth, maybe it wouldn’t happen.

  Calm. Just breathe and be calm.

  Victoria stroked Ransom’s head and turned to Kinley. She smiled, lipstick not at all smeared. “Such a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dorn. The house you’ve designed for Berton is truly magnificent. Please say you’ll make one for me too when I decide where I’m going to settle down.”

  She held out a hand to Kinley.

  “Tsk, tsk, my dear. You’re moving to Alaska. The mountain next to mine.” Bert stated as if it had already been done.

  Victoria was moving to Alaska? She refused to look in Ransom’s direction.

  With a jerky movement, Kinley clasped her hand. When she opened her mouth, she hoped it wasn’t a scream or a growl. “Nice to meet you as well.”

  Okay, it wasn’t that difficult. The rage eased off. Her last boyfriend had been immensely awkward around women. Ransom was totally different. Charismatic and outgoing and, yes, hot. Of course women would like him. Really, he couldn’t have met Victoria more than once.

  But she kissed him on the mouth. He didn’t protest. He didn’t push her away. And no one had mentioned that he was Kinley’s boyfriend.

  “I’m not a mountain girl. I prefer the city with all the marvelous going-ons.” Victoria released Kinley’s hand and turned her back to her. “Speaking of which…” She laid a hand on Ransom’s arm. “Please tell me when you’re playing next. I didn’t miss a show last time I was in town, and I won’t dare again.”

  The vampire touched Ransom. Again. Kinley’s cheek twitched. It couldn’t be normal to feel this fierce anger.

  Ransom grinned and chuckled. “I’ll be playing at Bert’s party. Though he’s given the spotlight to a lovely redhead.”

  “I didn’t know you were playing.” Victoria gave Bert a chastising tap on his shoulder. “And, of course, a redhead. If I’d been born with red hair, Berton would have made me queen of the world by now.”

  The conversation buzzed by Kinley’s ears. She could barely think. Was it the bear in her? Bears in the wild didn’t get this way over their mates. And it wasn’t as if Ransom was a bear as well, so there wouldn’t be…

  She mentally slapped herself. How dare she think that because he was a lynx and she a bear that they couldn’t have a deep bond? She was as bad as her family. No, worse. She was an awful person.

  Tears blurred her vision. She couldn’t let them see her cry.

  Faking a sneeze, Kinley turned away from them to pluck a tissue from the box on a nearby table. Ransom said a “gesundheit,” but she didn’t face them again as she tried to inconspicuously wipe her eyes.

  “You’re quite capable of doing that yourself, my dear. But right now,” Bert said as the swoosh of a swirling cape punctuated his words. “I must attend a costume fitting for my Christine. Come with me, Victoria. I cannot wait for you to meet this glorious woman.”

  �
�And have you torment me by watching you fuss over another woman?” Victoria gasped and then laughed softly. “It would be my pleasure.”

  “I’ll call the pier for you. Take care on your trip. I expect both of you back for the masquerade.” Bert’s tone turned crisp with his last request. Or rather, demand.

  “No problem.” Ransom assured him. Kinley, tears momentarily gone, turned and nodded.

  “We’ll talk some more, Miss Dorn. And you…” Victoria poked Ransom in the chest. “I’ll be seeing you on Saturday.”

  As if an invisible portal opened and swallowed them, Bert and Victoria were gone.

  Ransom glanced into the empty hallway and laughed. “A total Phantom exit.”

  His laughter, so light and relaxed. Kinley smiled despite herself. She was totally overreacting. No way would she be one of those women who screamed and threw things with no proof of anything. Ransom was a good man. An awesome one.

  As if to prove that point, he gathered her into his arms and kissed her. “Vampires and their dramatics. Bert and Victoria were once in an actor’s troupe together, did you know?”

  No, she didn’t. And before she could stop her mouth, she asked, “How do you know her?”

  He shrugged his shoulders and wrapped an arm around her as he led her out of Bert’s office. “She visits Bert a lot. When I was eighteen, she taught me a few things.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Miss Vicki likes her men young and wild.”

  “Oh.” Kinley’s heart thumped hard in her chest. So she wasn’t overreacting.

  Music blared in the plane’s headphones and made conversation impossible. Good thing. Kinley didn’t feel like talking.

  She’d had Ransom drop her off at home while he went to prep the plane for their flight in the morning and see to a few other errands he needed to do for Bert. She needed space to herself. It was always easier to sort out her thoughts when no one else was around.

  By the time she fell asleep, she’d untangled the mess of emotions within her. Victoria was part of Ransom’s past. Kinley was his girlfriend now. Never once had she doubted his loyalty and the fact he cared for her. Everything was fine. It had just been an overly dramatic vampire moment.

  When Kinley woke alone in the morning, a small wave of anxiety washed through her. Logic chased it away. But now as they flew to Iliamna Lake, it slowly started to slither its way back in to her heart.

  The sun rose behind them, and pale golden light filled the tiny cockpit. The mountains below them cast long shadows over the lake. She couldn’t concentrate on the scenery, though.

  Glancing sideways at him, she realized she’d well and truly fallen for him. The thought of him not in her life made her want to… It was impossible. She couldn’t even think the thought.

  Would she fight Victoria or any other woman for Ransom? A silent roaring yes shook her.

  Kinley clasped her hands together and squeezed. No, that was idiotic. Any man who wanted women to fight over him was an egotistical bastard and didn’t deserve love at all. She was better than that. Ransom was better than that.

  Why did emotions have to be so powerfully illogical? It was times like these that she wished she’d been born on Vulcan.

  It was no smooth, professional landing when they arrived at Newhalen. The plane jerkily bumped over the waves and made the mist swirl up around them. But at least no tentacles burst out of the water to drag them under.

  The town itself was tiny. A new lodge sat like a lord on the shore with a few floatplanes parked on the beach. Boats lined the docks, and even though there was no ice on the lake yet, every boat seemed to be in its place. A bad sign for a village whose livelihood centered around fishing.

  With the fog rising from the forest and the mountains to the north and the lake to the south, Kinley reveled in the beauty. Alaska never ceased to leave her in awe.

  Ransom’s friend Clyde Okpik met them on shore and helped tie up the plane. The guys hugged and playfully wrestled in the sand. Which was not exactly fair considering Clyde was human, but he managed to flip Ransom over his back. Ransom landed on his feet with an easy grace.

  Only after the bromance moment did Ransom introduce Kinley.

  “Geez, man. What kind of wicked spell did you put on her? She’s way too good to be with a bro like you.” Clyde laughed and patted Ransom on the back. “Plus she’s Kunik Dorn’s daughter. You got to be real crazy.”

  Of course the people of the most popular tourist fishing spot in Alaska knew her father.

  “Papa Dorn loves me. Right, babe?” Ransom winked at her.

  Kinley choked on her next breath as her eyes widened. Oh dear God. Did he expect her to lie for him? Was he joking? She couldn’t tell. The shock of the statement had knocked out her wits.

  “I’m kidding.” He squeezed her to his side and kissed her cheek. He looked back to Clyde. “I’m lucky her father ignores me most of the time. Her big sister, on the other hand, I’m pretty certain she wants to bite my head off.”

  She relaxed and let out a small laugh, trying to forget her silly anxieties. “That’s just Saskia. She wants to bite off everyone’s head.”

  Clyde raised his brows and motioned to them. “Grab your stuff and come up to the lodge with me. The boss is ill, and there’re no guests right now, so you have your pick of rooms. You really think you can find out why those kids have gone missing?”

  Kinley picked up her rucksack and laptop as Ransom grabbed his stuff along with a big cooler with food and drink. She peered over her shoulder at the lake. No movement out there. No whispers telling her about the mysterious monster in its depths.

  “We’ll find them,” Ransom stated with confidence.

  She wished she had the same certainty he had. The whisper had told her to find Brayden. It didn’t mean the boy was alive. It actually could mean several things. And with the number of children missing, she had to consider non-supernatural reasons first. Horrible thoughts like a serial killer.

  “I know Brayden. He’s a sweet kid. He stepped up when his father passed away last year and helps out his mom a lot. Expert little fisherman too. Really helps out when folks bring their kids to fish.” Clyde led them away from the shore and up the steps to the front of the lodge. His boots thumped on the red wood.

  “So he knows his way around the lake and the woods?” Kinley asked, her mind suddenly leaving all else behind to marvel at the gorgeous kiln-dried wood and full dovetail corners. All perfectly crafted. The people of the town must have put some serious money into the lodge.

  “Oh yeah. All he wants to be is a guide. Loves this place.” Clyde opened the door and smiled. “Welcome to Newhalen Lodge. My cousin owns the place, but we all do stuff to help out. I usually tend bar when there’s a need. No need lately, except for the townsfolk. A good stiff drink seems to be the only thing to bring some folks peace these days.”

  The inside was as impressive as the exterior. Classic fisherman’s paradise. Fish photos and trophies on the walls and a moose head over the huge rock fireplace. Plush cozy furniture in the sitting area and a small reception desk. One hall led to the rear and the other to the right where Kinley spotted doors. The rooms, likely.

  “Nice.” Ransom nodded and set his things near the desk. Kinley followed suit and breathed in a scent that smelled similar to home. Fish and wood and fur, just like her dad’s.

  “Yeah, isn’t it, bro? Usually this time of year, we still have mostly a full house.” Clyde sighed and stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. His long black bangs fell in front of his eyes as he hung his head.

  Find him.

  She glanced left and then right. The whisper sounded as if someone had said it from directly beside her. Ransom’s eyes, too, darted back and forth.

  Both of them hearing the same thing. It had to mean something!

  Kinley turned her attention from the building to their host. “Why aren’t there any guests?”

  Clyde shrugged and shook his head. “Word travels fast these days. Fishing’s not been good, at least
for those from the Outside. But folks get scared when they hear Bigfoot is basically banging on our front door.”

  Space cowboys. At least that’s what Kinley imagined them to be seated around the lodge’s bar. Of course they weren’t in space, she was drinking water, and no one wore cowboy boots, but Clyde had brought up extraterrestrials.

  “I think Bigfoot’s an alien.” Clyde nodded and topped off his beer with a short, foamy head. He didn’t take a drink before setting it on a coaster.

  “Dude, he’s just a beast. A rare and dodgy one, but he’s as much of this world as we are.” Ransom sipped his porter and gave an approving hum. His knee rested against Kinley’s with their stools so close together.

  Such comfort in a simple touch. She wanted to kiss him for it.

  “And who says we’re of this world, eh?” Clyde pointed at Ransom and raised his brows. “Look at you two, all magical being able to turn into animals.”

  “Oh, it’s not magic.” Kinley was about to say what the Black Shamans could do was magic, but caught herself. If Clyde knew about shifters, he might know about the Black Shamans, and that was a topic most folks avoided. “It’s our innate makeup. As much as it’s a starfish’s to be able to turn itself inside-out. Witches use magic. What we are is part of nature.”

  Clyde took a big gulp of his beer. “I did not need to know that about starfishes.”

  Kinley’s cheeks heated. She’d let her geek show a little too much on that one.

  Ransom squeezed her thigh. “She’s right. The most magic I can do is a couple of card tricks. But back on track. Bigfoot. Here in town?”

  Leaning back against the counter behind him, Clyde bobbed his head. The glasses hanging overhead twinkled as they caught the reflection of movement. It wasn’t a large bar area, and so whoever had designed it had created storage for the glasses to dangle from a custom-made knotty wood rack above the bartender.

  “Oh yeah. Most people have seen him, or them, most likely there’s more than one. A whole family of them by all the different descriptions.”