Free The Darkest Kiss by Keri Arthur

corner shadows seem even deeper. Thankfully, there were no vamps in those shadows. Not yet.
    The building had two elevators, but neither of them seemed to be working—one was sitting on the fifth floor with the floor light flashing, and the other had no numbers lit at all. I hesitated, switching to infrared before looking down the left, then the right, corridors. As I suspected, it was pretty scary. There had to be at least twenty vamps crowded against the walls, their eyes glinting brightly and their sharp canines prominently exposed.
    I still couldn’t smell blood, but a vampire’s sense for life’s nectar was far sharper than mine. And it was obviously still calling to them.
    This would not be a pleasant place to be if things got out of control.
    I flicked the small stud in my ear, turning on the two-way com-link—which had been inserted when I’d been going into a madman’s lair, but was now standard equipment for all guardians. Jack didn’t like losing his people, and the com-links also doubled as trackers.
    The vamps melted back into the deeper shadows as I headed for the stairs, so hopefully that was a sign they didn’t want any trouble.
    But I wasn’t about to take a chance on that.
    “Hello, anyone listening?” I said softly.
    “What now, wolf girl?” Sal’s tone seemed even sharper than normal, coming though the tinny confines of the com-link.
    “What, are you pulling a double shift or something?”
    I ran up the stairs as I spoke, heading for the fourth floor. Thankfully, the vamps didn’t follow, though the scent of them didn’t lessen any. Meaning there were plenty more ahead.
    “Yes,” Sal snapped. “I am. Now what do you want?”
    I used to get awfully bitchy when I had to sit double shifts, too. Combine that with hunger, and it definitely explained her attitude. “I’m investigating a possible vampire attack at my current location. We got anyone in the area, in case I need backup?”
    “What, teacher’s pet needing backup?” She sounded positively cheerful at the thought. “I think you’ve just made my night.”
    “I’m so glad.” Not. “What have you got on this apartment block?”
    Keys tapped, then she said, “Not a lot. It’s an old government housing development that has been listed for demolition for the last ten years. It’s become a squat for itinerants and the homeless, apparently.”
    “Well, it’s now the home of a rather large vampire community. A youngish one, too.”
    “Impossible. Vampires don’t pack like you wolves do.”
    “Well, tell that to the vamps here.”
    She grunted. “There’s nothing in the files here about it.”
    “Then you’d better make a note and let Jack know. He may want to investigate.”
    “It’s noted. Talvin’s nearby if you need him.”
    “Thanks. I’ll yell if I do.”
    “Don’t yell too late, wolf girl. Talvin doesn’t appreciate picking up the bits.”
    “Well, I don’t appreciate being bits.”
    I slowed as I neared the fourth-floor landing. The unwashed scent still clung to the air, and my infrared sight picked out several vamps hovering down the right-hand corridor, the heat of their bodies standing out sharply against the surrounding darkness. I looked left. No vamps.
    Fortunately, Ben’s friend lived in apartment 41, which, according to the signage on the walls, was the very last one on the left. My boot heels clicked sharply against the threadbare carpeting, the sound echoing across the thick air, as steady as a heartbeat. Just not my heartbeat.
    The closer I got to apartment 41, the more tense I became. The soft scent of blood was now beginning to perfume the air, but there didn’t seem to be any unusual noises coming from the apartment. No sounds of fighting, nothing to indicate anything was out of order.
    Maybe Ben’s friend had simply gotten a little paranoid about living amongst all these vampires. Or maybe he’d cut himself shaving and had panicked about the consequences.
    I stopped when I reached