September Moon Read Online Free PDF Page A

incorporeal form. Even inside the car with me.
    With a noise of disgust, I drummed a finger on the wheel in time with the radio. Slow, deep breaths helped to calm the rising storm threatening to wreak havoc on my mind.
    What I wanted to do was go home for a bath and a drink. Instead I headed back to The Wicked Kiss to make sure the doors were closed after last call. Things had been rowdier than usual since I got home. I was convinced that had something to do with Kale and what went on there while I was away. People were pushing the boundaries there, him included.
    The parking lot was almost empty. Good. I wouldn’t have to kick too many people out then. Kale’s old Camaro was still there, which was a bad sign he’d be banging and bleeding some lucky woman all day. Jez’s Jeep was gone, and a pang of worry struck me.
    Something was amiss. The metaphysical remnants of death lingered to touch me with cold, clammy hands. I was alert and ready as I made my way across the parking lot. With the doors closed, no light spilled out to cast a warm glow. That didn’t prevent me from seeing the body sitting propped against the front entry.
    It stank of blood and violence. It was a woman with multiple puncture wounds, heavy red lipstick, and long black hair. I turned to survey my surroundings before kneeling beside her. I didn’t sense anyone else out there with me. Only the true immortals could hide their presence, the angels and demons. This kill wasn’t one of theirs.
    With a frustrated sigh, I reached to touch her. Cold, lifeless, and tainted with a honey sweet vibe I’d know anywhere. Kale. My first thought was that he’d dumped her here, but that didn’t fit his MO. It was definitely suspicious. Even more so was the scrap of paper balled up in her hand. I tugged it out, careful not to tear it. In the pale lighting of the nearest streetlight, I was able to make out the words: Long live the queen.
    “What the fuck?” I muttered. It was a threat, a shitty one at that. But the fact that it was on Kale’s victim made me suspect that it wasn’t only for me. I was curious to see what Kale had to say about this. Too bad for him if he didn’t want to talk to me.
    The body couldn’t have been dropped long ago. The club hadn’t been closed more than an hour. I shoved the door open and sent the first vampire I came across outside to get rid of it.
    “Where’s Kale?” I barked at anyone within earshot.
    The place was relatively empty other than the staff and a few lingering regulars. After last call, the back rooms filled up quickly. Kale was back there already. Again. Shit.
    My gaze passed over Willow’s empty barstool. I briefly wondered where he’d been all night. More often than not he was parked at the bar drinking tequila.
    “In the back,” Justin said with a thumb jerk toward the rear. “I’m taking off now. Need anything before I go?”
    I scrutinized the big man. “Do you know anything about the body outside? Looks like one of Kale’s blood whores.”
    “Not a damn thing. Sorry.” He rubbed a hand across his short, black hair. A frown creased his brow. “Do you want me to hang around a bit longer?”
    I considered it. Justin was a big, intimidating guy. He had once scared the crap out of me. I did feel safer with him around. “No, thank you. Go do your own thing. It’s all good.”
    “Call me if you need me, Alexa. I mean it.”
    It was nice to have people I could rely on. They were growing fewer in number. I flashed him an appreciative smile and waved as he left.
    I stared around at the remaining patrons. Suspicions flooded my mind. I didn’t trust a damn one of them. The city’s underworld was talking. The vampire queen rumors were flying, and evidently they were being blown out of proportion.
    I felt torn. I had questions for Kale, but I could hardly burst in on him while he was between the legs of another mortal conquest. That could end in many ways, none of them good. My other alternative was to go