I was nearly to the end of the street, about to turn back, when I felt a little tingle at the base of my skull, so faint I nearly missed it. The street was a dead end, no driveways or anything to indicate houses deeper in the jungle. I frowned, moving to one side of the street and then the other. The tingle was stronger on the east side, definitely. Stepping off the road, I moved cautiously through the heavy undergrowth. The tingle grew stronger, turning into an outright painful grip on the back of my skull. The vampire was close.
Branches and vines swiped at my bare arms. I wished for my jacket, but I'd left it back on the ship. I hadn't wanted it to get ruined by the sea water. Besides, it was far too hot for a coat of any kind, despite what Haakon seemed to think. I winced as another branch slapped my arm, raising a welt, no doubt.
At last I broke into a small clearing just as the sky above was lightening, and the horizon was turning pink. The grip on my skull was fierce now. I had to be right on top of him.
In the center of the clearing stood what looked like a garden shed made of cinder block with a corrugated tin roof. The building had been painted green, like the jungle around it, including the roof and door. There were no windows. It was a bit small, but it was a perfect place for a vampire to hide from the sun. Behind the shed swelled a small hill thick with trees. We were in the foothills of the mountains.
A smile quirked my lips as I strode toward the shed. It was probably close to the hour mark, but I didn't care. That vamp and I were going to have it out here and now. I was going to get the info I needed, and then I was going to dust the asshole. Kabita and Haakon could just wait.
Gripping the brass doorknob, I gave it a twist. It turned easily, but the door didn't open. I gave it a good shake, but it didn't budge. I bit out a curse. Deadbolt, of course. From the inside. I felt the door. It wasn't metal, which was good. Harder to burn metal. Unfortunately it wasn't wood, either, which would have been easy to either kick open or burn down. It was some man-made resin shit. I gave it a half-hearted kick. No way that thing was coming down easy. I'd have to burn it. If it could burn without killing me from the fumes. I laid my palm flat against the door, closed my eyes, and willed the Fire inside me to rise.
"What in Valhalla do you think you're doing?"
I spun around with a yelp, tiny sparks jumping from the tips of my fingers. Haakon stood a few paces behind me, glaring, arms crossed over his massive chest.
"I'm opening this door," I said. "The vamp's in there."
"You were supposed to come meet us."
"I had better things to do. How did you find me?"
He gave me a look I couldn't quite interpret. Instead of answering, he strode toward the door, nudged me out of the way, and did the same twist-jiggle thing I'd tried.
"It's bolted from the inside," I informed him in my haughtiest tone.
He didn't exactly roll his eyes, but I swear I could feel him doing it in his head. "Stand back."
"Really?" I propped my hands on my hips. "Who do you think you are? Thor?"
"Do I look like I make a habit of carrying power tools? Stand back."
With a sneer, I moved back a few paces. "Have at it."
"Thank you, kind lady. You are too good to me." Now who was the one being snarky?
Haakon rolled his shoulders, stretched his neck from side to side, and then gave his knuckles a good crack. Was he going to punch the door? He'd break his hand for sure.
He drew one leg up and let go a kick that would have done a ninja proud. The door flew off its hinges and crashed against the opposite wall before slamming to the floor of the shed, sending up a small cloud of dust. It all happened so fast, I barely had time to blink.
"Show off," I muttered.
Haakon gave me a serene smile. "After you."
"Such a gentleman." Thank gods he wasn't like Jack, insisting on going first. Never mind I was the expert on vampires. Hunting them anyway.
I wondered what waited for us beyond that doorway. I would have given anything for a UV gun or my machete, but all I had was a knife. I smiled a little. And my powers. I didn't like using them if I didn't have to, but they came in handy at times like these.
Cautiously, I poked my head through the open doorway. All I could see was the inside of an empty shed. Other than a few cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and a dirt floor, there was nothing. Except I could still feel that tightness gripping the back of my skull. There was definitely a vamp nearby.
I stepped through the doorway and paced the small room. Nothing.
"Anything?" Haakon's head appeared around the doorjamb.
"No…." I frowned. "Wait a minute." I paced back across the small space. Yes. Something was definitely off. One side of the shed floor felt and sounded like a dirt floor should: solid. The other side, however, had a slightly hollow sound as I walked across it. And it felt—I pushed down with my right foot—yes, there was definitely a slight give. "There's something here."