Beyond the Grave Read Online Free

right now.” She worked up as much strength as she could muster and pushed herself off the Dumpster, straightened her back and walked toward him, projecting an image of strong vampire.
    Another wave of dizziness wormed through her. After fifty years of perfect health she was at a disadvantage. Unable to stop herself, she moaned and felt the earth tilt again.
    Dear God, it wasn't possible for her to pass out!
    Everything went black.
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CHAPTER THREE
    An hour later, when Britt got home from his meeting with Sampson, he pulled Jess's dagger out of the evidence bag and turned it over in his hands. How the hell had it surfaced at a crime scene? And why hadn't Jess noticed it missing? She never went anywhere without it.
    If she found out about her dagger being discovered beneath a victim, there'd be no dissuading her from believing she killed that woman. Especially since she was sure she must have slipped out of his apartment when she had the nightmare.
    A dull ache began to build behind his eyeballs. His cell phone rang and he grabbed it off his belt. “Lieutenant Brittain speaking."
    "Britt, it's me, Regent. Can you come to the Rectory immediately?"
    It seemed someone was always phoning him with bad news lately, and by the tone in Regent's voice, this call was no different. “What's up, Regent?"
    "Something's wrong with Jess. I'm not sure how to handle it by myself. She needs you here right away. After all, you're her protector now."
    Jess had never agreed to Britt being her protector, but it wasn't the time to quibble with her distraught brother. “What's going on? Is Jess okay?"
    "I think so. But, Britt, there's something you should know before you get here.” Regent sucked in a shaky breath. “She's unconscious."
    Already halfway down the hall and jogging towards his car, Britt yelled, “Unconscious?” His blood began pumping in his ears. “How could that happen? Another vampire?"
    "I'm not sure. There are no marks on her."
    "I didn't think vampires could pass out without a reason.” A reason like being burned with holy water. Britt cringed when he remembered how badly he'd inadvertently burned Jess once.
    "Neither did I,” Regent said.
    Those words terrified Britt. Regent had stood by Jess for fifty years. He'd been her protector, and he understood her condition more than anyone, except Jess, herself. “I'm on my way."
    "Right.” Regent hesitated. “One other thing, Britt. When Jess comes to, don't tell her I called you.” He hung up.
    Britt slapped the siren onto the roof of his car and nearly broke the sound barrier on the way to Saint Eugenia. He slammed the brakes on at the Rectory and tore inside as if the hounds of hell were after him. He didn't bother to knock but made straight for Regent's office. They'd be there. It was their safe place.
    As he opened the office door, he saw Regent leaning over Jess on the settee. Dear God! Was Regent delivering last rights?
    The old priest twisted around when Britt barreled into the room.
    "Oh, hi, Britt. What a coincidence that you stopped by right now,” Regent said trying to sound surprised by Britt's entrance, but failing miserably. Thank God, Jess's eyes were open, even if she was scowling at Regent.
    "Jess isn't feeling very well,” Regent continued. “I found her unconscious on the couch in my office a few minutes ago. She woke up shortly after. I've been able to get a little sustenance into her to help her come around."
    Jess held an empty packet of blood the size of a frozen ice treat in one hand. She shakily ran the other one over her hair. “She's also in the room so you can stop talking about me as if I'm not here."
    Britt's heart tightened painfully. He'd never seen her look so physically weak, but she still had the capacity to crank up his interior thermostat and set his libido on overdrive with just one look. From the sable hair dusting her shoulders, to her beautiful ivory skin and blood red lips, she made his insides