English Blood: Night Hunters, #3

By Helena Shaw

Book Three of the Complete Series!

For Dawn Garrett, a life on the road with hunter Jase Byrnes is all she’s ever wanted. 

Together they’ve taken on werewolves, witches, and ghouls. It’s not an easy life, but with Jase by her side, she knows they can conquer anything.

But things aren't always what they seem

Things get a lot more complicated when they find themselves in London, England. A new vampire clan is on the rise and they have a taste for young, attractive men. Men who look an awful lot like Jase.

Half a world away from everyone on they know and with no one to turn to, Dawn will need to find the strength within her own heart to defend herself from the vampire who threatens to tear her and Jase apart.

His life may very well count on it...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Helena Shaw
• Release date: Aug 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386390534

Book preview

Also by Helena Shaw

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Also available in the Night Hunters Series:

Book One: Harvest Moon

Book Two: Coven’s Calling

Book Four: Devil’s Playground

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Novellas by Helena Shaw

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Maxed Out

Salem’s Secrets

The Demon’s Song

Prologue

The snow had started falling hours earlier – first as a soft, post-Christmas dusting, but as Jase pulled the truck into Salem, New Jersey, it had started coming down much harder. Dawn could only pray that they would be arriving at their destination before much longer.

How much farther is it? she asked Jase. He was her mentor, her lover, and as of recently, officially her boyfriend.

Not too far, Jase said, his green eyes focused on trying to navigate through town while the snow fell so hard that it was getting hard to see only a few feet ahead of the old Ford pickup. Look for a place with forty-two on the mailbox, but no names.

It was only eight in the morning, but the snow was falling so hard that it made everything a bleak mix of dark grey and white. It was almost too late when Dawn shouted, There! On the right!

Jase turned the wheel hard and sent the back end of the truck fishtailing as he struggled to make their turn. There were no other cars around and by time he got the vehicle under control the only casualty of the skid was the mailbox marked forty-two.

I’ll pay him back, Jase said with a deep sigh once he inspected the damage. Come on, it’s too cold to hang around out here in the snow.

Together, Dawn and Jase made their way up a short driveway toward a ranch bungalow that looked at home in the New Jersey town. Red bricks, white trim, and a wreath still lingering on the front door, there was no way a passing motorist or neighbor would know that inside lived Seth Fanning, the human nerve center of a network of paranormal hunters across North America.

The snow on the driveway was deep enough that it buried Dawn’s feet up to the top of her black boots. With her focus on the door ahead of her, it wasn’t until her knees hit the ground that she realized she’d tripped over something under the snow.

What the hell? she grumbled as she picked herself up and dusted the snow off her faded jeans.

Jase offered her a hand before he said, Sorry, should have warned you about the ramp. I forgot about it.

What ramp? Dawn asked, but when she looked down at the hole in the snow her fall had created, she saw what Jase was talking about. Under the fluff was an angled slab of concrete. Shuffling her feet to expose more of the ramp, Dawn realized it led all the way to the small cement porch.

Sorry, Jase said as he joined her on the porch. I kind of forget to mention that Seth’s in a wheelchair.

Wait, really? Was he hurt hunting? Dawn asked. Jase had never once mentioned that Seth used a wheelchair, or anything even remotely similar. Then again, he had a habit of leaving out important physical details about people, such as his good friend Jo being an attractive woman.

Jase shook his head before he knocked on the door. No, he said. Cerebral palsy. He can’t walk, and his brother Kyle helps him out at home. I guess I just don’t really notice anymore.

That was one of the things Dawn liked about Jase, maybe even loved. He saw people as who they were, not how they looked. Merit, action, and personality were what he saw, and there was nothing wrong with that. Although, it could be a little unnerving when Dawn met people who turned out to look nothing like Jase described.

She didn’t have time to dwell on the thought, the front door opened and behind it sat who must have been Seth, a large grin plastered on his thin face.

Jase! Seth said as he leaned up and shook Jase’s large hand before he turned his attention to Dawn. And this must be your beautiful paramour.

Hi, Dawn said as she shook his hand in return. I’ve heard a lot about you.

All of it good, Seth assumed with a clever smirk on his lips. But sadly, I cannot say the same about you, beyond a name.

I didn’t want you getting jealous, Jase joked as he led the way inside.

Please, Seth laughed. No offense to your lovely girlfriend, but I can do better. Now come in and get warm. It looks like hell out there.

It wasn’t pretty, Jase confirmed as he took off his green jacket. It wasn’t nearly warm enough for the weather, but he wore it anyway.

As they moved into the living room, Dawn discovered that Seth’s home was, in a word, average. Not unlike the house she grew up in – not that far from Salem, in fact – and it hadn’t been updated since the seventies. It was not the hive of computers and phones she expected, but rather a little unkempt with newspapers laying open and a TV dinner sitting cold on the coffee table.

Ah, and there’s my manservant, Seth said as a man who looked so much like him, stepped out from the kitchen. Both had flaming red hair and freckles over their noses, but while Seth was slender and his legs tucked together in his chair, the other man was tall, burly, and had a bit of a beer belly.

Are you not sick of that joke by now? the other redhead asked. Sorry, he thinks he’s so funny. The name’s Kyle, he said as he extended his hand to Dawn.

Dawn Garrett, she said as she shook his hand. I take it you’re brothers.

Twins, actually, Seth cut in. Though you’d never guess it. Unfortunately Kyle was not blessed with my stunning good looks and wit.

Or ego, Kyle laughed with his brother.

So you guys basically run the whole system, huh? Dawn asked once she’d kicked off her boots.

Nah, just Seth, Kyle said. I mean, it’s a little weird for me still, I just help out around the house and mostly pretend that I don’t know that vampires and ghosts are actually out there. Makes sleeping easier.

I keep the ‘control center’ side of things in the dining room, Seth said as he thumbed the stick on his wheelchair and then led the way into the dining room. Kyle never uses it, so it makes it easier for him to ignore.

The dining room ended up being a lot more like Dawn had expected, at least compared to the living room. A mac, a PC, a couple laptops and several tablets were scattered around an old wooden table. On the walls were large maps, taped up with painters’ tape and covered in colored pins. One wall was for the eastern seaboard, the other was the Midwest, while a third contained a smaller map of Canada and the west coast.

Impressive, Dawn offered as Jase took a seat at the table.

I do what I can, Seth said, turning a little more serious than he’d been so far. I mean, it’s not like I’m going to be out chasing a werewolf through the woods any time soon, so this makes me feel like I’m helping.

Jase shook his head at that. You’re the hardest working hunter I know. Without you, we would flounder and you know it. Try putting that ego somewhere that it’s deserved. Seth, you’re a badass.

For the first time since they walked in, Seth showed a little honesty and his cheeks flushed red. Well, you know how it is, was all he said before he shifted gears. But I’m glad you two got here when you did. I’ve got a job for you.

Damn, Jase said, laughing now. We haven’t been here ten minutes before you bring up a job.

Like you said, Seth laughed with him. I’m the hardest working hunter you know.

Bromance moment ruining or not, Dawn was curious as to what kind of job Seth had lined up for them. She was still new at this, and still felt the surge of excitement and adrenaline every time a new job was mentioned.

What kind of job? she asked him as her eyes trailed over the map of the East Coast. They really weren’t all that far from where she grew up.

A paid one, first up, Seth clarified. Jase told me you got a little uncomfortable about that.

That much had been true. Dawn didn’t like the idea of taking money from people who needed help with ghouls and ghosts, but when Jase explained that some people reached out to them and offered cash, cash that was used to pay for things all hunters needed, like food, places to stay, and regrettably, hospital bills, she grew a little more forgiving of the idea.

That’s fine, she assured him.

Okay, good, he said. Because this one could see a lot of bills paid right off. I wouldn’t trust this to just anyone. I got word from a PI friend about a couple whose daughter took off. A very well off couple. Nothing out of the ordinary, really. Girl in college, silver spoon in her mouth, decides to run away with some boy. Well, my friend passed this along to me because it’s the third one in two months, and that’s just the ones he knows about. All the girls are about the same age, rich, and disappeared while in London.

England? Dawn asked.

The very same, Seth confirmed. I’ve been talking to connections over there and word is, the women are now traveling with a vampire. I want you two to check it out.

I’ve always wanted to go to England, Dawn said, but Jase didn’t look nearly as excited about the idea. In fact, he looked almost angry.

Good, Seth said, ignoring Jase’s silent anger. First, you need to go to New York and meet the parents of the latest girl to go missing. Set it up officially and such.

Oh, Dawn mumbled. I... I don’t know.

Why not? Seth asked, his brow furrowing as he looked at her. I mean, I get why Jase is –

But he never got a chance to finish before Jase cut him off. We don’t do New York, Jase said. Sorry, but you’ll need to find someone else.

Jase, Seth tried to argue. I know it’s not the best situation, but you’re the best man for the job, and your girlfriend looks like the other girls, it could give you a huge advantage over there.

That doesn’t matter, Jase shot him down. I said no New York.

Dawn reached over and squeezed Jase’s hand tightly in her own. She knew exactly why he was saying no, and silently thanked him for sticking up for her. Going to New York again was something Dawn never wanted to do, and it would only be worse if the people they would have to meet were wealthy. The last thing she wanted was to run into someone who knew her before she was Dawn Garrett, back when she was Jennifer Waters.

Thankfully, before the arguing could escalate, Kyle appeared. I made some breakfast for everyone, he announced. I know Seth and I haven’t eaten yet, and I make a mean scrambled eggs.

Count me in, Jase said as he pushed himself up from his chair. Whether he actually really wanted the eggs that badly, or just an excuse to end the argument once and for all, Dawn didn’t know, but she was happy to join him in the kitchen.

Seth must have gotten the message, because the rest of the day was nothing but an informal extended session of getting to know each other. She was careful to keep her own past hidden, and only spoke of her time in the Appalachian Mountains and then in Louisiana with Jase, but Seth and his brother seemed satisfied.

She did get to hear how Seth had discovered the world of hunters, when one had saved his life from a vampire with a certain taste. Oh, they all have weird fetishes, he brushed it off with a laugh, but Kyle looked concerned enough for the both of them.

It was the closest Dawn had gotten to a normal life in weeks, maybe even months, and as the day wore on and the snow piled up outside, she let herself relax some. Things had started off a little rocky, but both Seth and Jase had put their earlier argument behind them, so she vowed to as well.

You two can have the spare bedroom, Kyle said as the night grew late. Just no funny business.

Har har, Dawn laughed, but Kyle’s face remained serious.

He’s serious, Jase informed her.

Sorry kids, Kyle shrugged. Despite all this, I’m still a Catholic. You should be thanking me that one of you isn’t bunking with me.

Good to know, Dawn said and she turned before Kyle could spot the roll of her eyes.

Once they were alone, and Dawn had changed into the pajamas she had brought, she forced herself to speak. Hey, she mumbled. Um, thanks for sticking up for me about the New York thing.

Don’t mention it, Jase said with an easy smile. The money would be good, but it’s not worth it if it’s going to upset you. Seth can find someone else. Now come on, it’s been a long road to get here and I could use a really good sleep.

Me too, Dawn agreed as she climbed under the hand stitched quilt on the bed.

She must have needed the sleep more than she realized; it was still early, but she was nearly asleep until Jase moving next to her stirred her. She was about to question him, but he pulled on a shirt and left without a word and suddenly Dawn knew something was amiss.

She considered staying put, but her curiosity got the better of her.

Slowly, and very carefully, Dawn crept out of the spare bedroom and moved down the short hall to the living room. Just out of view, she could easily hear Jase and Seth as they spoke.

You’d be in New York for two days, tops, Seth was explaining. One quick meet and then you’re out of there.

I don’t think I could do that to Dawn, Jase explained. She really doesn’t want to go to the city.

It’s a lot of money, Seth countered. Twenty-five grand up front, expenses paid, twenty-five grand on finding the girl, and an extra fifty if she is alive and brought home safe. We need this money.

Get someone else, Jase said.

No one else is available, Seth told him. At least, no one who is welcome.

Welcome? Dawn wondered to herself, but she wasn’t given a chance to dwell on it.

Look, Dawn really will not go to New York, and I don’t really want to go to England.

You’ll be fine, Seth assured him. I’ve gotten word that a new vampire clan is active in London. Chances are, they’re taking the girls. I mean, twenty year old women and vampires? You know how they get. It’s an in and out job clearing the nest once you find them. You might only be there a couple weeks and at minimum, we get fifty grand. Jase, we need this.

I don’t know, Jase mumbled. It all seems like a bad idea.

You’ve taken on bigger jobs, Seth said. She can handle a night in the city, can’t she?

Maybe, Jase sighed. I’ll talk to her, see what she says and go from there.

Dawn knew she should hold her tongue – that she should argue with Jase in private – but she couldn’t stop herself.

Really? she barked as she revealed herself. You really think I’ll be okay with this?

Dawn, Jase mumbled as he heard her voice. I didn’t mean to... I don’t know... maybe we should consider it.

We need the money, Seth said again.

You keep saying that, Dawn said, her voice getting louder. But you won’t say why.

You’re right, Seth admitted. Look, over Christmas I... I didn’t know how big it was. Some of our guys got hurt. A couple died. Skinwalkers. I’m up to my eyeballs in hospital bills and fifty grand could keep us afloat. Not just me, but all of us. We’re drained right now.

It’ll be one night in the city, Jase promised her when he saw her resolve weaken. In and out, no one will know we were there. Get the money, get the details, and get out of the city.

For one night? Dawn confirmed.

I swear, Jase said. I won’t let anything happen.

Please, Seth added. We could really use this.

Fine, Dawn relented. One night. If we’re not out of there by then, then I’m gone.

I promise. Jase assured her as he squeezed her hand.

Despite the confidence in his green eyes, Dawn couldn’t be so sure. New York was a big city, and there were too many people who might be looking for her there.

Chapter One

The snowy miles ticked by as Jase’s truck cut through New Jersey, but it wasn’t the weather that had Dawn on edge. Just a few days ago, she’d been so excited for what the new year would bring, but only one day into a new January was she dreading the immediate future.

It was a feeling she was all too used to.

It’ll be fine, Jase assured her as his hand found her knee. His touch was reassuring, but Dawn knew he still worried that she was mad at him. It had been Jase who had finally talked her into the trip to New York City, and he was as on edge as she, but for different reasons.

Dawn debated not answering. She dreaded talking about New York almost as much as she did going there, but keeping things from Jase would only make matters worse.

I know, she settled on. I mean, I’m nervous, but deep down a voice is telling me that it’ll be okay and nothing will happen.

But you’re still worried, Jase said. It was true, she couldn’t help herself. A part of her was still Jennifer Waters, and that part was terrified of returning there. A city of over eight million people, but just one of them had her acting like a scared child.

Look, Jase began, choosing his words carefully, I know you hate talking about what happened there, but maybe it would help some if you talked about what was scaring you right now. I won’t force you to talk about the past, but if you let me know what exactly is scaring you, maybe I can help.

They’d only been traveling together for a little under two months, but Jase had learned very quickly to be sensitive when it came to bringing up Dawn’s past. He’d push her when she let him, but