Dead Girl Walking: Barbie: The Vampire Hunter, #2

By Lucinda Dark and Lucy Smoke

I am beauty. I am grace. And yes, I will also punch you in the fucking face.

I never wanted to be a killer. Not until my entire family was slaughtered. Now, though? Now, killing is what I live for. And I've gone so far down my path for vengeance that there's no going back.

I made a deal with a demon, and I liked it.

The power that comes with demon possession is heady. The more I use it, the more addicted I become even if it does come with a little catch. Sex demons need sex to survive, after all. No fucking way. Sex only complicates things and I need to be on my A game if I'm going to find the one responsible for killing my family. That's my number one priority. Find the vampire linchpin and cut his damn head off—no matter the target it paints on my back.

The dead belong in the ground, and one way or another, I intend to put them all there.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lucinda Dark
• Release date: Jan 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224085569

Book preview

PROLOGUE

TORIN

Katalin’s fangs were out.

It was such a shock to me that I honestly contemplated, for a brief moment, getting out of the car, regardless of the fact that the vehicle was inching towards a hundred and twenty miles per hour. Katalin was cold as ice. Her emotions rarely made their way to the surface. At least, not her real emotions. Only the facsimile of them that I’d come to expect. So, seeing her eyes redder than a blood moon, and the sharp, white tips of her fangs poking out from beneath her upper lip to press, insistently, on her lower one … left me more than a little unnerved.

Katalin’s tightly-bound anger would be catastrophic should she ever choose to unleash it.

Her fingers were clenched tightly on the steering wheel of the car, her nails long and sharp as they squeezed over the handle and back into her palm. It was a surprise to me that she hadn’t yet broken skin. Aside from that small detail, she truly seemed unhinged. For another person, this would have been controlled. For Katalin, however, it was akin to screaming at the top of her lungs. Any sort of emotion shown from her was extreme.

A slow, creeping anxiety began to build and I felt my muscles tense and stiffen.

Katalin. She didn’t look at me. The speedometer inched up another centimeter as she pressed down harder on the gas. Katalin. I said her name again, this time pulling my vampire to the surface. My voice deepened and I knew if I looked in the rearview mirror, I’d see the same red that was reflected in her eyes. What’s wrong?

She remained silent, but I knew she heard me. There was no way with her age and powers that she’d miss my words, not as close as I was sitting. My mind raced with the possibilities, searching for the reason behind her unusual display of emotion.

He’s requested your presence in England, she finally said, her voice tight.

I didn’t have to ask who he was. While I didn’t immediately reply either, I did glance around. That would explain why we were in the car, heading out of town and towards my father’s private airfield. Did she not think I’d figure out something along those lines was up? Do you know why? I asked.

She shook her head. To my knowledge, he’s not in England any longer. Eloise is. You’re to meet her at the Manor outside of London.

I haven’t been there since I was a kid, I commented. Why does he need me there?

She pressed her lips together and this time, one of her fangs did nick her lip. The scent of old vampire blood flooded the car. Have you spoken with the witch? she asked in lieu of answering me.

Cold ice trickled down my spine at the reminder. I don’t know what you mean, I said carefully.

I am quiet, Torin, not blind, she snapped. I know you’ve been in contact with the witch. If Arrius finds out she still lives or worse, you’ve seen her and haven’t reported her—

He won’t, I said quickly.

The airfield came into view. Your secrets will come out eventually, Torin. The witch. The girl. Your friend.

Are you threatening me, Katalin? The heated fire in my eyes flared red hot, burning in its intensity. I felt another creature—another being—slide beneath my skin, waking up and coming to life. Violent. Bloody. Thirsty.

"I’m warning you, she replied. Whatever secrets you’re keeping… She paused long enough to turn into the airfield’s entrance and steer the front of the car towards the hangar. I suggest you deal with them, and by deal with them, I mean kill them."

You warned me not to trust you, I reminded her coldly. So, I suppose you leave me with little choice. I wouldn’t, though. As much as I knew my family wished differently, I wasn’t a killer. I wouldn’t kill Barbie or Maverick. And as for the witch … despite the fact that our relationship was complex—she was my informant as much as anything else. My eyes and ears in the world of darkness I was born in—I felt about as much loyalty for her as she did to me. Absolutely none.

Katalin cast me a doubtful look. If you don’t, you’ll regret it, she said. Any death you give them will be far more merciful than what he’ll do if he gets ahold of them. And he will. He always does. Trust me. Do it yourself before he does. It’ll be kinder in the end.

You must master your vampire if you have a chance to change the fate that has been designed for you. The old witch’s words echoed in my skull, distant memory, but a very real, very present reminder. Her vague warnings were similar to Katalin’s. It left me with enough information to know that I should be wary, but not so much that I could use it to prepare or protect myself.

My vampire hissed at the warning she gave. Angry. Protective. He’d been growing more and more like that recently. It was more accurate to say that he’d grown that way the longer I’d been around Barbie and Maverick. It’d been four months since the Rachel incident. Four months of peacefulness with Barbie and Maverick and all of that was coming to an end. The simple image of a certain blonde haired smartass turned him wild. To him, I was nothing more than the vessel through which he could get to her.

As the car came to a stop, I waited as one of the airfield employees rushed forward to open my door. I cast Katalin one more look. How long? I asked.

She shook her head, keeping her gaze straight ahead. That small kernel of anxiety I’d felt before became full blown panic, but not by a single twitch did I reveal just how worried I was. I simply nodded and got out when my door was opened for me. The weight of my cell phone in my pocket was a lifeline as I strode towards the waiting jet. There were expectations of me. I would keep in contact with Barbie and Maverick as much as possible. I only hoped I’d come back whole … if I came back at all.

1

BARBIE

4 weeks later…

I strode over broken cracked tiles with grime so thick, they looked like squares of solid mud. The acidic scent of urine and spray paint invaded my nostrils. I curled my lip in distaste. If I didn't think plugs would have been distracting, I might have insisted we bring them. As it was, I needed all of my senses to be alert.

The Bluetooth in my ear crackled and Maverick's voice came over the line. You in? he asked briskly.

I looked down and checked to see that the straps holding my swords into place at my sides were secured. I'm in, I answered.

Any movement?

I scanned the surrounding area. On one side of the pillar I stood against, there were rows of benches facing the broken down train car, forever parked against the dilapidated platform. On the other side was a wall of tagged graffiti littered brick, some of them old and faded. This place was a relic of the past, an old train station situated just outside city limits, halfway between St. Marion's school and the larger city that Beth and Jon often went to in order to get away for the weekend. It was surprising there weren’t more people around here, though. No drunken teenagers or homeless people. Then again, that was a sign that this was the place we were looking for. The only light visible came from the full, hovering moon that peeked through the slats and broken through holes of the overhang.

No movement, I answered. Almost as soon as I said that, however, there was a small flicker of a shadow several pillars up. Wait. I think we've got a hit.

I can't believe a vampire would really camp out here. Maverick's voice was less disrupted by the sound of his breath and I realized it was because he wasn't talking in my ear anymore. I jerked around, my hand going to the hilt of one of my swords.

Jesus, I snapped. What the fuck were you thinking? I could've killed you.

He stared at me, all dark eyes and impassive expression. Are we doing this or not?

I stared at him, pressing my lips together. He'd grown steadier on his feet in the last few months. Keeping his football bulk had certainly helped to keep his strength up, but now he was as silent on his feet as I was. It was a bit disturbing how quickly he'd picked up all of the skills I'd trained my whole life to master. Of course, I was better with a sword. I thought I told you to wait outside, I said.

You did, he replied absently, checking his clip.

Then why didn’t you fucking listen? I demanded.

Because you might be stubborn, Princess, but so am I. We locked gazes for several heartbeats, and with a muttered curse, I turned away. I yanked one of my blades out its sheath and whirled around the pillar without another comment. He followed.

Slinking down the platform, I ducked into one of the half-open train car doors, coming to a stop. Maverick’s grunt of breath as he halted just before slamming into my back rushed over the back of my neck, making the little baby strands stand on end. A shiver moved through me. The rusty metallic scent permeating the area wasn't just familiar, it was a strong tidal wave of pungent odor. I wrinkled my nose as a pair of sharp red eyes jerked up from the floorboards. The creature didn't seem concerned by our arrival. In fact, he seemed rather like a confused wild animal, startled by the sight of trespassers in his domain. Whatever had happened to this vampire, he was no longer in possession of his faculties. Consumed by bloodlust, he feasted on the small street cat in his grip. That wasn’t the only thing that had been fed on recently, though.

The bodies of a few homeless men and women were scattered about. Squatters who hadn't known the dangers that awaited them in the dark. My chest burned with vile hatred as I slipped out my second blade. I heard Maverick cock his gun.

No, I snapped. Let me.

Barbie, I need the practice— I didn't stop to let him finish his argument, but instead, darted forward, throwing one of my swords straight for the vampire's head.

Even under the control of his feeding frenzy, however, the creature wasn't to be trifled with. Hissing with ferocity, it leapt away from the impending sword and towards me. I didn't hesitate, wielding my second blade with accuracy, I ducked low and swiped it across the creature's chest. He cried out, the sizzling scent of his flesh rising above that of blood and decay. Holy swords, blessed by priests, washed in holy water. Quite useful when hunting vampires.

Tingles prickled at my skin, like tiny sharp needles piercing my flesh over and over. A new wave of something—power—rose up within me. I ducked when the vampire reached for me, talons extended. I rolled. I popped back up. I didn't fight, not so much as reacted. Everything that had been ingrained in me as a child by my parents came instinctively now. More than that, since my deal with Satrina, my strength and speed had increased.

Barbie! Maverick's call startled me almost as much as the sound of following gunfire. I jerked my head to the side when I realized he'd shot a second creature—another vampire—that had leapt out from the doorway at the back of the train car. I hadn't seen it. I hadn't even smelled or heard it. But there was no time for me to focus on it; the first vampire screamed in outrage at his friend being shot and bulldozed me.

I jumped, executing a head duck and backflip right over his head as he ran forward. One thing vampires always seemed to do was underestimate their opponents. Vampires were fast, strong, and damn near impossible to kill in the night time. And these creatures didn't work on skill or intelligence. They were already lost to blood addiction.

Thanks, I said, panting as I turned and cut my sword across the vampire's shoulders, slicing right through his neck and effectively ending the fight. Ash rained down, littering the floorboards as I turned towards the creature.

Did I hit it? Maverick jogged up behind me, glancing over my shoulder at the second pile of ash.

Yeah, I said, though he could see. I turned away. Come on, let's go home.

Maverick followed me back out into the parking lot where his truck was parked. I tossed my blades into the back seat and clambered into the front as he did the same on the driver's side. The ride back to the house was quiet, the tension palpable. I cut a glance at him. Four months. It had been four months of this shit. Training. Researching the local area. Finding vampire nests, rogue vampires, following patterns of behavior in the news and papers. Doing recon on dangerous places where people seemed to disappear. He'd gotten better. He was almost as good of a hunter as I was. The only difference now was that I wasn't completely human anymore and he had no idea. Neither he nor Torin did.

Speaking of Torin … I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, hoping against hope that I'd received a message from him today. When the screen lit up with no new messages, I sighed and put it away.

I hadn't addressed it, but the tension between me and them was getting on my nerves. Did they know about each other? I wondered. Did Torin remember what he'd done in my dream? Is that why they treated me like a fucking pariah when we weren't working together?

I grunted and slid down farther in my seat. Maverick shot a glance my way as his fingers tightened on the wheel. Problem?

I sucked my teeth and turned towards the window. Nope, I snapped. No fucking problem at all. Successful mission, you did amazing.

Yeah, sounds like you're all atwitter about it, he replied just as quickly. Sarcasm for sarcasm. Asshole.

No. You know what? This was fucking ridiculous. I uncrossed my arms and turned to him. What is your problem? I asked.

His eyebrows shot up. My problem? He shook his head. You're the one who has an attitude problem.

I don't have an attitude problem, I replied sharply. "You’re the one that has a problem with my attitude and that's not my problem at all. I squeezed my hands into fists, my nails digging little crescent moons into the flesh of my palms. I'm talking about why you're being such an asshole to me. The look he gave me was incredulous, but he didn't immediately reply. I took a breath and released my hands. Is... I swallowed roughly, trying to get the words to come out. Is this about the kiss?"

Barbie... His voice deepened, growing gruff as he stretched his neck to the side. I narrowed my eyes on him. He was avoiding looking at me. I just knew it. Maverick cleared his throat. I don't … that's not something I think we should discuss.

Just tell me if that's why you've been such a dick, I said. I think I have a right to know. I mean, I know I shouldn't have done it. I'm sorry, I just—

We're not talking about this now, he gritted out.

We have to talk about it at some point, I pointed out. If it’s affecting you this badly—

It’s not affecting me, he growled.

Yeah, sure, you look so fucking unaffected. I pursed my lips.

And just what about you? he snapped. What the hell was that back there?

My spine straightened and I sat up. What do you mean?

I tried to tell you I needed the practice, he said. "But you fucking rushed in and almost got yourself killed. If I hadn’t ignored your fucking orders and followed you, I would’ve been outside when that second vampire almost attacked you. And it would’ve had I not been there."

I didn’t know there was a second one, I replied, sinking back down into my seat and turning away.

That’s my fucking point. His hands gripped the steering wheel, the leather creaking. You didn’t know and you didn’t want me there. Do you have a fucking death wish?

Of course not, I said. But I’m more equipped to handle vampires than you are.

Bullshit, he cursed.

Months of training doesn’t make you a master now. I let ice fill my tone as I stared through the windshield.

Silence greeted me and then, We’re not doing this again until Torin gets back.

You don’t make that call, I said.

Oh yes I do, he growled, removing his foot from the accelerator and slamming down on the brake. The truck came to a shrieking halt in the middle of the road, throwing me forward against the restriction of the seatbelt. I grunted as my body dropped back against the seat once again. Maverick turned on me and yanked the truck’s emergency brake up. You’re not doing what you did tonight again, he said. If you go on a hunt, you take me with you. Always. And we’re waiting until Torin gets back before we go on another one.

You seem pretty fucking confident that I’ll follow this command of yours. I folded my arms and stared back at him.

You will or I swear to fuck, Barbie, I will tie you up and leave you at the house for the foreseeable future.

Kinky, I deadpanned.

I’m not fucking kidding.

I rolled my eyes. Why is that when a man has had his tongue in your mouth, he suddenly thinks he can order you around? I wondered aloud.

"Goddamn it, Barbie! He slammed a fist down on the console, shaking the contents. The black plastic cracked under his angry punch. You kissed me," he seethed.

"And you kissed me back," I pointed out, keeping my voice even, my emotions on lockdown. Inside, I was broiling. Adrenaline surged through my veins. I found myself staring at his mouth, wanting to take it again. I wanted to redo the whole thing or maybe just see if it was as hot as I remembered.

Maverick turned away, facing forward. The steady thrum of his pulse beat in a vein in his neck, throbbing. His jaw clenched and unclenched as he tried to work through his own anger. I told you I didn’t want to fucking discuss it, he said coldly.

I threw my arms into the air and sat back against the leather seat once more. Fine, have it your fucking way. You want to pretend like it never happened, be my guest. But you don’t fucking control me, Maverick, I snapped. And you never will.

Maverick slammed the brake back down and the truck started forward again. Neither of us spoke the rest of the way home. I bounced my knee with impatience. As soon as we pulled up to the McKnight house, I hopped out of the truck and made my way towards the front door without a glance back.

It was unlocked, so I went in. Beth's head popped around the corner. Hey. She smiled brightly as I stepped into the foyer, Maverick not far behind me. How was the movie?

Fine, I lied. It was fine.

You were out pretty late, she said.

It was a double feature, Maverick replied before I could get a chance.

Her mouth opened again—probably to ask which feature we saw—but I didn't stick around to find out. I stormed up the stairs, leaving Maverick to deal with her. She was his mother after all. Not mine.

I went straight for my room and slammed the door, flipping the lock for good measure. It was a stupidly childish act, but fury boiled in my blood. I turned away from the door and just collapsed against the mattress, face planting right into the pillows with a loud thump.

Maverick might not have wanted to talk about the kiss tonight, but it would have to be dealt with at some point. Everything would. Torin. Maverick. And … Satrina.

2

BARBIE

I worked the blade down the sleeve of my t-shirt as I approached her from behind. Dressed in a bright, bubblegum pink sarong and bikini top, Satrina diligently lathered up her skin with a bottle of sunscreen. The reason why was anyone’s guess. The sun wasn’t real here. Everything was just an illusion. She was the true sun of this piece of my soul and all of the pieces were snippets of what she created with nothing more than a snap of her fingers.

My feet were silent as I made my way towards her. Even so, when she spoke, I nearly stumbled and dropped my sword. I’m really getting tired of these attempts on my life, darling, she said lightly, working the lily white lotion up one arm and down the other. But please, try, if it makes you feel any better.

Well, if you insist… I swung the blade towards her head—no hesitation. I aimed for her neck. One second my eyes were open and watching her intently as I went for the kill strike, and the next, the world flipped. Gone was the luxurious glimmering pool beneath the sunlight. We were in an abandoned graveyard. The tombstones stuck up in random odd sections. There were no names. My sword was gone.

Satrina stood over me with her hands on her hips, still clad in her sarong and bikini. Seriously? She lifted an eyebrow.

You said to give it a try, I said, getting up off my knees.

I thought you’d finally see the futility of trying to kill me. She paused and added with a direct look, Again.

I shrugged. What can I say? I’m a glutton for punishment.

Shaking her head, Satrina turned away and lifted an elegant hand, snapping her fingers—and with it, the dream world—back into place.

I looked at the stone walkway now beneath my feet and then at her back as Satrina strode to the rocky swimming pool, relieved herself of her sarong, and dove headfirst into the crystal waters. A moment later, her head popped back up and she swam to the side where she folded her arms over the lip as she looked my way.

Well, she started, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company this time?

You wanted conversation, I said with a forced shrug as I made my way towards the edge of the pool. I’m just fulfilling part of our contract.

I also believe I said no trying to kill me, she replied.

"You may have said that, I agreed, but you stipulated in the contract that I wasn’t to exorcise you. Killing the piece of you squatting in my soul isn’t the same thing."

There was a brief pause and then she threw back her head of dark corkscrew curls and laughed. When she was finished, Satrina lifted one hand and wiped under first one and then the other eye as she smiled up at me. Spoken like a true demon, she said. Always looking for loopholes. Good for you, girl.

I’m not a demon, I snapped, frowning. You’re the demon.

She pushed away from the edge of the pool and floated on her back. Yes, but now I’m a part of you. I feel I should warn you before you continue on your path and attempting to kill me on your own—she cut herself off, chuckling a bit as if the very idea was preposterous—"but killing me would also be killing off a piece of yourself. No, you’re not completely a demon, but Barbie, I am a part of you now."

So, I kill off a piece of myself, so what? Will that leave me a slightly psychotic broken mess like you left Rachel?

Satrina lifted her head and let her body drop back below the surface with a sigh. No, not exactly, but don’t you think it would be more beneficial for us to work together rather than work against one another? She arched a brow at me as I folded my arms across my chest. You can’t say you don’t like the power I give you. The speed, the strength, better eyesight, better hearing—you’re developing all of these because of the little piece of my spirit that resides within you.

You’re nothing but a means to an end, I said.

And so you’ll continue to try to kill me?

I answered with one decisive nod. What else was I going to do? I was a vampire hunter, but demons were no better than vampires. Torin had confirmed that they both originated from the same place. Demons were, arguably, worse than vampires.

Satrina swam to the end of the pool and slowly ascended the rocky steps. I left the edge and met her halfway. Towering over me with her larger than life beauty, she stared down with a passive expression. There was no hostility in her gaze, but there was also no understanding. Her lips firmed as she pressed them together.

Do you wish to see what would happen if you succeeded in killing me? she asked.

My mouth opened in surprise. I hadn’t expected that response. I watched her for any sign of deception, but she didn’t speak again, simply waiting for an answer.

I guess…

Alright then, she said with a nod. If I show you what’s in store for you should you succeed in killing me and you still want to try, I’ll let you. Mind you, I won’t just sit back and let a piece of myself be destroyed by a little human teenager. There was that tone of voice again, full of self-satisfied amusement. The edges of her lips curled. But you can still try.

I could still try either way, I reminded her.

She shrugged. True, but why not have all the facts before you start up with that again? Satrina didn’t allow me a second to reply, she lifted her hands and clapped them together so loudly that the sound echoed in the space around us.

Before my very eyes, the world shifted once more. The rocks beneath my feet, the pool, the bikini on her skin, all fell away and were replaced. Dressed in a white dressing gown, she turned and showed me the scene that had fallen into place.

There were grunts followed by the sounds of swords clashing. Torin darted before me, his face tightened by rage, blood pouring from his mouth, coating his hands. Eyes red. Maverick leveled a gun on someone unseen somewhere in the dark and pulled the trigger. The sharp noise sounded again and again. But still, there was no sign of me. What were they fighting in the dark? Was it vampires? Demons? Other creatures?

Satrina looked down