Dead Blood: Leecher Chronicles Book 5

By D. M. Barton

Everything is going wrong. With Luana out there getting her plans ready to take over the world. Bethany was on her tail. Only now she has no team. She has no help from the leecher unit. And now she has no case. Being told to move onto something else by the new director of the leecher unit.

Only Bethany isn't going to give up. Not only can

• Language: English
• Publisher: Words Matter Publishing
• Release date: Jan 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9781953912695

D. M. Barton

I work in a warehouse which allows my mind to wander about plot holes, puzzles pieces and those little epiphanies I get. Most of my spare time is spent with my other half and my son. The rare time to myself is spent working on my books or playing video games. Unfortunately, the latter often wins.I live in a lovely little village that is so quiet that it's idyllic for when I sit outside and chill with my laptop. I see my family often and they are always supportive of my dream to be a full-time writer. I've finished my first series and now onto the next. I want to keep going, never stop. Idea after idea and just keep throwing out brilliant reads.Recently got some amazing feedback from a fan and it's so addictive. So, I will use that to keep moving forward. To keep perfecting my craft and to make it a career.

Book preview

Chapter 1

glif

"Everything was looking up a couple of weeks ago. I was getting a Halloween costume with my friends. Planning on having a great celebration before starting the hard work. My former team leader had told me I was getting my own unit.

"One that I could fill with my own people. People I trusted to have my back. The investigation started off with steam. Trying to track down an evil witch who needed to be stopped before she tried to take over the world.

"We had a few leads but unfortunately, they dried up pretty quick. Which wasn’t the problem as far as I could tell. It turned worse when they finally brought in a new director to take control of the leecher unit.

"A unit that had been put in place by the government to police the supernaturals of this world. It was filled with more species from fantasy and film recently than just leechers. It looked like it was heading in the right direction until he took over.

"Then there were cuts left and right. My team being one of them. I was told I could carry on the investigation by myself, but it was officially being passed over to someone else. He neglected to tell me who. Even with some digging I couldn’t unearth that information.

"But it wasn’t going to stop me hunting this witch down. Because it was personal between us. Not only had she helped a sickening excuse of a leecher to rise up the ranks in the leecher unit. Giving him the opportunity to ruin my life by taking me from my parents as an experiment.

She also lived inside my head, pretending to be a close friend who I had lost. Giving me hope that he could be saved. Right before taking his body for herself and vanishing in carnage and blood.

I turned my head slowly. Looking at the blank expression on the drunken homeless guy sitting in the bus shelter with me. Giving him a gentle smile as he gave a confused look to the bottle of whiskey in his hand. I think I’ve had too much of this.

It’s not the drink. Trust me. This man was a human and clearly didn’t believe a word I was saying. Honestly you don’t have to trust any word that comes out of my mouth. There are two reasons why I’ve sat down here and neither of them have to do with the bus.

Yeah? He sat up, seeming to be more intrigued by our conversation.

Yes. One, I just wanted to unload some stuff onto someone, and you were the perfect recipient. Secondly, those guys over there.

The man turned to look as I nodded over the street. Who?

The two trying to blend in. Sticking out like sore thumbs because I’ve been sitting here waiting for a bus for almost twenty minutes. They’ve been spending that same amount of time looking at magazines.

Right. Down went some more whiskey.

Now, they could be casing the magazine stand, but I doubt the owner has enough cash for that trouble. I can tell from their smell that they’re not human but they’re not supernatural. So that leaves leechers. Making it more than likely that they are two followers. Members of a group whose leader I killed.

You’re making up stories again. He swallowed a few more swigs of his alcohol.

Ignoring his comment and carrying on. Since his death, they had another leader, but he wasn’t up to scratch either. Now they pop up from time to time. Small groups of them. Feeling like they should carry out the idea that they need to punish me. I guess they want to believe they have a purpose. Instead of choosing a different path. Followers was the perfect word for them.

The homeless guy snorted. You’re a funny lady. You know.

Giving him a gentle smile. I haven’t been at all funny lately. Too much work to be done. Which brings me to why they’re here. They think they’ve been following me. Only, I’ve been using myself as bait. There’s a chance they have information that can help me.

The man chuckled, They’re in trouble then.

They will be. But first I need some help, from you.

Me? He looked shocked. Holding the bottle in a shaking hand. What do you need me for?

A distraction.

Oh?

Just be yourself. Over there. For…. My fingers plucked a note from my pocket. A tenner?

The shocked look was replaced with a happy smile. Moving slowly to take the note from my fingers. What do I have to do?

Smiling softly as I let my ears listen. Using the werewolf essence, I had leeched from earlier. My extreme hearing picking up the chatter coming through their earpieces. Go over to them two. Be drunk. Just be yourself. I’m sure you can manage that.

For another tenner maybe. He grinned showing off the gaps in his teeth. I simply nodded, my fingers moving quickly and snatching the note from his hand without him noticing. Offering it back to him like another from my pocket. Thanks.

Off he went, giggling to himself, thinking he got more money out of me than he did. I kept my seat at the bus shelter. Watching as the drunk stumbled over to the two suspicious characters. I could hear his yelling from across the street.

As their attention swayed from me, I moved. Quick enough to avoid being spotted by them. But slow enough that the other pair could catch it. Hearing the chatter from their earpieces. Smiling as my plan had worked.

Dodging down an alleyway. Checking I was alone before I leapt up through the air. Zooming past windows and bricks until I landed on the roof. Peering back down four floors to the two men chasing me.

They stopped and looked around. My eyes picking up the movement of a hand. Rising up and pressing to the earpiece. I tuned my ears perfectly. Hearing his words and then searching for that millisecond delay of the repeat.

Picking it up as a squeak a few buildings over. Moving my feet towards the opposite edge and jumping. Feeling the cool air rushing over my clothes before landing. Carrying on the momentum and taking another leap from rooftop to rooftop.

Moving like a blur of speed and zeroing on the squeaky voice. Hearing silence come but it didn’t matter. I had arrived at the right building. Placing the other pair of leechers underneath my feet in one of the top apartments.

I built up the strength in my arms before rising them high above my head and crashing them down at the roof. A puff of dust and wood exploding around me, and I started falling. Landing with grace and moving quickly.

Smelling the air and catching the whiff of aftershave to my right. Thrusting out a hand and grabbing hair. Yanking the head at an odd angle. Pushing the man to the floor before ramming the heel of my shoe into his face.

The air rippling with movement behind me so I spun. Feeling a fist hit my ribs. Pain shot up my right side, but I easily ignored it. Moving quickly and slamming my palms over the woman’s ears.

She stumbled back in pain, seeing the blood leaking from burst ear drums. I shot my elbow into the bridge of her nose. Making blood shoot out over her lips. Swinging my foot up and cracking her across the jaw. Sending her tumbling into a table and chair.

Moving quickly, I pulled out two bracelets from my jacket pocket. Clipping them around a wrist on each of my enemies. Hearing the soft click and then the buzz as they activated. Sapping them of their ability to leech.

Then I bundled them together into a cupboard and locked them in by placing a chair in front of the handle. Happy they were locked in I put in a call to leecher headquarters. Not to the clean up crew who handled these types of situations.

I had been doing that and everything was being looked over meticulously by the new director. He had been leaving me messages about creating messes for him. Telling me that I should be keeping a low profile.

So instead my call was put in to my old boss. I had only worked in his unit for a short time but he had respected my abilities and how well I looked after myself in tough situations. Jeremiah had been one of the higher ups that backed the decision to give me my own unit.

The phone picked up after the third ring. Hey, you getting yourself into trouble again?

You know me. I’ve two needing pick up. Moving out of the apartment to check the number. Giving it to him as I quickly sped down the stairs. Coming out onto the street and relaying the name of the building.

Right. Got it, I’ll send over a team.

Okay. I’ve got two more to catch. See what information these ones have.

I don’t know why you’re putting yourself in danger like this. The last five times you’ve done this, you’ve gotten nothing.

It’s one hundred percent certain I won’t find anything if I give up. At least this way I have a small chance.

Do you know the definition of insanity?

Don’t spout your nonsense to me. I’ll call you with good news.

Just make sure you survive the night.

Sure thing.

Bye, you lunatic.

See ya, Gramps. I quickly hung up the phone laughing to myself. Jeremiah wasn’t even that old, but it always wound him up. I ducked back into the building and up to the top floor. Keeping my ears out for footsteps as I rummaged through the stuff.

There wasn’t much. Most of it was just surveillance equipment. A few shots of me on the wall from the other day. Nothing really helpful jumped out at me. So, I moved into the corner and waited.

Hearing squeaky voices coming from the cupboard. Those earpieces speaking to the knocked out leechers. I knew when they didn’t get a reply they would come looking and it wasn’t long before footsteps started coming down the hallway.

Slow at first but then they quickly turned into a sprint. Two bodies came into the room with a blur. Moving quickly my hand gripped the back of a chair and I took one down with a crash of wood.

The other spun seeing the gun in his hand my eyes went wide with fear. I was leeching from a werewolf but a bullet in the right place was still going to kill me. Shifting from foot to foot, my hand wrapping around that extended arm.

Shoving my forearm into the back of the man’s elbow. Hearing the snap as the arm gave way. The gun was dropped. Twisting that arm made bone pierce the skin with a squirt of blood. The man cried until I rammed my fist into his face.

His eyes went down and so did his body. Dropping like a brick. I checked his pulse before clamping a deadener around his wrist. Then I grabbed a few tea towels and hog tied him on his front. Giving a little giggle at the position he lay in.

My hand quickly rummaged in his pockets. Finding a spare clip for his gun and a photo of me. Otherwise, they were empty. So, I moved onto the fourth. Finding the same picture but also finding a phone.

An old flip phone with just one number logged in the contacts. Pocketing it, I incapacitated him with the handle from the oven. Using my strength to wrap it around his wrists. Then toppling the heavy oven over on top of him. Finally draining his abilities away with my last deadener cuff. In that kind of position with his human strength he wouldn’t be able to move until the clean-up crew arrived.

Giving Jeremiah an update text. Telling him there would be four in the apartment for incarceration. I left and started walking along the street. Checking the phone but it was just the one phone number that I could find. So, as I walked, I rang it. Hearing the voice picking up, West. Status?

When I didn’t say anything, neither did they. The line going dead quickly. This person wouldn’t pick up again so soon, so I needed some way of getting more information. Before, I would head into work and use their computer systems to hack the technology.

Now, I like to keep as far from that place as possible. Keeping what I’m up to under wraps. Because of that, I had managed to make a few more friends that would help. Luckily one of them didn’t work too far from where I was. And he always kept late hours at the shop.

Knowing I had at least a ten-minute walk I pulled out my own phone. Dialling my boyfriend. The ancient vampire picking up quickly, despite the late hours of the night. Please tell me you’re okay.

Hello to you too. Such a sweetie.

Kellen laughed, I worry.

Doesn’t mean you have to throw politeness out of the window.

Again, he laughed, and it warmed my whole body more than the werewolf essence. So, what do I owe the pleasure of your voice?

Just seeing how you’re doing.

I’m good. Just going through some paperwork.

The new director making your life miserable as well? We both laughed. Anything important?

Not really. Just some guidelines for the treaty between us and the vampire council. New rules that the director wants to put in writing. He’s very pinpoint with his preferences.

You don’t have to tell me that. I get an earful any time I create paperwork for the unit.

Kellen’s laugh was loud, making me jump a little. You keeping off of his radar?

Absolutely. Off to see a friend about a phone.

Need some company?

Nah, I’m almost there.

There was a short pause. You’re going to go see grumpy, aren’t you?

He was only grumpy because you dropped one of his collectables.

I heard his sigh. I apologised so many times and offered to pay for it. He’s the ridiculous one saying I owed him thousands for it. Hell, I could buy him some super glue and it would be like brand new.

I don’t think that’s the point.

So, he said. But I understand you not wanting me there. You coming round when you’re done? I’ll no doubt still be up with so many paper cuts.

What you talking about? You’ll heal each and every one of them.

They still sting.

Wimp.

I smiled at his soft laugh, So you going to come round and nurse me back to health?

We’ll see. This might lead somewhere good. Don’t want the trail to go cold.

Just don’t run yourself into the ground. I know it’s important but it’s also very important to have a life.

I miss you too.

So much.

Okay, sure. I’ll come around when I’m done, and I’ll make sure I wake you up if you are asleep.

Awesome. I’ll drink some coffee.

I laughed. That won’t do anything.

It’s the thought that counts.

See you later, handsome.

Later, gorgeous. I heard his kiss down the line, so I sent him one back. Putting my phone away as I came up to the store front. A neon sign saying it was open all night. He got a lot of normal customers; however, his high paying clients would only feel comfortable shopping at this time of night. And that would be criminals.

I pushed the door and the soft ping of the bell above me went off. Two faces turned to look at me as I entered. Within that split second I breathed in. Using not only my natural leeching abilities but also the wolf nose I possessed at the moment.

Four humans. No supernaturals were within this building which meant I was the strongest and the fastest. So, I didn’t have to worry about the two large men looking at me. Wearing typical criminal outfits. All black clothing. Leather jackets, jeans. Big boots. Grimaces that held scars and missing teeth from their profession.

I ignored them completely. Moving between them and leaning on the counter. Solomon?

Beth? Out popped a head from between two curtains. Hey. One second. I’m just with a client.

And his client doesn’t appreciate interruptions.

One second, Beth. Back he popped to deal with his upset client. I gave one of the guys the once over as he towered over me. Moving out of the way and starting to look at the stuff in the shop. Typical phone gadgets, cases. Some tablets and computer tech. Nothing too fancy and nothing compared to what he had hidden in the back.

Ten minutes passed and I was getting a little restless. Standing almost at the door and shouting. You almost done?

Solomon’s head popped back through but the voice that came wasn’t his. The client, his voice booming through the curtains. Boys, teach this broad some manners whilst I finish my business.

Hey... Solomon was about to stand up for me but a look over his shoulder had him stopping. But it was okay because I wasn’t just a defenceless woman.

So, I kept my spot near the door. Making sure I knew where the displays were. Where the most expensive items that Solomon sold were. That way I could still cause damage to these guys but keep it from costing my friend.

The tallest of the two men walked over to me. His hand slipped inside his jacket and pulled out a gold knuckleduster. Clearly these weren’t the kind of gentlemen to go easy on a woman. Smirking to myself as he drew closer.

These were human so I couldn’t give away my special abilities. However, my training gave me an advantage and who’s to say I couldn’t use a little extra strength. The mountain of a man threw a punch. I felt like he was moving in slow-motion as I contemplated my counter.

Leaning back so the balled-up hand swung past my face. Then I shot myself forward. Cracking his nose with my forehead. Blood shot out, covering his mouth and jaw as he stumbled back.

Not one to give up from pain he came back at me. This time angrier, swinging his arms like an animal. Ducking down and slipping quickly around his side. Moving my fists into attacks. Mashing them into his right side, cracking those ribs with a little power from the wolf inside.

He cried and dropped to a knee. Jumping a little and bringing my punch down upon his jaw. Making him sprawl unconscious on the floor. The second man moved forward a few steps. Looked down at his colleague and didn’t come any closer.

So, I took a step forward. He retreated, much to my delight. I would have moved again but the client from the back came through the red velvet curtains. His bald head shining under the lights.

A hand was run over his beard when he saw his employee on the floor. That’s quite impressive. How did you manage to beat my man?

He’s all muscle. Nothing upstairs.

His eyes narrowed as he smiled. If you say so. Beth, wasn’t it?

Uh-huh.

Might have some use for someone with your talents. No one would look at you and see a fighter.

People have underestimated me my whole life. But I already have a job. Not interested.

Still, I think I’ll keep you in mind. Around he turned and patted Solomon on the shoulder. You have any other friends like this?

A smile erupted across his lips in response. There isn’t anyone out there like Beth.

I wouldn’t be surprised. Thanks for the info. We’ll be in touch about part two.

Sure, drive safe out there.

The big man on the floor was picked up and helped out of the shop with great difficulty. Once alone, I made my way over to the counter. Mixing with bad men again?

Don’t worry about me. I watched as he delved a hand under the counter and slipped a hard sweet into his mouth. From the look of him, Solomon didn’t seem a day over sixteen. His boyish looks hid the fact he was almost in his thirties.

How can I help you today?

I have a phone. Need as much information out of it you can get, including the location the last call was made to.

Child’s play. As he said it I followed him upstairs to his personal space. Seeing the large amount of collectables, he had. Figurines still in their packaging. Mint condition comics in see-through wallets.

Most people would think this kid really was just a teenager. He liked to call himself an enthusiast. I wasn’t about to say anything bad about it because he loved all this kind of stuff. Each to their own.

How long is this child’s play going to take?

You got somewhere to be? Out came a cable and the phone was plugged into his laptop. Then his fingers went to work. Tapping keys quicker than I could follow.

Depends. If this is going to be something quick, I can wait. If it’ll take hours or days, I guess I could hold off on the knowledge.

Well, that will all depend on which information you’re looking for. The sound of a can hissing open made me jump. He gulped a few mouthfuls before tapping the screen. These numbers here have been deleted periodically. It gets added, then gone, including all the calls to and from.

But you’ve retrieved them?

You’re talking to the tech wizard. Give me some credit.

Sorry. A miniature flash drive was plugged in and the information he had gotten was transferred over. Thank you very much for this.

And payment?

I’ll keep an eye out, I promise.

You better. I plucked the flash drive from his fingers and placed a kiss to his cheek. That doesn’t count.

I know. You’ve got my number when you get something else.

Sure, sure.

Have a good night.

Night, day. Doesn’t matter when you have insomnia.

Chat soon. Get a girlfriend or something.

I laughed as he threw a metal straw at me. Making me retreat back to the shop and out onto the street. As I walked, I plugged what he had given me into my phone. The government had all the high-tech for us. Including phones that took all kinds of plug ins and with Solomon’s help, my phone had a strong layer of security to keep the new director out of my business.

As it loaded, I started a scan on the phone numbers. Letting it run in the background as I slipped it into my pocket. Letting my technology do its work as I walked. Heading over to my boyfriend’s place. Allowing the werewolf essence to leave my body. Not needing it anymore.

Since an incident recently where he lost his arm, he had moved to somewhere he claimed was more secure. However, to me it looked like the kind of house you would settle down in.

Catching a tram since it was free to the outskirts of the city. Then hopping on a night bus to get to the more quaint area of houses. Skyscrapers left behind in the distance. The area nice and quiet. The only life was a few dogs barking as I jumped off at the stop.

Making my way past twitching curtains and up the driveway that sat at the side of Kellen’s house at the end of the cul-de-sac. He had picked this area because it was so quiet. Meant he could tell when someone here didn’t belong.

The particular house he had brought had a massive back garden, the biggest in the neighbourhood. Until my vampire built an extension almost as big as the original house. Much to the disapproval of the local community.

That was until the barbecues started almost every weekend. Getting to know his neighbours was another way for him to keep an eye out for enemies. I thought he was just lonely here out of the busy city.

The front door was rarely used so I moved through the side gate. Using the hidden thumb print lock to gain entry. Moving though the large patio doors. Coming into the lounge which ran from the front to the back of the building. Kellen wasn’t here so he was likely in his study which was upstairs.

So, I slipped my keys, phone, and card wallet onto the nearby coffee table. As I walked through the long room, I stripped my clothing bit by bit. Leaving my jacket by the patio doors. My dark top by the bottom of the stairs. Slipping my tight jeans off before climbing up. Spotting the open doorway lit up by the bulb.

Kellen sat at his desk working through his paperwork. I scrunched up the denim into a ball when his voice made me jump. You lingering on the stairs for a reason?

You heard me.

I am a vampire, you know.

I was hoping you were too busy with your work to pay attention to any noises. Was hoping I would catch you by surprise.

He scoffed and started to turn. That’s very unlikely. Before he faced me, I tossed my jeans, hitting him in the face. I giggled as he made a startled yelp. Oi.

That noise was hilarious. Think you could make it again? So cute.

He grinned wide before blurring into speed. Feeling his arm suddenly grabbing me. Lips crushing to mine. Kicking into something passion-fuelled immediately. Up I was lifted, wrapping my bare legs around his waist tightly.

Nails clawing at the back of his shirt as I was carried. Feeling the nudge of the doorway as he moved quickly. Massaging my lips to his, biting his bottom lip. Groaning out as I felt his fingers gripping onto my thighs. Carrying me so easily.

Then I was suddenly dropped. Feeling the soft mattress underneath, me, bouncing for a moment before settling. Looking up at my man with stormy eyes. Watching as he undressed. Seeing his flesh on show. Those muscles. Rubbing my thighs together as I enjoyed the view.

He revealed everything to me. Showing me how ready he was for what I had planned all along. Kellen’s voice came low, like a growl. You’re wearing far too much.

Do something about it then. Trying to make my voice as sultry as possible. Keeping my eyes