Ashes to Ashes: Barbie: The Vampire Hunter, #3

By Lucy Smoke and Lucinda Dark

Roses are red. Violets are blue. You came for me. Now, I'm coming for you.

A year ago, I thought my whole world had ended. My family was dead. The life that I knew had been changed forever. Now I know that was just the beginning. I faced down the devil who destroyed my family and I fucking lost. I've become the thing I hate most in this world and there is no turning back. Even a contract with a demon couldn't save me from the creature that now inhabits my body.

Arrius Priest is planning something big. Something that threatens not just the society of hunters my parents belonged to, but the existence of the human race as we know it. Even though none of us are completely human anymore--not even Maverick--we won't abandon it. I may have failed once before, but I won't fail again.

It takes a monster to destroy a monster, so a monster I will become.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lucy Smoke
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224568291

Lucy Smoke

Lucy Smoke is the author of the Sick Boys series, among other series and novels. Also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, she has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She lives in the Southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends. For more information, visit LucySmoke.com.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

MAVERICK

You good? I jerked as Torin’s voice tore through the darkness, the first bit of sound in several long minutes.

What? Yeah. I’m fine. I scratched the back of my neck as I stared up at the crumbling Mausoleum where we’d left Barbie’s unconscious body two weeks ago. We’d been coming back every night since. And every night since, I hadn’t slept more than a few hours at a time. I was exhausted. Running on fumes. We both were. You think she’s awake? I asked.

She should be, Torin said cryptically.

I thought that two weeks of just him and I would give me some insight on this whole vampire transition business, but I knew about as much as I did before we decided to turn her. Which was to say, I still knew absolutely nothing. He was as tight lipped as ever. I glared his way, but he didn’t appear to notice. Torin’s eyes were focused solely on the double doors leading into the interior of the building. It was a wonder that we even found it, but Rome wasn’t as unfamiliar to him as it was to me. As soon as Barbie’s transition had started, he’d known exactly where to go.

We were miles from the center of Rome now. A small graveyard in a shabby neighborhood that boasted nothing but poorly kept apartment buildings and drug stores that looked like they saw more robberies than actual customers.

Let’s go. Torin headed towards the double doors, reaching up and tearing away the chain and padlock we’d put on it.

Shit! I jumped out of the way as he tossed the heavy mass of metal over his shoulder, nearly nailing me in my own fucking shoulder. Watch it, I cursed. What if she’s not awake? We might need that when we leave.

We won’t, he said, sniffing the air. She’s awake.

We stepped into the dark entrance and I paused, staring across the narrow space to the tomb at its center. The lid was made of pure concrete; the image of a fallen woman draped in fabric was chiseled into the top of it. I stepped up next to the stone monument and swept my hand down the face of it, clearing away cobwebs.

Grab that side, I said, reaching for the corner as Torin did the same on the opposite side. He pushed as I pulled and together, we managed to move the top of the lid until it slid to the side completely and there was nothing left but a naturally wooden coffin inside the stone tomb. I didn’t ask where he’d gotten such a thing, or why we needed it. Just staring at it now made my skin crawl. Imagining that Barbie had been locked inside for fourteen fucking days … suffice it to say, it was probably a large part of why I hadn’t been sleeping lately.

The lid creaked as Torin reached for it and pulled the bottom part of the coffin open. My mouth dropped. The inside was ruined. The velvet interior shredded. There were holes punched in the sides, long claw marks marring the wood. I felt sick to my fucking stomach. I took a step back and swallowed against the acidic taste in my mouth.

But Barbie … she looked unchanged. At least, she did until her eyes opened. Blonde lashes lifted and my breath caught in my chest as a pair of wickedly blue eyes settled on the space in front of her. It was as if she were there and she wasn’t because this creature was something new. She was alive—somewhat—but there was an odd eeriness to her movements. Her eyes tracked nothing but darted around. Her fingers curled around the edges of the ruined coffin as she leveraged herself up. It was then that I realized she resembled Torin now, in a way. Her skin was different—clearer. There was no hint of human flaw. It was her and yet, it wasn’t.

When going through the transition, new vampires tend to destroy their surroundings, Torin said as he reached forward to help her out. I jumped into action as well, reaching for her at the same time. Her eyes flashed red for a brief second and I dropped her hand.

Jesus fucking Christ… Was this really the same girl? What the fuck had we done? What had I let him do to her? The red glow settled in her eyes and stayed, burning at a low volume as if she were a flame about to go out.

Barbie? Torin frowned.

She blinked, lifting soft white fingers to her mouth as she parted her lips. My eyes widened when two sharp fangs descended from her gums. Torin took a step towards her, blocking me out as he shifted to cover her front. He said something in a low voice and I was too distracted by her movements to focus on his words.

Barbie had been graceful before. Strong and sure in her actions. But this was different. She was different. Now, she moved as if she were floating. As if each and every step and twitch of her fingers was thoughtlessly balletic. Reckless beauty. Her head turned and she looked over Torin’s shoulder straight at me.

My mouth was dry, but I licked my lips, preparing to speak. You look… My words trailed off again. I couldn’t say it, I couldn’t seem to string more than two fucking words together. What the fuck was wrong with me?

Beautiful, Torin said. I cut him a dark glare, but it wasn’t like I could refute the point. She was. Impossibly Exquisitely. Unnaturally. He stepped back, leaving room between the two of us. How do you feel? he asked.

She tilted her head as if the question confused her. I sucked in a breath and moved closer. Barbie? I reached out, stopping short when her eyes turned my way, the redness flaring and glowing bright.

Torin hissed between his teeth as her lips parted and she spoke for the first time. Hungry, she said.

Golden hair flashed in front of me a split second before Torin’s hand gripped my shoulder and ripped me back as Barbie’s violent red eyes zeroed in on my throat. I stumbled and hit the wall, jarring a row of old cylindrical containers. On the end, one tipped over the edge of the shelf and crashed down, shattering in a rain of spider webs and dust on the stone ground.

Torin grunted as the full weight of Barbie's form slammed into him and shoved him back against the wall. More jars fell from their perches, breaking open at our feet. My eyes widened as Torin palmed the back of her head, grimacing as she sank long, white fangs into the side of his neck.

Shit, I hissed, reaching for her.

No, don't, he said, lifting his only free hand to stop me. She needs it.

But your blood won't do anything for her, will it?

I'm half-human, he said, wincing as she shook her head slightly, tearing the wound in his throat as she worked to suck down more of his blood. It'll tide her over for now.

Silence descended as I watched Barbie feed from Torin's neck, and I couldn't help but feel a kernel of envy. His fingers slid through the strands of her golden hair, cupping the back of her skull as she fed, and for a brief moment, I imagined that it was me. That it was my throat she ravaged—after all, I had been the one she was aiming for. It didn't scare me.

After several long minutes—and several long pulls from his throat—Torin gently eased her away. Barbie's eyes opened, glowing crimson for a moment longer. Looking at her brought all that we’d done to life. This wasn’t Barbie. The red eyes, the slithering reptilian movements of her limbs as she uncurled herself from Torin’s body—it was something else entirely. Her eyes slowly faded back to blue and she became the Barbie I knew once more. She licked her lips as her fangs ascended back into her gums.

Barbie? This time, when I reached for her, Torin let her go. Barbie sagged into my arms, blinking as her gaze clouded over with confusion. I swung her up into my arms.

Maverick? She licked her lips again, shaky fingers touching them and coming away wet with blood. What ... what did I just do?

You were hungry, Torin answered as he put a hand over the wound on his throat. Had he been human, I might have been a little worried. He was paler than before and when he moved to take a step towards the exit, he reached out and rested a hand on the wall to keep his balance.

You good? I asked, repeating the same words he’d asked me earlier.

He nodded sharply. Fine. I've got bagged blood back at the motel.

I pressed my lips together to keep my doubts to myself. Two weeks had passed since the incident that had left Barbie like this and we'd moved to a less reputable—less secure—motel instead of the hotel we'd been staying in with the school chaperones. It was a way to stay off the grid in case Torin's father came back. It certainly didn't mean his blood would be where he left it. I had a sneaking suspicion that had we left anything of major value, the rat-faced owner of the motel we were crashing in would've snuck in to steal it. It was a wonder he hadn't discovered the blood bags before now.

I-I just— Barbie's trembling voice drew my attention. I looked down as she gaped at Torin. Drank ... blood—fuck. Oh fuck. No.

Barbie— I started.

Put me the fuck down, Maverick, she growled, her fangs sliding back out as a soft red glow overtook her eyes once more. I'm going to kill him.

I'm not doing that, I said. We have to get the fuck out of here. Sooner rather than later.

Maverick. My name was a warning on her lips as she began to struggle. I squeezed her tighter to my chest.

If you try to get out of my arms now, Barbie, you'll fucking hurt me. Is that what you want? Do you want to fucking hurt me?

Her tension didn't ease, but she finally stopped struggling. Her arms came up and circled my shoulders. She and I both knew she could walk just fine on her own, but I couldn't say I didn't like the feeling of holding her. Yes, I held her now to keep her from going after Torin, who—after giving her so much blood—was looking rather shaky on his own feet, but that didn't diminish the pleasure I derived from it.

Let's go. The man in question grunted as he moved towards the exit. The car's waiting.

I sighed and followed the stubborn bastard, keeping Barbie in my arms the entire way. I knew that sooner or later she'd demand to be put down again. For now, though, I relished the feeling of having her back in my arms. Alive.

1

BARBIE

Hatred. Anger. Fear. Those specific emotions coursed through my veins. Hatred over what had been forced on me. Anger at those who had done the forcing. And fear because of what I’d become. I stared down at the shower drain as water ran through my hair, slicking the strands against my cheeks. Beneath my skin, something new moved. Another creature in my own shape, twisted inside my body like I had a second being trying to rip its way out. I stared at my flesh, but the movement must have only been in my mind because there were no physical differences that confirmed that what I was feeling was real.

What did this mean? What was I now? What would happen? Would I be able to control it? The first thing I wanted to do when I’d woken up after I’d fed the hunger of this new monster inside me was slug Torin in the face and take off, but I knew what was happening to me couldn’t be controlled on my own. I’d seen centuries-old vampires lose control when blood was involved. I was a brand new kind of being.

Before, I had been on the verge of a change. Demon-possessed and sucking in the demonic power Satrina supplied me with. Satrina? I called out for her as my hands settled on the chipped tile wall in front of me.

I didn’t need to ask the question spiraling in my mind, she already heard it. I’m sorry, Barbie. I don’t know what this means, she answered. You’re a different creature now. You’re still demon-possessed—obviously, or I wouldn’t be here, but there is a new part of you. The vampire. And if you’re not careful, she could take control. You were right to stay with Torin.

That wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear, but as I blew out a breath, I knew it couldn’t be denied. It was what I had believed anyway. It changed nothing.

So much of life occurred in the face of death. Like one major ‘fuck you’ to the creature for whom we all seemed to fear. Even vampires, supposedly immortal, had to meet their maker someday. For me, that day was supposed to be two weeks ago. And somehow, I was still here.

Actually, there was no somehow about it. I was still here for two reasons.

Maverick fucking McKnight and Torin fucking Priest.

The first, I was mad at. The second, I wanted to dangle over a fucking volcano and slowly dip him into lava one limb at a time while listening to his blood-curdling screams, with a martini in hand.

I tilted my head back and let the rainfall of the showerhead hit me face first this time. I slicked my hair back as I cleaned the dried blood out from under my nails. Dirt, grime, and blood rushed towards the drain of the porcelain tub, staining the white in a muddy red. A knock on the other side of the bathroom door sounded and ricocheted through my head. I flinched. Everything was louder now. I could even hear the old Italian man who ran the shit roach motel the guys had brought me to scream something in his native tongue at the television that was blasting away three floors below us.

What? I snapped.

I’ve got a towel here for you and some new clothes, Maverick said. I’m setting them outside the door. Get dressed and come to the room when you’re done.

Fine. I gritted my teeth and scrubbed a hand down my face. Thanks.

Minutes later, I shut off the showerhead and stepped out of the minuscule stall onto a wet floor bumping the tub that was positioned next to it with my thigh. I wasn’t a big girl by any means, but just to fit into the tiny square the hotel claimed as a shower, I’d had to leave the fucking door open, and now the rest of the room was nearly flooded. With a growl, I cracked the bathroom door open and reached for the towel Maverick had left. Rubbing the thing down my body in quick, precise movements, I hurried through dressing.

I paused just before leaving the bathroom, turning back to the condensation coated mirror. Hesitantly, I stepped towards it, lifting my hand and swiping it in one straight motion down the surface. My breath left my chest. My heart practically stopped. The girl that stared back at me was … well, she was me, but she wasn’t.

So much of lore said that vampires weren’t able to see themselves in mirrors, but that just wasn’t true. Not anymore anyway. Once, when people had backed mirrors in pure silver, vampires’ reflections had faded, but since then, less pure metals were used and their reflections had returned. Besides, it wasn’t like I was completely vampire. I was a dhampire or some combination of that, as well as demon-possessed—there wasn’t any damn room for anyone else in my head or my body.

Everything about my image was the same—my face shape, my eye color. And yet, at the same time, everything had been heightened. I could see the strands of color in my irises split apart at the fucking microscopic level, the different shades of blue as if they had been pulled from my eyes and laid bare before me. My skin was perfect. Too fucking perfect. I was a teenager. I should’ve had a zit or two, bad pores. Something. Anything. But all that greeted me was perfectly smooth pale flesh.

There was something different about that flesh. Something that hadn’t been there before. It didn’t have a name, but it was everything I hated. It was evil. It was bloodthirsty. It was something I had never wanted, nor asked for and yet it felt inevitable that what I was now was exactly what I’d been trying so desperately hard to destroy. Call it tragic irony or just call it what it was: Annoying.

I clenched my fist and without thinking, slammed it into the mirror. The glass surface of it cracked beneath my fist, sharp fragments raining down into the sink. The skin of my knuckles split and fresh blood welled. Hunger burned at the back of my mouth and my gums shifted. This time when I looked up, I saw red eyes instead of blue.

I know you’re angry, Satrina started. But keeping calm right now is the best course of action.

Is it? I snapped back. When she didn’t reply, I sighed and lowered my arm. What… I didn’t want to ask it, but I knew I had to. What does this mean? For me? For the contract?

Her responding sigh was heavy. Then she said the one thing I’d hoped she wouldn’t. I don’t know, Barbie.

Great, I thought to myself. Just fucking great. I didn’t look down when the cuts over my knuckles tingled and began to heal on their own. Instead, I turned away from the mirror and took several deep, calming breaths until I was sure the crimson glow was gone. Only then did I leave the bathroom and head for the second motel room Torin had rented for us.

I knocked on the door and let myself in, frowning when I saw Maverick already half out of his chair as if he meant to open the door for me. He resettled himself as I shut the door behind me.

Good, we’re all here then, Torin said, subtly tucking his phone into his back pocket. Take a seat.

I scowled at him. I think I’ll take a seat when I’m good and ready to, I barked. And I certainly won’t do it because you fucking told me to.

Torin’s hazel eyes slid my way. We don’t have time for this, Barbie, he said. Now that you’re awake, we have to get back to the States.

A memory resurfaced, dropping my anger down a notch or two. What about Olivia? I asked. What happened to her? The last time I saw her she was bleeding out from a horrible bite wound in her neck.

She’s fine, Maverick answered. She lost a lot of blood and was sent home early. In fact, the entire class trip was canceled and everyone was sent home. We’ve kept in contact, though, and she doesn’t remember what happened.

What about the chaperones of the trip? Do Beth and Jon know anything?

Maverick scrubbed a hand down his face and leaned back. They think that you got really sick—before everything with Olivia even happened—and you’ve been detained here in quarantine with a dedicated hospital staff who are all very good at their jobs.

That wouldn’t keep them from flying here if that was the case, I pointed out, crossing my arms.

No, it wouldn’t, Torin agreed. I felt my lips curl back as he strode closer. They flew over a few days after Olivia and everyone else were sent home. I met with them and convinced them that you were in quarantine and that they shouldn’t see you in case your illness was contagious.

By convinced you mean you controlled them, I guessed.

It was for the best, Maverick said, standing. He moved closer, pushing between Torin and me. Unless you wanted my parents to know about vampires?

Of course, I didn’t want that and he fucking knew it. Any knowledge of the supernatural would put them both in danger. And as I was now, I wasn’t sure if I could protect them. Hell, two weeks ago I hadn’t even been able to protect my fucking self.

I turned away. Fine, I said. When are we going back then?

Tomorrow.

I stiffened. Tomorrow seemed both a lifetime away and far too fucking soon. I'd literally just crawled out of a tomb hours ago and attacked him. There was no telling what I would do when put in a roomful of humans. If I could control myself. Torin wasn't stupid, though. He had to know what I was thinking.

We'll go back to the States and train you before you go home, he said quietly. We'll tell the McKnights you've been transferred to an American facility until then.

And school? I asked, turning back. It wasn’t that I held a strong desire to go back, but it was a concern.

You were already ahead in your classes, he said with a sigh. But I made arrangements, and your missing assignments will be forgiven. You can return to school when—and only when—you’ve been sufficiently trained.

I nodded. Okay, I said. Then about the McKnights, where are we going if not back to them?

You'll stay with me at the Priest Estate.

I glared at him. After everything that's happened, what the fuck makes you think I want to stay anywhere near you? I growled. Maverick sighed, opening his mouth—I was sure—to chastise me or to talk some sense into me, but I didn't want to hear it. I whipped my head away from him and focused solely on Torin. You ignored my wishes, I said. You changed me without my consent. As far as I'm concerned, you're no better than your goddamned father and you can rot in hell.

There wasn't even a shadow of emotion on his face as Torin stared back at me. No remorse. No anger. Nothing. It was as if he were a statue, carved from pure fucking granite. How the fuck had I been stupid enough to let myself be taken in by him? Regardless, he said coolly, you will stay with me until you have control of your vampire self.

I trembled with fury. I told you no. The words faltered, not because I was scared, but because my anger was so hot, it burned away all else. Even my ability to speak. You knew I didn't want it. I said no. I repeated it and you ignored that. I fucking trusted you, Torin. I. Trusted. You.

That was your first mistake then.

I rocked back on my heels, shocked beyond belief.

Tor— Maverick started.

No, she wants to hate me, that's her prerogative, Maverick. She wants to blame me, she can.

You're not the only one who did it, Maverick argued with a frown. I helped you.

And I'm pissed at you, too, I informed him, cutting a glare his way.

But not as much as you are at me, am I right? Torin asked.

When I looked back at him, I nodded. Maverick wasn't as knowledgeable about this world as I was. He was still new to everything. Torin was different. He had been born in the darkness and he knew the true evil that was his father—at least, I thought he had. Now, I had to wonder if he wasn't more like Arrius Priest than I originally believed.

With Torin, because of his relationship with the fucking creature that had destroyed my life, I had felt something a bit deeper—something that tied us to our hatred of the man. Because of that, his betrayal cut me deeper. Right down to my fucking soul. He had carved out a gaping hole and filled it with a disease I knew there was no cure for. Once turned, there was no going back. This was a curse even worse than letting a demon into my being. I would have rather broken some fundamental law of the universe and let myself disperse into the ether. It was only his selfishness that had kept me here.

I hated him.

I didn't know if he could hear my thoughts, but as Torin looked back at me—meeting my gaze without looking away—he strode closer. Until his chest brushed my own. Two orbs of green and gray stared down at me, colder than frost. Hate me all you want. Hate me with everything you have, Barbie, he said. Hate me until it consumes you. I don't care. It doesn't matter. You can hate me for the rest of your long, long life. As long as you're here. As long as you’re breathing. You can hate me into infinity—for taking away your choice, for forcing you into the darkness with me. As long as I know you live in some way, shape, or form, you can hate me until our bodies turn to dust. I don't regret what I've done. If given a second chance, I'd do it again.

Hate him? I took one step back, biting down on my tongue at the pang of agony that sliced through my chest—the one that despised being pulled away from him. Don't worry, I said just as coldly. I will.

2

BARBIE

There were so many different shades of red. Maroon. Cardinal. Rose. Yet each and every single one of them seemed to fucking remind me of the ever-present hunger now residing in my gut. The unnatural hunger. The hunger that made my gums itch and throb. Why? Because I had fangs now. It made my vision blur as another being worked its way to the surface, trying to take over. I gritted my teeth and shoved the bitch back. She wasn’t in control. I was. And to keep myself in control, I needed to unleash some of this frustration the color red brought forth within me. So, when Torin, Maverick, and I climbed aboard a private jet and all I saw throughout the length of the cabin was red, I lost it. Red carpet. Red seats. Red leather bound booklets set on the tables.

I took three steps into the cabin and came to an abrupt halt as that new creature that lived within me, that was neither myself nor Satrina, grinned beneath my skin. The anger popped and I stopped breathing altogether as I turned and slammed my closed fist into Torin's face. Cartilage broke under my knuckles and more red poured down from his nostrils. The anger left just as quickly as it had come. I lowered my fist and met Torin’s gaze above his bloodied nose.

Barbie! What the fuck? Maverick's shock didn't surprise me. Torin’s response to my punch, on the other hand, did.

Satisfied? he asked, voice slightly muffled by his palm.

Not even close, I said as the unknown creature slithered back into the darkness, appeased for now.

Pity. I suppose I should expect a few more of these unexpected … gifts of yours in the near future?

He didn't look particularly upset by my strike though, and that made me even angrier. Yup.

"Alright then. I can take it. You be however you want to be, Barbie. Just be. That’s all I ask."

I turned and stalked away without a word, heading to the very back of the cabin and sliding into a seat. Torin shook Maverick off as he moved to look at his broken nose—and I knew I’d broken it—before he stepped into the bathroom at the front of the plane, coming out minutes later with a cloth over his face.

Maverick looked from Torin to me and back to Torin, a frown on his face. I didn’t care if he was disappointed in me. As far as I was concerned, they were both traitors.

I know you're fucking pissed, Maverick approached and moved to the chairs across the aisle from me, but can you please control yourself for two fucking minutes?

I shrugged. I’m dead and fresh out of fucks to give, so spare me the scolding.

For fuck's sake, he grumbled, sliding into a seat across from me. Thankfully, Torin remained as far away as possible, turning away from me as he took a seat at the front of the plane. You're not dead, you’re just acting like a child.

Your ears aren't broken, Mav, I said as the door to the plane closed and we began to taxi down the runway. I know you heard me when I said I didn't give a fuck. Don't make me repeat myself.

Or what? he snapped. Gonna punch me too? Go ahead, Barbie. I can fucking take it. Here, I'll even do what Torin did and give you the perfect opening. Maverick leaned forward, his hands gripping the armrests as he turned his face towards me.

I'm not going to do it when you're expecting it, I said. But you know what would make me feel better?

What?

For you to eat a sack of dicks and shut the fuck up.

Jesus fucking Christ. He sat back with a frustrated huff. You think he wanted to do this? You think either of us wanted this? Would you really have preferred to die?

Yes. It was an immediate response. One I'd been screaming in my head since I woke up. I would have preferred death to this half-existence.

Why? Maverick's question confused me. I looked at him. I mean really looked at him.

Because I hate vampires, I said. "They killed my family. I never wanted this. I'm not like other people. I don't want to live forever. I liked being human."

Maverick stared back at me. Grow up, he snapped.

Excuse me? I balled my fingers into fists. Maybe I would hit him.

You fucking heard me, he said. "Grow the fuck