Ghosts of Memories: A Vampire Memories Novel Read online

  Praise for the Vampire Memories Series

  In Memories We Fear

  “[A] fantastic blend of urban fantasy and gothic vampires. Dark, vivid, and captivating—this series is a must for fans of the vampire subgenre.”

  —SciFiChick.com

  “With plenty of action, the novel is a thriller and will please many vampire fans.”

  —SFRevu

  “In Memories We Fear is an engaging tale, delving deeply into the idea that every monster has some shred of humanity left and deserves a chance at redemption.”

  —Owlcat Mountain

  Memories of Envy

  “Hendee has a gift for intricate psychological plots, and her characters are some of the best in current fantasy. Their motives and interactions are thoroughly convincing. The series can be enjoyed as single novels or an ongoing story.”

  —Booklist

  “Dramatic…. Part soap opera, part supernatural thriller, Hendee’s series will satisfy readers looking for blood-soaked pathos.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “A real page-turner. The characters really came to life for me…. I hope they’re around for many books to come.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  Hunting Memories

  “A gripping tale. The action moves the story along while the characters, with their skills and secrets, keep the reader’s full attention. Hunting Memories is a must read in the series, and it provides many answers in the overall story line. I’ll be looking forward to the next book in the Vampire Memories.”

  —Darque Reviews

  “One of the year’s better vampire novels, what with realistic characters, including ghosts and vampires who have plausible problems; an intriguing, if standard, plot; historical literacy; and a style of writing that encourages turning pages. Both fantasy and romance fans should enjoy Hendee’s commendable effort.”

  —Booklist

  “Filled with action, a bit of politics, and plenty of character-building interactions, this is a strong addition to the series…. Those looking for an alternative to Patricia Briggs or Ilona Andrews won’t be disappointed with Hendee’s newest series.”

  —Monsters and Critics

  “An enjoyable and creative (not just of new vampires) cocktail cleverly blending urban fantasy mixed with strong horror elements…a thriller of a vampire tale.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Barb Hendee…knows her vampires.”

  —BSCreview

  Blood Memories

  “A satisfying story line coupled with engaging characters, fast action, and a hint of things to come, make this a winner.”

  —Monsters and Critics

  “A good vampire story for the Halloween holiday, the story is fast-paced and intriguing.”

  —News and Sentinel (Parkersburg, WV)

  “Well written…a fascinating tale with wonderful characters and delicious villains who solicit the readers into loathing them. The story line is character-driven, although there is plenty of action throughout…. The vampire subgenre will enjoy this work as an exhilarating tale of death visiting the undead.”

  —SFRevu

  “A terrific vampire stand-alone thriller that fans will enjoy… The story is filled with action, but also contains a strong cast who ensure vampirism in the Northwest seems real…. The heroine especially is an intriguing person…. This [is] a fine tale that the vampire crowd will appreciate.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “Intriguing…. Ms. Hendee’s fans will be gratified to know she writes just as well on her own as she does in tandem.”

  —Huntress Book Reviews

  “A blend of fantasy and horror mixed with the story of one young woman’s path to independence and true knowledge of self, Blood Memories is a unique story guaranteed to intrigue…. Readers won’t be able to resist Eleisha’s charm…. If you enjoyed Buffy the Vampire Slayer but were far more interested in where the older vamps came from than in the human heroine herself, this story should certainly catch your fancy. Cunning, stealth, guile, sheer evil, and a surprising amount of goodness make all of these characters alive and unique. A story line that travels from modern-day Portland, Oregon, to England in the 1800s adds interest as well. If you like vampires, then you’re certain to enjoy Eleisha’s story. Don’t miss Blood Memories, the first in what promises to be a fantastic new series.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “I personally liked Blood Memories quite a bit. I am pleased to say that it is in no way a Buffy clone, nor is it anything like the goofy paranormal romances that turn vampires into some kind of harmless nonmonster with strange eating habits. I like how Hendee explores the personalities of her characters.

  —Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin’ Book Reviews

  “An engrossing tale of vampire death and evolution.”

  —Patricia’s Vampire Notes

  By Barb Hendee

  The Vampire Memories Series

  Blood Memories

  Hunting Memories

  Memories of Envy

  In Memories We Fear

  Ghosts of Memories

  By Barb and J. C. Hendee

  The Noble Dead Saga—Series One

  Dhampir

  Thief of Lives

  Sister of the Dead

  Traitor to the Blood

  Rebel Fay

  Child of a Dead God

  The Noble Dead Saga—Series Two

  In Shade and Shadow

  Through Stone and Sea

  Of Truth and Beasts

  The Noble Dead Saga—Series Three

  Between Their Worlds

  GHOSTS OF

  MEMORIES

  A VAMPIRE MEMORIES NOVEL

  BARB HENDEE

  A ROC BOOK

  ROC

  Published by New American Library, a division of

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

  Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)

  Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)

  Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi - 110 017, India

  Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

  Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices:

  80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  First published by Roc, an imprint of New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  First Printing, October 2012

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  ISBN: 978-1-101-59678-4

  Copyright © Barb Hendee, 2012

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

  Printed in the United States of America

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, b
usiness establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  ALWAYS LEARNING

  PEARSON

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Epilogue

  chapter one

  PORTLAND, OREGON, EARLY SPRING

  You can’t be serious,” Wade Sheffield said.

  He stood inside a dark churchyard with two other men, Maxim Carey and Philip Branté—both vampires—but he could not believe what they were suggesting.

  “Am serious,” Maxim answered in his typical broken speech. “Boo should stay.”

  “Boo?” Wade asked, his mouth hanging half open.

  “His name. Mr. Boo.”

  Sitting directly in front of them was the largest pit bull Wade had ever seen. The dog was coal black with a smattering of gray on his muzzle. His face was covered in scars, and his left ear was nothing but tattered strips. He looked like an aging refugee from a war zone. Tilting his massive head, he peered up at Wade as if he were following the conversation…aware his fate was being discussed.

  “I like him,” Philip said in a thick French accent. “I think he should stay.”

  “You would!” Wade shot back. “What about Tiny Tuesday? He’ll eat her.”

  This wasn’t simply a matter of them adopting another pet. Pit bulls were known to be dangerous, and Maxim had already taken in a cat named Tiny Tuesday. Wade wasn’t about to let some enormous stray dog anywhere near her.

  But at Wade’s outburst, Maxim blinked in surprise, and he began shifting his weight between his feet in agitation. “I already tell him he can stay. Won’t hurt Tuesday. He tell me he won’t.”

  Wade fell silent, uncertain how to respond. He was mortal, and his two companions were not. The three of them lived inside the old church behind them, along with two other vampires and a ghost. But Maxim was…special. Though most vampires were telepathic, Maxim had spent nearly two hundred years living alone in a forest, and his telepathy functioned only between himself and animals. Wade had no idea how this worked or how much had passed between Maxim and the dog.

  “I don’t know why you’re making this fuss,” Philip said to Wade. “Big dogs are good to have around. My father always kept five or six wolfhounds…and cats are useless.”

  Maxim turned and glared at Philip. In truth, the two of them rarely agreed on anything, and tonight was the first time they’d ever joined forces. Wade had not expected it to last. Maxim adored Tiny Tuesday and certainly didn’t view her as “useless.”

  But then both of them glanced back at Mr. Boo, and Wade had a sinking feeling he was about to lose this argument.

  With Maxim and Philip standing side by side, Wade couldn’t help noticing their similarities and differences. Both were pale and handsome, but where Philip was masculine, Maxim was almost pretty. He was small for a man, maybe five feet seven inches, with a slender build, blue-black hair, and dark eyes. However, his hair was messy and wild, and he often wore the same torn blue jeans for days without bothering to find a clean pair. Philip was over six feet tall, with layered, styled, red-brown hair that hung to the top of his collar. He was dressed in a long Armani coat—that hid the machete strapped to his belt.

  Wade sighed, realizing he’d already lost the fight. “The dog told you he wouldn’t hurt Tuesday?”

  Maxim nodded. “Never hurt her. But he hungry. We feed him.” His language skills had improved somewhat since his arrival, but they still had quite a ways to go.

  “What’s going on?” someone asked from behind.

  Wade turned to see Eleisha Clevon coming toward them. He watched her move easily through the thorny rosebushes. She was a contrast to both of the other vampires here in the garden. Dressed in a long, flowing skirt and a snug red T-shirt, she was so small she actually had to look up when she spoke to Maxim. Long, wheat blond hair hung in waves down her back, and she appeared eternally seventeen years old…which she was not.

  At the sight of the dog, she frowned. “How did he get inside the gate?”

  Wade sighed again. “Maxim let him in—probably drew him in. I think we have a new addition to the household.”

  Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to argue.

  But Maxim turned to Philip quickly. “Him stay?”

  Philip shrugged. “Why not?”

  Eleisha’s protest died on her lips, and Wade couldn’t help a flash of annoyance at Maxim for turning to Philip for support and even more than a flash at Eleisha for having instantly accepted Philip’s offhand decision. Philip was not in charge here.

  Nevertheless…it appeared their group now included a heavily scarred old pit bull named Mr. Boo.

  “Maxim needs to go hunting,” Eleisha said quietly, still glancing between Philip and the dog. “Philip, can you take us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does that leave me with the dog?” Wade asked, growing more annoyed by the second.

  “Him hungry,” Maxim put in.

  “Of course he is,” Wade said dryly, “which means I get to dig through the kitchen and find something to feed him. But I’m not cleaning up any piles of poop, Maxim. If you keep drawing stray animals here, you’re going to learn to help take care of them.”

  He knew he sounded like some self-righteous father, but he couldn’t help it. Tiny Tuesday was one thing, but this was something else.

  “We’ll try to be quick,” Eleisha said, moving toward the gate. “I’ll help you when I get back.” Maxim and Philip followed her out onto the sidewalk.

  Wade crossed his arms, looking down at Mr. Boo, who looked up at him in turn.

  “All right, you,” Wade said. “I’ve got some hamburger that I’ll share until I can get some dog food. But I have a gun, and if you bite me or Tiny Tuesday, I’ll shoot you. Do you understand?”

  Mr. Boo just grunted once and followed him into the church.

  “No, this way,” Eleisha said, taking Maxim’s hand and pulling him deeper into the shadows of an underground parking lot. He just let her lead him. Philip was nowhere in sight now, but she knew he was watching them from somewhere nearby, guarding over them while she took Maxim to feed.

  However, taking Maxim hunting always made her feel like a failure. When she and Wade had founded the underground and begun their mission to locate lost vampires, bring them into a community, and teach them how to feed without killing, she’d never anticipated finding one who was so damaged that he’d lost his “gift.”

  Within a few nights of becoming undead, a specific element of a vampire’s previous personality developed into an overwhelming aura—which could be turned on and off at will. Their gifts assisted them in luring victims off alone somewhere and in keeping their victims calm. Eleisha’s gift was an aura of helplessness. Philip’s was an aura of overwhelming attraction.

  Nearly two hundred years ago, Maxim had been a brilliant scholar, and whenever he’d spouted off, telling people literary stories, his voice had left any listener in awe, trapped inside his spell of brilliance.

  But after witnessing a horrific event, he’d been driven alone into the forests of England, and as time passe
d, he’d forgotten who he was. He’d forgotten how to speak. Eleisha and Wade were trying to bring him back slowly, but his gift was gone…and now she had to hunt for him if she had any hope of leaving the victim alive.

  Somehow, this still felt wrong, like she was failing in her mission.

  But he tried hard to meet her halfway. He always did what she told him, and at the moment, that was the best he could do—at least until more of his memory came back.

  “Find a woman,” he said suddenly, jolting her from her thoughts.

  “Yes, I know.”

  With the exception of Wade, Maxim didn’t like men. He didn’t even like feeding on men. He tolerated Philip only because he had no choice.

  Eleisha looked around, listening for the sound of footsteps. For this method of hunting, an underground public parking lot was ideal. She seldom varied the routine when taking Maxim out. He’d learned to stay completely quiet and let her do the talking. While she knew this wasn’t helping him learn to take care of himself, as yet, she hadn’t come up with anything better.

  The elevator doors opened and a well-coiffed couple walked out, arguing about the man’s unexpectedly high cell phone bill. Eleisha dropped to a crouch behind a beige Lexus and pulled Maxim down beside her. The couple walked past without seeing them.

  “I just don’t see how you could have run up a six-hundred-and-forty-two-dollar bill in a month,” the woman said, her voice cracking slightly. “Who are you calling?”

  His murmured response was lost as they moved farther away, but Eleisha didn’t care. She kept her eyes on the elevator. A few minutes later, the doors opened again, and a slender woman in her twenties stepped out—alone. She wore black pants, a white shirt, and an apron. Her curly reddish hair was pulled up in a high ponytail on top of her head. She looked like a waitress coming off a late shift.