Shadow Hunters (Portal Jumpers) by Yezall Strongheart Page A

dark.
    He was quiet for a moment then moved the rifle between her legs.  He bounced the tip of it against the center of her panties.  She gasped and heard him laugh.
    “Is that cuz you’ re scared or cuz you like it?” he asked
    Right, here she was dressed like a fuckin’ slut, and he asks her a question like that.  Callie kept her mouth shut; she could only make it worse.
    “I could fuck the shit right outa ya right here , and nobody would hear you screaming.”  He moved the rifle back to his side, extending a hand down to her.
    Her heart was pounding.  This was not what she was looking for! All she wanted was to tease and play with some poor sap then have a roll in the sheets.  This was psycho shit!  Dammit… she took his hand anyway.  He pulled her up and pressed her against his firm chest.  She could see him better now.
    “Bernie?”  He vaguely looked like a kid from school who had dropped out in junior year.  However, Bernie had been a pimple-faced skinny ass.  This man was oozing muscles and testosterone, and his face was smooth, save for a little stubble, plus he was ruggedly handsome.
    “Bernie? There is no more Bernie…I am Vlad!” he snapped.
    Callie took a minute to assess the situation.  So it’s not Bernie? Or was it Bernie, and he changed his name?
    “Ok ,” her voice squeaked as he held her tightly.
    “You smell good ,” he pointed out as he nuzzled her hair.
    Wanting to be amiable so maybe he would let her go, she took notice of the way he smelled.  He smelled like soap…mixed with leather and man.  Callie took a deep breath.  Huge mistake…she became less scared, and her original purpose reared its horny little head.
    “So do you.”  And she meant it.  In another place, another time, she’d be all over this guy.
    “Ma ybe I’ll fuck you anyway,” he chuckled softly.
    She laughed nervously .  Oh boy, gotta change the subject . 
    “What are you doing out here tonight?” she asked.
    He tensed and didn’t speak right away, making her feel as if she should have kept her mouth shut.
    “I just killed someone ,” he whispered.
    Terror stopped her from breathing for a moment.  She could feel herself start to shake.
    “ No, I didn’t, it was Bernie. Bernie killed them.  They are going to think it was me, but it wasn’t.”  He was holding her by her shoulders, looking into her eyes.
    “What do you mean?” she asked, a little confused.
    “Maybe you can help me .  I look like Bernie, you even mentioned it, but I’m Vlad.  Bernie killed them, and I will go to jail for it if you don’t help me,” he pleaded.
    “Wait…what?”  Now she was really confused.
    “I need your help .  Please.” He waited for her to speak.
    “Where’s Bernie then?” she asked.
    “I don’t know…I ran when it all went dow n.  That’s when you found me,” he explained.  “I was trying to figure out if I should go back and see if there was anything I could do to help them or just leave.
    “We should go to the police then ,” Callie decided.
    “No, I’m not going to jail ,” he stated.
    What made her believe this guy, she had no idea.  Maybe it was his crazy story—so crazy, it had to be true, or maybe there was an unrequited attraction she wasn’t willing to acknowledge?  Her parents had a cabin on the lake, she’d take him there for now.
    “Okay , come with me.  My parents have a cabin on the lake.”
    He seemed relieved .  “Thanks.  You said your name was Callie?” 
    “Yes ,” she replied as he followed behind her.  This sure wasn’t her plan for the evening.  Callie wanted to have a little harmless fun, and now she was harboring a fugitive.

 
    Chapter Two
    When they arrived at her parent’s cabin, she knew where the spare key was hidden.  Standing on her tiptoes and seizing the key from above the door, she opened it.  Looking for candles, not wanting to turn on the lights and alert anyone they were there, she walked to the mantel above the