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On the rooftop, Archer crouched back from the ledge. He waved across at Vann, then held his finger to his lips. With a nod, he revealed why the fuck he wasn’t in position—and wasn’t talking.

Damn guards by the door weren’t interested in the approaching snack. Sated, or knowing two lost drunks wouldn’t be enough to feed them all, they chilled on either side of the door. Looking around mindlessly. Nail-filing level of bored.

Even a crunch of a boot on the wall above them, and they’d hear the hunter who hadn’t mastered the art of near-silence yet. “Hold your position,” Vann murmured.

The security system at that club was tight as a tomb.

He’d watched this club long enough. Two more weeks, and he’d be gone. To greener pastures with a fresh crop of big bads to take on.

“Bodie? Lana? We need the door clear,” Vann whispered.

“Could you believe those martinis?” Lana giggled loudly. Her favorite part. Flirty by nature, she made a hell of an appealing target in her short skirt and long wavy tresses, with an attitude that beckoned.

“Spicy, but… damn.” Bodie’s hiccup echoed down the street. “When did San Francisco get so hilly?”

The guards shifted their bored attention toward the inebriated treat.

“Keep it going,” Vann urged under his breath.

A giggle rolled from Lana’s tongue down the street. “Oops. I think I left my panties… somewhere.”

Vann watched from his post as Lana and Bodie rounded the corner.

“Wait, I thought the hotel was on this block,” Lana said louder, slowing her peppy clip and adding a subtle air of distress, like a damsel in a bad horror flick.

The guards smiled at each other.

Archer watched from above, carefully moving into position.

“It was here a few hours ago,” Bodie slurred and stopped in the middle of the alley. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked around.

Archer crouched at the edge of the building. Ready to jump.

A chatty vampire strolled toward the lost drunkards, all sweet smiles, and the other two followed close behind. “Need some directions?”

Lana hiccupped a giggle and wandered into the alley to meet them. She looked past and swept a hungry look over a guard.

“Apparently.” Close behind her, Bodie stumbled along. “Ashbury Inn?”

The guards strolled closer. One nudged the other and winked.

The other three vampires surrounded their prey. “Hi. I can walk you there. I’m heading out for the night anyway. Come on in and grab a drink while I get my stuff.”

The head of the trio nudged her elbow into him and forced a calm smile. “No need to wait; I can show you now.”

Too hungry to be subtle, and absolutely believing they were about to get an easy meal. Overpopulation wasn’t a problem in the vampire community, despite their immortality. Greedy bastards who thought with their stomachs.

Bodie glanced at each. “Friendly bunch, aren’t you?”

Vann held his ground. Not yet.

Shifting to stand on one foot, wobbling on thin heels, Lana fiddled with her boot. “Now would be good. My feet are killing me. But I’m way too drunk to…” She cast another hungry look at the security guard. “Maybe someone could call us a cab?”

“Sure,” a guard offered.

The other followed tight behind.

All smiles, the vampires didn’t see it coming. Few were ready for Lana.