In Their Eyes (Dark Secrets Book 1)

Book summary

Vanessa Porter, a vampire widow working for Division 11, battles grief while maintaining peace between humans and supernaturals. When a mysterious stranger reignites her spirit, she uncovers a sinister cult threatening this fragile harmony. Vanessa must confront her past and embrace her strength to protect both worlds from looming darkness.

Excerpt from In Their Eyes (Dark Secrets Book 1)

I awoke at my desk, gasping for breath as the remnants of the dream clung to my mind like a stubborn fog. My heart pounded in my chest, and it took me a moment to remember where I was. The familiar clutter of my workspace, filled with papers and reports, slowly came into focus. A soft glow from my computer monitor cast a pale light across the room, and the hum of the city outside provided a steady backdrop to my racing thoughts.

“C’mon Ness.” I forced myself to sit up, throwing myself back into the chair as the last dregs of the dream clung to my mind. Even my happy memories were tainted, and I couldn’t seem to escape the grief that clung to my soul. I took a deep breath, focusing on the flow of air as it moved through my chest, allowing the cold sensation to soothe my aching head. Slowly, I opened my eyes, taking a moment to glance around the office.

I appeared to be alone and a quick glance at the clock told me that it was long past working hours for most of my coworkers. No doubt Raiven would have waited for me, but she was off for the day and I closed my eyes again as I sighed.

“I need to hurry,” I whispered, pushing my hair out of my face as I did my best to re-order the papers on my desk. I hated days like this, but I had no one to blame but myself; staying out on Hunts meant that eventually I would have to do all the paperwork before receiving new assignments. The Director was kind in his lenience with me, allowing me to perform multiple Hunts before forcing me to do paperwork, but even his kindness had limits. I quickly tried to order the stack of papers, sorting them into manageable piles as I fought to push the lingering nightmare from my mind. My hands moved with practiced efficiency, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Mark, his voice, his touch, the way he used to smile at me. I shook my head, trying to focus on the task at hand and I sighed heavily as I noticed that I had cried on one of my many reports.

I quickly turned to face my computer, glancing at the wet ink to try and determine which report I had ruined. I growled softly, angrily drying my still wet face as I finally spoke.

“Kit.”

“Yes, Ms. Porter?” I squinted at the paper in my hand as the computer screen brightened, the Division’s virtual intelligence responding to my voice. “Do you need help recovering a report?”

“Yes, I need,” I grunted as I attempted to read the smudged ink, “the report for last week’s hunt. The one for the gargoyle.”

“The assignment to capture Silver Bowers. I will print it right away.” I leaned back in my chair as the VI rushed to search my files, eager to complete my request. Kitsune was a rarity of the Division, a creation of pure tech. The Director preferred to take advantage of the magic abilities most Supernaturals tended to have, but honestly, I always found human ingenuity more interesting than the former. This had slowed down since Supernaturals had made our existence known, but I didn’t doubt that humanity would be back to creating more scientific wonders once they lost their fascination with us.

I sighed to myself as I closed my eyes, hearing the printer on the other side of the room as Kit began to print the report. I listened to the stillness of the office, tuning my ears as I tried to determine if anyone was left in the building. I could hear the calm blood of the Director’s secretary as she worked in her closed office and I nodded, unsurprised to learn she was staying late as well. Despite Raiven’s sacrifice granting all vampires a bit of life and relieving us of our dependance on blood, I found that I was still attuned to it, often able to determine the moods of those around me based on blood flow. Apparently it was a rare thing to still be able to do so, and I did my best to limit those who were aware I could.

“Print is complete, Ms. Porter. Please retrieve the report at your leisure.” I opened my eyes as Kit addressed me and I forced myself from the chair as I moved for the printer. The report safely in hand, I placed it on the pile of other completed documents, hoping that the ink of my tears hadn’t marred any critical details. With another deep breath, I dove into the remaining paperwork, my fingers flying over the keyboard as I typed out summaries and debriefs. Each keystroke felt like a tiny hammer chipping away at the wall of grief and exhaustion surrounding my heart.

Hours passed, the quiet hum of the office only occasionally interrupted by the soft rustling of papers or the distant sound of a clock ticking. Despite the late hour, I was determined to finish. The silence was almost comforting, a blanket of stillness that allowed me to focus solely on the task at hand. As soon as I had double-checked my reports to ensure I had them all, I walked over to the Secretary’s office, ready to be done with my paperwork.

“Hello, Vanessa,” The Secretary didn’t give me a chance to speak as I opened her door, clutching the folder close to my chest. Just like the Director, she preferred to be referenced by her title, and I doubted anyone beyond Raiven or Sherry even knew what her real name was. A part of the secrecy was to protect their identities, as no doubt many of our inmates would love a chance for revenge if they knew the name of the two highest ranking members of the Division. She had bright blond hair pulled into a neat bun, and it was thanks to the shades she always wore that many suspected her to be Supernatural as well. I didn’t really care or know what to think, and all that mattered to me was that she was the one who handed me my Hunts. Her voice was polite and pleasant, and I let the door close gently as I fully stepped inside. “I see you finally finished all your reports?”

“Yes, Secretary,” I stated plainly as I handed her the folder, keeping the sarcasm from my tone for once. The Secretary was used to my habit by now, stating that I had learned a bad habit from sitting next to Raiven. As if the former goddess had anything to do with my desire to not be around others.

Having completed my task, I turned to leave, stopped by the Secretary’s voice.

“Vanessa, the Director has passed along a priority hunt for you, to be completed tonight if possible,” I glanced over my shoulder to see the Secretary looking up at me, a single sheet of paper in her hand. I returned to the desk as she continued speaking, my interest piqued. “They are thought to be connected to something bigger, so it’s important to ensure their capture as soon as possible.”

I remained silent as I accepted the paper, glancing over the details. Valaney Fowers, age 33, species gnome… I frowned as I read the species.

“I’m not particularly good at tracking gnomes.” I frowned, glancing back up to the Secretary. Her blood flow remained calm, but her lips twitched into a slight smile at my words.

“Then this will be good practice,” was her flippant response and I shook my head as I left the office, still glancing over the details of the assignment. I barely paused at my desk as I grabbed my bag, not bothering to look up as I headed for the elevator. It seemed Valaney had a pretty predictable life, following the same routine every day. Home, work, lunch at a nearby fast-food place, back to work, and then finishing up their day at…

“Fantasia.” I read the last part out loud, somewhat surprised to see the bar’s name. It was a hole in the wall that Kisten particularly loved, the Alpha constantly trying to convince me to give it a try. He insisted the food was amazing despite the decor, but I always turned down his invites. His and Brandon’s attempts to drag me back into the world only made me want to hide more and I took a deep breath as my thoughts returned to my dream.

I clutched at the ring around my neck, squeezing the metal as tight as I dared. I knew everyone was just trying to help me move past my grief, the tragedy of that night, but it wasn’t as simple as everyone wanted it to be. Mark had wanted me to survive, but living had been pointless before him, and now without him, it was the same.

I released the metal as I stepped out of the elevator, noting the floor lights as the door closed behind me. My father-in-law and his team had all gone home for the day, with even the receptionist desk resting in darkness. I took a deep breath as I quickly continued through the lobby, embracing the chilly night air. Carefully folding the paper and sliding it into the pocket of my pants, I began my walk through the snow-covered streets, determined to catch my prey.

The bar was loud and rowdy as I stepped in, still wearing the same outfit from the office. Luckily, it meant I didn’t stand out too much, as most of the other patrons were wearing work clothes as well. It was clearly a place for Supernaturals and humans to mingle, with many forgoing any semblance of trying to hide what they were. Shifters with half-formed features, a few alas showing off their flames, and even a few fairies who were changing the shapes of their glasses to entertain their dates. Usually, such displays were not allowed, but either Lucius didn’t know about this place, or he allowed it within reason.

I pushed my way through the crowd, scanning the room for Valaney. The gnome had a distinctive look—short, even for a gnome, with a wild mop of hair and a penchant for brightly colored clothing. Tonight, they were supposed to be meeting someone, and I hoped to catch them before they disappeared again.

I found a spot at the bar with a clear view of the entrance and the back door. I ordered a drink I didn't intend to touch and settled in to wait, my senses alert for any sign of my quarry. The smell of alcohol and food mingled with the scent of various magics, creating a heady atmosphere that buzzed around me. The smell of food almost made me want to order some, but I abstained. I wasn’t here to enjoy myself and besides, if I did and he found out, Kisten would never let me live it down.

As I waited, my eyes wandered around the bar, observing the eclectic mix of patrons. A pair of elegant pixies in the corner seemed to be in deep conversation, their eyes glinting with a mischievous sparkle. Nearby, a group of animal shifters, displaying subtle traces of their transformations shared stories over drinks. While public displays of shifting were frowned upon, this bar was a place that provided a more lenient haven, which was another reason Kisten liked it here. After all, shifting was sometimes seen as a way of flirting.