She just laughedmore glass, falling faster. Then I felt cool night air on my face and opened my eyes. We were in a filthy alleyway between two old stone buildings. I let go of her hand and wiped my palm on my pants. She smiled at me, her faerie eyes glowing underneath the glamour. There was a cruel cast to her smile that made me shiver. She pointed toward the alley opening. You should find the creature in this market.
Thanks a lot, I muttered, turning and walking out of the alleyway. I hoped theyd send a different faerie for the return trip. Heck, I hoped theyd send a jet. I was sick of traveling by faerie. They were getting more and more intrusive.
The market was one of those sprawling open-air types, totally packed. The air beckoned with alluring spices, none of which Id get to taste. Still, Easton Heights wasnt on tonight, so I was in no hurry. Lucky for me it seemed to be a big tourist spot and I didnt stand out too much.
I wandered around, pretending to look at the stalls but really scanning people. I liked this kind of job much better than the cemetery runs. Theres no real reason for vamps to hang out in cemeteries.
They just do it because so many of them have bought into the whole pop culture concept of how they should act. Besides that, cemeteries are boring and lonely. Nights like this I could wander around and people-watch. Peoplenormal peoplefascinated me. Tourists and locals clashed in a wonderful mix of jeans and silk, baseball caps and black hair.
It was also nice to get out on my own. I used to always have one other person (usually a werewolf) go with me, but the last couple of years theyd sent me solo for the basic runs. Vamps werent a threat now that I knew what I was doing. If it was something more dangerous Id always have backup.
It was also nice to get out on my own. I used to always have one other person (usually a werewolf) go with me, but the last couple of years theyd sent me solo for the basic runs. Vamps werent a threat now that I knew what I was doing. If it was something more dangerous Id always have backup.
A guy called out to me in broken English from a jewelry stall. He was Turkish, kinda cute in a stretched out, throes-of-puberty sort of way. I was about to stop and pretend like I really was a shopper when I caught a glimpse of something walking by. Something not human. Smiling my regrets at stall boy, I turned and hurried after the person. All it took was one good look to confirmthrough the cover of the mans thick, dark hair I could see the last stringy remains of actual hair clinging to his shriveled and spotted head.
It didnt look like he was stalking anyone; he moved purposefully through the market. I almost had to jog to keep up until he entered a derelict building near the very end of the market. Waiting about thirty seconds, I went in after him. A small hallway led to a single door. I pulled out Tasey, walked forward, and kicked it open, striding into the room.
The vamp I was following turned and looked at me; so did the twenty other vampires in there.
Oh, bleep, I whispered.
THERES NO PLACE LIKE HOME
O ne vamp I could handle. Heck, I could probably even handle five at a timeshriveled corpse muscles and all. But twenty vampires? I was not liking my odds. What was going on? Vamps were solitary by nature. This was weird. And very, very bad.
I gave my best embarrassed smile. They wouldnt know I knew what they were. Whoops. Im looking for the theater. Wrong building.
Maybe if I made it back through the door fast enough, and thenclick. Another four vamps had come in behind me and locked the door. I reached to my belt and hit the panic button on my communicator. Then I pulled out Tasey.
Taking a deep breath, I put on my best stern face. Youre all under arrest under statute three point seven of the International Paranormal Containment Agreement, Vampire Protocol. You are required to report to the nearest processing
Youre IPCA? one of the vamps asked. The others were shifting nervously in place.
Yes. Im going to have to ask you to line up for tagging. I waited for them to start laughing.
You arent going to kill us? the speaker asked, giving me a suspicious look.
Why does everyone keep asking me that? Seriously, did I look like some sort of psycho assassin?
Maybe it was the pink sneakers. Or the heart earrings?
The vampires turned toward one another, holding a whispered conversation. I inched closer to the door, Tasey at my side, as I pushed the panic button over and over again. Lish would see it. Shed send help. Shed never failed me before, but if they didnt answer my distress call soon, I would have to do something I really didnt want to.
Freedom was a foot away when they turned back to me. The one who kept speaking, a tall vamp with a handsome curly-haired glamour, shook his head. Sorry. He bared his fangs in an apologetic grin. Were glad you arent whats hunting us, but were no friends of IPCA. And were all very, very thirsty.
What, no flirting? I asked, trying to buy time. Arent you going to at least try to be sexy? Think of all those vampire fans out theretheyd be so disappointed. I pulled out my silver knife. Probably should have paid more attention during my knife training. Tell you what. Let me go and I promise not to tell anyone that you arent suave.