After Daybreak Read Online Free PDF Page A

out,” George says. “Ain’t no need for any trouble.”
    “There won’t be any trouble,” the vampire says, sliding off his horse, his spurs clinking as he lands. Judging by his attire, he was once a cowboy who herded the cattle that now roam free. When a human is turned, he tends to cling to what he was before, even when he lusts for blood. “In fact, we’ll be able to take this town real easy.”
    The others dismount, their rumble of laughter and expectations at easy pickings echoing around them. But something incredible is already beginning to happen.
    Rather than running off in fear, the townsfolk are surrounding them. The Lessers look around, unable to hide the strange nervousness they’re feeling, obviously unaccustomed to any sign of bravery from humans. They wanted a town with inhabitants afraid of even one pair of fangs, let alone four.
    “All right,” the leader says, raising his voice in an attempt to calm his troops and intimidate the growing crowd. “The first person to step forward I will personally turn. No more running from vampires. You’ll become one.”
    No takers. Not a single one. Instead, stakes are pulled from belts and boots. I’m impressed by the resolve of the townspeople to protect themselves.
    “Last warning, friend,” George says, placing his gun on the ground and pulling out a pair of his own metal stakes. “The dust in this town ain’t sand. It’s vampires. You hear me?”
    “Maybe. But it’ll all be blood by morning.”
    “Something’s off here,” Victor whispers. “I was distracted, didn’t notice it before.”
    “What?” I ask.
    Without a word, he pulls a stake from within his duster and steps slowly in front of me. With an Old Family vampire here, I feel better about our odds. Much better.
    Michael and Jeff also have stakes in hand. Michael hands me one. I welcome its weight against my palm.
    But I can’t do anything as the outlaw leader, using his vampire speed, rushes toward an elderly woman. She tries to raise her stake, but the vampire is far too quick. The vamp stands behind her, arm wrapped around her neck, a knife at her throat.
    “Don’t,” Dr. Jameson orders us quietly, but with determination, and I realize each of us had taken a step forward. “This is our fight.”
    To my surprise the hostage woman’s face is calm, serene, as though the vamp is simply holding her so they can dance. Why isn’t she terrified?
    “All right then, friend ,” the leader sneers. “We’ll take one. Just one. Look at her: she’ll be dead in a few weeks anyhow. We’ll take her off your hands.”
    “You might’ve bitten off more than you can chew, son,” George says, a glint of humor in his voice.
    “Ha! I haven’t done that in a hundred years,” he says, the knife beginning to press into the old woman’s wrinkled throat.
    “That may be, but I can guarantee that you aren’t gonna like the taste.”
    The old woman smiles, her fangs glinting. She opens wide and clamps down viciously on the vampire’s arm. Releasing a high-pitched yelp, he backs away, dropping the knife and grabbing his gaping wound. The old woman immediately begins spitting out his blood.
    Several townspeople move with such swiftness that the dust whirlpools around them. Only vampires move that fast.
    George strikes with identical speed, and three others from the group converge onto the leader. I see the stakes, then they disappear, and I know the vampire is no more. A moment later, a dozen other townsfolk charge toward the other three, a beautifully timed choreography. Surrounded, the intruders scream. Then silence fills the air. When the townspeople step back, they look like petals opening to the sun, and the four vampires who rode into the devil’s cavern thinking it was a treasure cove are left in a pile in the middle. Dead. Stakes through their hearts.
    Victor didn’t move at all but kept his hand on my arm, protecting me from this sudden outburst of violence.
    “Don’t worry,” Dr.