Cronin's Key II Read Online Free PDF

territories—was never a good thing.
    “So we left London and went directly to Bolivia to see Jorge,” Cronin continued. He smiled at Alec. “He liked Alec.”
    “The kid was a weird one, that’s for sure,” Alec said, making Eiji laugh. “But I mean, it’s not his fault. He can’t help what he is. No vampire chooses their talent, right?”
    “Or their mental well-being,” Jodis said. “Jorge is quite unique in that regard. He’s the only one in all our kind to have dual personalities.”
    “Thank God,” Alec said. He looked at the three vampires. “He’s probably the scariest vampire I’ve encountered.”
    Eiji snorted incredulously. “He’s not even four feet tall.”
    Alec shivered. “He gave me the heebie-jeebies. You know when the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end?”
    Cronin raised an eyebrow at Alec. “Do you always play football with people who scare you?”
    Jodis’ eyes went wide. “You played football with him?”
    “Not really,” Alec answered nonchalantly. “Just some ball skills. I didn’t think he was going to tell us anything.”
    “And what did he tell you?” Eiji asked.
    “He was cryptic, as usual,” Cronin replied. “He said ‘Red hand, blue moon, silver river, the earth will come to life. Blood from a stone, stone from a blood. He is risen already, as she was risen, the answer is in the stones. Blood from a stone, stone from a blood.’”
    Alec added, “Then Cronin asked him what the key had to do, and he said ‘Blue moon, silver river, blood from a stone. You will not find him with your eyes. Through the key. Through the key.’” Alec raised both eyebrows. “The kid needs meds or something.”
    Cronin laughed proudly. “Alec suggested the child feed only from vegans to reduce preservatives in his diet.”
    Eiji laughed again, his whole face smiling. “Oh Alec, I have missed you.”
    Jodis turned serious. “What does it all mean?”
    Cronin took a deep breath and squeezed Alec’s hand. “I think Alec’s duty as the key, whatever it is, has started again.”
    Eiji shook his head at Alec. “We just can’t keep you out of trouble, can we?”
    “I try,” Alec said with a shrug, “but it just keeps finding me.”
    “Cronin,” Jodis whispered. “Blue moon? There will be a blue moon this month.”
    Cronin was stoic, his answer quiet. “I know.”
    “What does that mean?” Alec asked. “A blue moon is the second full moon in any given month, right?”
    “Yes,” Eiji answered. “Though typically it meant a fourth full moon in any season, but yes, close enough.”
    “So when’s the next full moon?”
    “Next week,” Cronin said, giving him a tight smile. “At least we have a time frame now.”
    “We need to go back to New York,” Jodis said. “We’re better equipped there.”
    Alec looked around the small Japanese house. He loved the white rice paper walls, dark timber trims, the low-set furniture, the bare essentials. It was out of the city, far removed from the road for passersby to notice. Granted Alec had only ever seen it at night, but he felt at peace there. He always seemed to be racing against time, and he wanted to savor one night of some fun before the serious work began. “What time is it here?” Alec asked.
    “Ten-thirty at night,” Cronin said. “Why?”
    He shrugged. “Well, yes, we probably should head back to New York at some point.” He smiled. “But I’ve never been to Tokyo.”
    Cronin squeezed his hand. “Then I shall take you.” He looked over at Eiji. “Are you up for a tour?”
    “Yes, of course,” Eiji said. “I really do feel much better.” He grinned at Alec. “You’ll love it.”
    “Different much since you were a boy?”
    Eiji laughed again. Alec really had missed the sound. “In ways you cannot imagine.”
    Alec jumped to his feet and pulled Cronin up. “Well, considering the key, meaning me, is on another time crunch, I say we don’t waste a minute.”
    When Cronin was ready to leap the