This Blackened Night Read Online Free PDF Page B

opted to wait outside. In case he had his ear pressed up to the door, she went through the motions of looking for the Spenta Michos. The same question, over and over again. And all the while she wondered how she would separate herself from Terrence long enough to visit the police department.
    At ten-to-nine, she stepped cautiously out into the open air, searching for Terrence. Maybe he would believe she’d forgotten something in the motel room. But she didn’t see him anywhere. Where had he gone?
    Maybe she shouldn’t question her good luck.
    Inside, she’d asked for directions to the police department. Now she raced for her destination. Terrence could return at any moment. She’d never get answers out of the officer about the vampire pandemic if she did. Unfortunately, Terrence had an uncanny ability to find her no matter how hard she tried to hide.
    She heard a noise. The crunch of footsteps. When she turned, she nearly tripped over her feet. The half-darkened street swirled in a nauseating blur. Thankfully, she managed to catch her balance before she fell. She crouched, feeling for the stake in her boot as she scanned the shadows. Not a shadow stirred.
    She continued unhindered, but couldn’t rid herself of the feeling that someone watched her. Was Terrence keeping his distance? Unlikely. He usually made his presence annoyingly known. Whether she wanted his company or not.
    When she reached the police department, she stopped to peer into the night. No sign of Terrence or anyone else. In fact, aside from those drinking themselves into a stupor in the bar, no one prowled the streets. Surely, even in a town this small that was unusual? It wasn’t that late. People seemingly barricaded themselves in their homes the very moment the sun set. Lori balled her fists. Past time to figure out what was going on.
    And if Terrence was responsible… What then? She’d staked him once before. Squaring her shoulders, she reassured herself she would do it again. And this time it would stick. She’d tolerated him thus far because he’d seemed harmless enough, unless pressed. Sure, she’d seen him kill, but those had been life-or-death situations. Murdering an innocent person, that was a different situation altogether.
    She entered the darkened station. A light shone from the back. Should she just walk in? She’d test the waters first. “Hello?”
    No answer.
    Maybe he hadn’t heard her. She repeated herself–loudly. Surely, the officer hadn’t left? She’d been lucky enough to shake Terrence once. That kind of luck wouldn’t hold out for more than one day.
    She crept closer to the room. Even with straining ears, she didn’t hear any signs of paper shuffling or scribbling. The air smelled faintly metallic–frankly, a relief from the stench outdoors. Upon reaching the back room, she knocked and eased the door open.
    The officer was sprawled on the ground, pale as death. Perhaps because he was dead. His legs stuck at odd angles. Blood stained his collar, seeping away from two puncture wounds. Those wounds were only made by one thing. A vampire.
    Lori wanted to hurl. She wanted to feel disgusted at the sight, but she wasn’t. Instead, she was furious.
    Another death. She wouldn’t let that smug, persistent bastard get away with it. Not when her indecision might cause someone else’s death. Drawing her stake from her boot, she picked her way out of the station. Then she gunned for her rented motel room.
    Terrence would pay, if it meant her last breath.
    The motel room was empty. Lori turned it over, searching for Terrence or any belongings which might lead to the Spenta Michos’s rescue. When she came up empty, she took a stance near the doorway to wait. She’d seen how fast Terrence could move. If she didn’t catch him by surprise, she might end up with a blood deficiency. That was to say, she would have none. She adjusted her grip on the stake.
    But when Terrence marched through the door, she hesitated. His expression