go back out into the world by herself. She had no one out there. It was too early to say she had friends like Joseph and the chefs at the library. To be friends with vampires at all would make her title of vampire killer a contradiction in terms. Like a rag doll slumped against the wall, Poe remained quiet.
(((
As if supporting the Council’s decision, the rain trickled to a halt, and the moon slowly pushed back dark clouds to emerge in all its rock star glory. The smell of freshly ended rain lingered along with the squalid smell of the city. Like synchronicity, two dead hearts and a live one thumped with pleasure at the sight of the clear night. Poe tasted the cool air, savoring the freedom of being outside. And just like that, it was over.
Something nagged at her. Pulling on Sainvire’s coat sleeve, Poe asked, “How come Trench isn’t sludge? I shot him in the chest.”
Looking into the darkness, Sainvire answered distractedly, “Must have been wearing Kevlar.”
“Or he’s drinking Plasmacore,” added Maple.
“They all do nowadays, the hypocrites!”
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Before she could ask another question, Gwendolyn approached from the shadows, slowly circling the vampire killer. “I didn’t know you liked zhem so young. And little.”
Poe burned in the darkness at having been judged and found wanting. Not everyone can have model legs and Betty Blow boobies like Gwendolyn.
“Gwendolyn, leave her out of this,” Sainvire asked politely. Too politely.
“Tell me if it’s true or not,” Gwendolyn purred, running a fingernail along the underside of her breast.
“Is she your mistress like Trench said?”
“It’s been over between us for years now, Gwen,”
the master vampire answered cryptically. Inwardly he could taste the disgust on his tongue. He couldn’t believe he once had a relationship with such a spoiled, vengeful creature. “I don’t have to explain anything to you.”
“He’s not my–” Poe tried supplying the truth but was cut off.
“I must take Julia home, Gwendolyn, before the rain returns.” He was done talking. He gave a nudge to the small of Poe’s back. Maple followed closely behind.
A furious Gwendolyn screeched, “And I vore zhis stupid dress just to complement your eyes.” She huffed, “Vhat a vaste!”
“Face it, love,” Sainvire threw over his shoulder.
“You’re just bored. And when you’re bored, you’re a soap opera.”
Milfred appeared bearing a delicate shawl and put it around Gwendolyn’s shoulders. The harsh lines of anger on her face dwindled away, smiling tenderly at the butler. All Milfred could do was blink continuously as though in love with the concept of servitude. Bathed 179
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in the newly emerged moonlight, she turned to the departing backs of Sainvire and his companions.
“He’s right, you know. I need some stimulation and ze little girl vill do nicely.”
With all the bitterness she could muster, she wished them ill luck going home and strode back inside the Herald Examiner Building followed by a very sycophantic Milfred, the only creature she could abide.
Once safely out of earshot, Poe squawked, “I don’t appreciate you making her think I’m your love slave.”
“She’s going to think that anyway despite what you or I say. I was just trying to save time by leaving this place as quickly as possible,” Sainvire explained.
“What’s the hurry? It’s not raining anymore and–”
Maple interrupted. “We’ve got to reach the library before Quillon’s people show themselves. Kaleb was just trying to get rid of her. You don’t truly think the Council is going to let you get away scot-free tonight, do you? They’ve got to appease Trench somehow.”
Poe nodded, understanding at last. She survived the Council because Sainvire had claimed her as his.
He was too powerful a vampire to cross. And so was Trench.
A small rock aimed at Poe’s head began the bloody night. Sainvire and Maple safely deflected the first ten rocks or so, but there were far too many to block and too much noise to sort through. Poe received a third blow on the temple, bloodying her vision.
Another hit her ear, her head, then her upper torso and legs. She could barely hold on to the Uzi because she was too busy crouching low on the ground and shielding her face. The fishy, metallic smell of her blood was overwhelming not only to her but the legion of vampires hiding behind the darkness of night, 180
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waiting to feed. She licked at the blood that dribbled down to her open mouth. Blood tasted nice and warm, but that was all. Completely overrated, like tonguing rusty metal. Not worth getting