The Dead Girls Dance Page 0,90

my advice, go home. He kissed his daughters filthy hair. Come on, princess.

Dad, Richard said. Shes right. They did save our lives.

The mayor looked more than just annoyed now, at this minor rebellion in the family ranks. Son, I know that you may feel some gratitude toward these girls, but

Just tell us where Shane is, Claire said. Please. Thats all we want.

The two Morrell men exchanged long looks, and then Richard said, You know the old hospital? The one on Grand Street?

Eve nodded. Our Lady? I thought they tore that thing down.

Scheduled for demolition at the end of the week, Richard said. Ill take you there.

Claire almost cried; she was so relieved. Not that the problem was solvedit wasntbut at least they had another step to take.

Richard, the mayor said. You dont owe them anything.

I do, though. Richard looked from Eve, to Claire. And I wont forget it.

Eve grinned. Awww. Dont worry, Officer. We wont let you.

There were vampires out in the daytime. Claire figured that was unusual, but she realized just how unusual when Richard Morrell, slowing the police car to a crawl, whistled. Olivers called out the troops, he said. Not good for your friend. Or his father.

The streets around the massive bulk of the old hospital were lined with carsbig cars, dark-tinted windows. Lots of police cars, too, but it was those other autos that lookedmenacing.

As did the people standing in shadows, surrounding the building. Some wore heavy coats and hats, even in the oppressive heat. There had to be at least a hundred gathered, and a lot of them were vampires.

And right in the center, standing right at the edge of the border of sunlight and shadow, stood Oliver. He was wearing a long black leather coat, and a leather broad-brimmed hat, and his hands were cased in gloves.

Oh, man. I dont think you guys are going to do any good here, Richard said. Olivers head turned toward them, and he stepped out into the sunlight. The vampire approached, moving at a slow, leisurely pace. Maybe I ought to take you on home.

In less time than it took to tell Richard no, Oliver had crossed the open space and jerked open the back door of the police cruiser. Maybe you should join us instead, Oliver said, and bared his teeth in a smile. Ah, Michael. Out of the house at last, I see. Felicitations on your birthday. I would suggest, for your own safety, that you stay strictly in the shadows this morning. Not that youll have the strength to do anything else.

And he grabbed Claire, who was sitting nearest the door, by the throat.

Claire heard Michael and Eve yelling, and felt Eve trying to hold on to her, but there was no way Eve could match Olivers strength. He simply pulled Claire out of the car like a rag doll, his fingers wrapped cruelly tight around her throat, and dragged her out into the street.

Shane! Shane Collins! he shouted. I have something for you! I want you to watch this very carefully!

Claire grabbed at his hand with both of her own, trying to pry his grip free, but it was no good. He knew just how tightly to hold on without quite crushing her throat or cutting off her breathing. She fought back another panicked bout of coughing, and tried to think of something, anything, to do.

Im going to kill this girl, Oliver continued, unless she swears herself to me and my service, in front of all of these witnesses. Shane, you can save her by making the same deal. You have two minutes to consider your decision.

Why? Claire whispered. It came out as a mouse squeak, barely audible. Oliver, who was staring at the decaying facade of the old hospital, with its weather-stained weeping angels and molding baroque stonework, turned his attention briefly to her. The morning was warm and cloudless, the sun a hot brass penny in a bright blue sky. It seemed wrong for a vampire to be out here.

He wasnt even sweating.

Why what, Claire? Its an imprecise question. You have a better mind than that.

She fought for breath, helplessly clawing at his fingers. Whykill Brandon?

He lost his smile, and his eyes turned wary. Clever, he said. Cleverness may not be good for you after all. The question you should be asking is, why do I want your service?

All right, she wheezed. Why?

Chapter Thirty-five

Because Amelie has some use for you, he said. And I am not accustomed