friends didn’t have the same warm fuzzy response to the vampire. I didn’t have a clue what they thought, because they’d made a swift exit to nowhere — vanished, without warning, again. I fought the urge to scold my vampire accomplice. He was nowhere in sight when I’d needed him. Now he’d ruined my opportunity to find out more about anything.
Aware of his poor timing, he had the sense to look as disappointed as I was feeling. “I scared off your friends,” he said somewhat contrite. “It looks like you were able to handle things on your own.” He made a point of kicking one of the fallen mutants in the side.
Realizing I should have shared my parking location to begin with, I decided not to lecture him. “I could’ve used you sooner, or later,” I muttered, unable to resist one final jab.
“What’s done is done. Let’s get you to Portland, and then I’ll return to deal with this … mess.” Despite his scolding tone, I could tell he was impressed by my ingenuity.
I should have been the one sprawled on the ground, less an arm or leg or head. At least my mess was bloodless and the bodies were still intact.
“I don’t feel good about leaving my car. According to the bald guy, this is a haven for the bad mutants.” I hoped he’d have an acceptable solution. I’d already given up my home, at least temporarily, to the two M’s, and now that I was on the outs with Zane, I wasn’t sure about our living arrangement. The last thing I wanted was to lose my car.
“I will find someone to ward this entire property, and I have a feeling your cloaked crusaders will keep watch until I return.”
Reassured, I removed my small travel case from the trunk and made sure the car was locked. I’d have to trust that Alcuin would make good on his promise of protection. There weren’t any other options, unless I wanted to postpone my trip.
“I’m ready. Let’s go.”
I didn’t need to say it again. We vanished in a rush of wind, and moments later were standing in field behind one of several, windowless, storage buildings. The research facility loomed ahead of us. Lights around the property brightened up the area.
Alcuin glanced at my bag. “Let’s get you checked into a hotel. You can’t cart your bag around, and you need a home base. Also, I took the liberty of picking up a rental car.”
“Wow. Thanks. I didn’t even think about all that.” I decided right then that he was forgiven for interrupting my conversation back at the cabin.
Moments later, we teleported into a hotel room. I just had to ask. “You already …”
“Paid for the room, number 412,” He handed me the cardkey. “A black BMW is parked in a space with the corresponding number.” He grinned. “I wanted to make sure you had a place to unwind and a car to drive.”
I had to give Alcuin credit. For a vampire, he was pretty in tune to a woman’s needs.
“We’re on Cornell Road. The institution is out by the Hillsboro Airport. The state purchased a portion of their land to build it. I’ve also confirmed that the boy you seek is indeed a patient.”
I was again amazed by Alcuin’s resourcefulness, but now I had bigger things to think about — like how to make contact with a boy who didn’t speak. I trusted that Alcuin would get us inside, but facing Joshua Smart, and getting him to open up to a complete stranger didn’t seem likely. Why was I attempting the impossible?
Wanting to improve my odds, I reviewed the plan with Alcuin. He would teleport me to the facility. He’d already figured out a way around the guards. I didn’t ask how, because part of me was scared to know the answer. All I wanted was Alcuin to get me in and back out uninjured.
There were no hitches getting in. We landed in a long hallway; steel doors with barred windows lined both sides. Alcuin raised a finger to his lips and tilted his head to the left.
A young man in a security uniform sat behind a small desk at the hallway’s end. He was hunched over a laptop screen. With his typical boldness, Alcuin stepped into his line of vision. The security guard registered Alcuin’s presence and staggered to his feet. “Stop! Don’t move.”
His eyes darted between Alcuin and a nearby exit. Rather than flee, he scooted around the desk to