LOVE BITES Page 0,94

course. Well, except for the soulless part. But really, where was his common sense? Surely he must realize no one would believe him. She wasn't terribly surprised when the officers began easing farther apart and approaching Pudge in a rather wary manner.

"Okay, buddy," the dark-haired officer said. "We get it. They're vampires and you're the good guy. But we're here now. You're safe. So drop the weapon and put your hands up, huh?"

Pudge frowned, his gaze shifting between his weapon, the police, and Rachel and Etienne. "But what about them? You should be pointing your guns at them," he said finally.

"Well, now," the blonde drawled, "guns don't work on vampires, do they? But I'm sure they'll come along peaceable-like." He glanced at Rachel and Etienne, "Won't you?"

They both nodded.

"See?" the first officer said soothingly. They know they're caught. Now you just need to give up your weapon there, buddy."

When Pudge hesitated, the second officer added, "We didn't come prepared for a call like this. You know, vampires aren't exactly thick on the ground these days. We aren't armed properly. Why don't you give us the weapon so we can take them into custody?"

"Oh, yeah. Yeah." Pudge looked relieved. "You should be armed too." He started to shift sideways toward the nearest officer, making sure to keep the crossbow aimed at Rachel and Etienne. "I have more weapons in the back. You can keep this trained on them while I get more. I have holy water, crosses, and more stakes. I'll get them while you watch them."

"Good thinking," the blonde said agreeably, lowering his gun slightly and holding his free hand out to accept the crossbow.

"Don't take it off them," Pudge warned as he handed it over. "They're super fast you know. And super strong. I--Hey!"

The moment the weapon changed hands, the officer tossed the crossbow aside and raised his gun to aim it at Pudge. Ignoring his wounded expression, the policeman gestured with it. "Against the wall. Come on, against the wall and spread 'em."

"But--" Pudge's protest was cut off as the second officer hurried forward and caught him by the arm.

"Spreadeagle," the dark-haired man barked, all trace of cajolery gone. The blonde kept his gun trained on Pudge while his partner ripped off his cape and proceeded to frisk him. The maniac had a couple more stakes in the back pocket of his jeans that the officer took away.

Rachel and Etienne watched in silence as a protesting Pudge was cuffed and led to the stairs. He was still babbling about their being soulless vampires and he was the hero in this piece and that they were making a huge mistake.

"Well," the officer who had been pinned to the wall said as his partner disappeared upstairs with Pudge. He turned to survey Rachel and Etienne, then his attention focused on Rachel. "I gather this is where you disappeared to from work a week ago?"

Rachel glanced at Etienne as she felt him standing tense beside her. She knew what he wanted her to say. He and his whole family wanted her to claim that Pudge had brought her here that night over a week ago. It wasn't true, though, and she was a lousy liar. She hesitated briefly, considering her options. The man had kidnapped her. She certainly hadn't come here from Etienne's place willingly. On the other hand, she couldn't explain where she had been for the past week without there being questions that would be difficult to answer. Rachel decided to be honest but cagey.

"Pudge kidnapped me, brought me here, and held me against my will," she admitted solemnly, and felt Etienne relax beside her. She almost turned to ask him why he was relaxing; they weren't out of the woods yet. But she caught herself as the officer nodded.

"How did he get you here, ma'am?"

Rachel hesitated, then said, "He came into the morgue wearing a trench coat over fatigues. He had a rifle and ax under the coat and was shouting something about vampires and such and..." She hesitated and glanced at Etienne again. He seemed to be holding his breath. Swallowing, she turned back and said, "I'm afraid my memory gets rather blurry after that. The next thing I can tell you is that I woke up here today chained to that wall. He was still rambling on about vampires and geeks, and he seemed fixated on Etienne's game."

"Game?" The policeman glanced between them in confusion.

"Etienne is the designer of Blood Lust," Rachel explained. "It's a vampire

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