The Reluctant Vampire Page 0,6

out three more, and turned to hand them out.

"Thank you," Drina murmured, accep ng the bag Harper offered. She popped it to her fangs, then suddenly s ffened and turned to glance over her shoulder. Following her gaze, Harper saw that Teddy was entering the dining room from the foyer.

"I thought I heard voices," the man said on a yawn, running one hand through his thick, gray hair.

"Sorry if we woke you, Teddy," Harper said, and gestured to the newcomers. "The backup Lucian promised has arrived." He turned and explained to Drina and Anders, "Teddy Brunswick is the police chief here in Port Henry. He's also a friend, and he offered to stay and help keep an eye out un l you guys arrived." He glanced back to the man, and said, "Teddy, this is Alexandrina Argenis. She prefers Drina."

Teddy nodded in gree ng to Drina, and then glanced to Anders as Harper finished, "And her partner is Anders."

"Hmm." Teddy raised his eyebrows. "Anders a first name or last?"

"Neither," Anders said, and ended any further possibility to ques on him by popping his bag of blood to his mouth.

Teddy scowled but merely moved into the small back room with its coat closet. He returned a moment later with a coat in one hand and a pair of boots in the other.

"Now that the cavalry have arrived, I guess I'll go home and crawl into my own bed," he announced, settling on a dining-room chair to don his boots.

"Thank you for staying, Teddy," Tiny murmured. "I made a fresh pot of coffee shortly before Drina and Anders arrived. Do you want a cup for the road?"

"That'd be nice," Teddy said apprecia vely, finishing with one boot and pulling on the other. Tiny immediately moved to the cupboard and retrieved a travel mug. By the me Teddy had finished with his second boot, Tiny had poured the coffee and added the fixings. He waited as Teddy donned his coat and did it up, and then handed him the mug.

"Thank you," Teddy murmured, accep ng it. "I'll clean the mug and return it tomorrow when I come to check on things."

"Sounds good," Tiny said with a nod, as he walked the man to the door and saw him out.

"Well," Drina said, pulling the now-empty bag from her fangs and moving around the counter to throw it out. "I guess it's time for me to go to bed."

Harper smiled faintly at her grimace as she said it. It was only a li le a er one. Going to bed now was like a mortal going to bed at four in the a ernoon. It was doub ul she'd be able to sleep for quite a while. In fact, he suspected she probably wouldn't be able to dri off un l just before dawn, and then she'd have to get up with Stephanie in the morning. She was in for a rough me un l she adjusted to her new hours, he thought with sympathy.

"It's the room in the front right corner as you come off the stairs," Tiny said helpfully. "I'm not sure which of the twin beds Mirabeau chose, though."

"I'll figure it out," Drina assured him as she picked up her suitcase. "Good night, boys."

"Good night," Harper murmured, along with the others. He watched un l she'd le the room, and they could hear her moun ng the stairs. He then frowned slightly and glanced up toward the lights, wondering why the room seemed a little darker all of a sudden.

Chapter Two

Drina paused before the bedroom door Tiny had directed her to and eased the door open. The moment she did, someone sat up in the near bed. Mirabeau, she guessed, and backed up as the woman got up and moved to join her in the hall.

"Our replacement?" Mirabeau whispered as she slid the door silently closed. She wore joggers and a sleeveless T-shirt: comfortable enough to sleep in but ready for action if necessary.

"Drina Argenis," Drina said with a nod, offering her hand.

"Mirabeau La Roche." They shook hands, and then Mirabeau asked, "Lucian said Anders was coming with you?"

"Yes, he's downstairs with the others," Drina said. "I came up to relieve you. I'll sleep in Stephanie's room from now on."

"I can't say I'm sorry to give up that job. I haven't slept a wink," Mirabeau admitted dryly.

"I don't think I will either. At least not tonight," Drina admi ed on a sigh. She hadn't slept at night since

. . . well,