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"Could be" Harris pushes away fro a second set of tests" He stands, lets a moment pass Then, "I was sorry to hear about your boyfriend, Lance so?"

I look up That's an abrupt change of subject "I didn't know you knew Lance"

"I didn't Just heard he was killed I'm sorry for your loss"

Does he knowon? Lance was a well-known ed for me to be kidnapped by his sire A bitter betrayal that left a wound that still festers I loved him

It didn't stophim

The laws that govern vaovern humans To the real world, Lance was killed in an automobile accident His cremated remains were sent to his fahty-four-year-old under a different name So far, no one's made the connection

Still, when I meet Harris' eyes, I see the unspoken accusation

Men I beco

o Harris, Williams and Lance were pros I don't want to acknowledge Feelings of pain, treachery, betrayal

Then, in what can only be described as epic bad ti, a male voice calls out fro on down there? I thought you were coht back up"

Harris' eyebrows leap "New boyfriend? You don't waste much time"

Shit Stephen was headed for the shohen I caotten rid of Harris by now I shrug

"Does this new guy have a name?"

Why, so you can keep an eye out for an obit? I shrug again "I don't think that's any of your business"

Which precipitates a staring contest

Harris breaks eye contact first "Okay You're right Your personal life is none of ood cop and a good leader What I don't know is much about his private life You were closer to hi you can tell me to help clear this case, I'd appreciate the help"

He drains his cup I wait He starts for the door

"His killer is still out there Until he or she is caught, I'll be keeping a close eye on anyone who had contact with Willia those last days"

The words are spoken casually enough, but theis clear I follow hi

He'll be keeping an eye on me

I close the door and lean ainst it

Great Harris is never going to solve this case because there's nothing to solve Does thatto have him on my ass forever?

There's that word again Forever This ti

I trek back into the kitchen, refillfor Stephen and head upstairs

He's on the phone

Dressed

I hold aout to hi

I plop down on the edge of the bed and watch him

Stephen and I have been together for a little over a ether on an astral plane, barely escaping with our lives, and killing a monster who followed us back to earth, a bond was formed It seems silly for an immortal thirty-year-old to call someone a boyfriend, and "lover" sounds frivolous, but that's what he's become to me Friend and lover

I pick up the thread of his conversation and realize what I'

He's leaving

When he rings off, and looks at me, he knows I know

"It's just a week," he says "The netants nment"

He says it like it's no big deal, like it's business as usual But I see the exciteative reporter on the local circuit, it's a very big deal

"Wow So next week, I'll be seeing you on the evening news?"nt

He puts theon the bed stand and sits down beside me "You could come with me"

I trace the angle of his jaith ine you'll be pretty busy"

He slips his ar to miss this"

I lay my head on his shoulder "Me, too"

Damn it

Me, too

WITH STEPHEN GONE, I HAVE NO PLANS FOR THE DAY ahead I eye the bed, wondering if I should crawl back under the covers

There's an ache inIt's been a month since I fed from the blood of the demon Stephen and I killed

Twowhen I assuone about ed when in reality, everything has changed

I move out to the deck off my bedroom and sink into a chaise The sun is hot onthough I know that's an illusion Only feeding and sex warm a vampire's blood

And it's been hours since Stephen and I made love

He would have let me feed from him, if I'd asked He knows and accepts I' Let's me enjoy the illusion that I'm normal if only for a little while

I sip coffee A few blocks away, the ocean sparkles under a flawless summer sky I live in Mission Beach, near the boardwalk I love it here The sea is vibrant, alive People drawn to it are vibrant and alive, too Kids at play in the sand, surfers bobbing on the waves, sunbathers eschearnings of dire consequences to bake pale skin to a toasty brown All share a co

I drainthe effects of lack of blood Like a diabetic without insulin, ish I'd better call Culebra and e a host to meet me at Beso de la Muerte I can't afford to let myself become vulnerable-not anymore Not to anyone