Page 14 (1/2)

My clients cohout the day I don’t et done quickly The sound of heartbeats rush through or, I have to really concentrate to block the else out and that’s fine byof heartbeats comes a thrill I can’t explain, and it shakes e, and I want to be alone Vaguely do I recall inking a set of broken skeletal wings on the back of a very bony girl in herat her back lined with drops of blood didn’t do much for my mood But some small slice of my pride must still exist because in the end, despite all of the frustrations and distractions, my work still kicks ass Call it vanity Call it whatever the fuck you want

I auy when Preacher walks in through the front door, followed by Eli’s brothers, sister, and Seth My insides twinge; I haven’t seen Preacher and Estelle in a weekhis signature plaid button-up long-sleeved shirt and jeans, catches lance and holds it I feel cold all of a sudden, and the hairs rise on my arms Preacher’s eyes lock on toin’s up

"Eligius?" Preacher calls

Eli elance as he passes His presence takes up the entire area I forget he has that ability sometimes Power He reeks of it

The old Gullah merely stares at Eli for several seconds; Eli returns the look Without saying a word out loud, both leave Inkso Their expressions are unreadable

I guess there’s enough of the old patheticon?"

Josie and Seth walk toward e, cerulean blue eyes unblinking But keeps silent

Seth stops in front of reen eyes are soleht" Capote is an old Gullah, and Preacher’s cousin Plays a wicked saxophone, too

"Killed?" I ask "What do you mean?"

Seth and Josie simply stare at me No words No explanation Then, I know I realize it

Vampires

I meet their stare for several seconds, then return to what I’d been doing in silence

"Oh, gosh," Nyx says quietly I glance at her Now she’s wringing her hands and pacing, her face pinched in worry The beat of her heart increases "Hoful Poor Capote" I think for a second Nyx is going to burst into tears

Of course, Capote and Preacher are cousins, so the girl is related to Preacher as well

A vampire killed a Gullah This hasn’t happened in centuries, save Eli’s accident The Duprés have always kept Savannah and Preacher’s kin safe Valerian’s arirl has beenlance up, it’s Seth’s eyes I’ into "What?" I ask

"Can we talk?" he replies "Alone"

I shrug "Fine by o"

Seth’s eyes lock on to mine for several seconds, then he turns and heads to the back of the shop Nyx es the tunes and The Monkees’ "Daydreah Inksoe, open the door, and grab a beer I’ve got half the bottle drained by the ti with you?" he asks, and he doesn’t ask it nicely

I stare at him as I drain the rest of the bottle "What do you rasps his neck For a moment, he closes his eyes When he reopens them, his stare is hard Hurtful To hiins "You’re…different Hateful Mean"

I laugh "No shit, bro I’ve got two fucking sets of strigoi DNA inside me" I shake my head "What the hell?" I’m irritated now He called me up here for this?