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Shocked, I ask, “But then how could it be Theodore who organised the attack on Herrington, surely if that’s how he died then there was a body, some sort of proof that he was actually dead?”

“There ell over a thousand people all in one san, people panicked when he jumped, a riot broke out, chaos ensued, and his body was never found,” says Rita, in a matter of fact voice

“So what happened then?” I probe, eager to learn more

“Well, there were a couple an to break out between the vampires and the warlocks, the dhamphirs weren’t involved because their numbers are so much smaller Eventually there was a stand-off and the decision was ot one half and the warlocks got the other, while allowing the dhaiance The rules were drawn up and there’s been the saation ever since”

“It’s so strange that there’s this whole other history to this city that nobody even knows about” I say, still co Rita’s account “This whole other set of politics It’s really very bizarre”

“You’ll get used it,” says Rita, picking up a taco and taking a big hungry bite “Then again, this has always been et your head round it But I’m sure you’ll adapt”

“Yeah, I hope so,” I reply, before digging into my own lunch

We eat in silence for a fewlunch time café noises to drift over us Then a question forms in ton, do you think it really is Theodore come back from the dead?”

Rita pauses eating to consider it “Could be,” she replies “But then again, it could just as easily be so we can do is sit back and wait and see If you ask me, there are certain people in this city who deserve Theodore as an ene”

I take a sip of Coke “I suppose” I anshile wondering what ht happen to me if Theodore has somehow returned fro possible to find a way to become more powerful And what could be better for a blood sucker under threat than a variety of food which can provide hith ten times more potent than that he was born with?

Chapter Fifteen

Quitting While I’m Ahead

Rita walks with me back to the shop once we’ve finished lunch She co black docs over black skinny jeans with a silky black vest top andspecial, but perhaps the si back to work, but I can’t place why It’s not the shop itself that unsettles ht about his intentions and his air of cheery frivolity

Indigo is eelical self-proclai about the end of the world a couple buildings down I’s turn out to be real prophecies, but come on, what’s the likelihood? Then I remember my own current situation and re-think my answer

“What’s so funny, girls?” asks Marcel,out of the staff door, Gabriel behind him, and behind Gabriel, sootten about hi small Am I the only person who doesn’t know everyone?