The Servant left the room, but Dawn knew she’d be watching the monitors, guarding her lady.
As if to address that point, Eva said, “The cameras are off. This is family time.” She jammed a lock of hair behind an ear. “I don’t really want to be showing you this, but I…I just think I should. You’re…” She fidgeted. “You’re both involved in this situation.”
She blew out a breath then picked up the remote from a slot on the side of the TV, pressing a button. It flashed on, warming up, clearing to a solid picture.
A tilted room. Someone was behind the camera, fumbling with it, trying to adjust the aim upright.
Based on the tweed upholstery and cheap wood paneling, Dawn guessed that they were seeing the inside of an old camper.
“Almost got the perfect frame,” said an anonymous female’s voice from the TV.
Now Eva talked as the camerawoman played with the focus some more. “It’s a live feed from the new Vampire Killer. That’s what the newscasters are saying.”
Dawn stepped closer to the screen. “The murderer’s a woman?” She turned to Eva. “Did you know we were investigating this?” Is that why she was showing it to them?
“As you’re so fond of reminding me, I’m a vampire. I keep abreast of these things.” Evasively, Eva looked at the TV again. “I don’t know anything about technology, but she’s managed a live broadcast. When this started, she said she’s sharing her ‘finale’ with the world, that she’s going to kill someone at the stroke of midnight—the demons’ play hour.”
One look at the clock on the TV—11:36—and Dawn wanted to punch something. Even if the only reason she’d been investigating this killer was because the solution might lead to Frank, she felt like she could’ve saved another woman’s life.
Then déjà vu hit her. Wait. Tamsin Greene had broadcast her death on the Internet. Had the Vampire Killer taken inspiration from that? Death made public, a spectator sport…
My God. This was the killer’s letter to the press, the ultimate performance to gain fame. She didn’t even care if this got her caught. But punishment wouldn’t exist for this person—not if she were in it just for long-lasting celebrity.
Isn’t that what Matt Lonigan had hinted?
Frank’s chains rattled as he moved away from the wall, closer to the TV and nearer to Dawn. “I don’t wanna see this. It’s like one of those terrorist beheading tapes.”
The Eva-vamp put her hand over her mouth.
On the TV, the camera stabilized. “There,” said the Vampire Killer. Then she turned the lens on the victim.
Even though the picture was clear, it took Dawn a few moments to comprehend it. And when she did, the floor seemed to veer. She grabbed on to Frank to stay standing.
He grabbed her, too.
There, in living color, sat a bound and duct tape–gagged Breisi, her bobbed hair splicing over one cheek like dark, open cuts. Although she was sweating, her gaze was steady.
She didn’t want them to worry if they happened to be watching, Dawn thought. Nausea made her weak when she pictured the crime-scene photo that might come out of this.
Not another photo, God, no, not another one.
Dawn leaned against Frank, who held her tight.
Eva was watching them both, eyes round and fearful. She wanted to see just how much they cared, didn’t she?
“I didn’t know,” she said pleadingly. “I didn’t realize Breisi was the one—”
“Liar!” Dawn ground out. “This is probably a repeat of another broadcast that they’re playing over and over, and you knew damned well it was Breisi.”
Wrapping her arms over her chest, Eva stared at the floor. “I told you, this is a live feed. That wasn’t a lie.”
The Vampire Killer was talking again, still off camera. “Look what I caught—a genuine vampire hunter. And, wouldn’t you know, I’m the Vampire Killer. But that doesn’t mean I murder vampires. It means I’ll be one. So…the more suspected hunters I can do away with now, the better life will be later. Understand?”
She took the camera and moved it up and down, making Breisi’s entire bound body nod in pretend agreement.
Breisi merely flicked the killer a glance and that was it. Dawn had never been so proud of anyone: the way Breisi kept her cool, the confidence she displayed.
Hang in there, Breez, just until…
Hold up—was Breisi calm because she knew The Voice would finally come outside for this? He’d never let Breisi die. He and Kiko were probably already on their way to wherever she was, and thanks to Eva’s faked calls from Dawn, they were no doubt wondering why their third hunter wasn’t answering their summons. But they wouldn’t have time to deal with that—not right now.
11:40.
Dawn began twisting her chain bracelet, like she could work her way out of it.