Always the Vampire

“Ken and David, formerly of the Atlanta nest. No last names, if they use them, and I don’t know what they do for jobs. Ken said they were vacationing.”


Keys clicked madly in the background, and I knew Saber was checking the VPA website’s restricted section. Silence stretched on the other end of the phone then more keystrokes. I pulled a pillow onto my lap and played with the lace-edged pillowcase. Waiting.

“Here we go. David Marks, Turned in 1988, and Ken Crandall in 1989. They did register to go on vacation with the Atlanta office. Both are former U.S. Marine Corps officers.”

That explained their military bearing and the ’80s vibe.

“Anything else on them?”

“No problems reported with either of them. David is a web developer. Ken is a dance instructor.”

“Dance instructor?” I said on a chuckle.

“Why is that funny?”

“Because we just spent several hours in a club with both of them.”

“We?”

“The entire bachelorette party, but keep that to yourself. Neil doesn’t need to know.”

“What happens in Fernandina Beach stays there?”

“And what happens at Neil’s bachelor party stays there, too.”

“Fair enough. Did these vampires recognize you?”

“They did, and they thanked me for having a hand in closing the nests.”

I heard Saber drum his fingers. “If this was a positive encounter, what’s bothering you about it?”

I took a breath. “Didn’t you tell me that every last vampire you visited on your nest-closing trip showed signs of Void infection?”

“Are you saying these vamps didn’t?”

“Not even close, Saber, and they’re baby vamps. Triton told me not even Cosmil knows if the disease is spread by magical or mundane means, or both, but—”

“But,” Saber interrupted, “from the way Ray and his crew are suffering, Ken and David would look like petrified raisins if they were ill.”

“Exactly, especially since Vlad was severely infected when the VPA picked him up in August.” I paused. “Unless David and Ken have some sort of immunity like I seem to have. Or unless Starrack is targeting Florida vamps. Is that likely?”

“I don’t know. It’s been over a week since I talked with Candy Crushman in the Atlanta office.”

“There’s no list of sick vampires on the private section of the website?”

“Just the regular tracking records.” He paused, and I pictured him raking a hand through his hair. “I’ll call Candy. See if she’s keeping an account of infected vamps.”

“Okay, but don’t have her order Ken and David back to Atlanta. The guys have a right to finish their vacation.”

“Not if they could get violent at any time.”

“Saber, I have the potential to get violent at any time. Doesn’t mean I will, and I think we should give these vampires the benefit of the doubt.”

“All right, but I don’t want you to question them. I mean it, Cesca. I didn’t mention this before, but Candy told me back in August that Vlad had a disproportionate number of former military men in his nest.”

“He was building an army. Like Normand tried to do with Spanish and British soldiers.”

“Vampires who’d take orders without question. The vamps who carried out the sacrifice attack on Candy and Crusher were exmilitary.”

“Saber, I swear. If we see Ken and David again, I won’t interrogate them.” Though maybe I’d have a little just-among-vampires chat with them.

“Meantime, you’re taking precautions, right?”

“I’m patrolling the ladies’ rooms every hour through the night.”

“Won’t the mermaid charms alert you to danger?”

“Theoretically, yes, but I don’t know if they have to be worn to send signals. I didn’t get the chance to ask Cosmil about that detail.”

“Be careful, honey.”

“I will. I’ll have the trusty amulet with me.”

“Good. And, Cesca.” He pitched his voice deeper, into the sexy range than made me go soft and liquid.

“Yes, Deke?”

“We’ll have our own dance when you get home.”





Rapid knocks jolted me out of a dream about being in Saber’s arms.

“Hey, Cesca, it’s two thirty,” Maggie called from the hallway. “You want to get up now?”

I untangled myself from the sheets, crawled to the foot of the bed, and opened the door.

“Whoa, you weren’t kidding about the odd layout,” she said as she squeezed inside. “This is tight.”

“How is everyone today?” I asked on a yawn. “Hangovers?”

“Not a one. We had brunch, went shopping, and now we’re hitting the beach. I thought my right hand might want to join us.”

“Let me shower and slather on my super sunscreen.”

“Fine. We’ll set up near that little snack shop.” She turned to edge back out the door. “Oh, and Cesca, the girls might want to go dancing again tonight. Will that be a problem?”

I scraped the hair out of my face. “Why would it be?”

“Because I saw you keeping an eagle eye on Ken and David last night.”

“I was just being cautious.”

“You’re certain?”