Always the Vampire

He shrugged. “It was the fair thing to do. Every office involved in dismantling nests is offering the same deal.”


“Like a severance package.”

“We have to pay taxes on our cuts, but the money has helped us move on,” David confirmed, “not to mention take this extended vacation.”

“Which we appreciate you interrupting for us,” I said with a smile. “David, did you bring a laptop with you?”

“I did. Why?”

“We need access to the list of Shifter Magic users. Can you trace a user name to a real one?”

“I can trace to an IP address and possibly find the location of the computer used, but it’s hacking. And websites have privacy-protection rules.”

Saber snorted. “Screw legalities. I authorize you to do the trace.”

“We’ll get our gear.”

The guys deposited rolled sleeping bags and green Marine Corps duffel bags in the living room. Then Ken put four six-packs of artificial blood in the fridge while David began setting up his laptop on the coffee table. I prayed he’d be able to get a wireless Internet connection.

“All right, I have a wireless signal to piggyback, but it may be slow. When the server comes up, what’s the user name you want me to search?”

“Magicman1463,” I said.

He zipped and clicked the mouse, then typed so rapidly, his fingers blurred. Screen after screen flashed up, and I wondered if new computers and accessories came in special vampire-speed models.

“Here you go. The user’s computer is off, but the address listed for the last transmission is an apartment complex here in town.” David tapped more keys. “And the winner is Vince Winter.”

“Vince Winter?” I gave Saber a blank look. “Who’s that?”

“A dead end,” he said grimly. “He’s one of the thugs found dumped at Triton’s place yesterday.”

“Detective Balch shared the names of the victims?”

“What victims?” Ken asked.

Saber held up a hand. “He phoned me this afternoon, but only told me the identities of the two men with criminal records. I’m sorry, Cesca, but there are no fingerprints on file for the others. They’re still John and Jane Does.”

While Saber filled Ken and David in on the murders, I slumped on the daybed, deep in thought.

On the surface, it might seem a coincidence of humongous proportions that David had built the Shifter Magic website. To me, it was synchronicity, just as much as Lynn finding Triton. Okay, the magicman clue didn’t get us closer to nailing Starrack, but it did link him to the murder victim. Call me skeptical, but I had a hard time picturing career criminal Vince Winter playing an online shifter game.

On the upside, I’d now seen Starrack through Ken’s memories. I knew how he moved, the cold energy he exuded. How that knowledge might help us was uncertain, but any scrap of information was a bonus.

Triton stuck his head out. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“We’re wrapping up,” Saber answered.

“Good. I think Lynn would like to shower and hit the sack.”

Ken stood. “Would she feel more comfortable if we went outside until she’s finished?”

“No, I would not,” Lynn yelled from behind the door.

“That’s okay, Lynn,” I called. “We’re leaving anyway. Call us if you need anything.”

“I’m cool. Go fight evil.”

Triton ducked back in the bedroom, I imagined for a farewell kiss. The rest of us trooped out the front door to give them an extra measure of privacy.

“Other than Starrack,” Ken said, “should we be on the lookout for trouble from any particular quarter?”

“Just be alert to anything that doesn’t look or feel right.”

“Or smell right. In the form we’ve seen, the Void stinks like a tar pit, and someone infected may have rancid breath.” I glanced at Saber, whose breath had never been off. “Though rank breath isn’t a consistent symptom.”

The vampires squared their shoulders.

“We’re battle ready, ma’am,” David said. “We won’t let you down.”

“Thanks, and ooh-rah to that.”





Considering he was leaving his new love behind with vampires, Triton’s mood was surprisingly upbeat as we drove him home. Saber filled him in on what Ken and David had revealed, and Triton made thoughtful comments instead of cracks.

“You’re good with Ken and David watching over Lynn?”

“I have to admit, they’re okay. I’m not happy about this Gorman character, but Lynn’s all over her case study idea.”

I looked over my shoulder where Triton sat between the seats. “I like her, Triton. She’s good for you.”

“Meaning she stands up to me?”

“You wouldn’t want a doormat.”

“You’re right, I wouldn’t. I just wish Lia would get that information about Lynn’s origins.”

“Well, remind her, dummy. If she has answers, she’ll tell you. If she hasn’t discovered anything, you’re no worse off than you are now.”

“Pushy, pushy.”

“Practical. By the way, what did our illustrious wizard have to say?”