Page 20 of Bloodhunter

But I was human, and I was part of the human world as well.I worked in the supernatural world, but lived in the human world. And thathadn’t really complicated my life.

Until now.

I arrived at my apartment in the center of the city of RedValley, wondering, as I rode the elevator up to the fourth floor, whether Ireally wanted to continue living in the city.

I wanted to hunt and kill vampires. Could I live amongst thehumans while hunting? Come home covered in blood, likely most of it mine,wounded, and reeking of death? Would I pull the humans into the supernaturalcommunity? Bay Town wouldn’t like that.

It was bad enough with me just working there. People didn’tforget the lone survivor of a horrific slaughter. Every year, they dragged itout of the shadows and made it into something a little more fantastical, ifthat were possible.

At any rate, the Red Valley Thanksgiving Day Massacre wasbecoming somewhat legendary, and though I was not exactly hounded by the media,each year when November rolled around, I was recognized, questioned, andoccasionally asked for my autograph.

Infuriating but true.

And I drew more unwanted attention to the supernaturals withwhom I associated.

Bay Town, full of supernaturals, was comforting in itsquaint sweetness. The city, full of humans, was forbidding with its shadows andsecrets and pain. One would think it would have been the opposite.

It wasn’t.

I’d found my belongings in the nightstand drawer and had shovedthe stakes, belt, and blades into a bag, then slipped down the stairs and outthe front door without anyone but a two-year-old named Annabelle seeing me.Soon enough, someone would discover I’d fled the house and call to tattle toAngus, but I didn’t care. He could roar and rage all he wanted, and I couldignore him like I always did.

I hurried down the hallway to my apartment, trying to lookmore like I belonged there and less like a battered thug, but from the coupleof narrow-eyed glances I received, I wasn’t sure I succeeded.

My neighbor across the hall opened her door the exact secondI shoved my key into my lock.

“Trinity,” she called. “I’m glad to see you. I was beginningto worry.”

“No need, Mrs. Watson. I’m fine.” I turned to face her whenI felt her at my back, and sighed when her eyes widened.

“My goodness, honey. What on earth?” Her faded blue eyesdarted, and her head tilted like a little bird as she studied me. The mass ofwrinkles on her face deepened. “Your face is bruised!”

“I was jumped last night while delivering a pizza,” I lied.“But I’m not hurt.”

“Not hurt!” She pursed her lips and reached up to touch myface, withdrawing immediately when I recoiled. “You’re bruised and…” She shookher head but her tightly coifed hair never moved. “Haggard. Atyourage.Can I do anything for you? Would you like some soup? Can I call someone to comesit with you?” Before I could so much as open my mouth she continued. “ShallIsit with you? I’ll get my—”

“No,” I interrupted, gently. “I’m going to run a bath andthen go to bed. I’m fine, I promise.”

“You saw a doctor, of course,” she said.

“Of course,” I agreed. “All I need is some rest.”

She tsk tsk’d. “Well, if you’re sure.”

“Absolutely. Goodnight, Mrs. Watson.”

I slipped inside and closed my door. The woman was sweet asshe could be, but dear lord was she nosy.

She could tell me who visited the residents in any room onour floor—even if she couldn’t see their doors—and she knew the very instant astranger stepped off the elevator. She called the manager’s office withsightings of ruffians and imagined murderers at least once a week, and wasalways ready with an old broom with which she might sweep out the garbage shefelt didn’t belong there.

She was funny at times, but her paranoia, intrusiveness, andsuspicion had gotten old fast.

She saw everything.

But she hadn’t seen the vampire who waited silently in theshadows of my living room.

“I have something for you,” Amias murmured. “Listen to me, Trinity.”

“I can’t,” I told him. And I couldn’t. I was helplessagainst the bloodlust and rage that sprang to life inside me every time I sawhim.