Page 28 of Bloodhunter

The cop on the left sighed. “We’re sorry to have botheredyou.”

“It was Mrs. Watson, wasn’t it?” I asked. “I swear, thatwoman is a pain in my ass.”

“Not just yours,” the second cop said. He and his partnertraded glances, shook their heads, and headed for the door.

“Well, thanks for checking,” I said, uncertainly.

Clayton followed them to the door, then shut it gentlybehind them. “You’ll have to move,” he said, all signs of his former softnessand smile gone. “You can’t have neighbors. I’ll begin looking for a suitableplace for you in Bay Town.”

I put my hands on my hips, then quickly lowered them when mywound began screaming at me. “Vampires are in the city. I need to live here.”

“You can hunt in the city,” he said, calmly. “You cannotlive in it.”

“I can live wherever I want.” I gestured at the door.“Goodnight, Clayton.”

“I’m not leaving.” He walked to the sofa and sat down,crossed his legs, and picked up the remote.

“Oh,” I said, suddenly angry. “That’s right. You’ve been givenorders by the tiny woman who owns you.” I didn’t even try to keep the contemptfrom my voice.

He looked up, slowly. His eyes were empty, but still, I tooka quick step back. His expression didn’t change. “I will protect you until I’mpulled away. If that’s something you can’t accept, call Miriam.” He went backto the TV.

“Shit,” I whispered, and turned to leave the room. He coulddo whatever he liked. I’d get dressed and go out into the night to see if Icould find a vampire or two to test Silverlight on.

At the thought, the excitement was back. My heart began topound, my stomach tightened, and a slick sweat broke out on my face. Coldchills chased each other over my body, and when I lifted my hand, it wasshaking.

My legs weakened, and I swayed as darkness descended. Thefloor rose up to meet me and the next thing I knew, Clayton was bending overme, patting my cheek—a little too hard—and calling my name.

“What happened to you?” he asked, as he leaned forward, slidhis hands beneath me, then lifted me to his chest. He stood smoothly andcarried me to the couch.

He smelled good, like vanilla and…cake. Why would a mansmell like cake? I had no idea, but I liked it. My stomach growled.

“Put me down,” I told him.

“Answer my question.” He lowered me to the sofa. “The woundon your chest. Who gave it to you?”

“Silverlight,” I murmured.

He narrowed his eyes. “What did you say?”

“The sword I held,” I told him. “Its name is Silverlight.Amias stole it for me.” I gave a soft laugh, then stopped abruptly when painshot through me.

“That’s impossible.” He dug his cell phone from his pocketwithout waiting for me to answer. “Where is it?”

I struggled to sit up and glared at him. “It’s mine.”

“I need to make a phone call. May I use your bathroom?”Blankly polite, no matter what.

I sank back against the pillows and nodded. I heard thebathroom door close before I remembered that Silverlight was in the bathroom.With Clayton.

There was nothing I could do about it now.

He needed privacy to make a call. He would have no reason togo rummaging through the bathroom cabinets. He’d never see the sword.

I fell back against the sofa cushions and waited impatientlyfor him to emerge from the bathroom. My stomach rolled, then stopped, thenrolled again, as though it couldn’t make up its mind about whether it shoulddispose of its contents or not.

I wasn’t going hunting. I was in no shape to kill vampires,mystic badass sword or not. The excitement from the mere thought had made mepass out. All I’d do if I went out in this shape was get myself killed and mysword stolen.

Finally, I heard Clayton’s footsteps, and I gingerly swung mylegs over the edge of the couch as I waited for his large body to darken mydoorway.