to.
“Devereux told the members of his coven your mind can no longer be read. He said it is to protect your brain because the elders hold you in high regard, and they intervened on your behalf. He asked us to do nothing to cause your emotions to spike, which might render the extra protections useless. So for the third time, I do most sincerely beg your pardon. I would not want to do anything to harm you. I rather enjoy our sessions. You’ve been exceptionally helpful.”
Holy shit! Devereux told his coven — some of whom are my clients — my personal business? What’s wrong with him? Oh, wait, remember who I’m talking about. He simply does whatever he wishes.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” I shook off the annoyance Mr. Roth’s revelation had triggered and willed the corners of my mouth to rise. “I’m happy the sessions are beneficial to you.” Whatever I’d felt from him earlier had dissipated and my radar quieted. “Tell me about these deaths.”
He gave a brief nod of acknowledgment and crossed his legs. His brow furrowed. “It’s all very strange. Most vampires, especially young, weak ones, have little control over their appetites and impulses. Their world is violent, harsh, and dark. It isn’t until we survive beyond the first few years that our true personalities emerge once again, and we start to have choices. Most of us can’t even regulate our heart rate, breathing or body temperature for centuries.”
“Centuries? I hadn’t realized the extent of the limitations.” At least somebody is forthcoming with undead details.
“Indeed. Newborns are relatively fragile. So, given that environment, new bloodsuckers occasionally turn up truly dead for one reason or another, although it’s usually only a few per week, at most.” He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “Over the last month, though, there have been scores, all over the city, dying like flies — vampires, and some humans, too.”
Uh-oh. Déjà vu.
“How are they dying?” My stomach muscles contracted. What a coincidence that a certain vampire hunter had recently arrived in town.
“That’s the odd part: there’s no cause of death. None of the victims were drained of blood, and they had no apparent wounds. They simply ceased existing.”
My notepad fell onto the floor. “But how is that possible?”
“That’s the question, and I don’t have an answer. In the meantime, I now have the uncomfortable task of defending clients who are actually innocent, who simply managed to stumble across a dead body in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He checked his watch and stood. “But as I said, I must end our session early this evening. So much carnage, so little moonlight. Oh, but before I forget,” he opened his briefcase, removed a thick book and handed it to me, “here’s the reference material I said I’d bring tonight. I’m sure you’ll find it enlightening.” He bobbed his head in a brief, formal nod. “I will see you at our regular time next week. Hopefully, I will have good news. Until then.”
He vanished.
Even after months of watching vampires move via thought, it was still an exciting — and discombobulating — occurrence. I didn’t expect to ever fully acclimate to it.
I examined the weighty textbook he’d given me, Sociopathic Lawyers: Monsters in Plain Sight, and said aloud, “Yikes. Definitely grist for the therapeutic mill.”
Deciding I’d deal with Mr. Roth’s love-hate relationship with his legal persona at our next session, I set the book on a table, retrieved my notepad from the floor, rose and walked over to the window, contemplating the disturbing information he’d shared. Was Hallow powerful enough to kill vampires and humans without leaving a trace? Devereux probably knew, but he was unavailable, so I couldn’t tell him about the new bloodsucker in town. Yet.
The unexpected change in schedule left me feeling disconnected. I hated to admit it, but I’d come to rely on
“Devereux told the members of his coven your mind can no longer be read. He said it is to protect your brain because the elders hold you in high regard, and they intervened on your behalf. He asked us to do nothing to cause your emotions to spike, which might render the extra protections useless. So for the third time, I do most sincerely beg your pardon. I would not want to do anything to harm you. I rather enjoy our sessions. You’ve been exceptionally helpful.”
Holy shit! Devereux told his coven — some of whom are my clients — my personal business? What’s wrong with him? Oh, wait, remember who I’m talking about. He simply does whatever he wishes.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” I shook off the annoyance Mr. Roth’s revelation had triggered and willed the corners of my mouth to rise. “I’m happy the sessions are beneficial to you.” Whatever I’d felt from him earlier had dissipated and my radar quieted. “Tell me about these deaths.”
He gave a brief nod of acknowledgment and crossed his legs. His brow furrowed. “It’s all very strange. Most vampires, especially young, weak ones, have little control over their appetites and impulses. Their world is violent, harsh, and dark. It isn’t until we survive beyond the first few years that our true personalities emerge once again, and we start to have choices. Most of us can’t even regulate our heart rate, breathing or body temperature for centuries.”
“Centuries? I hadn’t realized the extent of the limitations.” At least somebody is forthcoming with undead details.
“Indeed. Newborns are relatively fragile. So, given that environment, new bloodsuckers occasionally turn up truly dead for one reason or another, although it’s usually only a few per week, at most.” He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “Over the last month, though, there have been scores, all over the city, dying like flies — vampires, and some humans, too.”
Uh-oh. Déjà vu.
“How are they dying?” My stomach muscles contracted. What a coincidence that a certain vampire hunter had recently arrived in town.
“That’s the odd part: there’s no cause of death. None of the victims were drained of blood, and they had no apparent wounds. They simply ceased existing.”
My notepad fell onto the floor. “But how is that possible?”
“That’s the question, and I don’t have an answer. In the meantime, I now have the uncomfortable task of defending clients who are actually innocent, who simply managed to stumble across a dead body in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He checked his watch and stood. “But as I said, I must end our session early this evening. So much carnage, so little moonlight. Oh, but before I forget,” he opened his briefcase, removed a thick book and handed it to me, “here’s the reference material I said I’d bring tonight. I’m sure you’ll find it enlightening.” He bobbed his head in a brief, formal nod. “I will see you at our regular time next week. Hopefully, I will have good news. Until then.”
He vanished.
Even after months of watching vampires move via thought, it was still an exciting — and discombobulating — occurrence. I didn’t expect to ever fully acclimate to it.
I examined the weighty textbook he’d given me, Sociopathic Lawyers: Monsters in Plain Sight, and said aloud, “Yikes. Definitely grist for the therapeutic mill.”
Deciding I’d deal with Mr. Roth’s love-hate relationship with his legal persona at our next session, I set the book on a table, retrieved my notepad from the floor, rose and walked over to the window, contemplating the disturbing information he’d shared. Was Hallow powerful enough to kill vampires and humans without leaving a trace? Devereux probably knew, but he was unavailable, so I couldn’t tell him about the new bloodsucker in town. Yet.
The unexpected change in schedule left me feeling disconnected. I hated to admit it, but I’d come to rely on
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