Jennifer Rardin - [Jaz Parks 1] - Once Bitten, Twice Shy

solve scientific problems using horribly unscientific methods, leaving a trail of mutilated bodies stretching back to the 18^th century. According to his file, which even now stared at me from the screen of our laptop, his latest venture was getting vampires to breed vampires, not through an exchange of blood, but through traditionally human methods.

So how did the vamp version of a fertility specialist end up with the human version of a makeover artist? As yet, we'd found no clue. We did know two things for sure. Assan and Aidyn were both henchmen types. That led us to believe someone else was calling the shots. Also, Aidyn did not look like he had when he'd crossed Vayl's path a century ago. Apparently Assan had done his buddy a big, plastic favor.

'How does that work?' I'd asked Vayl as we'd stared at the laptop screen, which was displaying Aidyn's before and after photos.

'I am not sure,' Vayl had replied. 'We can be scarred by fire, and full sunlight destroys us. Perhaps Assan used some sort of specially calibrated laser?'

That made sense. While we were in college, Bergman had theorized that lasers might be used to kill vampires. But he couldn't figure out how to produce the necessary power in a hand-held weapon. Surgery was a different story. All you needed was the space and the financing.

Vayl took a sip of his beer and gave me a nod of thanks.

'What's Pete saying?' I whispered.

Vayl cupped his hand over the mouthpiece. 'He is extremely upset that someone tried to kill us tonight.'

'So he doesn't want to fire me?'

Vayl held up a finger, listened for a minute, then shook his head. 'Jasmine,' he said, 'Your job is, how you say, solid. One of the reasons I chose you is because Pete told me you are the best human agent he has.'

'Oh.' I drained my beer, marched into my bedroom, closed the doors, buried my face in the pillows and burst into tears.

Some time later I felt Vayl's presence beside me. The bed sank as he sat down.

'Are you all right?'

'I'm great.' I turned to look at him, made sure he could see my smile was genuine. 'Our simple little hit has turned into a bioterror nightmare. I nearly died tonight. My boss yelled at me for five minutes straight without stopping to take a breath, and in between I spent three hours staring at a computer screen. I think I may get cancer from the radiation. And I feel better than I have in a long, long time. Weird, huh?'

Vayl brushed a curl away from my cheek with a forefinger. 'Unique,' he said, 'which is what I have come to expect from you.'

Once in a great while a very private person will get that ask-me-anything look on his face. When you see it, you have to be ready to pounce. As soon as those soft brown eyes crinkled at the corners I jumped in. 'Look, before, you said you chose me because I was the best.'

'Absolutely.'

'Why though?' I asked. 'Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed the ride. And I hope I spend the rest of my career working with you. I know why Pete wants us partnered. I know why the Senators on the Oversight Committee want me here. But I've been wracking my brain for six months and I haven't been able to come up with any truly viable explanations as to why a vampire who's been around nearly three centuries needs an assistant. You can hypnotize people—'

'Only those with weak minds.'

'You can cause a freeze that makes liquid nitrogen look wimpy.'

'Thank you.'

'You can make yourself invisible—'

'Not invisible, just intensely uninteresting.'

'You run like you're strapped to a rocket. Your hearing's remarkable. You're stronger than Paul Bunyan… am I leaving anything out?'

His eyebrow rose ever so slightly, but I was so attuned to him I knew he was making a wry face. 'Is that not enough?'

'Why me?'

He waited awhile to answer, shaking his head slightly every once in awhile as if he was trying out reasons and discarding them one by one. Finally he said, 'After what happened to you November last, most people would have just curled up and died.' I stared at him, ready to walk if he even brushed against the heart of my pain. 'You did not. You survived, but with Gifts that have only just begun to surface. I felt you needed help to develop these Gifts. And since I needed an avhar—'

'What's that?'

'A partner, just like you.'

'And?'

'You are right, there is more. I must ask you to be patient. When the time is right, we will both know.'

Nuts. 'Okay,' I grumbled. I suddenly wanted my cards. I took them off the bedside table, and as I did my eyes strayed to the clock. 'It's almost time,' I said. 'Do you need me to help you set up the tent?'

Vayl has never slept in a coffin. Now that I knew he was phobic, I suspected lying in one probably gave him the heebie jeebies. I don't know what his sleeping arrangements are when we're home. Hell, I don't even know where his home is. But when we travel he brings a custom-made tent that covers his entire bed. The material is impermeable to light, so if someone was to accidentally open a curtain or something, he won't singe. I'd love to have one myself, just because the kid in me thinks it would be a real hoot, like camping out only without the