And still he lingered, just to catch a glimpse of her from time to time, to see her smile, if only from a distance, hear her laughter, the sound of her voice.
He was a vampire, the most powerful creature on earth, and he was acting like some love-sick teenager. But then, he had never been in love before. And hoped like hell this would be the first time and the last.
Travis had just decided to take in a movie since he had nothing better to do when his phone rang. He frowned when he looked at the display, then hit Answer. “Overstreet, how’s it going?”
“Are you sitting down?” Carl asked.
“No, why?”
“Our old friend, Bowman, turned me three and a half weeks ago.”
“Are you shittin’ me?” Try as he might, Travis couldn’t imagine Overstreet as a vampire, but then, he had never imagined himself as one, either.
“I wish.”
“Hey, man. I’m sorry.”
“Split milk, I guess. It’s sure as hell nothing like I thought it would be. Even after all the research I’ve done on the Undead, there’s still a lot I don’t know.”
“I hear ya. Been there, done that, and I’m still learning. I’d be glad to help you in any way I can. Are you still in Susandale?”
“Yeah, but I was thinking of leaving here. I was wondering if I might come and hang out with you for a while until I get a handle on things. I’m afraid for Winona. Afraid I’m going to hurt her. Or worse.”
“I hear ya. I’d be glad for a little company. I’ll text you my address.”
“Thanks, Travis. I really appreciate it. See you soon.”
“Nicely done.” Jason said, releasing his choke hold on Winona’s neck. “I trust you won’t call him back and let him know I’m on my way?”
Overstreet shook his head, his gaze on Winona’s pale face. She looked scared to death, but who could blame her?
“I’ll know if you do.” Jason tightened his hold again. “And she’ll pay the price.”
“I believe you!” Overstreet exclaimed. “I won’t say anything, I swear it! Just let her go.”
“I’m glad we understand each other.” Easing his hold again, Jason said, “You won’t mind if I have a little drink for the road, will you?”
Hands clenched at his sides, Overstreet shook his head. Winona gasped with pain, hands flailing, as Bowman sank his fangs into her neck.
Unable to watch, Carl looked away.
After what seemed like forever but was only a few moments, Bowman lifted his head and licked the blood from his lips. He fixed Overstreet with a last warning look, and then vanished from sight.
“I’m sorry, love!” Carl said, pulling a trembling Winona into his arms. “Some day I swear I’ll kill him for this.”
Travis trailed behind Sara and Dilworth as they strolled hand-in-hand through the City Mall. It made his gut clench with jealousy every time Sara laughed at something the man said. He’d told himself he wanted her to go on with her life, to be happy, but it was killing him inside. He told himself he should leave town and try to forget her, but so far, he hadn’t been able to make himself go. He made excuses, saying he was waiting for Overstreet, but the truth was, he just couldn’t bear to leave her.
It was nine o’clock when they left the mall. He watched them get into Dilworth’s Maserati and drive away before he went in search of prey.
He fed on a young woman he found waiting alone at a Bus Stop, then, with nothing better to do, he walked the ten miles to his lair.
He was about a block away when he caught the scent of vampire. But it wasn’t Carl Overstreet. It was Jason Bowman. What the hell! How had Bowman found him?
Frowning, he dissolved into mist and drifted down the sidewalk. When he reached the house he was renting, he circled it twice. When there was no sign of the other vampire, he resumed his own form. Bowman’s scent was stronger now, proof that he had been there recently.
Inside, Travis gathered his few belongings, stuffed them in a duffel bag, and went in search of a new lair.
He found a suitable place to spend the day in a house with a Sold sign out front, figuring the odds of the buyers taking possession the next day were pretty slim.
Once inside, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and called Ronan.
His sire answered on the second ring. “What do you want now?”
“I’ve got a problem.”
Ronan snorted. “So, what else is new?”
“I followed Sara to Vermont.”
“And that’s my problem because?”
“That’s not the problem,” Travis said impatiently. “Bowman followed me.”
“Interesting.”
“Not as interesting as the phone call I had from Overstreet last night. He told me Bowman turned him.”
Ronan grunted softly. “The plot thickens.”
“Yeah. Carl asked if he could come and stay at my place until he got things figured out.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
“I’m not sure.”
“How are you and Sara getting along?”
“We’re not. She’s dating the guy her dad wants her to marry.”
“Get rid of him and your second problem is solved.”
“Yeah,” Travis muttered. “But what am I gonna do about the first one?”
“Bowman? Take him out.”
“I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do that on my own.”
“Are you asking me to come to Vermont and back you up?”
“Not exactly. I’d just like to know I can count on you if I need you.”
“Sure, kid.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
A low growl sounded in Travis’ ear before his sire muttered an oath and ended the call.
Shannah looked up from the magazine she had been reading. “What are you going to do?”
“Do?” Ronan shrugged. “Nothing right now.”
She laid the magazine across her lap, her head cocked to one side. “If you wait until Travis actually needs your help, you might get there too late.”
Ronan shrugged again. “That’s his problem.”
The magazine in Shannah’s lap slid to the floor when she stood. “Don’t you
