Then, ironically, my fear of losing the librarian led to me actually losing her. My heart and emotions got in the way, and even she would not argue with that. This version of myself may be tough, but I trust him to do what is right. “Child, I will ask you one more time, where did your mother go?”
“I don’t know. She just said she had to leave and would be back in a few days.”
I have no choice but to believe her. “Very well. Let us get you to the safe house.” Then I have an idea. “I will let you try some of my new ice cream downstairs in the lobby. We have type O flavor with chipotle peppers. It’s quite delicious.”
The child rolls over, looks at me like I’m mad, and begins crying again.
So no bloody ice cream?
CHAPTER TEN
Miriam
The moment I started putting feelers out on the gossip tree about Alex, I knew the clock would start ticking. Someone would tell Michael. Because vampires are nosy bodies. “King Vanderhorst, is there any particular reason your ex-woman is asking questions about your ex-best friend?”
But I did get a lead on Alex, who’s currently holed up somewhere in Michigan, about an hour north of Lansing. At best, I have an hour’s head start on Michael, who I’m sure has figured out by now that Stella is not ill, and will be tracking me down. Which is why I ran from the airport terminal in Detroit, grabbed my rental, and flew like a bat out of hell from the city.
Michael has the advantage with a private plane and a private airport directly in Lansing. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to Alex, persuade him to tell me the last known location of Lula, and get the heck away. The problem is, I’ve known all along that Alex could lead me to Nice if I so chose to hunt him. But Alex is not what you’d call a friendly vampire.
Just by showing up at his place, I’m risking my life. Everyone says he’s haunted by years of battle, and ever since Lula ran off with Nice, he’s become less and less kind, more and more tormented. Like I said, if I’m lucky, he’ll help lead me to her. If I’m double lucky, he’ll tell Michael to piss off when he shows up five minutes after I’ve left.
In my silver Ford Focus, I pull up to the white farmhouse that’s situated down a dirt road lined with scraggly pines. There’s a good three feet of snow on the ground, and all around me are frozen cornfields with slouching, rotting brown stalks, like a scene out of a wintery apocalyptic horror film entitled Cranky Reclusive Vampire of the Michigan Corn. But at least his driveway’s been plowed recently. There are also thick icicles hanging from the roof, which means someone is living here and heating it. He also has crappy insulation.
I hop out of my car, hearing the crunch of fresh snow under my newly purchased boots as I head to the front porch, which is piled high with cut wood. I also managed to buy a jacket and sweatshirt at the airport (Go UM), but honestly, the cold isn’t really affecting me like I thought it would. I guess being a vampire does have its benefits.
I ring the doorbell and listen for signs of movement inside. Nothing. “Hello? Alex? Are you in there? It’s Miriam. I really need to talk to you.”
I wait, but no one comes to the door, and the only noise I hear is the ominous squawking of a blackbird perched in one of the frozen pine trees.
Maybe he has a workshop where he sharpens his swords or burns voodoo dolls made entirely of red lace. I decide to look around back.
Sadly, there’s nothing other than a field of snow and an old, rotting green car half covered in more snow.
I walk back around, following my footsteps—
Wait. There are two sets. Crap. He’s here.
Just as I turn, I hear the distinct slide-and-click sound of a shotgun being loaded for action.
“Who the hell are you?” Alex growls.
He is a lean man, just over six feet, with dark eyes and longish, unkempt brown hair. He looks like a hipster, but I know better. This vampire is deadly.
I raise my hands slowly. “It’s me. Miriam. Remember, I used to have the library in Phoenix?” It kills me to use the past tense. I still can’t believe my precious sanctuary is gone.
“What do you want?” he asks.
I suppose that means he does remember me. It’s a start? “I need your help. I need to find Lula. It’s urgent.”
He lowers the mess-you-up end of the shotgun. “No. Now get the hell out of here before I give you a non-life-threatening injury. Or a life-threatening one. Your call. Just know I happen to be very good at causing pain.”
Alex is a legend for his ability to kill, maim, and anything else required of a vampire soldier who served in the Great War alongside the Executioner King.
“Please, I’m begging you. I know you’re close with her. You have to know where to find her—or at least, where I can start looking.”
“Why the hell would I tell you anything?”
“Because I’m going to kill Nice.” I hold my gaze steady. I want him to know I’m serious.
“Alone?” He arches a dark brow.
I nod.
Alex explodes with laughter, howling up at the frigid afternoon sky.
“Hey! Laugh on your own time! Michael’s going to be screaming down your driveway here at any second, and I need to get going. Where. Is. Lula?”
Alex stops laughing. “He’s coming here?” He looks over his shoulder.
“He’ll be looking for me. So, if
