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Chapter One

Michael? Where are you?

The sharp voice swa any remnants of sleep He opened his eyes and watched the moonlit landscape sweep by the cab's s Only a few more miles and he'd be with Nikki

Michael? This ti mind voice held a hint of concern Can you hear me?

He sighed How could he not hear her when she was all but screeching? Yes, I can hear youHe just wasn't concentrating All he wanted to do right noas get home to Nikki They'd been apart for nearly three weeks, and it felt like forever

After living alone for over three hundred and sixty years, it was a her in his thoughts and in his life He needed her, not just physically, but emotionally

You sound tired, Michael

He was Tired of chasing va Or h he had no intention of giving in to Nikki's demands to let her share this part of his life One killer in the fa three weeks, Seline It was a tougher case than I'd originally thought I' She had to be after so What's the problem?

You know me too well Her amusement swam down the er that burned so sharply he could almost smell it

Curiosity stirred, but he thrust it away He'd never refused Seline anything she'd asked hi a little weary of helping everyone else at the cost of his own existence Especially nohen he had someone to exist for Seline, I'ames Get to the point

She sighed I think we need your help on another case

I've just finished this one I need a break Needed ti that had been sorelyI know, and I'm sorry But vamps are your area of expertise, and this case has a bad feel to it Was there ever one that didn't? For athe road, then glanced at the cab driver “It's the next left” Tenthat had sat like a weight in his gut these past three weeks lifted, and soh his veins

What are we dealing with? he asked eventually

That's it—we're not exactly sure

Then how do you know it's ed his words, and her sh his mind