Free Bound Through Blood by Alexis Kennedy Page B

know how. Is there somewhere else you could stay?" She could tell by his voice that he was genuinely concerned.
    "No, I only had Jane to turn to; my other friend, Karen—who was with us that night—has her hands full with a husband, four kids and three cats, which I'm allergic to. I don't really know anyone else. But, I think I'll be okay." Of course, there was Heloise, but the Gypsy would probably push her into a first date with the vampire. The thought actually made her laugh lightly into the phone.
    The detective cleared his throat, "Well, if you can find someone else, I suggest you get out of your house; even if you have to go to a hotel. You are already lucky to have survived this maniac."
    She touched her neck where the last bite had been, "Yeah, lucky."
    "I don't want you there if he decides to come back. You have my card." Then the line was dead.
    Oh, he'll come back. Salena was sure of it.
     

Chapter 33
    After hanging up with the detective, she called Heloise to let her know she needed to stop by; it was urgent they meet. Heloise didn't answer her phone, though, and her answering machine was full. Concerned, Salena headed to her friend's house to check on her.
    Salena arrived at Heloise's cottage about fifteen minutes later and saw the woman's sedan parked in the driveway. She hurried to the door and knocked loudly but received no response. Even more concerned now, she peeked inside the windows and called out to her friend, "Heloise, are you in there? It's Salena." Finally, she could hear movement and, with relief, she saw Heloise walking to get the door.
    "I was worried about you there for a minute. You didn't answer your phone or the door."
    "Sorry, dear, I was taking a nap. You know how it is at my age. Now, what is wrong?"
    Salena didn't quite know where to start. "Well, my best friend was murdered, and someone has been breaking into my house, and—" she wasn't sure about finishing her sentence, "—I think he seduced me."
    "Well," Heloise shook her head and shrugged. "That is the way he was described in my great-grandmother's diary. That is the way of the vampire. And he is probably the one in your house because he wants you. I'm so sorry about your friend, Salena. But you don't think it was him, do you?"
    Salena threw her hands in the air and paced quickly around the small parlor room. "I don't know what to think anymore. What is this? How am I supposed to buy into all of this nonsense?"
    Heloise peered at her over her reading glasses and smiled. "Do you really not believe? Is it just nonsense?"
    Salena started biting her nails again; she was almost to the quick on a few of them. "I don't know what I believe. Vampires are supposed to be make-believe, aren't they?"
    "Well, not all is always what it seems to be. Sometimes, you have to let go of your beliefs to accept what is right before you. Look at me. How many people really believe I can see the future?"
    "Can we look at the cards again?" Salena was still trying to hold out hope that this was all some colossal joke. Jane would really be alive, no vampires would be coming after her, and the passionate encounters would have been just dreams. Damn good dreams.
    "Of course, dear." Heloise soon had three shuffled decks and Salena chose three cards. They were the same as before—Death, Fool, and Tower—so she picked the decks up and looked through all the cards to make sure there were different ones and, of course, there were. Then she had Heloise shuffle, once more, and this time the Gypsy picked the three cards for her. They were the same.
    Heloise once more pointed out the possibility of danger. "I am still not certain what to make of this, but I know it's not good. It's not your truelove, so there has to be another. You must be careful, Salena. Keep your eyes open to that danger while you keep your heart open for your truelove. Now, I must end our visit. I need to check up on a friend in the hospital." She walked Salena out and drove off to see her