Free Night Huntress 02.5 - Happily Never After by Jeaniene Frost Page A

that wasn't there anymore.
     
    "But Chance has been walking around in the daylight!" Isa suddenly exclaimed. "I thought vampires couldn't do that?"
     
    "Really, dear, if you were an intelligent species that managed to hide your existence from mainstream society for thousands of years, wouldn't it make sense to plant some red herrings along the way? You know, like fake weaknesses such as a deathly aversion to sunlight or crosses? Then, when people saw you strolling around at high noon holding your rosary beads, they'd think, 'Well, that can't be a vampire,' because they believe the propaganda that's been deliberately mixed with the legend?"
     
    Isa eyed her empty glass before going into the kitchen and pouring another stiff one. No one should have to process this information sober.
     
    "So they're not all monsters who lie in wait to feed off the blood of the innocent?" she asked hesitantly.
     
    "Some of them are," her grandmother replied with utmost seriousness. "But most of them are decent people who only feed enough to live and don't kill their donors. Most people who've given blood to a vampire don't even remember it afterward. Their gaze is very powerful, and they have the ability to manipulate both behavior and memories. But being a vampire doesn't make them a monster, Isa . They'd have to choose that route for themselves."
     
    So that was how Chance had hypnotized her before. So much for his being a freelance magician.
     
    "And apparently shooting a vampire and sinking him to the bottom of the river doesn't kill one, so what does? A wooden stake through the heart?"
     
    " Silver through the heart. Or decapitation, but a vampire won't hand you his or her head. Nor will one stand still and let you poke his heart with silver, either. Never try to battle against a vampire, Isa . They can kill you before you even blink."
     
    Isa remembered how fast Chance had moved at the restaurant earlier. She hadn't even really seen him, he'd only been a blur. Yes, it was easy to believe how deadly vampires could be. Fangs. Mind control. Incredible speed and strength. All of it was very frightening.
     
    … with their stamina, six women for an entire night is simply a healthy start…
     
    Isa jerked her mind out of the gutter. Okay, so maybe it wasn't all frightening.
     
    "You got Chance involved because of me and Frazier," she said at last. "I guess it makes sense. What's scarier than a mobster, if not a creature of the night? Well, why hasn't Chance just… eaten Robert, then? It would be no great loss to the world, in my opinion."
     
    "I'm not sure myself," her grandmother replied slowly. "At first I thought it was because he wanted to make sure Frazier was safe. Then I wondered if he was waiting for some sort of backup from Bones. You know, if Chance intended to clean Robert's entire gang off the street, he'd get a few more mouths together to feed off them? But I spoke to Bones today, and he was very surprised to hear Chance still hadn't wrapped things up. So I'm guessing it has to do with you."
     
    "Me?" Isa burst. "What about me?"
     
    Her grandmother sighed. "Youth is truly wasted on the young. Come now, dear. Don't be stupid."
     
    Isa stared at her. Her grandmother stared right back, unblinking. The thought formed in Isa's mind, hitting against wall after wall of uncertainty and anticipation.
     
    Could Chance have been stringing along Robert just to spend more time with her? If so, what was she going to do about that? Scream and grab lots of garlic?
     
    Or meet him with her hair up while wearing a low-necked gown?
     
    Isa shook her head to snap out of her mental meanderings. Frazier was out there somewhere, and whatever she did or didn't feel for Chance, her brother's safety took priority. If Chance had been deliberately slow about bringing this situation to a conclusion, then she would have to speed him along. After all, if she had a vampire on her side to use as a weapon against Robert, then she was damn well