Free Empath (Book 1 of the Empath Trilogy) by HK Savage Page A

Stephen, I asked again, “So who is the problem with, if not weres?”  This was so unreal to be sitting in a normal house, in a normal living room, and to be discussing the social problems of supernatural creatures previously believed to be mythical up until about a half an hour ago.
     
    “Vampires.”  Stephen said it in a dull tone. 
     
    My heart skipped a beat and I shuddered despite myself.   “Vampires?” I whispered.  That was a word that inspired a true sense of fear down to my very core.  Undead, unkillable, blood sucking machines that hated people for some unknown reason.  Strike that, they loved people.  They loved to drink our blood.  I had seen the movies, and now I knew they were real.  In an instant, nighttime got a whole lot scarier.  My arms wrapped around my middle. 
     
    Stephen waved me back to the loveseat.  “Claire, let’s sit.  This is a lot to take in,” his tone changed from gentle to something I hadn’t heard from him yet, defensive.  As we were halfway to the loveseat, Stephen’s whole demeanor had changed.  He lifted his nose, sniffing the air.  “And we aren’t done yet.  They’re right on time.”  
     
    Looking around at the rest of the family, I saw that Troy, Tonya and Tara had come into the middle of the room, gathering together, forming ranks to greet the midnight visitors.  All of this was still registering when I heard the doorbell ring, making it real. 
     
    “Why did you have to invite them here to my house?”  Tara hissed, her eyes narrowing.  I could picture her tail switching.  It was so easy to see her as a cat; that would explain the moodiness. 
     
    Troy diplomatically held up his hand to quiet her.  “You know the late hour draws attention on my street.  They have come to discuss matters.  Nothing more.”
     
    I understood then that the other family, the one we had been discussing handling my training, was here now and they were vampires.  There were vampires at the door!  And in my fear, I felt the shock of disbelief, “They use the doorbell?”  How odd that they would do something so absolutely ordinary.
    “Claire, you do not have to be afraid here.”  Stephen’s tone was somber.  His was not just a statement meant to reassure, he was making a promise.  For the second time that night, I took a leap and believed my friend.  My hands were like ice as my nerves took hold of my body, I forced my arms to my sides to at least appear less petrified than I was.
     
    Troy walked forward to open the door and I realized I was holding my breath.  He looked back at me just as he was about to open the door.  “You are protected here as a guest of our clan.  You have nothing to fear for your safety.”  He smiled briefly at me as he opened the door to the most frightening thing I could ever conceive to be walking the earth. 
     
     
     
    Ch. 10
     
    The door opened and I felt my jaw drop.  There were two beings standing there at the door when it opened.  One of them, I had met before. 
     
    “Henry?” I squeaked.  I had never fainted before, but thought I might now.  Lights danced at the edges of my vision. 
     
    He didn’t show any outward signs that he was surprised to see me.  “Hello Claire,” He turned back to Troy standing by the open door then. 
     
    Completely normal, no Nosferatu claws or long fangs, not even the haunted black eyes.  He was not what I was expecting for my first vampire. 
     
    “Troy, I apologize for the short notice, but this issue is serious. “  He glanced over at the man beside him.  “My associate, James, has come by some information that I felt could not wait for a later meeting.”
     
    Troy must have answered but my eyes were locked on Henry’s pale associate, James as they stepped in and Troy shut the door behind them.  He was about 5’10” with a lean muscular build and in his early twenties.  His wavy, light brown hair was pushed back from his face, brushing his collar