Free Cronin's Key II by N.R. Walker

wanna check a few things out.”
    “I told you all along your blood was special,” Kole said. He didn’t seem surprised by any of this. He knew everything that Alec knew. He knew Cronin was a vampire, he knew he had some vampires on protective detail watching over him, and just like his son, took it all in stride.
    “Mr. MacAidan,” Cronin interrupted them. “Do you know anything else about his blood? You call it special, but do you know in which regard?”
    “I take it this must be something important for you to be worried, but no, I’m sorry,” Kole said. “Just that he was destined for great things. It was in his bloodline. That’s all I know.”
    Cronin nodded. “It is important, yes. Thank you anyway.” He paused for a long second. “This doctor knows of Alec’s importance?”
    “Albert ran tests on Alec when he was a boy. If he came off his bike or skateboard, he always healed fast, and Albert was curious,” Kole told them. “He ran tests when he was, oh, about twelve. Said he had a high iron count, but everything else was perfectly normal.”
    “I’ve had dozens of blood tests and physicals,” Alec added. “Nothing’s ever been red-flagged before.”
    “You said it affects vampires?” Kole clued in on Alec’s earlier choice of words. “You mean, it affects Cronin because he drinks it?”
    Alec nodded. “Yes, Dad.”
    Kole looked at Alec, then at Cronin, and slowly back to his son. He was clearly shocked, and for the first time ever , Cronin felt guilt for what he was.
    “Does it hurt?” Kole asked quietly.
    Alec barked out a laugh. “Uh, no Dad. Quite the opposite, actually.”
    “Oh.” Kole cleared his throat. “Right.”
    “I would never hurt him,” Cronin said quietly.
    “Hey,” Alec said firmly, making Cronin look at him. “He knows that.” He tilted his head just so, seemingly confused by what Cronin just said.
    Cronin’s cell phone buzzed in his pocket, and he was glad for the distraction. It was Jacques, the vampire who was given the duty of watching over and protecting Alec’s father. Cronin had sent him a text to advise him that they’d be visiting so not to be alarmed. “Cronin, you have an incoming. Human, possibly sixty, he has a doctor’s bag. Everything okay?”
    “Everything’s fine,” Cronin answered. “Thank you. He is expected.” Cronin clicked off the call to find Alec and Kole both looking at him. Then he heard a human heartbeat at the front door, and he looked toward it. “Your doctor friend has arrived.” A moment later there was a sharp rap on the front door.
    Alec stood up and held his hand out to Cronin. Putting a disgruntled cat on the floor, Cronin was quick to take the cue. Alec squeezed his hand. “You okay?”
    “Of course. And you?” Cronin replied.
    Kole gave them one glance over his shoulder before opening the door. He greeted the doctor and opened the door wider. “Albert. Please, come in.”
    “Kole,” the doctor said. “You’re not on my house call list. Everything alright?” He stopped talking when he saw Alec, and Kole shut the door. “Alec?”
    Alec nodded. “Yes. And this is my partner, Cronin.”
    Doctor Benavides stopped in his tracks. He looked at all of them cautiously. “What’s going on?”
    “Sorry for the subterfuge,” Kole said. “The appointment’s not for me.”
    “You’ve seen the news, yes?” Alec asked. “You saw me do the disappearing thing on TV?”
    The doctor nodded and eyed Cronin uneasily.
    “Then you know I can’t go to a hospital,” Alec said. “I don’t mean to implicate you, but I need your help. If you’re not comfortable doing this or fear you’d be harboring a criminal, then you can walk out of here, no questions asked.”
    The doctor seemed to consider this for a moment. He looked at the three of them again, even glanced at the front door, but eventually looked Alec up and down. “What’s the matter with you?”
    Alec smiled at him. “Nothing’s wrong exactly. I need