Free Blood Talisman by J. P. Bowie Page B

already swept the room for hidden ‘bugs’,
    cameras or any other electronic devices that terrorist spies had been known to use. Although the President’s visit was still an official secret, there was no doubt that either or both the Taliban or Al Qaeda members who had attended the meeting the day before would have, by now, notified all interested parties as to the President’s presence. This meeting had to be conducted swiftly, in complete secrecy, and hopefully with some kind of agreement reached.
    Andorra scanned the room where the meeting was to take place. All seemed in order,
    but her senses went on full alert when Secretary of State, Denise Harper, signalled that the Secret Service agents should admit the Taliban contingent.
    “Vampire,” she whispered to Tony who stood at her side watching the men file in. “The
    tall young one in the tailored suit. He was not at the meeting yesterday.”
    Interesting.
    She gave the vampire a knowing smile as he walked in with the other men who wore
    the traditional robes and agals . The vampire took his place at the table and narrowed his eyes at Andorra. He did not return her smile. Instead he looked decidedly uncomfortable and quickly averted his eyes from Andorra’s searching stare. His mind was blocked to her, as she expected it to be, but she took pleasure in adding to his discomfort by keeping her gaze firmly fixed on his darkly handsome, though sullen face. A young vampire among the Taliban—and newly changed by the looks and scent of him.
    Really interesting .
    Andorra knew that just as there were those vampires who worked covertly with
    Western governments, some allied themselves to the ‘other side’, either for reasons of
    financial gain or in some cases, loyalty. Only one or two of the Secret Service agents on duty knew of Andorra’s true identity, but now she wondered if they realised they had a Taliban vampire in their midst. She glanced around, taking in Denise Harper’s calm expression and Hollingsworth’s scowl. He really does not like me being here . Andorra knew there were many people, even those who employed vampires, who were wary, if not totally afraid of them.
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    BLOOD TALISMAN J.P. Bowie 54
    Andorra didn’t think Hollingsworth was afraid. The man had a certain arrogance, a disdain for those he considered less than himself. Andorra had heard that he’d been furious when Metcalfe had passed him over as his running mate in the previous election.
    And what could be the purpose of this particular vampire being at the meeting?
    Andorra sensed danger and kept a close watch on the vampire as the President rose to
    address his guests. Metcalfe had obviously discovered in his previous meetings with these men that they were not impressed with flowery words or promises they would interpret as worthless. He came straight to the point, warning them that their training camps in the
    Yemen were being closely monitored and that any planned insurgencies would be swiftly
    and decisively dealt with.
    “Europe and the United States want peace, gentlemen,” he said through an interpreter,
    “but it cannot be a peace at any price. You need to rein in Al Qaeda…”
    A low rumble of discord rose from the throats of several of the Taliban and one man
    jumped to his feet, his anger reflected on his swarthy face. “We are not Al Qaeda’s keepers,”
    he spat, “nor are they ours. Peace will only be attained when all Americans leave our soil forever. You are desecrating the Holy Land, polluting it with your continued presence.”
    Metcalfe sighed and glanced at Denise Harper, shrugging his shoulders as he did so. It
    was obvious he had listened to this kind of rhetoric before, but Andorra saw it for what it was right then—a diversionary tactic. One to have the Secret Service agents focus their attention on the shouter, while the real danger moved with lightning speed, so fast the
    human eye could not catch his movement until he was upon the