Free Bloodliner by Robert T. Jeschonek

kill you to check with me first?"
    Suddenly, Mavis heard something hit the counter hard, and she lifted her face from her hands. She saw spilled coffee, jarred silverware, and Stanza's fist planted on the Formica countertop.
    Somebody's got a temper.
    "Just so you know," said Stanza, "I'm in charge here, Jonah. My contract says I get paid for keeping you alive...but it doesn't say you're my boss. It doesn't say I have to take your shit.
    "If you don't like it, you're welcome to go solo." Stanza leaned closer, forcing Jonah to lean back into Mavis. "But good luck with the vampires when you're on your own, sweethearts. They've got your scents now."
    With that, Stanza whirled away from them and stormed out of the restaurant.
    Mavis watched her go. After the outburst, she liked Stanza a lot less...and yet, she knew Stanza was right.
    If it's me versus the vampires on my own, I'm screwed.
    That realization made Mavis change her mind about one thing.
    I need to make friends with Jonah.
    Not forever, of course. After all, she hadn't forgiven him and his family for ruining her life.
    I just need to be his friend long enough to survive this nightmare.
    With Jonah as an ally, Mavis would have leverage against Stanza. The fact was, Stanza did have to take Jonah's shit; without him, she wouldn't get paid.
    Jonah might also provide the kind of backup that could keep Mavis alive if they found themselves Stanza-free at some point.
    Now if I can just force myself to be nice to this guy instead of telling him what I really think of him and his family.
    "I think she missed her meds," Mavis said to Jonah.
    Jonah looked surprised, then smiled. " Way too much caffeine."
    "Wow." Mavis blew out her breath. "What a day, huh?"
    "Yeah," said Jonah. "It's tied with yesterday for the weirdest day of my life."
    Mavis chuckled. At least he was easy enough to talk to. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard, after all.
    "How about great-great grandma?" said Mavis. "I expected her to be more into Geritol than blood, y'know?"
    "Better results than Geritol," said Jonah. "Born in 1848, and I'm pretty sure she could take me."
    "What a freakshow." Mavis combed her fingers through her crimped red hair. "Welcome to the dark side. If my parishioners could see me now."
    "The vampire-fighting pastor," said Jonah. "I wonder how they reacted to the mess we left at the church?"
    "They probably think I'm dead," said Mavis. "Or a murderer. Or both. I don't even want to know."
    Jonah sipped his coffee. "I doubt anyone's even missed me. My band and my boss have probably already replaced me."
    "Tomorrow was supposed to be my big debut," said Mavis. "My first service as pastor of Desert Wind Presbyterian."
    "No kidding." Jonah frowned as he stared into his coffee. "Today was my parents' funeral."
    Mavis' mouth fell open. Sudden, searing shock roared through her.
    "What?" she said. "They're...dead?"
    "Three days ago," said Jonah. "They died in a car accident."
    The surprise didn't let up for Mavis...and it was joined by anger. All this time, since joining Jonah and Stanza on the run, she'd imagined Jonah's parents were alive and well. She'd thought she could still tell them to their faces how much pain they'd caused her and how much she hated them for it.
    There was a conversation she'd played out in her mind or in front of a mirror a million times...a conversation in which she finally let them have it for what they'd done to her. Now, she could never have that conversation the way she'd imagined.
    I can't believe they're dead.
    On the heels of her shock and anger, however, Mavis felt something else. It was something she almost hated herself for feeling, because it contradicted and diluted the anger.
    It was sympathy. As much as she'd hated Jonah's parents, she couldn't help feeling a little sorry for Jonah.
    I guess I've been in the ministry too long. I'm still a sucker for sob stories.
    "I can't believe I missed the funeral," said Jonah. "I mean, I'm trying to make the best of things,