Free Bloodliner by Robert T. Jeschonek Page B

research be so time-critical?
    Back in the Desert Wind Presbyterian Church, when Mavis had asked what vampires had against family trees, Stanza had said it was "a long story."
    I think I need to hear that story.
    Mavis decided to make it a test of her alliance with Jonah. She convinced him to help her question Stanza as their train hurtled west away from London.
    The alliance worked just fine. In fact, Jonah did most of the talking. "I don't get it," he said to Stanza, who was reading a paperback novel in the seat beside him. "Why would vampires want to stop us from tracing our family tree?"
    Stanza's eyes flicked up from the book. "Who said they wanted to stop you?"
    Jonah looked at Mavis with a puzzled expression. He knew she had the same exact look on her face.
    Come to think of it, I don't remember.
    "Back in the church," said Jonah. "Didn't you say that tracing my roots was our only chance?"
    Stanza nodded. "I never said what it was your only chance for . And I certainly never said that vampires wanted to stop you."
    Mavis searched her memory for something to contradict what Stanza was saying. She didn't find it.
    "If anything, they might want the opposite," said Stanza.
    "Why would they want the opposite?" said Mavis. "Why wouldn't they want us stopped?"
    Stanza shrugged. "Maybe they want something," she said. "Something they can't get on their own."
    "Like what?" said Mavis.
    But Stanza had said all she was going to say on the subject. She fell silent and returned her eyes to her book.
    As for Jonah, he was too busy gazing at Stanza to continue his part of the questioning.
    Oh, no. He likes her.
    Mavis hadn't caught on until now, but there it was. From the way Jonah acted with Stanza, it was clear he had a crush on her.
    *****

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    Chapter 18
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    As the ferry pulled into the harbor of the island of St. Mary's, Jonah smiled. The view from the boat's front railing was beautiful.
    The sun was setting over the low green hills of the island, casting a rosy blush over the town that ringed the harbor. Sailboats skated over the smooth blue water, sails fat with wind and pink with sunset. Seabirds coasted lazily across the sky, rising and falling like counterweights.
    A cool breeze fluttered Jonah's white bangs and caressed his pale cheeks. He drank deep breaths full of the strong, salty smell of the sea.
    He was a desert rat and had never seen a place like this in person. If not for the run of recent events, he might never have seen such a place at all.
    Or maybe he just wouldn't have seen this particular place in this corner of the world so far from Arizona. What were the chances, if Stanza hadn't brought him here, that he would have come to the Scilly Islands off the southwest coast of England?
    Jonah wondered what he would find there. It had to be something good, to draw them all that way.
    But Stanza was still keeping it to herself. Jonah had fished for clues on the train from London to Penzance—where they'd caught the ferry—and Stanza had given him nothing.
    What's with all the secrecy?
    Maybe it was the mystery that was making him so interested in her. He sure as hell wasn't getting less interested.
    What did Stanza know that she wasn't telling him? What were her true intentions?
    Do I have a chance with her, or am I just a means to a paycheck?
    Sometimes, Jonah caught a look from her that made him think there was hope. Other times, Stanza was as encouraging as a block of stone.
    Now, for example, he spotted her leaning against the rail at the stern of the ferry, staring out at the sea. She glanced his way through her black, wind-blown hair, and their eyes met...
    I can feel my heart pumping faster.
    But she gave him nothing. No warmth, not even simple recognition. She just turned away.
    But next time, who knows? I choose to believe there's hope.
    "First time at St. Mary's?"
    Jonah jumped. He hadn't heard anyone come up beside him, and suddenly, someone was there.
    When Jonah turned, he saw a tall man with