Free Vintage Soul by David Niall Wilson Page B

the feeding of pets, you see.”
    Without a backward glance, he left the tower room and the heavy stone door closed behind him.   On the cot Vanessa lay very still.   Her eyes were closed, and other than an occasional twitch at the corner of her mouth, nothing disturbed the crypt-still air, or the total, lifeless silence.
    ~ * ~
    Miles away, seated in his living room staring at the smooth obsidian shield on his window, Johndrow jerked so hard he nearly dropped the wine glass in his hand.   He lurched, caught himself, and managed to place the goblet on the table beside him.
    â€œWhat is it?” The younger man across the table from him shot to his feet.   He was dark, swarthy and thin.   He appeared to be no more than about seventeen years old, though he’d walked the streets of this same city for more than a hundred and fifty years.
    He stood beside Johndrow, who recovered quickly, and watched as his elder sat up straight, eyes blazing.   Then he felt it too, and his eyes widened.
    â€œHe has fed her something,” Johndrow said.   “I don’t know what it was, but it was powerful.   I can almost taste it.   I…”
    He fell silent, and the younger man cursed.
    â€œThis is too much,” he said.   “First he steals Vanessa from your home, now he invades our minds, using hers.   We can’t just sit around and wait, hoping this DeChance will find him.   We have to act ourselves, and quickly.”
    â€œI told him he would have forty eight hours,” Johndrow said, reaching for his glass.   He steadied himself, then took a long gulp of the wine, and then put the goblet down again.   “You must be patient, Vein, we all must be.   Donovan is not just any man, and this job is beyond our knowledge.   I’ll ask you what he asked me; what would you do if you found this thief?   If he can control Vanessa, drag her out of here like a toy, and controls her still – what chance would you have?”
    There was no insult or contempt in Johndrow’s question, but the younger man scowled.   “You are too quick to let others make your decisions,” he snapped.   “I would not go alone.   There are others – many others.   We’ll find the one who has done this, and we’ll put an end to this once and for all."
    â€œYou will wait,” Johndrow said.   He rose to his feet and glared at his visitor.   “You will not do anything to jeopardize her safety.   Is that clear?”
    The young man stood silent, glaring at him, and Johndrow repeated the question.
    â€œAm I clear, Vein?   No interference.   None.    When the time comes that we have no choice but to take this matter into our own hands, you will be the first I call.”
    Vein said nothing.   He drained his own wine goblet, and placed it on the table beside Johndrow’s.
    â€œI’ve got to go,” he said.   “I’m expected downtown.”
    Johndrow watched him for a moment, as if judging the other’s silence.
    â€œStay in touch,” Johndrow said, turning back to the window.   It was growing dark out.   Soon he’d be able to open the shield and watch the stars.   “Don’t do anything foolish.   Two days is not such a long time – particularly for us.”
    Vein turned on his heel and vanished from the room.   Moments later a soft chime indicated that he’d found his way to the elevator and been granted access.
    â€œWhere are you, Vanessa?” Johndrow asked.
    Silence was his only answer, and he punctuated it by pouring another glass of wine.

SEVEN
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    Most of the citizens of the world travel through cities by the main roads.   Heads down and collars pulled up against the growing chill of night, they slide past the mouths of alleys and turn away from shadowed stairways, particularly those leading down.   Deeper in, where the veins of