Free Zen and the Art of Vampires by Katie MacAlister Page B

stake through the heart is just a fallacy?” I asked, fascinated despite the horrible subject matter.
    â€œIt would slow one down considerably, yes, but not necessarily kill him unless it was done using the power of the light.”
    â€œSunlight?” I asked, thinking back to the stash of Buffy and Angel DVDs that sat next to my TV.
    â€œThey burn much easier than mortals, but it would take a long time exposed to sunlight to do more than cause them discomfort. They do not burn up in a flash as seen in movies.”
    â€œHuh. What do you know about that. Holy water?”
    She shook her head. “The Brotherhood has over the centuries worked out the best ways to destroy their evil. But we are not callous, heartless killers as they are—we call upon the light to cleanse the Dark Ones, to purify them in a ritual that allows them redemption rather than damnation.”
    â€œHoly Jehoshaphat,” I said, shivering a little. I rubbed my goose-bumpy arms. “I had no idea. No wonder the Brotherhood folk were so grimly determined. Where exactly do you fit in with all of this?”
    Tears welled up in her eyes. “My sister Sara . . . she was the last Zorya. She . . . she was killed two weeks ago, probably by a Dark One. They found her with . . .”
    She slumped against the wall, digging through her bag for a tissue.
    â€œI’m so sorry. I had no idea. Please don’t distress yourself by telling me any more,” I said, feeling horribly gauche.
    â€œNo, it is all right. Sara would have wanted people to know how bravely she gave her life to the cause of the light.” She gave a harsh little laugh. “Some people call us reapers, you know. Reapers. As if that is all we do.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” I said again, not knowing what else I could say.
    She dabbed at her nose and eyes and made an effort to gather her control. “When I heard that Sara had been killed, I was destroyed, you know? But then the Zenith told me that I was to take her place.”
    â€œThe who?”
    â€œZenith. It is a title, the name of the person who heads our order. Since I was not with Sara when she died, I could not take the stone from her. The Zenith told me to pick it up here before I went to marry the sacristan, but me, I am horrible with the directions, and I lost the information where to find the stone. But now you have found it for me, so I can take up the battle where Sara left it.”
    â€œThat’s really amazing of you,” I said, still rubbing my arms. “I don’t know that I’d be able to do something so selfless.”
    She gave me a tremulous smile. “You are not an ordinary mortal, Pia Thomason. I sense that about you. I have no doubt that you would do just fine as a Zorya.”
    â€œWell, luckily, we don’t have to put such a generous assessment to the test.”
    Anniki murmured an agreement as she glanced at her watch.
    â€œYou must be wanting to go meet with your people and see your hubby-to-be,” I said, putting a couple of coins on the table before gathering up my things and standing.
    â€œYes, it is late, but I hope to find them before the sun rises.” She pressed my hand. “Thank you for guarding the stone so carefully, Pia. You are truly blessed by the light.”
    â€œThank you,” I said, wondering if that qualified as doing my good deed for the day. Somehow, casting my mind back over my actions of the evening, I had a feeling it wouldn’t. “Good luck with your battle. Oh, the ghosts! There are two of them in the corner over there. Karl and Marta. Want me to introduce you to them?”
    â€œNot yet. I will tend to them as soon as I have seen the Brotherhood. May the light continue to shine upon you,” she said, waving good-bye as she hurried off into the dusky twilight.
    I glanced at the corner where the ghosts had been when we entered the café, but they were gone. I wondered if they’d