Night Light. Amy Blankenship

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СКАЧАТЬ the floor was so slick with blood.

      â€œAnd the winner gets a hundred Band-Aids and a good night's rest at Michael’s house.” He bent down and wrapped his arm around Kane’s waist to help him up. They both swayed before he got them balanced.

      â€œYou have a house?” Kane asked hoping if he kept talking he wouldn’t pass out before they got there. He knew where Michael was living, but he didn’t want to admit it because that would just remind Michael to be mad at him for staying away. He wasn’t exactly happy with himself over that but he’d felt the need to keep his distance.

      â€œYeah, I’m all grown up now. Besides, caskets are so yesterday.” He cringed inwardly realizing Kane might not think that joke was very funny. “The place is huge. It used to be some kind of Victorian style art museum until they built an upgraded one in Beverly Hills. Maybe if you moved in with me, the place would feel more like a home.”

      â€œI want a puppy,” Kane stated out of the blue while concentrating on the putting one foot in front of the other routine that usually keeps you from falling.

      â€œYou want a what?” Michael asked.

      â€œIf we are moving in together, then I get to pick out a puppy.”

      Michael had to smile at his old friend. It seemed Kane’s love for canines hadn’t diminished over the decades.

      Chapter 3

      â€œSo, what’s up with Micah?” Nick asked Steven as they pulled into the parking lot beside the church and parked in between two of the busses.

      â€œMicah and Quinn got in their usual fight about who makes the rules and Micah left to blow off some steam.” Steven answered as he got out of the car. He still thought it was funny that all the jaguars drove… you guessed it… jaguars. “Hell, they taught each other how to fight, so decking each other is no big deal.”

      â€œThen why hasn’t he come back?” Nick pointed out.

      â€œThat is the question isn’t it,” Steven sighed. “Quinn thinks Micah ran off but I know better.”

      â€œWhat makes you so sure?” Nick asked curiously.

      â€œBecause Alicia had only been home a couple weeks before he disappeared. Micah had been counting the days for when he could bring her home. Even when Nathaniel was alive, it was Micah who acted more like a father to her. He’d never just up and leave now that she’s home.” He shrugged and added, “Or if he did decide to abandon the family, then he’d at least take her with him.”

      Nick nodded wondering if the vampires were responsible for Micah’s vanishing act. Somehow that really didn’t sound like a good thing, so for Micah’s sake Nick hoped Micah had just lost his temper and hadn’t found it yet. He’d ask Alicia more questions tomorrow.

      Steven looked up at the huge church with all its intricate carvings and statues. The fact that it looked like it had been imported from Rome spoke of the money the sinful humans that graced its door must have. The extremely rich were the most sinful, that’s why they made such a show of their religion.

      The truth was this place is where the Mayor of the city came to shake hands and exchange money with the mafia every Sunday just after mass. So the question he’d been asking himself was… why had that girl been here alone in the middle of the night?

      The church was mostly dark except for a couple of windows that still showed light on the second floor. From what he remembered, that was probably the office area. He wondered if the priest he’d left safely in the closet actually lived here. It was something he’d never thought to assume until now. The Catholics were a dedicated lot, he’d give them that.

      He’d already filled Nick in on what happened the other night… well most of it anyway. There was no way in hell he was going to recap the choir boy robe incident. Shaking his head, Steven pulled on the front door expecting it to be locked but sadly, it swung open.

      â€œNot very smart,” Nick frowned as he pulled the bone-handled knife from his sleeve and slipped inside. “You’d think after what happened the other night, they’d start locking the doors.”

      â€œMaybe like the saying goes… it’s always open,” Steven shrugged but entered cautiously. “Or maybe the old priest is expecting company.”

      â€œI repeat, not very smart,” Nick snapped knowing they weren’t the only paranormal creatures within the building. “I smell humans upstairs but there’s something else here and I doubt it came for confession.”

      â€œI’ll go make sure the priest is safe. If you find vampires, be smart and leave them alone until we call for backup.” Steven made his way up stairs leaving Nick to make his own decision.

      Nick nodded and started looking for the basement of the church. Usually the worse the monsters were… the further underground they liked to be. He didn’t bother hiding as he investigated because the enemy could see in the dark just as well as he could.

      Finding the door labeled ‘basement’, Nick opened it and quickly descended the stairs. He wrinkled his nose at the dank, damp smell and sneezed. He’d always hated basements.

      Steven was doing the same thing upstairs, opening doors and peering in as he passed them. Seeing the light filtering in under the door of the same office from the other night, he knocked this time. He could smell the scent beyond the door and knew the old man was alone.

      â€œIs that you, Jewel?” the old voice came.

      Steven took a quick step back when the door swung open… him and the priest coming face to face. The kind old face with the soft expression slowly changed, his eyes going wide as his lips parted. Steven put his hand out knowing what was coming next, and he wasn’t disappointed when the priest tried to slam the door in his face.

      Pushing against the door, Steven entered the room letting the old man’s weight on the door shut it behind him. Swinging around, he grabbed the weapon that came next and tossed it across the room getting annoyed. “I told you last time, I’m not a vampire.”

      â€œI woke up in the closet.” The priest reminded him as he backed up against his desk. Steven sighed as he watched the old man’s hands rummage across the desk obviously trying to find another weapon. He cocked an eyebrow seeing his fingers wrap around a heavy-duty stapler.

      â€œI don’t want to hurt you,” Steven informed him. “But if you don’t let go of that stapler, you’ll be waking up in that closet again.” He nodded thankfully when the man slowly released it and stood to his full height, which was lacking compared to his.

      â€œI have a feeling you didn’t come here to confess.” Fear could still be heard in the old man’s voice.

      â€œOh father, I know I have sinned,” Steven smirked but seeing the joke wasn’t shared he grabbed a chair and turned it around noticing the man flinch at the fast movement. He refrained from rolling his eyes and straddled the chair, laying his arms across the low back. “Does it not count that I am part of the reason you’re СКАЧАТЬ