The Vampire's Prey

standing in the doorway. Their interest quickly waned. The figure offered nothing noteworthy,

den door slam behind her. She looked tired, morose, and weak. Normally strong and independent, she was now a

wanted was for life to return to normal, to end this nightmare. Her stomach churne

ne knew why. In the past, she would tense at the scrutiny. Now, she had bigger

ely got sick, but nights spent in the cold had taken their toll. The rain

na called to

stacking, closed the door, and walked over. "E

yes. A happy young woman, as she used to be, as her mother wished she still was. Brienna knew things had cha

't see

only sixteen. This is my d

een, why are you lo

to get to her father's house. Sh

h the back door. I unlock the front door, but I don't step out. You can ask the people here, but most

ts at night was dangerous, but life was always

et has a reputation

attract tourists. You're a devoted mother to be out

otection. Lately, it felt like a meaningless trinket. Until she had her daughter back, it was worthless. She wore it beca

g them. What time do you t

four o'

business cards from people who had come in over the years. He knew one that migh

for the vampi

ched through the cards, fi

d that if you want to find anyone, then this is your man.

vol

hat the mother thought that her child was sweet and innocent, but life as a bar owner had shown him that most teena

f two ways. We're either dinner or a play toy. No body sugge

t under

hem for food if there is no other option. Without a body to confirm that she's been fed upon, it's likely that she's somewhere giving a vampire a good time, and yes,

to Brienna. She took it and offered her gratitude. Then he pu

p the handset and began pressing the buttons. A hand reached

washed-up old hack of a private detec

er. The three-day growth shadowed most of his jaw, giving him a dishe

know what

sfied customers. Want t

down, Brienna tu

tter nonsense. If your daughter has walked the vampire mile, then there's a really good chance that she's alive. The problem is, she's proba

r. She also didn't know what credentials this new person had. At

Time waits

s in case your choice is n

then flicked his head, gest

made for larger groups of people rather than the tables and chairs in the central ar

as she watched the man s

gure looked like he was dressed for a funeral. Chiding thoughts filled Brienna's mind

ck leather jacket. Even the band shirt underneath matched the theme. Mindlessly Brien

omething out of tired m

rt that was underneath the heavy coat had a few stains on it. Listless hair that hadn

s a bright girl, but Brienna knew that she was impressionable and at that age where the opposite sex was high on her radar. For an older guy that just ha