Page 60 of Bloodhunter

“Leave us alone,” she screamed, suddenly, and turned tofollow the vampires deeper into the woods.

I went after her and when I caught her, I grabbed her armand spun her around. She was about eight inches shorter than me and when I tookher arm, it was like holding a stick. I eased my grip. “Lady, you’ll be okay.Stay still. The effects of the bite will wear off soon.”

“Oh myGod,”she said. “If you want a cause, go afterthe infected vampires. I don’t want you here. Can’t you understand?”

And finally, I did.

“You wanted to feed them.”

“I’m with my friends.” She dropped to her knees, buried herface in her hands, and sobbed. “He’ll stop seeing me.”

“Your vampire friend?” I couldn’t keep the disdain from myvoice.

She swallowed her tears and looked up at me. “My boyfriend,not that it’s your business.” She wiped her nose on her sleeve and then stood,jerking away from me when I reached out to steady her. “Who the fuck areyou,anyway?” She continued on before I could answer. “Whoever you are, you’re notbetter than me. And you’re not better than them.”

“Lady—”

She shoved me, but was still too weak and loopy to put anymuscle behind it. “Go away. You don’t belong here.”

“Neither do you.”

She poked a stiff finger into my chest, and that hurt alittle. “It’s not your business. I’m an adult.”

“Law says—” I began.

“Fuck the law. And fuck you.”

“I’m all for minding my own business when it comes toconsenting adults,” I told her. “But the vampires mesmerize you. You don’t knowany better. They make you think you want something you don’t.”

She sighed, and the fight went out of her. Her eyes werestark and hopeless in the bloodless pale of her face, and she seemed to shrinkjust a little. “Are you going to turn me in?”

I studied her. “I think you need to see a doctor.”

Her stare was unflinching. “Answer me.”

I looked heavenward, then finally, shook my head. “No, Iwon’t turn you in.”

“Then please,” she said gently, “leave us alone. We’re nothurting anybody.”

“Give me some information, and I’ll go.”

She frowned, then wiped her nose on the back of her hand. “Informationabout what?”

I pulled my phone from my pocket, then brought up thepicture of Lucy’s killer. “Gordon Gray.” I turned the phone toward her andshowed her the photo. “Do you know where he is?”

She pushed the phone away. “Lucy’s guy.”

“Yes. Where can I find him?”

“You can’t. He knows he’s being hunted. He comes out tofeed—mostly from animals—and then goes back into hiding. Lucy didn’t like himfeeding from other people, said he was cheating on her.” She laughed, thenshrugged and continued when I said nothing. “You won’t find him.”

“Yeah,” I said. “I will.”

“Good luck.”

She didn’t sound like she meant that at all.

I gave the man another glance. “Do you want help, or are youhappy offering yourself to the bloodsuckers as well?” I was full of contempt,and he wouldn’t look at me.