By sundown, Morgan Creek was a ghost town again.
An indrawn breath told him half-a-dozen fledging vampires had gathered at the end of the bridge. He sensed their unrest, smelled their hunger. Perhaps it was time to invite them inside and turn Morgan Creek back into the vampire haven it had once been.... He shook the thought away. It was a bad idea and Kadie would never approve.
Filled with restless energy, he materialized on the sidewalk below and walked toward the bridge. The rapid exodus had left a lot of debris on the streets – receipts, food wrappers, soda cans, a muddy pair of sneakers, a pink hair ribbon, a blue pacifier. He swore softly. With the hotel staff gone, it would be up to him to clean up the mess. No doubt the rubble at the campground and in the rental houses would be twice as bad. Hell, maybe he’d just burn the whole place down....
The vampires, who had been pacing restlessly back and forth in front of the bridge all came to an abrupt halt when he appeared. The tension in the air was almost tangible as theystared at him, their eyes all showing a hint of red, a few baring their fangs.
“There’s nothing for you here,” Saintcrow said, his gaze raking each one. “Go back where you came from.”
“Not until we get a taste of your blood,” one burly fledgling declared.
Saintcrow shook his head. “Forget it.”
A low growl rose in their throats. A couple of them charged forward, only to be stopped by the wards on the bridge. They screamed at him, demanding that he let them in, that he give them what they wanted.
Drawing on his power, he spoke to their minds. As one, they stilled. “You will listen to me and do as I say,” he said, his gaze resting briefly on each one. “There is nothing for you here. You will transport yourselves back to wherever the hell you came from and never return. You will never think of Morgan Creek again. You will forget this place. You will forget me. Do you understand?”
As one, they nodded.
Saintcrow did a quick search of their minds. Satisfied with the results, he said, “Now get the hell out of here.”
“A remarkable performance,” Kincaid said, materializing beside him.
“Next time I’ll sell tickets.”
“Right. What are you gonna do now?”
Saintcrow shrugged. “I have no idea. I was hoping Izabela or Alara might have come up with something, but I haven’t heard from either one.”
“It’s probably too soon.”
“I suppose.”
“Rosa went up to the house to visit Kadie for a little girl talk. What do you say? Should we go visit the witches and see what’s going on?”
“Might as well,” Saintcrow replied sourly. “I’ve got nothing better to do.”
~ * ~
They went to see Izabela first. The witch greeted them as usual, asking if they meant her any harm. It was a question that had, at one time, irritated the hell out of Saintcrow. Now, he just found it amusing.
When she was satisfied with their answers, she opened the screen door, then led the way into her living room. She took her usual place in her rocker. Saintcrow and Kincaid sat at opposite ends of the sofa.
Saintcrow lifted a curious brow when the black cat padded into the room, followed by five black kittens.
Izabela grinned. “They are of an age to leave their mother if you would care to take one home.”
“No way,” Saintcrow said. “The last thing I need in my house is a witch’s cat.”
“Kincaid?”
Jake picked one up, chuckling as the kitten growled at him. “Maybe I’ll take one home to Rosa when this mess with Saintcrow is straightened out.”
“Forget about the damned cat!” Saintcrow snapped. Hands knotted into fists, he took a deep breath before he looked at the witch. “Have you found anything?” he asked. “Anything at all?”
“Yes. And no.” She held up her hand. “Hear me out. I performed a spell with your blood and a woman appeared to me.”
“A woman!” Saintcrow exclaimed. “Who was it?”