there including times and figures.
Just make sure to sign for it on your way out and bring it back when you're
done.”
Victoria nodded.
“Can I burn him
now please?” asked Garrett with a smile.
Victoria nodded.
“I think we have
all we need. Thank you.”
“No bother.”
* * * * *
“It's bull.”
Malak stated.
They were back
in the coach, trundling through the streets again to meet with the militia
troops who had discovered the body. The winter sun was low; the sky clear but
the temperature was cold, both Victoria and Malak's breath misting as they
talked. The streets were busy, merchants out in force and people going about
their business through the partially snow covered streets, unaware of the
recent murder in their midst.
“Malak, your
canine teeth are about an inch apart.” Victoria stated, pointing to his mouth.
“And the two wounds were the same width apart on the body. Right where the
artery is. Right where the blood flows. Add that to lack of blood in the body
and you might not have a definitive case, but you do have the beginnings of
one.”
Malak rolled his
eyes. “He was a drunk. A seasoned drunk. You any idea what that amount of
drink can do to a man?"
I don't but I
bet you do, Victoria
didn't say. She had the odd sip now and again to be sure but she recognised
that Malak was the veteran drinker of the two. If the stories from the end of
week 'gentlemen's meetings' were anything to go by.
“He ate badly
and drank heavily,” continued Malak. “lack of blood is probably just part of
that.”
“And as for the
wounds?” he screwed up his face. “Clutching at straws.”
“I always love
the way you just discard evidence Malak,” said Victoria without humour. “just
because you can't explain it.”
“Besides, I know
the real reason why you're grumbling.” she said next, looking out at the
passing streets. “You fear this is one of those cases where you don't get to
shoot anything.”
She cast him a
disappointed look.
“Would I be
right?”
Malak didn't
answer, avoiding her glance and looking out the window himself
“Patience,” she
said, returning her gaze to outside the carriage. “if there really is a
vampire out there, you might just be the one who takes the first shot at it.”
* * * * *
Chapter Four:
An Unfortunate Turn Of Events
* * * * *
Alyssa stretched
as she awoke, bringing herself out of her dream state.
It had been a
nice dream. James had been in it, her soon-to-be boyfriend. Well, she hoped
anyway. Katy too, her new friend, her new human friend to be precise. Both
met on the same night. She was still trying to figure that one out.
She was grateful
to see that after her day-long rest her middle was no longer doing an
impression of an overfilled wineskin. The blood had been absorbed by her
body. She stood, feeling stronger and more refreshed than anyone had any right
to be in the morning (or in her case, the evening). She'd have to be careful.
After drinking her body became even stronger for a time and on more than one
occasion she had accidentally broken something without realizing her own
strength. It was only afterwards that her body adapted and she went back to
just being freakishly strong as opposed to freakishly and destructively strong.
She crossed the
room and opened her wardrobe.
Blue tonight
I think.
She settled on a
dark blue dress and tunic from her collection, as well as one of her clean white
aprons. The Elk's Horn considered itself a cut above the rest of the taverns
in the city and insisted that its staff look their very best.
She changed
before checking her teeth and face. Over time she had learned to do this by
touch. A difficult task, seeing as the mirror was next to useless but at the
very least she could make sure she had her clothes on right.
Now almost
ready, she checked her short hair and tied it back out of the way in
Just make sure to sign for it on your way out and bring it back when you're
done.”
Victoria nodded.
“Can I burn him
now please?” asked Garrett with a smile.
Victoria nodded.
“I think we have
all we need. Thank you.”
“No bother.”
* * * * *
“It's bull.”
Malak stated.
They were back
in the coach, trundling through the streets again to meet with the militia
troops who had discovered the body. The winter sun was low; the sky clear but
the temperature was cold, both Victoria and Malak's breath misting as they
talked. The streets were busy, merchants out in force and people going about
their business through the partially snow covered streets, unaware of the
recent murder in their midst.
“Malak, your
canine teeth are about an inch apart.” Victoria stated, pointing to his mouth.
“And the two wounds were the same width apart on the body. Right where the
artery is. Right where the blood flows. Add that to lack of blood in the body
and you might not have a definitive case, but you do have the beginnings of
one.”
Malak rolled his
eyes. “He was a drunk. A seasoned drunk. You any idea what that amount of
drink can do to a man?"
I don't but I
bet you do, Victoria
didn't say. She had the odd sip now and again to be sure but she recognised
that Malak was the veteran drinker of the two. If the stories from the end of
week 'gentlemen's meetings' were anything to go by.
“He ate badly
and drank heavily,” continued Malak. “lack of blood is probably just part of
that.”
“And as for the
wounds?” he screwed up his face. “Clutching at straws.”
“I always love
the way you just discard evidence Malak,” said Victoria without humour. “just
because you can't explain it.”
“Besides, I know
the real reason why you're grumbling.” she said next, looking out at the
passing streets. “You fear this is one of those cases where you don't get to
shoot anything.”
She cast him a
disappointed look.
“Would I be
right?”
Malak didn't
answer, avoiding her glance and looking out the window himself
“Patience,” she
said, returning her gaze to outside the carriage. “if there really is a
vampire out there, you might just be the one who takes the first shot at it.”
* * * * *
Chapter Four:
An Unfortunate Turn Of Events
* * * * *
Alyssa stretched
as she awoke, bringing herself out of her dream state.
It had been a
nice dream. James had been in it, her soon-to-be boyfriend. Well, she hoped
anyway. Katy too, her new friend, her new human friend to be precise. Both
met on the same night. She was still trying to figure that one out.
She was grateful
to see that after her day-long rest her middle was no longer doing an
impression of an overfilled wineskin. The blood had been absorbed by her
body. She stood, feeling stronger and more refreshed than anyone had any right
to be in the morning (or in her case, the evening). She'd have to be careful.
After drinking her body became even stronger for a time and on more than one
occasion she had accidentally broken something without realizing her own
strength. It was only afterwards that her body adapted and she went back to
just being freakishly strong as opposed to freakishly and destructively strong.
She crossed the
room and opened her wardrobe.
Blue tonight
I think.
She settled on a
dark blue dress and tunic from her collection, as well as one of her clean white
aprons. The Elk's Horn considered itself a cut above the rest of the taverns
in the city and insisted that its staff look their very best.
She changed
before checking her teeth and face. Over time she had learned to do this by
touch. A difficult task, seeing as the mirror was next to useless but at the
very least she could make sure she had her clothes on right.
Now almost
ready, she checked her short hair and tied it back out of the way in
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