Read Vampire for Free Online

bedspread. “See this? This means one of them—Lester, probably—made a little nest for himself. My guess is, he worked his way up under the covers from the floor, hid the rat, then laid down to guard it.”
    â€œSo where is he now?”
    Jake shrugged. “Out the way he came in. What’s the big deal? It’s easy for a cat to slip in with the customers, and none of the basement windows close all the way.”
    Darcy nodded slowly, her glance going back to the bed. The very thought of touching it made her skin crawl.
    â€œI … don’t mean to be a bother,” she said, and Jake looked uncomfortable. “It just … really scared me.”
    â€œYeah, well …” Jake sighed, shifting the rat to his other hand. “Let me get rid of this thing, and then I’ll find you some more sheets. When I walked in and heard you scream, it didn’t do my heart any good, either, let me tell you.”
    In spite of herself Darcy smiled. “I thought you’d be late.”
    â€œI had to get something.” Jake slipped out the door. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
    Darcy realized she was still shaking. She stripped the sheets, then opened her suitcase and started putting her clothes away just as Jake returned with a blanket.
    â€œSorry.” He dumped it on the chair. “I don’t have anything clean. I’ll go to the laundry tomorrow.”
    â€œDon’t worry, I can go,” Darcy assured him.
    â€œWhatever. This is probably too hot, but at least it’s something.”
    â€œI’ll be fine. Thanks.”
    â€œWell …” He stepped back, his quick glance going over the room. “I’ve got to get back to the Club. I can’t stay with you.”
    â€œI don’t want you to,” Darcy said simply. “I don’t mind being alone.”
    â€œYou’re not alone.”
    Darcy looked startled. “But … you said …”
    â€œ They’re downstairs.” Jake paused in the doorway. “You know. My family.”
    As Darcy watched the door close and heard Jake’s footsteps fading down the stairs, her bravado began to fail her. She went to the window and looked down into the darkness, fighting back angry tears. She thought of her mother, off on a European honeymoon with a new husband Darcy hardly knew … of Uncle Jake’s indifference to the rat in her bed … of Liz’s deliberate snubbing. She thought of the exhibits downstairs, the twisted faces and twisted minds lurking just two floors below. Come on, Darcy, you’re a big girl.… You’re just lucky Jake’s being as nice to you as he is.… After all, he didn’t ask for you, and he doesn’t know what to do with you—so what if he’s a little strange? At least he’s not a total phony like Mom, at least he’s interesting, at least—
    She looked back at her bed and shivered. How could a cat have done that?
    But she wanted to believe Jake’s story, because why else would a rat be there in her bed, like a sinister omen … like a hideous warning.…
    She stared hard into the night shadows, then reached out and slowly lowered the window.

5
    T he girl hesitated at the entrance to the alleyway.
    She hadn’t meant to stay so long after work, and now she was sure to miss her bus. Up and down the block darkened windows stared back at her from closed shops, and she gave an uneasy shudder. She’d take the shortcut after all.
    Halfway down the alley she suddenly stopped. Something was blocking the path in front of her.
    Through the gray mist it seemed strangely like a shadow, hazy and still.
    The girl glanced nervously over her shoulder into wet, empty blackness.
    The shadow didn’t move.
    With her heart hammering she squared her shoulders and started walking again, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
    â€œYou must choose,” a voice said in her ear. “It must be