Page 103 of Sinner's Salvation

“I gave her blood a few hours later,” Evan said, as they walked up the last flight of stairs.

“When did this happen?” the lady asked, nearly running to keep up with him.

As they reached street level, he scanned the area. There were several ambulances lined up along the curb as well as fire trucks, police cars, and a SWAT vehicle.

He might be able to get by them without attracting attention, as long as he didn’t do anything stupid.

“About twelve hours ago.”

The lady studied him. “She has great control over herself.”

“Where is the next subway station?” Evan asked, loud enough to be heard by several people in their odd group. A few pointed, and they all set out in that direction.

He frowned at the lady. “You say that like it’s not common.”

“It isn’t. Sometimes when an immortal is deprived of blood or after an injury where they bleed, they’re unable to restrain themselves. They...often kill until their bloodlust is satisfied. Sometimes, all it takes is being in the presence of someone who is bleeding for it to happen.”

“Anna isn’t the only one who has control over herself,” Evan said. “Her son, Bazyli was a medic in the army. I served with him. He was in situations where there were many people bleeding and he never did anything to anyone except save their lives.”

“Are you...” Brian asked the lady in a loud whisper. “Like Anna?”

“No, we’re family, but not immortal.”

“Immortal, I like that better than vampire,” Evan said.

“The family you serve has much to teach other immortals.”

The lady sounded sad and anxious.

“You have helped all of us today,” Evan said to her. “That’s what a community is, people helping each other.”

The lady bowed slightly.

Someone ahead of them, a younger woman wearing headphones, turned so she was walking backwards and said something to the lady who’d been speaking with him. It didn’t look like good news.

“The big men,” the lady said. “The ones who look the same? Do you know them?”

“Yeah, why?”

“They are still at that Home place, but not for long. They are to be transported to a black place.” She frowned. “Black place? What is that?”

“Black site,” Evan said. “They’re going to take them somewhere and torture them for information.”

“Are they...”

“Immortal? Yes.” He looked at her again. “How do you know this?”

“We were there, taking pictures, and looking around.” She smiled at him, a secret smile. “We left a few things. Small things.”

“You planted some listening devices?”

“Yes.”

“Brilliant.” He grinned. “Have they talked about when they’re taking the twins and what airport they’re going to use?”

“I will ask.” The lady spoke to headphone girl in rapid Mandarin.

They exchanged several sentences before she turned back to him. “They will be taken to Teterboro Airport.” She was going to say more, but the echo of gunfire, some of it large caliber, jerked everyone’s attention back to the subway entrance. They’d passed it, so it was behind them.

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