Page 11 of Crimson Storm

“The Crimson Accord says it’s okay to bite people who give you permission,” he argued. “They haven’t changed that yet.”

“But not to turn them. The law is clear about that,” I said.

“Yeah, technically,” Jeff said. “But it’s not like we’re gonna report you. And people do it all the time. A buddy of mine at work fell in love with this vampire lady, and she turned him so they could stay together. What’s the big deal? It’s in your nature to bite people, right? You’d probably enjoy the hell out of it.”

“Not all vampires like biting people, you know,” Heather informed him. “Wehaveto use blood for nourishment because wecan’teat food. We all have—”

“Liver failure. I know,” Terry said. “I’ve read the scientific reports. Your bodies can’t process food. I have sympathy for you—believe me. I know what it feels like for your body to fail you and drive you to take desperate actions. We wouldn’t be here right now if I didn’t understand that. So why can’t you just help me out?”

For some reason the others looked to me to answer. But what could I say to make these men understand? And to make them let us go?

“I know it must seem like we’re being obstinate, but that’s not the case. I do appreciate you getting us out of there, and I wish I could help you. I’m sorry you’re sick. I truly am. But we can’t turn you. We’re pacifists.”

“So... what... it’s like against your religion or something?” he snarled.

“Something like that.”

Now Terry turned his frustration on his brother. “Leave it to you to kidnap the only vampires on the planet with morals.”

“There are a lot of us actually. Besides, you don’t want this life,” Margaret said quietly.

“It’s better than death,” Terry argued.

“Don’t be so sure about that,” she said. “Especially now. If I’d been given the choice between dying of natural causes and being a vampire, I’d have chosen mortal death.”

“That can be arranged,” Glenn muttered.

At the veiled threat, Shane, who’d remained quiet until now, spoke up. He stepped away from the wall he’d been leaning against.

“Hey guys, listen, they said they don’t want to. It’s okay. We’ll just find one who does. We’ll go out again tomorrow night. We can go into the city. We can pay a prostitute to do it or something.”

“No,” Terry said quietly. “These vampers owe me. We put ourselves at risk of getting shot or arrested to get them out of that prison camp. We saved their lives. Now one of them is going to save mine—or they’re not leaving here.”

Casting a nervous glance at my friends then at the sunny window, I stood.

“We’ll leave as soon as the sun goes down. We’ll sleep in the garage until then. Again, I’m sorry for all the trouble you went to and that we couldn’t help you.”

Terry stood as well, motioning to Jeff who moved to block the exit door.

“I don’t think so. We’ve got a room for you—right downstairs.”

Shane took another step forward, looking bewildered. “What are you talking about? Did you finish out the basement?”

He sounded alarmed, which did nothing to quell the panic rising up my throat.

His uncle gave him a sardonic look. “So to speak. Glenn and I have been doing a little ‘remodeling’ down there. I think ourguestswill find it comfortable enough.”

I did not like the sound of this.

“Really, thank you but there’s no need to trouble yourself. We don’t need bathrooms or anything. The garage will be fine. At nightfall, we’ll just open the door and let ourselves out.”

I added an additional apology to try to soothe any lingering sore feelings. “Again, I apologize for all the trouble you went to, and I’m sorry we couldn’t help you.”

“You meanwouldn’t.” The sickly man sneered. “Put ’em in the basement,” he ordered, and the other two older men sprang into action.

Jeff, the largest of the men, wrapped his arms around Heather while Glenn pulled a pistol from his jacket. It was like the one all the guards at the Safety Center carried.

“This is loaded with platinum rounds,” he warned. “Just cooperate, and I won’t have to use it on any of you.”

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