Page 42 of Crimson Storm

“Thanks. Have a good night,” she said.

“One more thing.” Reaching for his utility belt, the agent drew out a temperature wand.

Oh no.

“We’re supposed to do random checks, and I’m low on my quota. Like I said, slow night.”

21

True Nature

Iworked to calm my nerves.

It’s going to be okay.This was why we’d brought Shane along in the first place.

It was legal for a vampire to cross state lines—with a human or a special pass. But Kelly wasn’t just any vampire. She was wanted by the federal authorities, like the rest of us.

My hope had been that she’d pass for human and be waved through with no questions. My new hope was that the agent wouldn’t see through her disguise.

“No problem.” Kelly leaned toward the open window, giving the man easy access to her forehead with the wand.

The device beeped, and the guard squinted at the digital readout, looking unhappy. “Running a little cool there.”

“My boyfriend likes to ride with the windows down,” she said brightly. “Even when it’s cold out. Good thing he’s so cute.”

She smiled over at Shane, who played along. “I get carsick,” he said with a sheepish grin. “Of courseI’d go and fall in love with a truck driver.”

The agent looked at the temperature device again, biting the inside of one cheek. Was this it? Was this where we got busted? The agent walked around to the passenger side, and Shane took his turn with the temp wand.

“Is it just you two?” the agent asked him. “No passengers?”

“Nope, just us,” Shane lied.

Panicked, I drew back from the curtains. Heather, who was able to hear the conversation as clearly as I was, growled quietly beside me.

“We might have to take him out,” she whispered.

“We’re not takinganyoneout. It’s going to be fine.” Inside, I admitted she might be right. This might lead to an altercation.

“Sir, can I ask you to get out of the truck for a minute?” the agent asked Shane.

Oh, this wasn’t good. Atall.

I could tell from the sound of the passenger door opening Shane had complied. Once the door shut again, the agent lowered his voice to a whisper—as if a vampire couldn’t hear that through a steel door—and spoke to Shane in a serious tone.

“Son... I’m not sure you realize it, but you’re traveling with a vampire.”

No response from Shane. The agent went on.

“Now that’s not illegal, and you’re welcome to do whatever floats your boat. I just wanted to make sure you’re aware of it.”

Finally Shane answered. “Yes sir, I realize that. That doesn’t bother me. But thank you for looking out.”

“Okay well, she’s wearing colored contact lenses. I thought she might be attempting to hide her true nature from you.”

The agent sounded almost disappointed. Maybe he was bored and hoping for some action?

“And I wanted to make sure you’re with her voluntarily—not under any sort of duress,” he said.

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