Page 39 of Crimson Bond

Abbi grinned ear to ear. “Three girls. I always knew you were brave. I didn’t think you were stupid.”

20

She Was Here

Abbi

We reached Sudbury with plenty of dark to spare.

Imogen’s awareness of her sister’s life force had pointed us in the direction of Ontario. It had been intelligence from a network of her vampire sources that had narrowed our target to Sudbury—specifically to a research lab owned by the National Public Health Agency.

After Canada had offered Sadie sanctuary, she’d apparently gotten right back to work. The report said some researchers there had been attempting to create a viable substitute for human blood and had gotten quite close.

Sadie had reportedly brought an American vampire scientist with her, and they were trying to help speed the process.

It was as good a place as any to start.

“What are the chances she’ll actually be at the lab?” I asked Reece.

“Slim. But someone there might know where Sadie is staying or if she’s set up a new VHC headquarters here in the local area. It’s our only lead, so I hope it pans out.”

We parked in front of the dark building. A few cars were parked outside it, but there were no lights visible through the windows and glass front door.

“Looks like it’s closed,” I said.

“Yeah. Which is weird for a vampire facility at night. Today’s not a holiday in Canada, is it?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe it’s not a vampire facility. Maybe the staff are humans.”

“Humans working on a blood substitute? I guess it’s possible. Itisin their best interests to find a viable alternate food source for vampires. Come on, let’s see if it’s locked.”

The front door opened easily, and we stepped inside. Motion-activated lighting blinked on, illuminating the lobby area.

“Okay, well that answers that then,” Reece said. “They’re open. Maybe they don’t staff the front desk at night. The overnight employees must be back in the lab area.”

Together we walked down a hall lined with office doors. It was eerily quiet. My guess was this facility operated like many that had a mix of human and vampire employees. The humans worked during the day, and the vampires worked overnight.

Unfortunately, it was the front office workers who were more likely to be able to give us Sadie’s contact information.

“Doesn’t it seem strange that there’s no security?” I asked.

“Yes. It does.” Reece drew a dagger from beneath his jacket and held it in a ready position.

At the end of the hall, we finally spotted a light. It was coming from beneath a closed door with a sign that read Hematology Lab.

Reece tapped on the door with the tip of his knife, and we waited.

“Hello? Enrique?” a female voice called. “I thought you weren’t coming in tonight.”

The sound of footsteps was followed by the door opening. On the other side stood a very surprised looking female vampire. My own jaw dropped open, mirroring hers.

“Larkin?”

“Abigail?” she asked, wide-eyed.

Larkin looked from me to Reece and back to me again. Her lips split into a wide smile.

“What on earth are you doing here? Where have youbeen?” Her gaze dropped to my outfit. “Are those my Fangers clothes?”

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