Page 53 of Shadows of Eternity

Josiah grinned into the night. He had been a real SOB back then, with no regard for the lives he had carelessly taken or for those he’d thoughtlessly turned. Until this evening. To his surprise, he was curious to know how this particular fledgling had survived with no one to tell him what he’d become or how to survive on his own.

Perhaps he would track Shadow Dancer down one of these nights and see what the warrior had made of himself.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Rohan stared at the message on his phone.The Troupe’s been offered a gig in San Diego starting this Thursday night. I know this is short notice and you’re on vacation, but do you think you could spare us a week or two? It’s only three nights a week—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They’re dark the other four nights. I wouldn’t ask, but the theater manager is a friend of mine and he’s in a jam. The act that was booked had to cancel at the last minute.

Short notice, indeed, he thought, as he read the message a second time. This was Tuesday.

Rohan glanced at Leia, sleeping peacefully beside him. He hated to leave her, even for a couple of days, but he owed Jay Deer Killer a favor. Besides, he had few friends other than those he shared the stage with.

He agreed before he could change his mind. What the hell, he could take Leia with him if she wanted to go. Might be a good idea to get out of town for a couple of days anyway, he thought, what with his sire in the vicinity. Putting a few miles between them seemed like a smart thing to do.

He put it to Leia that evening. “The troupe has a two-week gig in San Diego, and they’ve asked me to meet them there. Do you want to come along?”

“I’d love to!”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze. “I’m only dancing three nights a week. Do you want to stay there for the run of the show, or just the days I’m dancing?”

“The whole two weeks,” she said enthusiastically. “I love San Diego!” They were sitting side-by-side on the sofa in the living room. Reaching into the drawer of the side table next to the couch, Leia pulled out a small notebook and a pencil. “Let’s see, I’ll need a new bathing suit and maybe a new cover-up, and sandals. A new hat, of course. And sunglasses. How soon are we leaving?”

“Thursday.”

“That doesn’t give me much time!”

“Don’t blame me. I just found out about it this morning.” Grinning, he watched her double-check her list.

“I think I’m done after San Diego,” Rohan remarked.

Leia looked up, her list forgotten. “Done? Do you mean you’re quitting? For good? But … ”

“But what?”

“I won’t get to see you dance anymore.”

“Darlin’,” he said, taking her in his arms. “I’ll dance for you any time you want.”

She giggled as he took the notebook and pencil from her hand and laid them aside, then pulled her down on the floor and taught her some steps she had never learned before.

Wednesday was a busy day. While Rohan slept, Leia cleaned out the fridge, packed the clothes she planned to take, went shopping for the things on her list, and called Janae to tell her she’d be gone for two weeks.

“Two weeks!” Janae exclaimed. “Where are you going?”

“San Diego, with Rohan. His troupe is dancing down there.”

“Oh, I love San Diego,” Janae said, with a sigh. “We haven’t been there since the boys were born. So, I guess things are working out between you and Rohan?”

“You could say that.”

“There was another killing last night,” Janae said, her voice almost a whisper. “Did you hear about it?”

“No.” Leia felt her stomach clench at the news. Was it the vampire who had turned Rohan?

“You’re lucky to be getting out of town,” Janae remarked. “Hang on a sec. Mike, put the cat down. You’re gonna get scratched. You don’t want to take a couple of kids to San Diego with you, do you? Trent’s been so busy lately, I’ve hardly seen him the last few days and the boys are driving me crazy.”

“Sorry,” Leia said. “Not this time. I’ll call you when I get home.”

“Okay. Have fun.”

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