Page 29 of The Elementalist
“Some of the Founding Families have made it their life’s mission to control the vampire problem… and some of them workwiththem.”
“No kidding.”
“I’m not kidding.”
“During the day?”
She nodded. “Whenever they have to. Depends on what is asked of them. The arrangements, as far as I know, tend to be mutually beneficial between the families and the vampires. Though, some of the families have made their name by opposing the vampires whenever possible.”
“Kind of ballsy of them to walk around in daylight.”
Crystal gave me this stare that called me clueless. “Vampires are not destroyed by sunlight, Mr. Long. That’s a bit of fiction that came about after the filmNosferatu.Have you ever read Bram Stoker?”
“Umm. Can’t say I have.”
“Color me unsurprised. There’s no mention of sunlight affecting them in that novel… and from what I’ve heard, the events that transpired within that book were based on actual events—though no one dared admit that part. Some of the vampires here in Shadow Pines occasionally work for the sheriff and other family members. They have proven to be helpful at times....”
For the sheriff? Did Justine know about the vampires?“While other times they kill wantonly,” I said.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“They have to be stopped.”
“I agree.” She set her jaw. “I don’t much like vampires.”
We had both nearly finished our iced coffees, though I nervously kept sucking on the straw. The sun crept inexorably toward the western horizon, shining even more in our faces. I relished the warmth, even as my mind raced. “They said something else, too.”
Crystal looked at me. “Do tell.”
“They said that it had come to their attention that I was much more than a private detective.”
“Oh? And why would they say that? Do you have your own deep dark secret, Max?”
God, I loved the way she said my name, drawing it out like a caress. I focused my slightly scattered thoughts. I debated how much to tell her. Really, really debated, then said, “I think so, yes.”
And then I told her everything, I meaneverything.
Except the part where I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.
That, I kept to myself.
Chapter Seventeen
Dirty Little Secret
We sat there for a while in a long awkward silence.
Eventually, Crystal looked over at me. “Are you a religious man, Mr. Long?”
“Not overly. I mean, sure, I believe in God, but I couldn’t tell ya the last time I went to church.” Truth be told, I’d always felt more spiritually alive out here in the woods. Guess I understand why now. “And, that’s a bit of a random question… you wondering if I’ve got a bunch of crucifixes or something in the back to take on the vampires with?”
She giggled. “No. Those won’t help. I’m asking if you’re the sort of person who’d hear the word ‘witch’ and want to start screaming.”
“You’re a witch?”
“No.” She batted her eyes at me and my heart fluttered in response. “But people who hate witches aren’t terribly fond of the sort of secret I have either. There’s a reason my family sent me away and wants nothing to do with me. I’m a bit of an embarrassment to them.”
I couldn’t imagine what a girl like her could possibly do to be an ‘embarrassment’ to anyone. “What’d you do? Keep using the wrong fork for the salad course?”
