Page 7 of Kiss of the Vampire

“No, I’ll stay with you,” Arman said quickly.

They didn’t need any more mistakes, and Stasio might very well make some, but Levka kept his concern to himself.

Arman shook his head again as if reading Levka’s mind. “I’m the most able doctor we have. You need me to look after your wounds.”

Levka’s wounds were healing just fine without Arman’s pampering. But he couldn’t fight Arman’s stubbornness when it came to him helping them out if he felt it was wrong.

“I’ll be super careful,” Stasio said, apology lacing his words. Then he grumbled under his breath, “I didn’t make any mistakes when I had to raid the Fort Worth clinic after Ruric was injured by that knife-wielding mugger last year.”

“I’ll watch him,” Ruric assured Levka.

Despite feeling bad that he might have hurt Stasio’s feelings, Levka couldn’t totally conceal his worry something more might go wrong. “Be careful, both of you.”

When they left the hotel suite, Levka scowled at Arman. “You know Stasio tends to make mistakes.”

“I know, but I can’t do it. Wiping store clerks minds and taking the clothes and other items we need without paying for them is just plain wrong.”

“We can’t use our credit cards or the league members can trace them. And none of us came away with enough cash. We just don’t have any choice. We couldn’t get back to our place to grab extra clothes.” Levka tugged at his bloodied, bullet-ridden T-shirt. “I don’t think I’ll be too presentable when we board the ship.”

“Sorry. I guess I could have washed it for you.”

Levka poked his finger through one of the holes. “And the holes?”

Arman looked apologetic. “I can’t sew. Although the way some of the kids dress nowadays…” He shrugged. “Could be a new fashion statement.”

“We need more clothes.” Levka sighed deeply, unable to stop worrying that Stasio would create a scene, and the Dallas league would learn they were in Fort Lauderdale before they could safely get away on the cruise ship tomorrow morning.

***

Two hours later, Levka woke to hear his friends talking in the living room of the hotel suite, their voices lowered, but with his acute hearing, he still made out what they were saying.

“Yeah we’re all set to board tomorrow morning. Do you think Levka will be able to walk on his own?” Arman asked.

“I’ve reserved a wheelchair,” Ruric said.

Levka called out, “Any word about anything?”

The guys walked into the bedroom, their faces grim.

“What’s the matter? You didn’t set off the alarms in any of the stores, did you?”

“No,” Stasio said. “But we sensed the same aura of whoever it was outside of the Applewood Bed and Breakfast Inn in Atlanta. We’re afraid he followed us here.”

“He’s got to be a tracker then.” Levka ran his hands through his unbound hair. “Great.”

“Do you want us to kill him?” Stasio asked.

“Kill him?” Levka shook his head. “Of course not.”

Stasio looked disappointed.

Levka settled back on the pillows. “If he learns we’re getting on the ship, and he tries to stop us, we’ll knock him out. Under no circumstances are we to kill him. Understood?”

“Yes, we’ll knock him out,” Arman heartily agreed.

“Good. But only if he comes after us. Once we’re on the water, no on can follow us.” Levka pulled the cover up to his chin, hating feeling so weak and useless. “Let’s get some sleep. Ruric, you have first watch.”

“I’ll go after you,” Arman said to Ruric.