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L iam Valence glanced up from his book when his phone started to ring, frowning when he realized it wasn’t his usual one, but the one meant for emergencies. The phone he used so there was no chance anyone outside who was calling could hear the conversation.

Setting his book aside, he pulled the device from his pocket, and answered. “What do you need? Are you hurt?”

Stephan hesitated, before blurting, “I’ve possibly found a young serial killer, and need help hauling and dropping off his ‘victim’ somewhere near the authorities. I imagine that instantly brings up questions as to why, but to be fair, his ‘victim’ is a horrible, horrible individual, so really, we will be doing society a favor. So, if you could come to…that warehouse, I’d appreciate it?”

Liam pulled his phone from his ear, staring, speechless for a moment, as he tried to rationalize what he had just heard, but found he could not. “I… ”

“I know how it sounds, but please…Liam…please, just…trust me.”

‘Trust me?’ He’s asking me to trust him after saying that, he thought with a baffled laugh. But…he supposed he had to. And it wasn't like he would stay away, with the situation being whatever the hell it was. Stephan needed him, so he would go.

Liam took a deep breath. “I’m on my way.”

He would go now, and later, he'd figure out what in the ever loving fuck his godson was planning, and doing. Oh…he had a feeling it was going to be a long, headache-inducing night.

T he smile on Stephan Everwood’s face froze as he closed the door of the room he’d just directed the young teen into, and found himself looking at his godfather's stern, and very disapproving expression. Liam's lips were pressed into a tight line, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

As he heard the lock engage behind him, he slowly said, “Need…something?”

“Follow me,” Liam stated stiffly.

Stephan held back his urge to ask ‘do I have to?’, and just quietly followed when the man turned away.

The very second his butt was parked on the couch in his bedroom, his godfather started to pace in front of him.

“I couldn’t honestly tell if you were being serious when you first called.” The vampire laughed, the sound was oddly harsh. “Found a possible serial killer, hah, and need help getting rid of one of his victims. Have to say, that would be a line I’d never in my wildest dreams have imagined coming from your mouth. Or anyone’s, for that matter. But fine, let’s get involved with this apparently homicidal teenager, what could go wrong?” The man suddenly stopped pacing, and turned to face him, snapping, “What on earth were you thinking, Stephan?!”

He cleared his throat. “Well…there wasn’t really time to think.”

“Ah, is that so?” Liam said, almost gently, the smile on his face turning shark-like.

He winced. “I mean, it happened so fast. And he’s just a kid… A kid who looks like he is half starved, and obviously alone in this world, and I just…wanted to help him.”

“If you want to help down and out kids, couldn’t you have at least started with the ones that are NOT murdering people?!” the vampire shrieked, before beginning to pace again. “Let’s see, you went to visit, against my recommendation, the warehouse of your nightmares, despite knowing it could possibly re-traumatize you. And when you walked in, on realizing someone was there, not only did you not leave and call the authorities, you decided to investigate on your own, putting yourself in danger.

“Then, when you found some insane child, who was in the middle of murdering someone, what do you do?! You helped them, and decided to take them home with you! Again, I ask, WHAT IN THE HELL were you thinking?!”

Stephan sighed…it was going to be a long night…