Page 13 of Twilight Longings

“You have news?” Kincaid asked.

“Yes,” she said. “And none of it is good. But it will cost you just the same.”

Saintcrow and Kincaid exchanged glances as she pulled two familiar glass vials from the pocket of her voluminous bright purple skirt.

While Kincaid removed his jacket, Saintcrow rolled up his shirt-sleeve, bit into his wrist and held out his arm.

“What do you do with the blood?” he asked, as he watched the vial fill.

“None of your business,” the witch retorted as she capped the bottle and dropped it back into her pocket.

“You drink it, don’t you?” Saintcrow muttered, while Kincaid filled the second vial. “It’s what keeps you alive, isn’t it?”

Izabela scowled at him, but said nothing.

Saintcrow glanced at Kincaid and nodded, certain that she drank it. Vampire blood had long been known to heal sickness and injury and prolong life.

“So,” Kincaid asked, slipping back into his jacket. “What’s the news?”

Izabela settled into her rocker again, the gray cat on her lap. “Luca has possessed the body of a child. A girl, perhaps five years old.”

“Well, shit,” Saintcrow muttered. “How the hell did he do that?”

“I’m afraid he is far more powerful and dangerous than we thought.”

“Do you know where he is?” Kincaid asked.

“Not exactly. I tried to track him by using the dagger but all I could discern is that he’s somewhere in the States.”

“How long can he reside in the girl’s body?” Saintcrow asked.

Izabela shrugged. “As long as he wishes, or until he finds a host he likes better.”

“I’m guessing he’ll move into a new one,” Kincaid remarked. “Somebody bigger and stronger.”

Saintcrow nodded. “Someone who’s able to come and go as he pleases. A little girl doesn’t have much freedom. Or strength. She can’t drive and she certainly can’t physically overpower anyone.” He looked at Izabela. “Will you keep looking for him?”

“Of course,” she said, with a sly grin. “But it will cost you.”

“Do you really think she’s drinking our blood?” Kincaid asked as they left the witch’s house.

“Why wouldn’t she?” Saintcrow said. “You know as well as I do that vampire blood is capable of healing sickness and injury and prolonging life. If she’s not drinking it, then she’s likely using it for black magic.”

“Or selling it to other black witches,” Kincaid mused. “They use a lot of blood in their rituals.”

Saintcrow grunted. “So they say.” They walked a few blocks before he asked, “How long do you think Kadie can go on the way she is?”

Jake shook his head. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“She’s wasting away before my eyes,” Saintcrow said. “She seems to be … shrinking.”

“Shrinking?”

“I don’t know how else to describe it.” Saintcrow shoved his hands in his back pockets. “I have an idea.”

“Yeah? Let’s hear it.”

“I was thinking maybe I should give Kadie some human blood and then let her rest in the earth for a while.”