A Gift of the Darkest Magic Read Free Page A

is life and death, for us and for Matt.”
    “Did you really give your daughter blood and it saved her life?” Clarissa asked while
    watching the woman’s face in the review mirror. “I remember how sick she was. She was
    waiting for a heart transplant and everyone was afraid it’d come too late, then she was just well again.”
    Tiffany smiled a strange little smile. “It’s been a mixed blessing. I’d heard that if I
    donated blood, I’d receive a large payment of tax-free cash. I went to the club because the
    medical bills were killing me. It didn’t take me long to form bonds. They felt my grief. My
    clients knew how much I loved my daughter and what I was losing. Things had gotten bad, we
    didn’t have more time to wait, and finally one of my regulars gave me the blood. I’d asked when I realized what they were. I did some research at the library. Some of the really old legends are true. I knew they could help. She told me how to use her blood, and I documented the miracle.
    One day my daughter was lying in a hospital bed, dying, the next day she was my little girl again and full of life. I swear it. If I didn’t owe you and Matt for the clothes and food you gave me when times were tough, I’d never have endangered myself by telling Caren any of this.”
    “You don’t owe us anything, Tiffany. If this is for real, we’ll be the ones who owe you.”
    “First, we have to get in and out without dying. Don’t do anything to draw additional
    attention to yourselves. If they see you as a threat, you’re dead. Vampires aren’t human. Don’t forget they’re predators. They’d have no problem killing you if they think you’re a danger to them. I’ve seen people disappear because they did the wrong thing. Please don’t make me regret helping you. It took me months to build up the kind of relationship that made one willing to give me blood. It’s dangerous. If the blood fell into the wrong hands, they’re all exposed. This isn’t going to be easy.”
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    “I don’t have months, Matt’s only got weeks. He might not even have that long. Speaking
    of, I’m going to call the hospital to check on him.” Clarissa pulled her cellphone out of her purse and dialed the hospital. The number was the first contact on her phone.
    When the switchboard picked up, she asked to be connected to the fourth floor nurse’s
    station.
    “Hi, Elizabeth. This is Clarissa Blair. How is Matt doing tonight?” She listened intently
    to the nurse’s report, hoping against hope for some small sign of progress, but she was at least grateful to hear that his situation hadn’t deteriorated. “Okay. Thanks, Elizabeth.” She hung up the phone and turned to speak quietly. “He’s sleeping peacefully, but they’ve increased his
    morphine.” She tried not to break down.
    Tiffany reached around the headrest and squeezed Clarissa’s shoulder. “You’re doing the
    right thing. If we can get one of them to give you just a few drops of blood, he’ll be all right.”
    “Let’s say I believe you about the vampires and their magical blood, do you know for
    sure that it works on cancer and not just heart problems? Your daughter was young and small.
    Will this work on a full-grown man?”
    “I’m sure it’ll work. I wouldn’t be risking my life if I weren’t. Just don’t do anything to
    draw attention to yourself, and if they want to feed from you, let them.”
    Could it really be that simple , Clarissa wondered. She loved her husband more than her own life. They could have all her blood if that’s what it took to save Matt.

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    Chapter 3

    They parked a few blocks away from the club. It was chilly and drizzly, unusual weather
    for June. The sisters followed Tiffany toward the back of the building.
    “Shouldn’t we go in the front with everyone else?” Caren asked.
    “This is the only real way in. Ever notice how that line doesn’t move? They only let