Drew D'Amato:Bloodlines:02 Read Free Page B

We have the Blood of the Betrayer.”
    That is a good idea.  I hadn’t thought of that, maybe Vlad can live?
    “Even if Vlad does not want anymore vampires?” Michael asked.
    “Well, we have to get him to allow us.  Otherwise he will probably destroy the blood himself.”
    That is true.  The Blood is too powerful.  Vlad will not leave it alone.  But then again, he may leave it in our hands.  Vlad now has a stay of execution, depending on what he does with the blood. 
    “I will make that point to him about the blood.  And if the chance presents itself, do not hesitate to show your feelings.  He may decide differently if he learns that more of us want to stay vampires.”
    Deacon nodded in agreement.
    Talking to Deacon sat well with Michael’s conscience.  However, he was not sure if Deacon would go as far as Michael planned to.  He did not dare to not let Deacon know about his true plans, but maybe he would recommend another vampire for Radu once it was all finished.
    “So what do we do now?” Deacon asked.
    “We wait and hope everything goes smoothly, but nothing ever does.”
     
    3
    T he bathroom was empty and gray.  Peterson got out his cellphone to call Jericho, when a stall’s door swung open.  Jericho exited, his blond hair back tight in his ponytail, one long bang in front of his face, and his clear blue eyes staring down at him.  Jericho noticed the beaten, green bomber jacket Peterson had on, along with his work boots.  He was not dressed casually at all.
    “How many of there are you?” Peterson asked.
    “Don’t worry about it,” Jericho told him firmly.
    “Well, is Vlad here?”
    “Yes, but first let me check you for any weapons.”
    “I couldn’t get a weapon through the plane.”
    “Not a gun or a knife, but holy water or a crucifix would pass without a problem.”
    Peterson did not fight him.  This was the moment to establish trust.  He emptied his pockets and Jericho patted him down.  He found nothing.
    “I do have this crucifix on my neck, though.” Peterson pointed to it.
    “Throw it away.”
    “Can I just put it aside?  I’ve had it for years.  It’s pretty sentimental.”
    “In a few hours you won’t be able to touch the damn thing.  Unless you were not serious about becoming a vampire?”
    “No, I am.  I just didn’t think of it like that.”
    Peterson yanked off the crucifix his late grandmother gave to him when he was still in his teens and threw it into the trashpail next to him.  He didn’t like Jericho doubting him.  All it would take was Jericho to use his tricks like he had before and then the whole plan would go to shit.  He’d have no power to fight then.  He had genuinely not thought about the power of the crucifix around his neck.
    Jericho and Vlad had thought about using his tricks to make sure everything was kosher.  They both knew Jericho’s pull on this man would be nothing once he was out of Jericho’s sight.  He could have changed his mind, and notified the other Crusaders of what had occurred.  Jericho insisted on the trick but Vlad said no.  As easily as they could learn about the trap, Peterson could also notify the rest of the Crusaders with just a text message.  Those men would leave Peterson to die, take off with the coffer, and Vlad would not get a second chance.  They had to play along to let them get close enough to the coffer.  It was high risk/high reward.  Vlad decided to gamble.   
    Jericho just hoped Vlad was sharp.  He hadn’t seemed it too often lately.  Jericho would have rather known of any risk and save Vlad even if it meant sacrificing the coffer.  But as always, he obeyed his master.
    Jericho reached over to the door of the bathroom.  He opened it and let it close naturally.  Seconds later, Vlad entered the bathroom.  Peterson instinctively froze with fear.  He had seen paintings of him from when he was a Prince, but nothing could prepare him to actually see him face to face.  Those cold