Summoning Sebastian Read Free Page B

hand, a serious expression on his face. Behind him was a dark alley where police tape had been strung, marking off a crime scene. I tuned in to what he was saying.
    â€œâ€¦body was found early this morning. The injuries seem to be similar to those found on four other bodies over the past four weeks. The details of these cases have been kept closely guarded. In fact, the first information we’ve seen was released to this station within the last thirty minutes.”
    I glanced at Colin again. He didn’t look back. His jaw was clenched, and I got the impression he was trying to burn a hole in the television screen with his eyes. The set of his shoulders, of his whole body even, told me he didn’t want me to ask questions just yet. I’d indulge him for the moment. Later, though, he’d be answering some questions in a big way.
    â€œAlthough the murders have now been labeled as the work of a serial killer, the vampire community has kept local law enforcement out of the loop until this last murder, which appears to have happened last night.”
    â€œWith good reason,” Colin muttered. He waved his hand again, this time at me, making it clear it still wasn’t time for me to ask my questions. I made a face at him, which I was pretty sure he didn’t see, and focused again on the reporter.
    He had shifted his attention to the dark alley and was describing what had supposedly happened there. I could tell right away he was making a lot of it up, or at the very least riffing based on sketchy information. Pretty much like every other news reporter. They all felt like they had to get as much information out as they could before things started showing up on Twitter. If that meant making stuff up, then so be it. Such was the news in the modern age.
    â€œThe major difference with this case,” the reporter went on, “is that a human was injured this time. As additional information comes in regarding this development, the vampire community is no longer being allowed to hide the truth behind these killings. With the new involvement of the human law enforcement organizations, we will finally be able to track down the motives and the perpetrators in these cases.”
    The screen shifted back to the studio, and the announcer there launched into a transition to discuss anti-vampire legislation gaining traction in the US congress.
    â€œFucking idiots,” Colin muttered as he shut off the TV. I quirked an eyebrow at him, waiting to see if he had something else to say. When he didn’t elaborate, I decided I had the all clear to rip him a new one.
    â€œSo when exactly were you going to tell me about this?” I smacked him on the shoulder for additional emphasis.
    The corner of his mouth pulled up a bit when I hit him. As usual, he found my aggravation amusing. “When I felt like you needed to know.”
    â€œAnd what criteria were you planning to use to decide if I needed to know?”
    He shrugged. “Maybe if I was dead. Or if somebody came after you.”
    I hit him again. “You need to rethink your priorities. Also, you’re an asshole.”
    â€œSo you keep telling me.” He looked back at the TV, staring at the blank screen. “I was told not to say anything. I actually wanted to talk to you about it. Wanted to get your input.”
    I blinked at him. “Really?”
    â€œOf course.” He said it mildly, as if I really should have figured that out. On my own. If he thought anybody was capable of figuring him out without a Frommer’s Guide to Colin , he was sadly mistaken. Only Sebastian had ever seemed to be able to fathom Colin’s impenetrable depths. Turning to me, he added, “Believe it or not, I value your opinion.” Then, before I could get too excited, he added, “Occasionally.”
    â€œWell, thank God for small miracles.” I sank onto the desk next to him—or, more accurately, hopped up—and waited for