Cronin's Key II by N.R. Walker Read Free Book Online

before?”
    “Not that I have ever heard of,” Cronin admitted.
    “Me either,” Eiji added.
    “We have nothing to compare your situation to,” Jodis said, her eyes full of worry. “Your connection is certainly strong.”
    Alec put his hand up. “Wait, what? Back up a minute,” he said. “He can’t feed from me?”
    “We can’t stop you,” Jodis said. “Though I wouldn’t recommend it. Not until we know of the long-term effects.”
    Eiji snorted out a laugh. “Is it that good?”
    Alec let out a slow breath. “It’s, um, what’s the right word… heightening. There’s a spot along the groin where the femoral artery runs—”
    Eiji put his hand up. “Whoa, stop right there. Please.”
    Cronin chuckled into Alec’s chest. “I don’t think he wants details."
    Jodis fought a smile, but as always, she was the voice of reason. “We have no way of knowing the effects on you, Cronin, nor the effects it may have on Alec. I think we need to research what we can, and maybe we should speak to Eleanor. She can be trusted with this, yes?”
    “We also need to sort out Jorge’s cryptic puzzle as well,” Alec reminded them. He clapped Eiji on the shoulder. “Aren’t you glad to be back? More mysteries to solve, more bad guys to kill. We’re really just missing the Mystery Inc. van and the talking dog.” The three vampires stared at Alec. He rolled his eyes. “Never mind.”
    Eiji snorted out a laugh. “I’m very glad to be back here,” he said. “I’ve missed all the crazy things you say.”
    Alec laughed and plonked himself onto the sofa. “In the last twenty-four hours, I’ve been to three different countries, on three different continents, and thanks to Mr. I-only-need-two-hours-sleep-a-night here”—he nodded towards Cronin with a waggle of his eyebrows—“I didn’t sleep much. I’m beat.”
    Cronin sat down beside him. He was instantly concerned. “Are you well?”
    “I am so well,” he replied with a smile. “I feel great actually, just tired.”
    Cronin took his hand. “Then you should rest. We can start researching a few things while you sleep.”
    Alec shook his head. “No. I think I need to use my brain. I’ve done nothing but use my body for the last eight weeks—”
    Cronin blushed scarlet, making Eiji laugh.
    “I meant with all the physical stuff I’ve been doing, like exercise and stuff.” Alec looked pointedly at Eiji. “I’ve not used my brain for anything other than reading newspapers. My brain’s turning to mush. Getting back into investigating work will be good for me.”
    “Where do you want to start?” Cronin asked.
    “I think it makes sense that we research what Jorge told us,” Alec said. “And Jodis and Eiji can look into vampire histories and see if there’s ever been a case of this transference or a human/vampire relationship before.”
    “Even if there is,” Jodis added, “the chances of that human being a key and immune to vampire bites are nil. Even if by some miracle there was, the circumstances will not be the same.”
    “Agreed,” Cronin said with a nod. His brow creased as he frowned. “There is a library in Prague with a basement vault. They had quite the collection of vampire medical books. Maybe they still have them. I don’t know, but we should start there.”
    “Medical?” Alec questioned.
    Cronin gave him a failed smile. “Scripts that list any known talents of vampires, any issues that particular talent may have caused.”
    “Such as?”
    “It’s quite common for telepathic vampires to show signs of madness,” Jodis explained. “After having so many voices in their heads for so long, they either seek out solitude or they go mad.”
    Alec couldn’t believe it. “I thought vampires couldn’t change? To become afflicted with mental illness indicates the ability to change or to be affected.”
    Cronin nodded slowly. “That is what I fear.”
    “No,” Alec barked. He sat forward and took Cronin’s face in his hands.