Tainted Blood by Martin Sharlow Read Free Book Online Page B

asked again.
     
    “A lot more than I'm going to get for it now. Only thing this set's worth now is melting down and selling the silver in bulk.” The man snorted.
     
    “I'll give you a hundred dollars for it right now.” Brian said.
     
    The old man's head snapped up at Brian’s words, a small smile creeping across his face. “Sold, but I’m not taking it back when the Missus finds out you bought an incomplete set.” The old man warned.
     
    “No problem at all. I'm sure she won't even notice.” Brian said as he dug out a hundred dollar bill and passed it to the old man.
     
    “Well it's all wrapped and ready to go.” The clerk cackled as he snatched the bill from Brian’s fingers then stashed it into his pants pockets as he walked away back to his magazine. Brian looked down at the 'wrapping', if a dirty sheet could be called that.
     
    Well, it really didn't matter what it was wrapped in. No one was ever going to use the utensils for anything but killing anyway, and if the dirty thing made the wolf sick, who was going to complain?
     
    The cabby was still waiting for him when he came out carrying his sheet wrapped bundle, the sound of the silverware plainly evident as he climbed into the back seat of the car.
     
    “I see you found what you were looking for.” The cabby said as the door slammed shut. Brian noticed that the meter was over fifty dollars already. At this rate he was going to be completely broke by the time he got to play cards again.
     
    “More or less.” Brian responded.
     
    Several minutes later Brian was back at his apartment door, that now stood slightly ajar, rather than shut and locked as he had left it. The cabby’s engine faded into the distance as Brian removed the first silver knife he found in the bundle. Pausing for just a second, Brian imagined a large rat he had seen on TV not so many nights ago, a really ugly one, but then again looks really didn't matter. The main goal here was to set up an illusion around himself. He wasn't entirely sure how it worked, all he knew was that if anyone were to look at him, all they would see was a large rat scurrying along the floor.
     
    The truth was, nothing would have changed about himself. He would still be standing there holding a large knife, and couldn't squeeze through things like he were a rat. But it worked for remaining unnoticed.
     
    When he was sure the illusion was in place, he pushed open the door and stepped in, fully expecting to see the gray werewolf waiting for him in the room. He had no idea if a vampire's shape changing illusion would work on a werewolf, but it was the best thing he could come up with to try on such short notice.
     
    “I see you’ve been working on your illusion power.” His aunt's voice met him as he walked into the room. “I'd suggest next time not pushing the door all the way open if you expect someone to believe you're just a rat.”
6
    The apartment looked exactly how he left it, with the exception of his green lazy boy turned around to face the door, which his aunt now sat in watching him as he dumbly stood there looking at her.
     
    “You really should learn more self-control.” she smiled at him.
     
    “How so?” He inquired as he looked behind his front door, before entering the rest of the way in and closing it.
     
    “How do you learn more self-control?” She asked, her eyebrows raising in confusion.
     
    “No, I mean, why do I need more self-control?” Brian paused then looked around his room. “Why are you here?”
     
    “I would think it was obvious.” She smiled again as she changed legs.
     
    “I'm sorry?”
     
    “You're forgiven.” She said
     
    “No...I'm not 'sorry' per say. That was a figure of speech.”
     
    “I realize that.” She chuckled.
     
    “Alright, maybe we should start again.” Brian put his palm to his forehead and slowly began to rub it. “No, skip that. Just tell me why you are here.”
     
    “My agents intercepted your assassin.” Her voice