The Vampire Diaries: Bound By Blood (Kindle Worlds Novella) by J.R. Rain Read Free Book Online Page B

to make a handful of enemies, ones who were probably more than a little vindictive.
    It’s also why I had installed a cheap camera in a shadowy nook above my office door. It was always a damn good idea to see who came pounding on your door after hours. I went over to my laptop and clicked on the camera icon. A window appeared on my screen, displaying the darkened facade of my building below.
    The man standing before my office door was a handsome devil: black hair, grayish eyes (although hard to tell in the twilight), slender build … and a lot of attitude. I’d seen him around town a few times. Okay, more than a few. I had often seen him drinking at the Mystic Grill and hanging around some of the high school kids, although he looked a little older than high school. Maybe early college. But that could have been the confident, cocky way he held himself. Either way, he looked like trouble, and I wasn’t in the mood for any trouble.
    He knocked again and sort of cocked his head, as if listening. My apartment was located directly above my office. Few people knew that, especially since the apartment was leased in my mother’s maiden name, God rest her soul. Private eyes needed our anonymity. But I also liked to keep a close watch on my office. It was my man cave when I didn’t have any cases. I even had my Bowflex in the corner. I needed to dust that thing off and use it.
    So, I stayed quiet through his knocking and listening, although there was no way in hell he could hear me in my apartment above. Still, trouble sort of radiated from him in a way that surprised me. It was almost as if I could feel his darkened energy, but I knew that was paranoia on my part.
    After half a minute, he gave up and continued on down the street. I had a sneaking suspicion I was going to see that guy again … and I wasn’t looking forward to it.
    About five minutes later, the call came.

     
    “Is this Max?” asked the voice on the other end.
    “Yes.”
    “This is Michael, you emailed me about my article.”
    “Yes, sorry … I’m sure I sounded insane. Hell, I feel insane—”
    “Just relax, Max. I don’t think you’re insane.”
    Michael had a soft, comforting voice, one that immediately calmed my nerves—nerves that had been on edge, all day.
    “Well, you should. I mean, I feel insane.”
    “Max, would you say you’ve had an affinity for wind all your life?”
    That was an easy one. “All my life.”
    “Would you say you have a similar affinity for water? Do both elements calm you, make you feel alive, somehow resonate deeply within you?”
    “Yes, but isn’t that the case for every—”
    “How about fire, Max? Do you ever catch yourself staring at a fire?”
    “Yes, but who doesn’t?”
    “Do you find yourself enchanted by fire? Nearly hypnotized?”
    “Yes, dammit. But doesn’t everyone?”
    “No, Max. Not everyone. Last question: do you enjoy walks in nature? Hiking, camping, backpacking? Do you have, say, a garden at home?”
    I thought of the little herbal garden on my balcony—the same one that Tom mercilessly ridiculed. I thought of my many weekend hikes and camping trips.
    “Yes to everything,” I said. “What’s your point?”
    “We need to talk, Max. And now.”
    “Where are you?”
    “Doesn’t matter, Max. I’ll fly or drive all night. You and I need to talk.”
    “We are talking—”
    “This requires face time. How do I find you?” he asked.
    I could literally hear him rushing around what I presumed was his home. “We’re not doing anything like meeting up,” I said, “unless you tell me what the hell is going on.”
    “Max … there was a recent meteor….”
    As he spoke those words, I nearly dropped the phone. Instead, I dropped myself into my recliner. “Go on,” I said.
    “Did you feel … funny after the meteor? Different perhaps?”
    “I felt sick.”
    “You need to see me, Max. ASAP.”
    “Fine,” I said, and gave him my address.
    When I hung up, I was feeling sick all