As Shadows Fade (The Gardella Vampire Hunters 5)

“I know of a place that has good brandy,” offered Sebastian.

“And what about food?”

“If it’s food you want, I can take you to a suitable tavern. ” He glanced quickly at Victoria. “Not the Lone Horse. ”

“And after that… some other amusements might be in order,” said Michalas. “Victoria, you’ll join us, won’t you?”

She nodded, realizing that her other option was to go back to the chamber with a snoring Anton?n and stare out at T?n, or to hunt on the streets alone. Perhaps another night she might opt for the latter, but tonight her friends were offering companionship as well as a distraction.

And she realized she wanted both.

Hours later, Victoria sat in a large, loud, but dingy establishment with the three other Venators, who’d imbibed a generous quantity of brandy or ale or wine-depending on their preference. She, too, had had enough wine to take the edge off her worry, and found herself relaxing and enjoying the companionship of three others who lived the same dangerous, duplicitous life she did.

The tavern catered to mortals, but there were vampires mingling about, which was part of the attraction, according to Sebastian… and the reason he, Michalas, and Brim had slipped into their cups. Every time a vampire walked into the place, all four of them noticed, of course. And then the wagers began.

“He’ll go for the young man over yonder. Easy, and near the door. ”

“I think not. See how he’s watching the server girl? It’ll be her. ”

“No, no… see how he’s looking at the ones throwing dice? He’ll slip into the game and lure the winner away later… Then he’ll get the winnings, too. ”

And then…

“She’s got her eye on that big guy by the wall. ”

“No, see how she’s looking at the two over by the counter? The one with the red hair, mark my words. ”

“She’s just dropped something-the bald one’s going to pick it up, and that will be his death wish. ”

Coins of all denominations clanked and clinked into a small pot on the table until the vampire made a move to lure his victim out of the pub. Then the winning Venator collected his spoils, slipped them into his pocket, took a stake out… and followed.

The rest drained their glasses and poured another round.

After a while, vampires stopped coming into the eatery. Perhaps word had spread that those who did found themselves quickly turned to ash.

“It’s still early,” Michalas said, digging out a pair of dice. He tossed them on the table. “Who’s first?”

“Vioget and I,” said Brim, raising the eyebrow through which his vis bulla glinted.

Sebastian sighed, rolled his eyes, and sat up as though quite put-upon. Yet Victoria saw the gleam of challenge in his gaze. “I accept. ”

Victoria watched with interest-all of these pastimes were as new to her as visiting a men’s club and watching them at cards.

Michalas rolled the bones. “Ten. ” He laughed and looked up at the other two. “Good luck. ”

Brim and Sebastian shoved to their feet, sending glasses clinking, and rushed out.

“Where are they going?” Victoria asked.

“I rolled a ten… Now it’s a race to see who can get ten vampires and get back here first. ”

“Ten? Each?” Her eyebrows rose, and she stifled a laugh. “Are there that many undead left in Prague? We’ve been a bit busy. ”

“Ten each, and the last one back buys a round. ” Michalas settled back in his chair and sipped from his beverage of choice-wine. They chatted amiably for a time, and after a while he said, “Ah, here’s another one. ”

Victoria felt the telltale chill on the back of her neck and saw the undead come through the door. “Yours or mine?” she asked.

“I’ll take him. ”