Vampyre Paladin
By Brenda Stephens
Prologue
I arrived by taxi at a three-story white house that had two tall , smooth pillars supporting a balcony . The driver left after I paid , making no small talk whatsoever . It was like he knew that some kind of evil was at play and he wanted to vacate the premises post haste . Once he was gone , there was nothing left but me on the outside of the Holstadtler home .
I stared at the house , examining its structure . One light was lit on the third floor , two on the second , and the whole front end of the first . If the girl ’ s room was one of the dark ones , she would be lost to us , but , if her room was the one with light , then I knew I could save her .
The outside was normal enough . The driveway was icy and lined in snow-covered grass . The porchlight was on . A wreathe hung from the dark red door . The black trim around the windows subdued the stark contrast of red and white .
I proceeded up the driveway carrying my leather medical bag , steady on my feet , my senses sharp . Once I stepped onto the low porch , I sprang around , grabbed inside my coat pocket , and peered into the darkness , watching , waiting for the Master to appear before me . My breathing was deep , intense ; my heart thumped as blood coursed through my veins . I peered into the darkness and
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