Vampyre Paladin
By Brenda Stephens
Chapter 1
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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