Stalking Dead (Vampire Hunter Book 2) by S.C. Reynolds Page A

never be my friend again either. I do not want to talk about it.” I gave Lucas my best do-not-cross-me look.
    “Woah!” Lucas held up his hand. “I was just kidding around. I know you’re not with him.” He gave me a funny look. “I didn’t mean to hit a sore spot.”
    You’ve got to calm down. Lucas might be the only friend you have left.
    “I just had a huge fight with Henry,” I said. “I still don’t want to talk about it,” I added quickly.
    Lucas nodded.
    “Why did you need to speak to me?” I asked, changing the subject. I had to put my fight with Henry out of my mind.
    “Let’s go to my car. It’s safer to talk there.”
    We started walking towards his car, which was parked at the end of the road. Lucas looked at me sideways. “I can tell you’re having a really rough night. Anything I can do to help?”
    “Not unless you can erase the last hour of my life.”
    Lucas laughed. “I’m afraid that’s not one of my many talents,” he joked.
    Despite my bad mood, I couldn’t help smiling.
    What is wrong with me? How can I be so attracted to two different guys? I was all over the place.
    We arrived at his car and Lucas opened the door for me. I slid inside and slammed it shut. Somehow, the resounding bang it made was satisfying.
    “Jesus Christ, you trying to wake the neighborhood?” Lucas asked in exasperation.
    “Sorry,” I muttered.
    Lucas drove for a few minutes before speaking. “I need to check that we aren’t being followed,” he explained.
    “I thought you said we were safe from the twins!” I exclaimed. “For now, at least.”
    “We are,” Lucas replied grimly. “But unfortunately I’ve found out there are other problems to deal with.”
    “Trust me, it can’t get worse. It might have been better for everyone if Thomas and Bartholomew had gotten to say their spell.”
    “Don’t say that!” Lucas said angrily. “After everything we’ve been through.”
    “I don’t mean it,” I lamented. But inside I wasn’t so sure.
    “Aurora, I need to know you’re going to be okay. You have to promise me you’ll try to get past what’s made you so upset.”
    “Huh? How’s that relevant?”
    “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,” Lucas said. “I have to disappear for a while.”
    “What! You’re the only friend I have.”
    “I’m sure whatever happened with you and Henry can be righted,” he said lightly.
    “Why are you leaving?” I demanded, ignoring his comment.
    “I don’t want to.” Lucas’ face was grim. “Nicholas called me again. It turns out those cretins set me up.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before. Probably still too fucked up from the blood they gave me.” I noticed he was clenching the steering will so tightly his knuckles had turned white.
    “They had to kill someone to get that blood. And they set me up to take the fall for it.”
    “Oh no!” I wailed. “But how can they do that?”
    “Paid someone off to say they saw me do it, I imagine.” Lucas shrugged.
    “So now you’re being hunted?” I asked him.
    “Yeah, I’m sure they have someone out looking for me. I can’t go back to work, can’t stay at my house, can’t stay in this city.”
    “That’s awful! Lucas, I’m so sorry.”
    “Me, too. That’s why I need you to promise me you’re going to keep it together. I won’t be here to watch out for you.”
    “How long until you can come back ?”
    “I don’ t know.” Lucas sighed. “It depends on what it takes to clear my name. I don’t want to go – I don’t want to leave you.”
    “So take me with you!” I begged. I had no reason to stay here.
    “No,” Lucas said sharply.
    He turned to me. “Rory, I’d like nothing more than to have you with me.” Lucas’ voice softened.
    “Then what’s stopping you?” I demanded.
    “It’s too dangerous.”
    “But I’m already dead!” I argued. “I’d be the perfect sidekick. I’m practically