The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires 2)

It was cold-blooded murder.

Richard had said it. Demolition this week. The explosives were already in place.

Theyre going to blow the building! Claire screamed, and lunged. She couldnt fight the bikers, but she didnt need to.

All she had to do was yank at the wires under the circuit board.

They gave with a blue white pop, and she was lucky not to be fried. One of the bikers reached her then, grabbed her, and threw her back, looking at the mess and shaking his head. Got a problem! he yelled. She trashed the board! Gonna take time to rewire!

Franks face went scarlet with fury, and he ran toward her, fist in the air. You stupid little

Shane caught his fist in an open palm and held it there. Dont,he said. Enough, Dad. No more.

Frank tried to hit him. Shane ducked. He caught the second blow in an open palm again.

The third one, he blocked, and punched back. Just once.

Frank went down, flat on his ass, something like fear in his face.

Enough, Shane said. Claire had never seen him look taller, or more frightening. Youve still got time to run, Dad. Youd better do it while you can. Theyll figure out where we are soon, and you know what? Im not dying for you. Not anymore.

Franks mouth opened, then closed. He wiped blood from his mouth, staring at Shane, as he got to his feet.

I thought you understood, he said. I thought you wanted

You know what I want, Dad? Shane asked. I want my life back. I want my girlfriend. And I want you to leave and never come back.

Franks eyes went flat, like a sharks. Your mothers turning over in her grave, watching you betray your own kind. Your own father. Siding with the parasites that infest this sick town.

Shane didnt answer him. The two of them stared at each other in tense, angry silence for a few seconds, and then Claire heard metal clattering from up above. She tugged on Shanes arm urgently. I think they found the chute, she said. Shane

Shanes dad said, I should have left you in the damn cage to fry, you ungrateful little bastard. Youre no son of mine.

Hallelujah, Shane said softly. Free at last.

His dad turned off the flashlight, and Claire heard running footsteps in the dark.

Shane grabbed Claires sweating hand, and they ran the opposite direction, with Shane breathlessly counting steps, until there was a golden glow of light at the end of the tunnel.

Shane wanted to run, but escape was impossible. Unless they made it out of Morganville, and even then, Claire understoodfinallythat the vampires wouldnt let them leave. Not with what theyd done, or nearly done.

She needed to make it right.

Claire worked it out in her head before she said anything to him; Shane was talking in a breathless monologue, spinning a plan to steal a car, head out of town, maybe out of state.

Claire kept quiet until she saw the cherry red and blue flashers of a Morganville police cruiser coming down the darkened street, and then she let go of Shanes hand and said, Trust me.

What?

Just trust me.

She stepped out in front of the police car, which came to a fast, controlled stop. A floodlight blinded her, and she stood still for it. She sensed Shane retreating, and said, sharply, Shane, no! Stay where you are!

What the hell are you doing?

Surrendering, she said, and put her hands in the air. Come on. You, too.

She didnt think he would, for a long terrifying second, and then he stepped out into the street with her, put his hands up, and laced his fingers behind his head. The police cruisers doors popped open, and Shane dropped to his knees. Claire blinked at him, then followed suit.

She was on the ground in seconds, pinned by someones hot, hard hand, and she heard a male voice say, Heller here. Weve got Danvers and the Collins kid. Theyre alive.

She didnt hear the reply, but she was too busy wondering if shed made an awful mistake as cold steel handcuffs clicked shut around her wrists. The policeman hauled her upright by her elbow, and she winced at the pull on her sore muscles. Next to her, Shane was getting the same treatment. He wasnt resisting. He lookedtense.

Its okay, she told him. Trust me.

His eyes were wild, but he nodded.

Chapter Thirty-eight

Better be right, she thought, and swallowed hard as they were shoved inside the back of the police car.

The police didnt talk to her or Shane at all. The ride was short, and silent, and when the cruiser pulled into the parking garage at City Hall, there was a welcoming committee standing there waiting. Claire almost cried at the sight of Michael and Evesmoke-stained but standing side by side, holding hands. They looked worried. Next to them was Richard Morrell, with a bandage on his head.

And Mayor Morrell. She couldnt read his expression at allannoyed, but she thought that was usual for him. Claire caught a glimpse of red hair, and saw Sam leaning against a pillar up on the dock. Apart from Michael, he was the only vampire present. At least, the only one she could see.

The cruisers doors were opened, and Claire slid out. The mayor looked her over, then Shane. His eyes narrowed.

My sources say somebody set up a spark board down under the hospital, he said. Connected up the wires and got ready to blow the building. Looks like somebody trashed it before anything happened.

Shane said, Claire pulled the wires. My dad was going to blow it and kill everybody inside.

The Morrells, father and son, exchanged a look. Even Sam raised his head, though he stayed where he was, arms folded, looking relaxed and neutral. And wheres your dad? Richard asked. Shane, you dont owe him. You know that.

Yeah, Shane said. I know. Hes gone. I wish I could tell you he wouldnt be back, but He shrugged. Let Claire go, man. She saved people. She didnt hurt anybody.

Mayor Morrell nodded at the cop standing behind Claire. She felt her handcuffs jiggle, then loosen, and gratefully folded her arms across her chest.

What about Shane? she asked.

The vampires caught two of Franks men. They admitted that Frank murdered Brandon. Shanes in the clear, Richard said.

Shane blinked at him. What?

Go home, Richard said, and the cop unlocked Shanes handcuffs, as well. Sams taken care of getting word out to the vampires. They dont like you much, so watch your step, but youre not guilty of any crimes. Not major ones.

Great! Eve said, and grabbed Claires hand, then Shanes. Were outta here.

Eves Cadillac was parked a few spaces away. The back and side windows had been blacked out, Claire realized, and there was a fresh smell of paint in the air, and two cans of spray enamel lying on the ground. She got in the front seat, and Michael slid into the backseat. Shane hesitated, looking in at him, then climbed in and slammed the door.

Eve started the car. Shane?

Yeah?

Im freaking killing you when we get home.

Good, Shane said. Because right now, death seems like a better idea than talking about any of this.