“Yes.” He shot another look at Kar. “Hold him tight. He’s about to get agitated.” He motioned for Jadee to move farther away from Mitch. “You shot him a few times and he hasn’t fed.” He looked up to the top of the trailer, wondering about the humans inside. “Watch.”

He cut his left palm, making sure they could see the exaggerated grimace on his face since a human would probably burst into tears. He wasn’t about to go that far but it did hurt to draw a thin, three-inch line across his palm. He opened it, showing everyone the blood.

Mitch sniffed and his eyes widened. He hissed a second later, mouth open and fangs showing. He struggled in Kar’s hold, frantic from the smell. The noises he made were animalistic and loud. His hunger had to be causing him agonizing pains.

“Switch your hold on him and give me his arm,” Lavos ordered Kar.

His friend jerked Mitch back and got him in a choke hold, making sure his fangs weren’t close enough to his skin to bite. Kar twisted his captive and exposed his left side.

Lavos advanced and ripped Mitch’s sleeve at his shoulder, shoving it down, then used the dagger to slice open a good six-inch cut above his elbow. The soldier shrieked. It was probably more from hunger and frustration than actual pain. Lavos was glad he’d handcuffed the soldier or he would take any blood source, even cannibalize himself. It sometimes happened with soldiers when they were starved. They’d bite themselves to get blood. He also wanted the humans to have a clear view.

“Watch how fast he heals.”

The cut sealed within seconds.

Lavos looked up, trying to gauge where the camera was. “See?”

He backed up, showing his injured palm again. It had stopped bleeding but the cut remained. Nothing could heal as fast as a soldier unless fresh blood and feeding were involved. “I’m not what he is. Kar isn’t either. We hunt these things down and stop them. This one is going to lead us to his master so we can take him out.” Lavos put away his dagger.

“Happy, Mark? Legend and paranormal hunters, meet actual Vampire hunters.” Jadee glared up at the top of the trailer. “Open the damn door. Otherwise I swear I’m going to have them escort me to my rental and I’ll just leave you here. There’s one more still on the loose. The blond guy hasn’t been caught. How long can you stay in there without starving or going crazy?”

Long seconds ticked by, and it irritated Lavos. He didn’t have time for bullshit. They did need to find the blond and take him out. They also needed to hunt down the master. He didn’t want to babysit the soldier during the day and have to find a safe place to store him so he didn’t burn to death. His brother would be worried if they didn’t make contact soon. Lorn would send reinforcements. The last thing he wanted at that moment was more of his clan to show up. He liked Jadee but he couldn’t guarantee others would be willing to trust her word that she’d never say anything about what she’d seen. And her mind was too strong to wipe…

A bolt slid from inside, then another. Metal scraped as one side of the door opened an inch. He backed up and jerked his head at Kar to do the same with the soldier. Jadee wasn’t so cautious. She advanced and curled her fingers around the edge of the door, pulling it back.

Jadee paused. “Are you shitting me?” Then she shoved the door wide open so he could see inside.

Two men and one woman stood inside holding twelve-inch crosses in front of them. Two were made of wood and one looked metal.

Jadee brushed her hands on her pants and gripped her hips. “Wow. I would have packed crossbows and arrows if I’d been you. My eyes aren’t burning, guys. I told you, I’m not a Vampire.”

Mitch tried to twist out of Kar’s hold and avoid looking inside the container. Lavos wanted to roll his eyes. The idiot probably thought crosses would work on him. They wouldn’t, nor would they work on pure-blooded Vampires. He kept his mouth shut.

Jadee released her hips and started to climb inside the trailer. He was tempted to stop her but didn’t want to frighten the humans. He spotted a few guns on a desk near one of the men. They could shoot Jadee if they panicked.

“I’m going to walk right up to you and touch that thing,” Jadee announced. “So you’re sure.”

“Let me see your teeth,” the man with the accent demanded.

Jadee straightened and opened her mouth wide. She stuck out her tongue after she’d given him a few seconds to see that she didn’t have fangs. “You’re such a dipshit, Mark. No fangs.” She approached them, her hands out to her sides. She paused in front of him and slowly lifted her arm. She pushed a fingertip against the wood.

“See? Not a Vampire. I know I don’t get a lot of sunbathing in with my night job, but do I look pasty-ass white like the freak outside?”

The woman was the first to lower her cross. She burst into tears and grabbed Jadee, hugging her. “We were so worried. We heard the gunfire and the tablet went dead. We thought they’d killed you.”

Jadee hugged her back. “It’s okay, Peggy. We’re safe now. These guys are going to take us to the truck I rented and I’ll drive us out of here.” She untangled herself from the woman and backed up, glaring at the man with the accent. “You can lower the cross. You look ridiculous.” She glanced at the other man. “It’s okay, Brent. These guys killed a few Vampires but are just holding on to that one until they find the master.”

“Where’s your dad?” the older woman asked.

“He’s in a better place now,” Jadee answered.

“I need to gather our hard drives and samples.” Mark lowered the cross.

“You do that.” Jadee glanced at Lavos and winked.

He managed to hide his surprise. She was smart. The man named Mark began to collect things off a desk. That would save Lavos time. The second man, Brent, dropped the cross on the floor. He turned, helping the other one gather their evidence.

“I’m going to take the important data and then lock up the trailer. We’ll have to come back in the morning.” Mark seemed to be the one in charge. “We’ll document everything. We’ll bring in Richard Smith and his team. They’ll help salvage as much as possible.” The guy suddenly turned, staring at Kar. “Could we keep that one? I mean, as evidence? To turn over a live Vampire would prove to everyone they exist.”