Excerpt: Untitled

At the first landing they reached, Byrne stopped in front of a door. He stood there for a moment, glaring at the door, daring it to open. He glanced at Rin, worried that she might sense his embarrassment. "They're motion activated from the inside," he said. He hesitated a moment and then begun to wave his arms in front of the door. She covered her mouth to keep from laughing, and he glared at her as the door finally opened. That one always gave him trouble.

He gave a weary look around, then walked confidently down the hallway. He lead her into his quarters and told her to wait in the drawing room.

"Now just wait a minute," she said.

He gave her a look, but coolly refrained from rolling his eyes. "Fine," he replied. "Follow me around if you like." He went into what he called his kitchen, and after a moment of hesitation, she followed. The room was filled with cages of rats, rabbits, squirrels, birds, and other small creatures from the surrounding forest. "You'll probably want to look away," he said, pulling a scrub jay from its cage. "But I'll need the energy." The girl gasped and turned her back.

He smiled as he slit the bird's throat and poured its blood through a funnel into an empty wine bottle. He took a swig before putting a stopper in it and turning back to the girl.

"Just one more thing before we can continue," he said almost cheerfully.

He lead her to a cabinet in the drawing room, which held a variety of guns, including a pair of exquisite pistols that were at least a few hundred years old and a musket that had been around for twice as long. He took out one of his newest models and put it in his empty holster.

"Now hold on," protested Rin. "Who said you could have a gun?"

"Really, Rin, do you think you'd be able to win against a dozen cioffs with nothing but a pistol and an unarmed vampire?" He took down a machine gun and tried to hand it to her.

"We're not a team, you know. I'm not trusting you." She pointed the gun at his heart again.

"I'd be disappointed if you did." He stared at her for a moment, trying to work out how to convince her he wasn't going to trick her. "What if my helping you was part of a deal?"

She scowled at him. "What kind of deal?"

"Well, I help you find your friends ..."

"And a way out," she butted in.

"... and a way out, and in exchange, you ... come with me."

"I'm sorry, come with you where?"

"Oh, I don't think I told you, Rin." His voice returned to its pleasant, conversational tone. "I'm leaving Ryu's employment, as of today. I think I'll move to the seaside." He recognized her skeptical look. "If you accompany me, as far as the sea at least, I'll help you get your friends out of this castle."

"Absolutely not," she said, shaking her head. "That's ridiculous; I'm not doing that."

Byrne shrugged. "Fine ... have it your way."