The Dead Girl's Dance
Chapter Thirty-four

Founders Square was insane. Richard had to stop the car almost a block away, just outside of a cordon of police cars with flashing lights. Claire got out and had another coughing fit, bad enough that Eve patted her nervously on the back and did the talking for her to the grim-faced uniformed policewoman standing guard at the barricade. We need to see Mayor Morrell, she said.
Mayors busy, the policewoman said. Youll have to wait.
Monica got out of the backseat, and the cops eyes widened. Miss Morrell? Well, Claire admitted, the smoke-stained scarecrow with frizzed hair didnt look much like the usual Monica. She secretly hoped somebody would take pictures. And put them on the Internet.
When Richard got out, as well, the policewoman gulped. Jesus. Sorry, sir. Hang on, Ill get someone here. The policewoman got on her radio and passed on information; while they waited, she passed out bottled water from her squad car. Claire took two bottles and ducked back into the patrol cars backseat, where Michael was sitting, eyes shut tight. He stirred and looked at her when she called his name. He didnt look goodpaper pale, burned in places, and apparently sick, too. She handed him the water. I dont know if itll help, but?
Michael nodded and gulped some down. Claire cracked her own bottle and swallowed, nearly moaning in ecstasy. Nothing had ever tasted so good in Claires entire life as that lukewarm, flat water washing away the smoke from her throat.
I thought Michael licked his lips and let his head flop back against the seat. I thought Id be stronger. Ive seen other vampires in the daytime.
Older ones, Claire said. I think it must take time. Amelie can even walk around in the daylight, but shes really old. You just have to be patient, Michael.
Patient? He closed his eyes. Claire. Todays the first day Ive been outside of my house for nearly a year, my best friends still under a death sentence, and youre telling me to be patient?
It did sound stupid, when he put it that way. She drank her water silently, wiping sweat from her forehead and then grimacing at the sooty mess.
Its going to be all right, she told herself. Well get Shane. Well all go home. Itll be fine.
Which even now she knew wasnt very likely, but she had to have something to hold on to.
It was only about a five-minute wait, and the mayor came himself, trailed by an anxious entourage and two uniformed paramedics, who swooped in on Monica and Richard, ignoring Claire and Eve. Hey, were fine, thanks, Eve said sarcastically. Flesh wounds. Look, we kept our part of the bargain. We want Shane. Right now.
The mayor, hugging his soot-stained daughter, barely even glanced their way. Youre too late, he said.
Claires knees went out from under her. It came to her in a blinding rushthe fire, the smoke, the terror. Shane. Oh no, no, it couldnt be.
The mayor must have realized what she was thinking, and what Eve was thinking, too, from the expressions on their faces, because he looked momentarily annoyed. No, not that, he said. Richard said you were en route. I said Id wait. I dont break my word.
Much, Eve muttered, and covered it with a fake cough. Okay, then why are we too late?
Hes already gone, the mayor said. His father staged an attack just before dawn, when our attention was on the warehouse fire. Broke Shane and the other one out of the cages, killed five of my men. They were heading out of town, but weve got them cornered this time. Itll all be over soon.
ButShane! Claire looked at him pleadingly. We kept our part of the bargainplease, cant you just let him go?
Mayor Morrell frowned at her. Our agreement was that Id let him go if you brought my daughter back. Well, hes free. If he gets himself killed trying to save his no-good father, thats no business of mine, the mayor said. He put his arm around Monica and Richard. Come on, kids. You can tell me what happened.
Ill tell you what happened, Eve said angrily. We saved both of their lives. You can thank us for that anytime, by the way.
From the glare he threw Eve, the mayor really didnt find that funny. If you hadnt put them in danger in the first place, none of this would have happened, he said. Consider yourselves lucky that I dont toss you in jail for aiding and abetting a vampire hunter. Now, if you want my advice, go home. He kissed his daughters filthy hair. Come on, princess.
Dad, Richard said. Shes right. They did save our lives.
The mayor looked more than just annoyed now, at this minor rebellion in the family ranks. Son, I know that you may feel some gratitude toward these girls, but
Just tell us where Shane is, Claire said. Please. Thats all we want.
The two Morrell men exchanged long looks, and then Richard said, You know the old hospital? The one on Grand Street?
Eve nodded. Our Lady? I thought they tore that thing down.
Scheduled for demolition at the end of the week, Richard said. Ill take you there.
Claire almost cried; she was so relieved. Not that the problem was solvedit wasntbut at least they had another step to take.
Richard, the mayor said. You dont owe them anything.
I do, though. Richard looked from Eve, to Claire. And I wont forget it.
Eve grinned. Awww. Dont worry, Officer. We wont let you.
There were vampires out in the daytime. Claire figured that was unusual, but she realized just how unusual when Richard Morrell, slowing the police car to a crawl, whistled. Olivers called out the troops, he said. Not good for your friend. Or his father.
The streets around the massive bulk of the old hospital were lined with carsbig cars, dark-tinted windows. Lots of police cars, too, but it was those other autos that lookedmenacing.
As did the people standing in shadows, surrounding the building. Some wore heavy coats and hats, even in the oppressive heat. There had to be at least a hundred gathered, and a lot of them were vampires.
And right in the center, standing right at the edge of the border of sunlight and shadow, stood Oliver. He was wearing a long black leather coat, and a leather broad-brimmed hat, and his hands were cased in gloves.
Oh, man. I dont think you guys are going to do any good here, Richard said. Olivers head turned toward them, and he stepped out into the sunlight. The vampire approached, moving at a slow, leisurely pace. Maybe I ought to take you on home.
In less time than it took to tell Richard no, Oliver had crossed the open space and jerked open the back door of the police cruiser. Maybe you should join us instead, Oliver said, and bared his teeth in a smile. Ah, Michael. Out of the house at last, I see. Felicitations on your birthday. I would suggest, for your own safety, that you stay strictly in the shadows this morning. Not that youll have the strength to do anything else.
And he grabbed Claire, who was sitting nearest the door, by the throat.
Claire heard Michael and Eve yelling, and felt Eve trying to hold on to her, but there was no way Eve could match Olivers strength. He simply pulled Claire out of the car like a rag doll, his fingers wrapped cruelly tight around her throat, and dragged her out into the street.
Shane! Shane Collins! he shouted. I have something for you! I want you to watch this very carefully!
Claire grabbed at his hand with both of her own, trying to pry his grip free, but it was no good. He knew just how tightly to hold on without quite crushing her throat or cutting off her breathing. She fought back another panicked bout of coughing, and tried to think of something, anything, to do.
Im going to kill this girl, Oliver continued, unless she swears herself to me and my service, in front of all of these witnesses. Shane, you can save her by making the same deal. You have two minutes to consider your decision.
Why? Claire whispered. It came out as a mouse squeak, barely audible. Oliver, who was staring at the decaying facade of the old hospital, with its weather-stained weeping angels and molding baroque stonework, turned his attention briefly to her. The morning was warm and cloudless, the sun a hot brass penny in a bright blue sky. It seemed wrong for a vampire to be out here.
He wasnt even sweating.
Why what, Claire? Its an imprecise question. You have a better mind than that.
She fought for breath, helplessly clawing at his fingers. Whykill Brandon?
He lost his smile, and his eyes turned wary. Clever, he said. Cleverness may not be good for you after all. The question you should be asking is, why do I want your service?
All right, she wheezed. Why?