Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

He produced his wooden stake, but Paul smiled slowly and shook his head.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

Daniel looked into the deep dark eyes of what had been his old friend, and a chill closed around his heart.

“You made me promise . . . ”

“The Clan made me a monster,” said Paul. “But they’re not around anymore. So I’m free to do whatever I want now.”

“You sound . . . hungry,” said Daniel.

“I’m my own man again,” said Paul. “That’s all that matters.”

“But are you a man?”

Paul shook his head slowly. “Low blow, Danny. I’m what I have to be.”

“But you don’t have to be a vampire,” said Daniel. “I can set you free.”

“I already am,” said Paul. “Freer than I ever was, when I was alive. I only popped in to say good-bye, old friend. Give Edward my regards. Tell him . . . I’ll be seeing him.”

“No,” said Daniel. “I can’t let you go, Paul.”

“You never could let go of the past.” The vampire looked at him thoughtfully. “I’m sparing you for old times’ sake, Danny—but don’t push your luck. You’re still only human . . . while I am so much more. And without the vampire elders to hold me back . . . who knows what I’ll become?”

“I can’t let that happen,” said Daniel. “It’s not what my old friend would have wanted.”

“Your friend was murdered. He isn’t around anymore.”

The vampire dropped his glamour, to show what he really was: a rotting corpse, in a coat covered with grave mold and dried bloodstains. Decaying flesh fell away from yellowed cheekbones, and his eyes were like patches of night. His teeth were too large for his mouth, his hands had claws like an animal, and he stank of the grave and all the people he’d killed.

Daniel went forward anyway, stake in hand. Because he’d made a promise, and because he couldn’t leave his job unfinished. Tina was quickly there beside him, a stake in her hand too. Paul just stood where he was, smiling his awful smile, waiting for them to come to him. And then he lashed out with inhuman speed, one hand slamming into Daniel’s chest like a wrecking ball. It smashed all the air out of his lungs, and sent him flying the whole length of the platform. Daniel hit hard, but still scrambled back up on his feet again. Just in time to see Paul slap the stake out of Tina’s hand, take hold of her firmly, and then lower his mouth to her throat.

Daniel raced down the platform. “No! Don’t!”

Paul pressed his teeth against Tina’s throat, but didn’t bite. Daniel crashed to a halt. He knew he’d never reach them in time. Tina stood very still, keeping her gaze fixed on Daniel. The vampire’s teeth were pressing just hard enough to dent the skin over Tina’s jugular, without breaking it. And then Paul pulled his mouth back a little, so he could smile at Daniel.

“I smell traces of garlic, but it would seem the waters have washed most of it away. And while her clothes may be soaked in the blessed River Fleet, my coat will protect me long enough to do what’s necessary. I’ve spent a long time wondering what Hyde blood would taste like.”

Tina back-elbowed Paul in the groin with all her Hyde strength, but he didn’t even flinch.

“I’m afraid that’s just another of the things they took from me. I have to find my pleasures in different ways now.”

“You want Hyde blood?” Daniel said steadily. “Then take mine, instead of hers.”

He threw away his stake and walked slowly forward, holding his right wrist out before him.

“Come on, Paul,” said Daniel. “Make me a vampire too—and then you’ll never have to be alone again.”

The vampire stared at him. “You’d give up your life—for her?”

“For you, old friend.”

“I could take you both.”

“You don’t want her, you want me. You said I could never understand what’s been done to you—so help me understand.”

Paul threw Tina to one side, hard enough to leave her stunned and helpless. The vampire surged forward inhumanly quickly, and his mouth clamped down on Daniel’s outstretched wrist. Daniel gasped once as the sharp teeth pierced his skin, not so much from the pain but because it felt like a violation. He could feel the blood rushing out of him, see a soft red flush filling Paul’s face, giving it the appearance of life. And then Paul jerked his mouth away from Daniel’s wrist and he fell backward, screaming shrilly as all the strength went out of him. His legs collapsed under him and he went sprawling, his face full of a terrible understanding . . . and in just a few moments there was nothing left on the platform but the remains of a body that had died months ago.

“I drank the holy water, Paul,” Daniel said steadily. “And now even my Hyde blood is blessed.”

He wanted to feel sad for his friend. But Paul died long ago. This was just a walking corpse that thought it was Paul. He looked down at the vicious wound in his wrist and winced, but the damage was already repairing itself. Tina came over to stand beside him, and slipped a supportive arm around his waist.

“Did you know that would happen, when you offered yourself to save me?”

“Of course,” said Daniel.

“Liar,” said Tina.