Hey guys! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in while... school and work has been kicking my ass, so it took me a while to sit down and write this chapter.

Well, enough of that... enjoy the next chapter!

That evening, as soon as the sun disappeared behind the Dallas high-rises and the sky morphed into its usual purplish hue during the twilight hour, I hesitantly called Godric.

"Annabel," he said when he finally picked up. "You're calling very early. Well, early for me." His voice rang with a slight hint of concern, as if he could fell that something was wrong. "What's going on?"

I gulped, clutching my cell phone. "Godric," I began. "Um, can I see you in a little while? I, uh, need your help with something. Something important."

The other line was silent for a moment. It felt like an hour. "Annabel, what's wrong?" he asked.

I bit my lower lip. "Look, I'll explain everything if you just let me come over your house."

"Of course," he said without any hesitation. "Come by whenever you want."

"Oh, one more thing," I said. "Is it alright if I bring Claire? You remember her, right?"

"Yes to both," he replied.

"Okay, I'll be there in about a half hour, depending on the traffic. I really appreciate this, Godric. I don't know where else to turn." I sure as hell sounded pathetic.

His tone was lighter now and I could swear he was flaunting that crooked smile of his. "Just get down here and tell me," he said. "You're scaring me."

Hmm, what could possibly frighten a vampire?

After hanging up, I rifled through my closet and threw on a plaid button-up over the dark grey tank top I was currently wearing, rolled the sleeves up to my elbows, and slipped on a pair of brown suede over-the-knee high heeled boots. I grabbed my purse and walked down the hall to Claire's bedroom. Her door was ajar and she was sitting on her bed, typing away on her laptop.

"Hey Claire," I said, announcing my presence. "I just talked to Godric and we're gonna stop by his house. I think he might be able to answer some of our questions."

"His house?" She closed her laptop and looked over at me apprehensively. "Where he lives with other vampires?"

I rolled my eyes. I just don't understand this common fear of vampires. But maybe I'm out of the loop. "He doesn't live with them, just works with them," I replied.

"If you say so," she sighed, climbed out of her bed and slipped on a pair of flip flops.

Godric's vampire "nest," if you wish to call it that, was actually located in Arlington, which is a large suburb right outside of Dallas. The Cowboys Stadium was recently built in Arlington, so I was relatively familiar with the city.

The house was in the complete opposite direction of the stadium, away from the bright lights and screaming fans and traffic congestion. Tucked away in a quiet wooded area was a swanky and upscale neighborhood filled with modern-styled houses built not too long ago. If you had enough money to live in downtown Dallas but elected not to because twenty-four-seven city life stresses you out, then this is the place for you.

I maneuvered my Corolla around the silent, winding street until I found the house. I pulled up in front of it and parked against the curb. Claire stared out of the passenger side window.

"Wow," she said. "He's got money."

I turned off the headlights and took the key out of the ignition. "Well, he's the sheriff." I smiled just a little bit, feeling almost boastful. Ooh, power is sexy.

Claire and I walked across the winding driveway towards the front door. I then rang the doorbell.

"Hello Annabel," said Godric when he answered the door. "Hello Claire."

"Nice to see you again, Godric," Claire replied skittishly.

"Please come inside." He stepped to the side to let Claire and me in. We sat in the living room.

"Now tell me," he said. "What's going on? You've been filling my mind with possible bad scenarios."

"Godric," I started. "Do you remember my cousin Shawn?"

"Sure I do."

I sighed. "I hate to come here on such short notice, but-"

He held up his hand, cutting me off. "Annabel, please don't feel as though you can't say this. You can tell me anything."

"Okay," I responded. "Shawn went missing."

"Oh no." He looked disappointed. When did this happen?"

"He's been gone for about a day. He was supposed to come home from college for the weekend but he never showed up. No one's heard from him since he left the campus yesterday afternoon. I had no idea what could have happened to him until Claire dropped thisbombshell today. Claire?" I turned my head to face her. "Can you tell Godric what you told me today?"

She sighed, not looking up. "Shawn is a V addict."

A look of surprise washed over Godric's beautiful, Adonis-like face. "He is a user of vampire blood?"

Claire nodded in agreement. "He started using it this summer and got hooked. No one knew about it besides me and few of his friends."

"V is such a dangerous drug," Godric stated. "The repercussions of using it are great."

"About that," I chimed in. "We're thinking that vampires might be involved in his disappearance."

"Not yours, though," Claire said quickly. "Maybe there's some rogue vampires lurking around that get off on kidnapping V addicts."

"That could be the case," he said. "Many of my kind have unfortunately been unable to evolve, so they have remained predators."

"Do you know of any suspicious characters around here?" I asked him.

"There are a good number of vampires in Dallas who have abused our laws, so it's hard to narrow it down. Haven't you contacted the police?"

"Of course we did. Carrie and Ray had to file a missing persons report. They're a mess right now!" That statement came out a little too harsh. Godric swallowed and looked away.

"I'm sorry," I said, standing up, straightening out my clothes, grabbing my purse, and starting for the door . "I shouldn't have wasted your time like this. I think Claire and I will be on our way."

"Wait," he said gently. He rose to his feet and lightly touched my forearm. The sensation of his cool fingertips on my bare skin made me screech to a sudden halt. "I'd like to help you in any way I can."

I gazed at him intently.

"From one friend to another." A slight grin formed on his pale lips.

"Thanks, Godric. I owe you one," I said. His smile was so contagious that I had to smile too. "You know, you don't have to do this. I'm sure you have other duties as the sheriff." Ha, I said 'duties.'

"Annabel," he breathed. "I never deny a friend in need."

I was so lost in his gorgeous green eyes that I almost forgot to breathe. His face was so close to mine and I could smell his sweet scent. "Okay," I said breathlessly, sitting down. "Let's get started."