The waitress, whose nametag identified as Pat, smiled. “Hon, we always have specials.” She jerked her head toward the kitchen. “Today's lunch special is the tuna sandwich combo. You'll get the sandwich, the fries and some coleslaw, all for five dollars.»
Savannah snagged a menu from the center of the table. She had never been fond of tuna fish. She scanned down the list of sandwiches. “I think I'll just take the club combo, with a Sprite, please.»
Pat scribbled quickly. “Sure thing, hon. Anything else I can get for you?»
Savannah smiled vaguely. “Not right now, but thanks.»
«Be right back with your order.” With a swish of her hips, Pat turned and vanished through the swinging kitchen doors.
There were only a handful of other customers in the diner. Two truckers sat at the counter, and a man in a deputy's uniform was drinking coffee in the back corner.
Savannah sighed. Everything about the place just seemed so incredibly normal to her. The soft country music playing on the jukebox. The old-fashioned checkered table cloths that decorated the tables. Everything was so amazingly normal.
Who would have ever guessed that a place like this would be home to a vampire?
«You aren't from around here, are you?»
Savannah's head jerked up, and she found herself staring into the deputy's warm brown gaze.
«Ah, no. No, I'm not.” What did he want?
«I didn't think so.” He continued to stare down at her. “I'm one of the deputies here in Tyler. My name's John. John Sykes.»
Savannah offered her hand. “Savannah Daniels.»
His grip was firm, but not overwhelming. “And what brings you to our town, Ms. Daniels?»
«I'm visiting a friend,” she replied immediately, sensing her chance to push for more information about William. “Perhaps you know him.»
«I know everybody in this town. In a place the size of Tyler, it's real easy to get to know your neighbors.»
«I'm sure it is,” she murmured with a polite smile.
«What's your friend's name?»
It was the opportunity that she'd been waiting for. “His name's William Dark. He lives up on the mountain.»
The deputy's eyes widened. He let out a low whistle. “You're in town to see William Dark? Are you sure about that?” He sounded like he questioned her sanity.
Savannah stiffened. “I think I know who I'm visiting,” she said, her tone dripping with ice.
John flushed. “It's just that, well, Mr. Dark isn't exactly the type to have visitors, you know?»
That wasn't surprising. “Surely he's had other friends come to town.»
John shook his head. “Not that I know of.»
«What, exactly, do you know about him?” Savannah held her breath, waiting anxiously for his response.
«Very little.” John shrugged. “I heard that his grandfather bought the property on the mountain back in the twenties. And I remember seeing William's dad in town some, back when I was a kid. Course, his dad wasn't much for talking either. And I think he must have used the property here as kind of a retreat.” His gaze clouded as he struggled to remember. “Yeah, he came here in the summers. Every summer, until I was about eight or nine.»
«When did William move to town?” Savannah asked quietly. She found it fascinating that William would pretend to be his own father, his own grandfather. He had created a thin veil of deception to fool the townsfolk so that he could keep his mountain hideaway.
«He moved here about six or seven years ago. I heard that he inherited the property when his old man died.»
Six or seven years. Where had he been before that? What had he been doing? Had he truly been alone for all of those years? All of those centuries? The idea was jarring, chilling. No wonder he wanted a companion.
John frowned at Savannah, sudden suspicion sweeping across his features. “But you should know all this, shouldn't you? Since you're here to visit him…»
«We're … newly acquainted.” Yeah, they'd only met two days ago. That definitely qualified as newly acquainted. “There's still a lot we don't know about each other.” And that was the problem.
«Hmmm.” John didn't look convinced. “Where did you say you were from, ma'am?»
«I didn't. But I'm from Washington. Seattle, Washington.»
«You sure did come a long way to visit your friend.»
«Yes, I did.” She wasn't going to give the deputy any more information.
«Here you go, hon!” Pat appeared, carrying a large plate in one hand and a drink in the other. “One club combo, just like you ordered.»
«Thanks.»
Pat smiled at the deputy. “Want another coffee?»
He shook his head. “Nah. I got to be getting back on duty.” He glanced back at Savannah. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Daniels. I'm sure that I'll see you again.»
As he walked away, Savannah wondered why, despite his friendly smile, the words had sounded almost … threatening.
* * * *
By the time Savannah returned to her hotel room, it took all of the meager energy she had to unlock her door.
The sudden wave of exhaustion had come upon her as she finished her meal. She'd been forced to push her half-eaten sandwich away and hurry from the diner.
It was another side effect of her medicine. Severe drowsiness. In her case, severe was definitely the word of choice.
Of course, the fact that she'd no rest the night before only aggravated her condition.
She fumbled with the lock, barely fitting the key inside. All of her muscles felt heavy. Her eyelids kept lowering, her chin sliding down. She took a series of deep, quick breaths, trying to force her body to stay awake.
The key turned in the lock and Savannah stumbled inside her room. She leaned against the cool wood of the door, giving her body a moment to rest. With hands that trembled, she turned the lock on the door handle.
The bed looked so far away. She was so tired. Tired of the exhaustion that plagued her body. Tired of the pain. When would it all end?
She took a step forward. Her leg seemed to buckle. She staggered, struggling for balance. One more step. Two more. She could feel the base of the bed against her knees, and she fell on the bed, her body bouncing lightly. The old springs squeaked in protest.
She stopped fighting the exhaustion and closed her eyes. She would rest, just for an hour or two. The rest would give her enough strength to make it through the rest of the day.
She just needed to sleep for a little while…