Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“I know a guy who should be able to get you a steady supply of blood. Non-human, if that’s what’s bugging you.”</span>
Louise sighed. <span class="mu-r">“I don’t want to talk about drinking blood right now. I don’t even want to think about it.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Alright, but you should at least talk to Matt about the whole ‘sensory overload’ thing.”</span> you suggested. <span class="mu-r">“He’s got experience with that kind of stuff.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“I imagine this sort of thing takes years of training.”</span> she said.
<span class="mu-r">“Well I guess it’s a good thing that you’ve been training to be a vampire hunter for basically your entire life.”</span> you replied.
<span class="mu-r">“I don’t even know how I’m going to get to sleep with all this noise.”</span> Louise complained.
<span class="mu-r">“Then we’ll get you a noise-canceling coffin. Custom ordered from Bose; the best that money can buy.”</span>
Louise tried to frown up at you, but couldn’t prevent herself from exposing her fangs in a slightly bitter laugh. <span class="mu-r">“Earplugs and headphones exist, you know. Why did you immediately go for the most expensive option?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Because I have the money to make it happen.”</span> you said.
<span class="mu-r">“You’re not the only one with money squirreled away. I have–<span class="mu-i">had</span>…full access to the Order’s funds for any expenses I deemed necessary to our cause. I suppose I’ll have to rely on my second source of income.”</span>
You frowned down at her. <span class="mu-r">“Which is?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Credit card fraud…”</span> Louise snickered, barely managing to get the words out.
<span class="mu-r">“No!”</span> you exclaimed with a scandalized expression. <span class="mu-r">“You’re a criminal, too!”</span>
She passively waved her free hand in front of her face. <span class="mu-r">“It’s not hurting anyone.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Except the economy.”</span> you added.
<span class="mu-r">“I don’t know anybody named ‘Economy’. Do you?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“No, but I hear he’s been real down on his luck lately.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Then we have something in common.”</span> she said, a sad smile spreading across her features. The awkward silence that followed stretched on for what felt like an eternity, until you decided to forcefully steer the conversation in another direction.
<span class="mu-r">“We beat the shit out of the guy that jumped you, you know. He’s getting mind-wiped as we speak.”</span>
You felt a sharp intake of air from your vampiric friend, and you waited until she released it in a shuddering breath. <span class="mu-r">“Good. I don’t even know why he attacked me, or who he was for that matter.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“He was a cannibal serial killer from the Australian Outback that went by the name of ‘Bloody Lips’.”</span> you explained. <span class="mu-r">“And I <span class="mu-i">think</span> he wanted to steal your memories of your Order.”</span>
Louise released her grip on your arm, leaned back and frowned up at you with her crimson eyes. <span class="mu-r">“Whatever for?”</span>
You shrugged. <span class="mu-r">“Pandora’s probably sifting through his memories now.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“And you trust her to tell you what she finds?”</span>
(Cont.)