Reckless Abandon - The Secrets of Avelina Chronicles 2

22: Knox

Knox was surprised, when he got back to the morgue, to find that not only was Todd not there, but someone was there who shouldn't have been. He had been angrier than he thought, when he left Alexis at the crime scene and walked to work. So angry that he had rushed back, thinking about her jealousy and the brief moment he had glimpsed Lord Biggins at the crime scene. He had hoped that his work would take his mind off everything. Until he saw someone lying on the autopsy table, with his hands behind his head and heard that familiar voice. He walked further into the room, wondering if his night would turn out better than it had started.

"It's relatively comfortable here. If I wasn't already dead, I'd be giving it a go just to try this out." The voice called teasingly, making Knox smile in disbelief. He went across to the table and frowned down at Beni, his old friend from school. He had been turned in college and they had shared a life of vampirism as best friends. Beni smiled up at him cheekily, as he was scolded and told to get off the table.

"Do you mind? I've got a newbie bringing the body in and I don't want him freaking out when he finds you here." Knox asked politely, because he knew that Beni was as much of a joker now as he had been in school. It was what made them such good friends, besides the fact that he had once had a crush on Beni's older sister, Monica.

"I could close my eyes and play dead?" Beni offered with a grin. He looked far too excited by the prospect, but Knox knew that it was one joke too many for poor Todd. He was having a hard enough night without being scared to death by a vampire playing dead on the autopsy table.

"Yeah and when he goes to cut you open or take your measurements you'll jump up and say 'boo' and give him a heart attack? I don't think so. Enough people hate me around here without bringing 'my kind of people' around." He scolded him with a smile, making Beni grumble and reluctantly get up and reposition himself to sit on the table instead of lying down. It wasn't quite so comfortable, but it would do for the remainder of his visit.

Knox went into the backroom to get changed for the autopsy, though it seemed pretty clear what the latest victims cause of death was. Beni decided to head into an explanation of why he was there at that hour and why he hadn't just called for a get together, as he usually did.

"I got more stuff on that maniac running around giving you so much work. Seems he's been up at Mumnfield as well. The other communities have all got their knickers in a twist about him. He's fairly getting around. Any place with a community and he's there, ruining their truce and causing trouble." Beni explained, yawning before he went on. Knox contemplated it thoughtfully.

Mumnfield was an independent community of vampires, who had chosen not to live within their clans. They operated as single vampires, but agreed to abide by the clans rules and laws. Beni had been in Mumnfield just three hours ago and it wasn't as easy as it used to be, traveling the hundred mile distance when he really needed food and rest. But as soon as he heard the news, he knew that Knox or his father, needed to hear about it right away. He'd decided friendship and loyalty were a better reward than food and sleep.

"There's been a few deaths already. Seems there was a big riot in the square three days ago. A bunch of newbie vamps and a few rookie cops were going at it in the street one night. Sounds like the cops were trying to arrest them just for being on the street." He tutted in disapproval. "Every vamp out in the open there is immediately a suspect and these kids didn't take it so well. They started making threats and warned about the consequences of disobeying the truce and the cops took it personally. Someone brought your father into it and two of our guys were lost and one cop was killed. Another was turned." He sighed heavily, knowing what the consequences of such a riot would mean, once the news trickled down from Mumnfield to the humans in Avelina.