large rifles, and the promised tranquilizer guns. Ephraim grunted wordlessly for Lorenzo to join him,
bringing him a case of darts to begin filling with the cure.
Snod left them to their work, taking the moment to speak to Rees, who was having another coughing
spell. He frowned deeply when he spotted blood in Rees’ handkerchief, asking him carefully, “Are
you okay?”
“Fuckin’ ducky,” Rees replied sharply.
“What’s wrong? Are you... sick?”
Rees groaned lightly, shaking his head. “Look, just drop it, all right?”
“Rees...”
“Motherfucking stubborn jackass,” Rees growled. “It’s fucking cancer, okay? I’ve been sick for a long
time, and I’m dying.”
Snod’s heart lurched uncomfortably, and he murmured, “I’m sorry.”
“Fuck your apology,” Rees laughed bitterly. “There’s nothing to apologize for. The cancer isn’t sorry.
It’s just doing what it does. Now I’ve had a good life, and I’m not worried about what comes next.
God is already going to have an entire boutique of Dolce and Gabbana waiting for me. What concerns
me right now is helping my fucking friend. So quit your worrying about this old crossdresser and
focus on tracking down Frankie.”
Snod nodded briefly, saying gently, “For what it’s worth, I do consider you a friend, Rees. Thank
you...” He took a deep breath. “For everything.”
“Jesus Christ bouncing on a pogo stick, will you shut the fuck up?” Rees drawled disgustedly despite
a big grin. “Save it. You can slobber all over me when this is done.”
Snod smiled softly, looking up to where Lorenzo and Ephraim were finishing up. “Are we ready?”
“Yup!” Lorenzo cocked one of the guns, declaring dramatically, “Splash on some Windex and pull on
your garlic t-shirts, gentlemen. We have thirty-four darts packed full of undead eating goodness. Let’s
go kill us a goddamn shit-sucking vampire!”
Snod nodded fiercely. “Let’s.” He closed his eyes, saying a quick and fervent prayer to whatever God
might be listening. He prayed for strength, for his aim to be true, and to hold the man he loved in his
arms once more.
Frankie... I’m coming for you.
Chapter Twenty-Three
