Vampires Among Us [Vampires Among Us 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

Kevin stated in a quiet voice. He wasn’t used to not being able to take care of a situation on his own, but seeing a knife at Erica’s throat had almost been his undoing. As he thought about that knife at her throat, and then the vile things Shawn had spat at her, he felt relief wash over him. Shawn was caught, and Kevin would make sure he would be present when Shawn stood before the judicial board.
    Looking back over to Marshall, Kevin inquired, “So I take it the FBI came and claimed their present in Brazil?”
    “Yes, although it was actually the CIA who wanted him the most. Everything is wrapped up, and I even have most of the paperwork done on the case. I didn’t have anything else to do on the plane ride back, so I started it,” Marshall replied.
    Mr. Atkins stood up and glanced over to Marshall. “I may be mistaken, but I think our ride has just arrived.”
    Not hearing anything, Erica glanced over to him with a curious look on her face.
    “Jim is giving us a ride back on his speed boat. The others have already left in my boat with Shawn. I told them we would catch a ride back from Jim and to go ahead,” Mr. Atkins answered her unspoken question.
     
    * * * *
     
    Shawn’s hearing was held the following Thursday afternoon, and as Kevin anticipated, the list of charges in which he was found guilty was staggering. The vampire judicial system was set up so that, even if a vampire was found guilty of a crime, if the judging panel felt there was any way of rehabilitating this individual, they would. Of course, after the list of charges was read out loud, the thought of rehabilitation would have been the last thing to enter anyone’s mind.
    It didn’t help that Shawn was as belligerent as ever. He’d had no alcohol since the VCTF took him into custody, and was going through withdrawals. Still, it took some nerve to stand before the judging panel, knowing they held his life in their hands, sneering at them while insisting that he was “going to kill that little twit of a wife of his.” Kevin stood in the back of the room and shook his head. He would have thought that Shawn would have at least been respectful to the judges. Evidently he thought he was above them also, and didn’t need to follow any rules. It certainly didn’t help his case when he outrageously and adamantly told the judges that vampires were superior to any humans, and they had no right to protect a human. Kevin was very glad that they did not need Erica present for testimony. No, Shawn was digging his own grave, and doing a great job of it to boot. Besides, this was the very same panel who had read Erica’s mind when she filed for divorce, so they already knew what crimes this monster had committed against her.
    The judging panel took less than ten minutes to reach a verdict. As Kevin had predicted, Shawn was found guilty, and was sentenced to death very quickly. Justice had been served. The scheduled execution was set for the following morning, and Kevin knew he would be there to make sure it was carried out. Only then could he return home and assure Erica that Shawn would never bother her again.

Chapter Seventeen
     
    “So, what’s on your mind, son?” Charles glanced up from the computer components he was soldering together and immediately noticed a frown notched on his son’s forehead.
    “I heard Shawn’s execution went well, so surely you can’t be frowning over that!” Charles continued as he sat his tools down and gave his adopted son his attention. Something was definitely bothering Kevin. He had arrived in the office a moment ago with a definite puzzled look on his face.
    “Of course I am not upset over Shawn’s demise. With what he did to Erica notwithstanding, the man was a walking time bomb, ready to go off and out us all. I really wanted to speak to you about an entirely different matter.” Kevin paused for a second and Charles cocked an eyebrow up in interest. It wasn’t every day that Kevin seemed at a loss for words.
    Kevin sat down and seemed to take a deep breath before starting. “I’m well aware that vampires by nature are not very emotional, so I am confused as to the rather strong emotions that have been running through me. This situation has been going on for a while now, and the emotions seem to be getting stronger as time goes on. I wanted to get your take on it. Could it have something to do with the animal blood running through me?” Charles kept an emotionless face, in spite of the bark