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Across town . . .

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Officer Matt Devlin sat very much alone in the recesses of the Starbucks just inside the boundaries of West End. He had a mountain of research materials on his desk, involving every aspect of vampiric existence. In order to be chosen from the Registry, you had to be able to explain vampire physiology, laws involving Turning and registration, laws involving feeding, and the history of the vampire race. Knowing the lineage of the great families didn't hurt either.

"Officer Devlin?" came a smooth voice from behind him, making him jump. It was a vampire to be sure, dressed like he was...