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  "Those are only the cases we know about," Nia said. "Other folks could be at home, in bed, thinking that they've only caught the flu or something. We have no way of knowing how many people are infected."

  "Diallo is the source of the disease," Pearl said. "He is like a power generator. The vampires that he creates cannot exist without his life force. Destroy him, and his army, both canine and human alike, will fall."

  "Sounds good, but how do we do that?" Nia said. "Chief Jackson said he tagged those dogs with a shotgun, and a few minutes later, they got up" Jackson and Jahlil nodded vigorously.

  "Gunfire can halt them, temporarily, but it cannot kill them," Pearl said. Passion infused her voice. "You must burn these creatures. Burn them to ashes. Nothing else will suffice"

  "Sounds like we need some flamethrowers," Jackson said. "Shit."

  "Fire is all that will work," Pearl said. "I wish it were easier, but it is not"

  "But from what you told us," David said, "our best chance is to just kill Diallo. If we can do that, all of the others will be taken care of, too"

  "Wait, aren't you all forgetting something?" Jahlil said. "These other vamps are people that we know. Like my boy, T-Bone. He was bitten by a mutt last night and no one's been able to find him since. You're saying that if we kill the head guy, everyone who's been bitten will die, too?"

  "If they have been through the complete mutation, yes, they will," Pearl said. "It is unfortunate, and that is why you must do your work quickly, to save others from the same fate."

  "That really sucks," Jahlil said. "It ain't fair."

  "Jahlil raises an important point," Pearl said. "The most difficult task will prove to be facing those that you know personally who have degenerated into vampires. Your mother, your best friend these people may become your enemies. You must realize that they are no longer the ones that you love. They are monsters."

  "Any way you look at it, we got to take care of 'em," Jackson said. "We let them alone, they'll be coming after us. Taking out Diallo sounds like the way to get to the heart of things."

  "It is," Pearl said. "But Diallo is cunning and powerful. More powerful than you can fathom"

  "You make it sound like we don't stand a chance against him," Nia said.

  Sadness tinted Pearl's eyes. "Nia, I cannot lie to you. Destroying Diallo will prove to be the most difficult task any of you will undertake in your lives. He is a brutal, merciless creature, with considerable power. For instance, when a human is bitten by one of his valduwe, it takes hours for the victim to mutate into a vampire. But if Diallo delivers the bite, it takes only minutes. Remember that"

  "We sure will," David said.

  "He possesses other talents that I cannot even imagine," Pearl said. "You must prepare yourselves."

  "But if we burn his ass up, he's dead," Jahlil said.

  "It will not be so simple," Pearl said. "I warn you, don't underestimate him, or his son, either. Kyle is a worthy foe in his own right, and he will fiercely protect his father."

  "You're right," David said. "We can't forget about Kyle. If it hadn't been for the raven that sent the bats to chase him away, we'd be dead"

  "The raven is a tool of Lisha," Pearl said. "She uses the bird from afar, like one of us might use a puppet. I sense that she is many miles away, perhaps overseas"

  "Why did she help us?" David said.

  "Lisha wishes to destroy Diallo," Pearl said. "She regards him as a threat, like a renegade who must be squelched. Vampires thrive in anonymity, and their numbers are few. She worries that the attention Diallo will attract by starting a war will endanger their existence."

  "Kinda makes sense," Jackson said. "Can't stay secret if one of your fellas is raising Cain."

  "Lisha will assist you, again, I believe, but I cannot say when, or what form her aid will take. Do not put your trust in her, I warn you. I feel that she has her own motives that do not necessarily concern your ultimate well-being."

  David nodded grimly. The help from the mysterious being had seemed too good to be true.

  "Is that everything, then?" Jahlil said. "It's eleven-thirty. We need to get busy."

  "It is not everything," Pearl said. She focused on David. "David Hunter, be careful. More than anyone else, you are a target for Diallo and his son, for you are the descendent of the man who conquered Diallo. Anyone who keeps company with you will also be at extreme risk." She looked at Nia.

  "We'll be careful," David said, and Nia touched his hand.

  Jackson finished off his tea and set the mug on the table. "All right, let's head out and get cracking. I'm gonna get some top folks on the horn. The mayor, Reverend Brown, and the county sheriff, for starters. We're gonna put our heads together and come up with a plan to keep people safe, something we can roll out in a town meeting. We got to inform folks, officially, and we got to do it today, holiday or not"

  "That would be wise," Pearl said.

  "You're gonna tell people that vampires are here, Dad?" Jahlil said. "No one'll believe that"

  "Naw, they sure wouldn't, not without some proof. I've been listening to what y'all said about how it's like an infection. Think we can use a medical angle, something about a virus, maybe, to get folks to be careful and watch out for one another."

  "Get Franklin's physician involved," David said. "His name's Dr. Hess Green, I think. He's seen the symptoms of what happens when someone's bitten. He could give you some medical backup"

  "Know the man, lives over on Olive Road. I'll jot his name on my list." Jackson had taken out a pocket notepad and scribbled on it.

  "We want to help, too," Nia said.

  "Shoot, I need y'all most of all," Jackson said. "Goes without saying that you're helping."

  Pearl smiled. She unfolded her legs, and stood. "I believe that I've played my part. All of you sound as though you're prepared to move forward. There's only one thing left to do" She motioned for them to stand. "Gather in a circle, please. Hold the hand of the person next to you"

  They formed a circle around the coffee table, David holding Nia's hand on one side, and Jahlil's on the other. Jahlil held his father's hand; Jackson held Pearl's; Pearl held Nia's.

  "I could never send you into the world to face this adversary without a prayer," Pearl said. "I don't care about your religious beliefs, or lack thereof. I request that you set aside your doubts and negative past experiences and allow the loving spirit of the Creator to fill your heart. Brother Hunter, will you please lead us in prayer?" She looked at him with her clear, perceptive eyes, and nodded slightly, as if to say, Yes, I called on you. It's your time. Then she closed her eyes and bowed her head.

  David swallowed. He'd rarely led prayer for a group, except at dinner for family gatherings. His mind was devoid of a single coherent thought.

  Everyone had closed their eyes and lowered their head. The only noise in the room was the sound of five people breathing softly.

  David's gaze skipped to the front window. A large monarch butterfly had attached itself to the glass. Sunlight glimmered on its delicate, colorful wings.

  He exhaled, and closed his eyes. The words came, without any conscious effort; a passage from the book of Psalms. His mother had taught him to recite the verses when he was a child and would occasionally awaken at night, frightened by bad dreams. Although he had not read the psalm in many years, he remembered it completely.

  His voice, threaded with cautious hope, resonated through the air.

  "`The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me ..."'

  As everyone left Pearl's house, David hung behind the others and turned to Pearl.

  "What are you going to do?" David said. "Are you coming in town later for the meeting?"

  "I'm going to stay here," she said. "You will do fine without me.
I have faith in you"

  "Thank you so much for your help. We couldn't do what we have to do without you"

  She smiled. "You should marry her."

  "Who?" He chuckled. Nia was in the driveway, climbing into the SUV. "Do you see it in our future?"

  Pearl laughed. "I was speaking as a woman, not as a clairvoyant. The two of you are a beautiful couple, inside and out.,,

  "We'll see what happens. I'm not ruling out anything."

  "Spoken like a true brother afraid of commitment." Pearl laughed again. She took his hands in her small fingers. "Blessings to you, David Hunter."

  He kissed her on the cheek, then walked down the porch steps. The chief's car idled at the mouth of the driveway. They would follow him to police headquarters.

  "What were you two gabbing about?" Nia said.

  "Oh, nothing, really." David shifted into drive. "I was thanking her for helping us"

  "That's all, huh?" Nia said.

  "That's all." He rolled down the driveway.

  "So why are you grinning like that?"

  He winked. "Wouldn't you love to know?"

  As they turned off the gravel path and onto the road, a cocker spaniel with a mud-spattered coat dashed across the street and burrowed into the thick bushes that flanked the road.

  David's smile slipped away.

  "Are you thinking the same thing as I am?" Nia said. Worry clouded her eyes.

  "Yeah," he said. "We're being watched."

  Back at the police station, his head ready to blow up from everything Pearl had told them, Jackson threw the town's machinery into high gear.

  Upon arriving at the office, he'd hoped, in vain, to see Dudu's cruiser in the parking lot, and his deputy inside, lanky legs propped on his desk as he flipped through one of his silly tabloids. But the deputy was not there. Jackson made a mental note to return to the Mason place later to retrieve Dudu's patrol car. He sure wasn't looking forward to that trip.

  He settled behind his desk and began to work the phone. As he made calls, David, Nia, and Jahlil sat around a table and brainstormed the design of an informational flyer that they could distribute throughout the town.

  Jackson spoke to the mayor, Cleotis Davis; Reverend Brown, pastor of New Life Baptist, the biggest church in town; the Chester County sheriff, Johnny Chaser; and then Dr. Green. He was amazed at how easily he got in touch with everyone. For once, things seemed to be going their way.

  "All right, folks," he said to the others. "Everyone'll be here in an hour. Looks like the show's on the road"

  "It better be, it's already past noon," Nia said. "I checked the paper. The sun sets around eight-fifteen. We have a lot to do in only eight hours, and time is flying."

  "Hey, everyone, check this out," Jahlil said. He watched the small TV that stood on the deputy's desk.

  Jackson, David, and Nia came behind Jahlil. It was the local weather program. A severe thunderstorm was gradually rumbling toward the area.

  It would reach them by nightfall.

  Part Three

  FRIGHT NIGHT

  When the webs of the spider join, they can trap a lion.

  -Ethiopian proverb

  The hunter knows his prey.

  -Nilotic proverb

  No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come.

  -Zairean proverb

  Chapter 16

  he emergency town meeting was scheduled to begin at four J o'clock, but people did not begin filing into New Life Baptist Church until twenty minutes after four.

  Even in the middle of something like this, folks are on Colored People Time, David thought, and could not repress a rueful smile. He and Nia sat together in a pew near the back of the sanctuary. He remembered when he had visited the church only a week ago. What a difference a few days could make. He had entered a strange new world.

  The past few hours had been busy. They'd had a meeting at the police station with the town's leaders, and they had convinced them that they faced a citywide health crisis that demanded immediate action; they accomplished this without stating the word, "vampire" David shared Chief Jackson's sentiment that without proof, no one would believe their farfetched story of supernatural beasts roaming Mason's Corner. They offered the leaders the more palatable theory of a fastspreading, rabieslike virus that afflicted canines and humans. Dr. Green, Franklin's physician, supported the idea, which helped his comrades fall into line. Together, they outlined a simple but effective plan that they would roll out to the residents in the town meeting.

  To notify everyone of the afternoon's discussion, David, Nia, Jahlil, and his friend, Poke, had traveled throughout town distributing hundreds of flyers that Nia had designed and printed at Kinko's. Due to the Labor Day holiday, most people were home, fortunately, and received the information. The flyers announced the meeting time, location, and topic, which was, "Health Emergency in Mason's Corner: What You Must Do Now." The flyer stressed the critical importance of attending the meeting, but for those who were unable to attend, Jackson had arranged a hot line-a voice message on his cell phone-in which he outlined the basics of the threat and what residents must do to ensure their safety. Again, they avoided mention of the word, "vampire."

  David hoped that they were not doing the townspeople a disservice by concealing the true nature of the crisis. He was eager to hear what people would say at the meeting when the floor opened for discussion. Undoubtedly, others had witnessed things that defied explanation. Diallo and his clan had been busy lately.

  Their last task had been stockpiling tools and weapons. They had a war ahead of them and could not wade into battle unarmed. They had delved into their collective resources and prepared the best they could. David only hoped it would be enough.

  He checked his watch: 4:25. It was about four hours until nightfall, and they still had a great deal to accomplish.

  A steady stream of people flowed into the church. David recognized many faces. Several folks greeted him as they filed past.

  Reverend Brown had volunteered his church as the meeting location. The sanctuary could seat about three hundred, and could accommodate more if the pews grew full and people had to stand.

  David and the others had placed a second flyer on the seats. This particular flyer outlined the fundamentals of what was going on, and the action plan. Snatches of conversation floated his way. People were reading the document and speculating.

  An hour ago, he had called the hospital to check on Franklin. Ruby said he was asleep and had not awakened since they had visited him that morning. David cautioned her to be careful, but he knew she would never leave her husband-even if he attacked her in an inhuman frenzy.

  He shivered.

  "Why hasn't Mama come yet?" Nia looked around. "I asked her to be here at four. She's never late."

  "I'm sure she's on her way," David said.

  "I hope so. I'm going to call her if she isn't here in five minutes."

  At the front of the church, Chief Jackson, the mayor, the county sheriff, Dr. Green, and Reverend Brown sat in a row of tall chairs in the chancel. Jackson read his watch, glanced at the other leaders, and they nodded.

  Jackson approached the pulpit. He cleared his throat, raised the microphone closer to his lips.

  "All right, folks. Thanks for coming to this meeting on short notice and on your holiday. I 'spect more folks will be coming in, but we got to get started. We're facing something I ain't never seen in this town, and I've been here in Dark Corner all my life, like a lot of you.

  "Let me run down the basics for you ..

  Junior Hodges sat in a middle pew, fidgeting. He wore his overalls and boots, and he felt out of place coming to church dressed as he was, though no one else was dressed in their Sunday best, either. Mama had taught him that whenever you entered the house of the Lord, you had to wear the best clothes you could afford. Junior owned a navy blue suit that he'd worn for years, but the woman, Nia, who pressed the flyer in his hand while he was cutting grass told him that this wasn't a wo
rship service, it was a town meeting, and he could come dressed as he was. He took her suggestion, but he felt uncomfortable, anyway. Especially with Reverend Brown sitting up there.

  Junior read the flyer he'd picked up from the seat. It talked about a "health emergency," a virus, and how dogs and people seemed to be the ones that caught it. You could get infected if a sick dog bit you, or if a person who had the illness bit you, too. The ones who were sick were in so much pain that they might hurt you, the paper said. If you knew someone who seemed to be acting sick lately, who was sleeping all the time and not leaving the house, you were supposed to write their name on a list that would be passed around. Those people would then get "proper medical care," whatever that meant.

  Junior knew at least five people who were sick. Vicky Queen was one of them. Earlier, he'd visited her house to offer to trim her hedges, something he did every now and then, and her mama answered the door. Her mama said Vicky was sick and in the bed. Junior cut the hedges anyway, for free. It made him feel better.

  What worried Junior most of all was that he had the feeling that this health emergency had something to do with the work he and Andre had done at the Mason place. Nothing had been right in the town since they'd dug open that cave. Maybe they'd let out the virus. The scary man in black seemed like the sort of fella who was up to no good.

  The pews were filling up. He didn't see Andre, or his father. The last time Junior had seen Pa, his father was sleeping off a hangover at home, and Andre ... well, he didn't know where he was. Probably somewhere getting high.

  Junior returned his attention to Chief Jackson. The chief was running down the stuff on the flyer.

  ". . . trying to keep this in layman's terms, see," the chief said. "We've got Doc Green here if you want him to lay it out for you with big medical words. Like I said, we think it's a virus, like rabies. Get it when you get bit. Dogs are running around doing the biting, but people might bite you too, if they've been bit and got infected. They're sick and ain't themselves . .