Critical Failures II (Caverns and Creatures Book 2) by Bevan Robert

Author:Bevan, Robert [Bevan, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DeadPixel Publications
Published: 2013-10-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Tim found Frank at his usual table, sipping a beer and laughing about something the dwarf sitting across from him had said. He stepped up behind him and cleared his throat loudly.

Frank turned around. “Tim!” he said. “Welcome back!” His cheeks were a bit rosier than usual

“Has Stuart cooled down yet?”

Frank puffed out his cheeks and let out a long, exasperated sigh. “I expect he’s cooled down as much as he’s going to. You’d best keep Cooper away from him for a while though.”

“That’s fine,” said Tim. “We need to talk.”

“What’s on your mind, sport?”

“Not here.”

Frank turned to his comrades at the table. “Fellas, I’ll be right back.”

Tim took Frank by the arm and Frank allowed himself to be taken. They rushed through a forest of crotches and asses to a dark and unoccupied corner of the bar.

“We’re going to need a stake,” said Tim below the murmur.

“Is that all?” asked Frank. “Why all this cloak-and-dagger bullshit? I’ll have the cook fix something up. How’d things go with your sister?”

“Not that kind of steak,” said Tim. “We’ll be hunting a vampire. I need a wooden stake.”

The color vanished from Frank’s cheeks. “That’s pretty fucking ambitious for a group of second level scrubs, don’t you think?”

“He’s got my sister in there with him, under some kind of charm or glamour or whatever.”

“I feel for your plight, man. I really do, but I just can’t risk any of my guys for –”

“I’m not asking you to risk anyone’s life,” said Tim. “I’m just trying to get my hands on a stake.”

“It’s just a wooden pointy stick,” said Frank. “You could sharpen a chair leg. What do you need me for?”

“I’m going to need something a little more advanced than a sharpened chair leg.”

“Look, kid. I don’t think we have any spellcasters here who can permanently magically enhance a weapon. And if we did, we sure as shit wouldn’t be using it on wooden stakes.”

“I don’t need it magically enhanced. We’d never get it past the guards with a magical aura. But as I’d like to have every edge I can get, I would like a stake of masterwork quality. We’ll probably only get one shot at this bastard’s heart.”

“More like no shots,” said Frank. “This is a suicide mission. Vampires don’t fuck around. Your shitty little Move Silently bonus isn’t going to help you sneak up on a vampire. He’s going to rip you apart before you even know he’s there.”

“No he won’t,” said Tim. “He likes us.”

“He likes you?”

“Where do you think we’ve been all night. He cooked dinner for us in his fort.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah,” said Tim. “The guy is lonely. He just wants some company.”

“And you’re going to exploit his emotional insecurity to murder him.”

“Absolutely.”

Frank shook his head. “I can get you a stake. Fritz has a few ranks in woodworking. I’m sure he can sort something out. But let me make this plain. You guys are on your own. I’m not sending anyone else to die for your sister.”

“I understand,” said Tim.

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