Exton

Alex - his name had been Alexei a long, long time ago - smiled as he crept into the garage. Rath had spent much of the nighttime hours here, eavesdropping until Gregory retired, and with the coming of the day he had been replaced by Carl; and after noon he, Alex, had been assigned to watch and listen for a chance - and finally it had come.

Two hours ago, Gregory had called the gargoyle's home to say that the car was ready and would be returned after closing hours - now just a short half-hour away. He waited until the mechanic walked away - it seemed that even gremlins were subject to the calls of nature - and slipped inside. Rath had provided a description of the target vehicle as well as the license plate number; it took mere seconds to locate and slide beneath it. He extended his claws - which he could safely do now that the sun had set - and fastened himself firmly to the undercarriage. His claws could punch through sheet metal; fiberglass was no challenge at all. He hung there - unmoving, unbreathing - until he heard the tow truck start up.

He didn't exactly understand the animosity the vampire nurtured for the human Laila; it seemed to him that Rath, vampire or no, was a pompous windbag. Ah well, he thought, mine not to reason why....

They jounced along for some twenty or thirty minutes and then there was a pause. He heard the woman's voice and then the trip resumed - rougher going now, as if this road was not much used. This was succeeded by a stretch that was little more than a goat track and the occasional stone or pothole bounced his head against the unyielding metal more than once. He swore feelingly under his breath; but his time would come. The vampire cared only for revenge on the woman Laila; but there was another woman there, too, and three small children.

The ghoul grinned toothily. All you can eat....