The Vampire Stalker Read Online Free Page A

was well lit, and for the first time, I could see him clearly.
    And it hit me — again — how much he resembled Alexander Banks, right down to the stony expression he wore on the cover of
The Mists.
    “Look,” I said. “I don’t know why you were following that guy, but you shouldn’t put yourself in danger. He could really hurt you.” I was finally able to unlock the door, and I quickly stepped into the lobby.
    “I have every intention of killing him before he can do so,” he said, following me inside.
    His sharp tone unsettled me. Was this guy a vigilante or something? I’d leave that to the police to find out.
    I took out my cell phone and turned it on.
    “What is
that?”
    “A cell phone,” I said slowly, wondering what this guy’s deal was. A chill crept down my spine. Maybe I shouldn’t have allowed him inside my building.
    “Do you mean a telephone? That is very odd, Miss … Forgive me, I did not catch your name.”
    “Amy Hawthorne,” I replied automatically.
    “I am Alexander Banks.” He bowed. “At your service.”

CHAPTER
THREE
     
    I STARED AT HIM for a few seconds, stunned by his pitch-perfect performance. Then I started to laugh. I couldn’t help it.
    This guy had
deliberately
done himself up to resemble Alexander Banks. The windswept hair was one thing — lots of guys were adopting that style these days to get girls’ attention. But the whole outfit, including the coat and high leather boots … it was an Alexander Banks costume.
    Leave it to me to be rescued by some Otherworld-obsessed weirdo.
    “What is so humorous?” he demanded, arching a dark eyebrow.
    “You look a lot like him; I’ll give you that.”
    “A lot like whom?”
    “You know, Alexander Banks from the Otherworld books.”
    He looked puzzled. “I do not know what books you speak of. In any case, I must be off to the Byward District to see if I can pick up his trail. Do you know, perchance, how I can get there from here?”
    The Byward District. It was the notorious area of Otherworld Chicago where the vampires congregated at night before prowling the city in search of prey.
    I didn’t know why he felt he had to continue the joke. I felt an uneasy twist in my stomach. Something was definitely off about this guy. “I’m sorry, but I’m not into the role-playing thing. I’m a fan of the books, too, but I need to deal with the police right now.” I turned to walk to the elevator.
    “You will offer me no help?” he asked.
    I looked back at him again. Seeing the intensity in his eyes, I felt a frisson of fear. “My mother’s waiting for me upstairs and could be down any second. And there’s a security camera over there.” I pointed to it, perched above the mirror to our right. I caught a glimpse of myself and the Alexander look-alike looming in front of me.
    He seemed confused. “Only minutes ago, I saved your life, and now you act as if I am threatening it?”
    “That man wasn’t necessarily going to …”
    “Vigo Skaar never leaves his victims alive.”
    Something stilled inside me.
    No, this is ridiculous. He’s just trying to freak you out.
    And it was working.
    “Vigo’s just a character in a book, okay?” I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor, but jumped back when a booted foot lodged itself in the door. It automatically reopened.
    “Not so fast.” His dark eyes were penetrating. “Not until you explain why you doubt who I am.”
    I stepped out of the elevator right away. This guy was getting scarier by the minute, and I’d always had a fear of being cornered in an elevator. At least in the lobby, someone might come in. And the threat of the security camera might make him think twice if he had any intention of hurting me.
    “Why don’t we sit down,” he said. It was clearly not a question.
    When he took my arm, I didn’t resist. I let him walk me over to the sagging chintz couch. He sat down next to me.
    “I would like to know why you do not believe