The Vampire's Apprentice

"Keep Sam close," Clancy told her. "I do not think there will be anything more, but if there will be, Sam will alert you. He will keep you safe. And so will I." He looked at her seriously. "I will not let anything hurt you."
Not even herself.
 
She looked back, examining his sincerity. Kitty nodded again. "Thank you... but first you've got to focus on healing yourself. Won't be much good as you are now." A faint smile crept onto her lips.
 
"Ah, you are quite right about that," Clancy agreed, sitting back. "I think I would make a fine chew toy for Sam, and that is as far as I could stretch."
 
She snickered. "Maybe not even that much. You remember how quickly the first rope was destroyed, don't you?"
 
Clancy gave Kitty a mock-pitiful look. "Why must you wound my pride so?" he asked mournfully. "I had hoped to sell myself of at least being better than a mere rope."
 
She laughed, grinning. "No need to worry; Sam and I appreciate you too much to let you go to waste like the rope did."
 
"That is a relief," Clancy said mildly. He closed his eyes for a moment. "Why don't you read to me for a while, hmm? I am tired, and you seem as though you could use a distraction."
 
She cocked her head. This was an interesting request; one she hadn't heard before.
"Alright." Kitty agreed. "What should I read?"
 
"Hmmm...." Kitty pondered for a moment. Lighthearted books? Of all the books she had read, lighthearted wasn't usually a theme among them. Finally, she stood and went upstairs. It was around someplace.... Hadn't she tucked it—oh, there it was.

Brushing off the cover, the girl brought the book downstairs and took her seat on the couch once more, pulling her legs up so they were crisscrossed in front of her. There was a moment of hesitation before she opened its pages.

"I don't know about lighthearted, but this was as close as I could come." Kitty said, holding up the novel for him to see.

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Clancy gave the book a curious look then shrugged. "It is not something I would have picked up off the shelf, but I suppose it will be interesting. Please, proceed." He made himself comfortable and closed his eyes.
 
Kitty chuckled, opening the cover to the first chapter. She began to read. "Chapter 1: Mrs. Rachel Lynde is Surprised...."
 
This was going to be a gripping tale of action and adventure! He didn't know if he could handle it. But Clancy kept his dry thoughts to himself as he listened. After a bit, he stopped paying attention to the words and just listed to Kitty's voice.
 
Reading out loud was not something Kitty did often, much less to someone. Still, she didn't let that deter her.

On and on the story went, from one strange event to the next, until she reached a chapter break somewhere between half way and one-third, at which point Kitty stopped. It was late enough at night that she lacked adequate focus to read the clock on the wall without squinting, so she ignored the softly ticking thing entirely. She took a few seconds to yawn, closing the cover on her thumb and setting the book aside.
 
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"I am sure," Clancy affirmed. "I will rest for a bit then see what business I have lost at work for a few hours before returning to slumber until tomorrow. Will you be alright during the light hours tomorrow?"
 
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