appearance, but capable of growing long, metal spikes anywhere on his body. Generally a peaceful
species, Sudis use the spikes for defense like a porcupine. In the time I had spent with him, I had found Yaz to be brilliant, yet deeply spiritual. It was an uncommon amalgamation of higher thought and beliefs. "Ms. Webb,” Yaz greeted me as he moved to the cupboards directly behind the examination table. Opening the doors, he then started to remove the instruments of his trade. “I hear I have a Vampire for a patient tonight.” He turned slightly and grinned. “It wouldn't happen to be you, would it?" "No,” I replied perhaps a little too quickly, not realizing he was teasing me. I probably had that sick puppy dog look on my face. “Toby should have your patient here in a moment." Yaz laughed softly. Grabbing a box of rubber gloves, he set them on the mint counter and pulled two free. “How've you been?” he asked as he snapped the gloves on. "I've had worse days,” I stated, “but I can't recall when.” I smiled politely hoping he wouldn't press the issue. “You?"
"Got to visit my daughter in Tulsa last week,” he said with a broad smile. “She's grown into such an amazing person and so far, not a hint of Sudis." I knew his ex-wife was human, but I didn't know he was hoping his daughter would be too. “How old is your daughter now?"
"Five,” Yaz, the proud papa, answered. “Growing like a weed." "When did you first display your,” I paused trying to find the right word, “Sudis-ness?" "When I was eleven months old.” Yaz smiled. His eyes were soft, warm, and grandfatherly yet there was an ever-present glimmer of intelligence. “My parents found me spiked into my crib. Took a hacksaw to get me out.” He laughed.
I nodded and started to pace around the exam table. Despite Yaz's presence, this room was still giving me the heebie-jeebies. “How do you work in here?" Yaz turned and looked at me with a bone saw in his hand. “What do you mean?" "This is all so,” I said with a shiver, “grisly." The doctor cocked an eyebrow. “AVampire who's having trouble being in an autopsy lab? That seems a little odd, don't you think?” Setting the bone saw on the counter, he leaned back and studied me. “Your whole existence is based around death. You must embrace death to continue your existence. You cheat death in that you are, for all intents and purposes, immortal,” he essayed. “Youare death. Slip a dark cloak on, and slap a scythe in your hand, you couldbe the Grim Reaper." "Yeah, yeah,” I said, then let out with an uncomfortable laugh. He was right. I was obviously a psychologically damaged Vampire. Oddly enough, that didn't bother me so much. “Kind of like a pilot being afraid to fly."
Yaz considered my analogy for a moment and finally nodded. “That would qualify I suppose.” He realized the question was making me uncomfortable and turned back to his tools. “Ever seen a Krylbrea Demon?"
The Brimstone Betrayal
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