"I've never seen him smile. He's totally focused and has just one thing on his mind."

"And what `s that?"

"He wants to see Nevindoss dead. I think he'd prefer to do it himself," Big Bill said matter-of-factly.

"Something personal?" Heaberlin asked.

"Nevindoss killed his family back in China. Made them vampires first, then he killed them. Cut off his sister's head and threw it at Xing while he got away."

"No shit."

"None. Victor was over there when it happened. Vic and Xing go back a long way. They're like blood brothers or something. Anyway, when Xing learned Victor was heading up this outfit, he showed up. Looking for the opportunity to avenge his family."

Heaberlin shook his head. "Does everybody around here have a sad story? What about you? What's your tale?"

Nothing so tragic as that. Couple of years ago I was diagnosed with heart disease. Carrying all of this weight around I bet you would have never guessed. I was in a bad car accident. Steering wheel broke off and the steering column impaled my chest. Missed my heart, but my weak ticker couldn't stand it. Damn thing totally gave out."

"Then what happened?"

"Like you, I was a guinea pig for a prototype that Eric's people up north designed. An artificial ticker. They put it in. Left a big nasty scar

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