“No!” My eyes jolted opened with a start.
Sledgehammers pounded into my temples as I pulled my face up off the cold floor, trying to get my bearings. I blinked, realizing I’d been dreaming and shifted to sit upright. My gaze trailed the bars that stood from floor to ceiling in front of me. I stretched and my foot bumped into something soft. Someone moaned in the corner and pulled whatever I kicked away from me. A leg?
A swath of yellow light from a torch illuminated a grey head of hair. Dad.
“Oh, dear God.” I crawled to him and put my hands on his shoulders. Warmth greeted my fingertips. “Dad?”
Two hazel eyes opened under the grime and dirt covering his face. “Julia,” he breathed with a scratchy voice. “How’d you get in here?”
“I’ve come to save you.” I gave a weak smile.
“You did?” Hope entered his frightened eyes.
A tear splashed down onto his cheek, leaving a trail of white as it ran down his stubbly skin. I brushed the rest off my face with my sleeve and helped him up by the elbow into a sitting position. He winced and pulled his wrist from me. Multiple bloody crescents lined his skin.
I gasped in horror. “What are they doing to you?”
“Breaking me,” he said in despair and quickly covered them up.
“Oh, Dad.” I hugged his neck gingerly. His arms wove around me along with his anguish.
“They keep feeding off of me,” he said. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“I have help. We’re getting out.”
I hope.
He clung to me, disbelieving, and his body trembled. Helplessness reverberated out of his fragile aura. “I’m so sorry, Julia.”
“No, Dad. Please don’t talk.”
“I’ve put us all in tremendous danger and asked you to do something I knew you couldn’t. Now we’re both trapped and they’ll win. They always win.”
Misery made a fast and furious whirlwind around us, sucking the hope out of me. “Don’t talk like that. We are getting out.”
I tried to channel all that was left of my optimism and push it his way, but his condition emptied my well. Would Phil be able to rescue us? What happened after they knocked me out? How long had I been unconscious?
“All I’ve ever wanted was to avenge your mother’s death and prevent this from happening to anyone else and it backfired. They knew we were coming … somehow they knew.”
Guilt tugged at my gut to confess and get the truth out in the open. Would he understand this wasn’t my intention when I asked Nicholas to save the doctor? That the mission was ruined and more people were hurt or killed because I wanted to save Sam?
“Dad, I have something to tell you.”
“It’s not Luke, is it?”
“No. He’s safe.”
I hope.
Fear gripped me. How long had I been out? Was it morning already? Did he know to get Sam inside in time? I pushed my worry away and refocused on Dad. “It’s my fault. I had Nicholas warn the doctor.”
Horror crossed his weathered eyes. “Why, Julia?”
“Because,” I said with a sniffle, the dam behind all my emotions bursting at the seams. “Sam would have died if I let you kill him.”
Compassion slowly wafted from Dad as his shoulders slumped.
“I see.”
“It’s like I told you. I have—that necklace. Sam tried to attack me like you said, but the necklace stopped her.”
Dad’s eyes opened wide then returned to normal, his heart flooded somewhat with relief. “And then what?”
“I took her to see Phil.” I cringed, waiting for him to explode in an angry lecture, sleeper wave eyebrows and all.
He remained quiet for a long, torturous minute. Then curiosity leaked out. “How is that possible? He died. They found his teeth. There was a funeral. Was there a cover-up?”
“No. He did die, but he was resurrected.”
Dad leaned his head against the wall and stared off into space. “This changes everything.”
I touched his hand, pushing a little encouragement his way, reminding him this was good news. “But, because he’d experienced,” I struggled to say the word and pointed downward instead, “he’s reformed. Righteous even. And he’ll be here shortly to get us out.”
Dad blinked hard then laughed. “That’ll be the day.”
“I promise you,” I whispered.
“You promise what?” Alora suddenly appeared at the bars, the doctor standing right next to her.
I stared back and clenched my jaw. Unlike Scarlett, Alora needed physical touch in order to read minds. A smile formed on my lips.
Wouldn’t you like to know.
She gave a curt smile.
“I saved her for you, Myhail. She has certain gifts that might be useful, if channeled correctly.”
“Hmmm.” He squinted, scrutinizing me. “Let’s see if she passes the test. Or,” he tapped his lip with his finger, “an offering is a good idea. She is so
appetizing
.”
Alora hummed in agreement, her face filled with giddiness. The talisman, though, continued to radiate out from within her cleavage like a strobe light. Could no one see it but me?
“My father is dying,” I begged. “I’ll do anything you want. Just please let him go.”
Dad grunted next to me. “Take me and let her go.”
“No, Dad.” I took his hand.
Alora laughed and gave me a wink before they both vanished, leaving Dad and me alone.
“I don’t want you to become a vamp,” Dad said, touching my arm. “Swear to me you’ll do everything in your power not to become a vamp.”
“Okay.” I looked away, ashamed at the lie I’d told.
Though most of my decisions stunk, this one I knew would rescue those I loved and be worth the sacrifice. I no longer believed Alora intended for me to die. And as a vampire, I’d become a powerful asset to her coven. But I could also eradicate the bad vamps in a snap. We could induce comas on those we couldn’t kill, including Alora—once we trapped her somehow. Then, Phil, Sam, Nicholas, and I could live in peace and fight crime instead. We’d eliminate the need for the ET unit altogether. Dad could get a nice, safe desk job.
He lulled into my shoulder, overcome with exhaustion.
“Good,” he mumbled, reassured.
“You didn’t tell me it was Julia,” a female voice said, high pitched and whiney.
A thunderbolt of bloodlust blasted into my psyche. I yanked my eyes open. Beyond the bars stood Phil with Rochelle at his side. In one hand, she held a syringe and the other, the keys.
I moved over and shimmied up against the wall, tapping Dad so he’d wake up. I wasn’t sure if the cavalry had arrived, or my worst nightmare—Todd’s ex-girlfriend here for revenge.
Phil gave me a knowing smile. “We’re here to collect your sample.”
“Sample?” I asked.
“Yeah, so don’t be difficult,” Rochelle snipped as she unlocked the padlock.
I darted my gaze to Phil and tried to read him as I chewed the inside corner of my lip. Other than complete and utter boredom, he didn’t exactly exude heroic chivalry. What was his plan? Just in case, I held the stake I’d found in my jacket earlier tight against my palm. If she got close to me, she’d be dust—literally.
She watched me with her greedy black eyes like a tweaking drug addict.
“Just one taste. Please?” she moaned.
“No,” Phil said, with a condescending glare. “They said just the sample. That’s it.”
She whimpered but latched her hand onto my arm in a flash anyway. I struggled as she plunged the needle into my vein. Silence followed as the ruby-red, hunger
-
enticing liquid poured into the tiny vial.
My blood. This life-giving liquid fueled the entire fight between man and vamp—such a small thing, yet so dangerous.
After what felt like forever, she extracted the needle. Her eyes glazed over as she rolled the vial between her fingers. I used my shirt sleeve to stop the blood flow and pressed down.
“A band aid would have been nice,” I said.
“Shut it,” she quipped.
“Thank you.” Phil took the precious commodity from her hand.
Rochelle mashed her lips together as she continued to fix her stare at the blood that remained on her fingertips. Unable to control herself, she licked it off quickly.
She moaned again. “Holy …”
Her bliss knocked me off guard and before I could react, her snarling teeth snapped inches from my nose. Miraculously, Phil held her back. “Whoa there, partner.”
She hissed and scratched at him to release her before her body went slack. Her face grew taut as she clutched her throat. The tiniest hint of pain shot out from her. I took the opportunity of distraction to plunge the stake into her chest.
Childlike fear crossed her eyes as she looked at me. “Why?”
I cringed and remembered Katie. A tear fell just before she sizzled into dust. I wanted to say sorry as the ash showered over my hand, the stake hovering in my hand in the air.
Phil cussed. “Why did you do that?”
I yanked my head up in surprise. “What do you mean? She was going to kill me.”
“No she wasn’t. I’m here. Geez, Julia. I haven’t been able to get the antidote yet.”
I dropped my hands to my side and let go of the stake, stung. Yet again, I’d messed up the plan. “I… I didn’t know.”
“I can’t leave without it. For Sam.”
“I’m sorry.” I curled my arms around my knees and wished everything would go away, to return to a happier vampire-free life. “Then go get it now,” I said.
“I can’t. They’ll know. And if we leave now, I’ll never get the antidote.”
I rocked back and forth, plagued with what to plead him to do, to save Sam or us.
“What’s going on here?” Alora asked, her voice arriving before her body. “Oh, my… .”
Phil straightened up and handed her the vial. “I’m sorry. I must have missed it when I searched her.”
Alora snatched Harry’s venom laced stake from the ashes and inspected it.
“So clever.” Her lips pulled into a line as her eyes raked over me. “Here,” she said, handing Phil another syringe of golden liquid. “This is for Samantha. I’ll take care of this mess. Transforming her here won’t be a picnic, but she’ll have sustenance at least.” She motioned toward my father. “I hate sickly donors.”
Phil grimaced slightly and studied the antidote in his hand. Victory with a price. My humanity. He formed a ball with his fingers and tucked her gift into his pocket. Sadness crossed over his face.
“Go,” Alora said with more urgency. “They already know.”
Phil shifted his weight and I wished for a joke—something to lighten the mood. He couldn’t just leave us here alone with Alora, not when she’d promised to sire me. The corners of his lips turned up and hope poured out. Then his happiness dawned on me. He’d always wanted me to become a vampire and the day finally came.
But before I could beg for my humanity, Phil disappeared, leaving sadness in his wake.
“No,” Dad growled and held out his arm to shield me. “I won’t allow this.”
“As if, old man. But there’s no need to worry—well, not now that is. Julia and I have history and there’s no way I’d ever sire her with
my
venom.” She leaned forward and the talisman popped out of her shirt, sparking electric light. She touched my shoulder.
“And honestly, you’re most useful to me dead.”
Dead.
The word ricocheted in my head. She did hate me. She’d managed to take the only thing protecting me. And now, within her grasp, my minutes were numbered.
Phil left with high hopes I’d cross over and become like him. But instead, Alora tricked him and he’d discover he indirectly chose Sam over me. And in some respect, I deserved this outcome. I’d denied the responsibility of being a Seer, pushed Scarlett away, and rejected the sound advice Grandma had given. Where else could that logic have gotten me except inside a vampire lair and eventually a casket like the other Seers before me. Stubborn must be one of the prerequisites to be part of the club.
She inclined her head
. “Scarlett believed you’re the Seer?”
She laughed caustically in my head.
“Unlikely, and to answer you question, yes, Julia. I really do hate you and you will end up in a casket after Cain is finished with you. And once you’re gone for good, I can erase you from my son’s mind forever.”
“Where is Nicholas?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
She let go and left the cage, clicking the lock shut. I slunk into Dad’s side as he put his arm over my shoulder. “Just let my father go.”
She cackled and disappeared before I could beg.
As Dad slipped in and out of consciousness, I tried to summon some hope his way through my hands from my empty well. Feverish heat radiated unnaturally from his body, riddling me with unease. Someone had to come and get us out of here soon, or he might not make it. He grabbed my hand and shot open his gray eyes.
“AnneMarie, don’t let them take you!” he mumbled.
“Okay, I won’t,” I whispered back, pushing aside his damp hair.
He inhaled deeply before rolling back his eyes and sinking down. I moved his head onto my lap and stared at him helplessly. He continued to thrash about in his nightmare involving Mom.
“Please,” I called out to anyone who might have pity. “We need help!”
My voiced echoed down the breezy cavern, welcomed with silence. Water would be a good start, but he needed a warm bed, food and possibly a blood transfusion. The bloodlust ebbed and flowed, but never came at me very strong. Everyone was far away from our location.
I mopped Dad’s brow with my shirt sleeve and sobbed, unable to contain my grief anymore. Where was Nicholas? Was he still alive? I couldn’t even be sure how long we’d been down here, other than thirst tore at my throat.
“Julia, are you okay?”
I swallowed hard and wiped my tears to look into Phil’s sparkling eyes.
“Phil?” I had to be hallucinating. “I thought you left.”
“How could I leave you alone with
her
after everything? Don’t you know me better than that?”
I blinked back, disbelieving. “You took a big risk. She said she was going to sire me.”
Phil clucked softly. “Yeah, right. I saw that lie a mile away. I overheard her tell Myhail you’d make a better offering than a vampire because you were a virgin.” He jingled the keys and popped open the lock. “I had to wait until I knew for sure she’d left.”