“Jacob, we don’t have time to argue this.” Kristair rose and pulled me up with him, and the next thing I knew, he was propelling me toward the door. “We can’t have her anywhere near Pittsburgh tonight, you know that. Someone has to stay and talk with Ussier, and it’s far better if it’s me. You cannot argue the logic of that.”
“Yes, I can.” I pulled myself free and grabbed Kristair by the shoulders, giving him a hard shake. “If you think I’m going to let you sacrifice yourself because you think you’ve failed us in some way, you’re out of your damned mind. I’ll knock you out and take your crazy ass with us.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m not sacrificing myself. Ussier won’t kill me and he deserves the courtesy of an explanation in person. As soon as I’ve talked with him, I’ll join you. But he cannot even suspect Kayla’s involvement. As long as we don’t know what is going on with her she is a danger to everyone. Do not expect any kind of compassion from him. Make no mistake, he runs the city as well as he does by being ruthless. I’m not taking any chances until I’ve had a chance to talk to him and feel out which way he will go. But even if he doesn’t call out a hunt on Kayla, you can be sure there will be other vampires trying.”
“What about Alette? What will keep her from ripping out your throat if you don’t have a victim to give her?” I snapped right back.
“Any number of things. Alette is first and foremost a creature who believes in self-preservation first, then vengeance. She’s not entirely sure what I’m still capable of and that will keep her at bay long enough for me to talk to Ussier. There are a few people in this city who are capable of controlling her, and they’re all highly intelligent and not about to let anger and bloodlust rule their minds. It’s what makes them more dangerous in the long run.”
“I’m not even gonna argue with you about this, Kristair. It’s crazy. I’m not going.” He couldn’t make me. It wasn’t just the fact that he’d be in danger that made me balk. I knew how much he was hurting inside. I couldn’t leave him alone with his guilt and pain.
“Jacob, mo chroí, please, do this for me. I’m trusting her with you. I’m trusting you to keep her and yourself safe when I want nothing more than to see to it myself.” Oh, that was just not fucking fair. I glared at Kristair as he cupped my face in his hands. “You’re the only one who can do this.”
There was Steve, I wanted to argue, but I knew Kristair would never agree to that either, and we still didn’t know if he was involved or not. Damn him, he had me. I glanced over at Kayla, so fucking pale, the bruises livid against her skin. She couldn’t stay. By nightfall, all the vampires would be whipped into a frenzy, some eager to kill anything that had any kind of a connection to the slayings.
I glared at him, clenching my teeth hard enough that my jaw ached. “You give me your solemn word that you’ll join me tomorrow. Because I swear if you don’t, if you’re delayed for a fucking minute or if I have any inkling that you’re in trouble, I’m coming after you.”
Kristair smiled, relief lightning the icy starkness in his dark eyes. “Thank you and I do give you my word. I’ll leave as soon as I’ve talked with Ussier. I’ll take the time to make sure no one’s following me and I’ll join you. After everything we’ve been through to be together, do you honestly think I’d let a pack of vampires get in between us?”
I glared at him and gave him a hard kiss. “I know someone who’s got a cabin in Bellows Falls, Vermont.” He was always trying to get me to go hunting, and I’d never taken him up on it. “I’m sure he’ll let me use it for a getaway for a few days. If anybody’s looking for us, they’d probably expect us to go Louisiana first.”
“Is this place out of the way? Secluded?”
“Isn’t everything in Vermont?” I checked to make sure my wallet was in my back pocket. “I shouldn’t be gone more than forty minutes. Be fucking careful. That bitch who looks like you is still loose.”
Kristair’s face drew into a worried frown. “Do you think he can track you? You seem to be his target.”
I shook my head. “Nah, he would’ve had me in the woods the first time I saw him if that was the case. Besides, I know it’s not you the moment I get a good look at him, and now that we’re onto him he loses his biggest advantage.”
“Good.” Kristair breathed a sigh of relief. “You’ll be safe, then. I’ll have everything ready by the time you get back.”
I nodded shortly, not trusting myself to speak. I hated the whole stinking, stupid idea, even if it was necessary. I peeled out of the driveway, anxious to be back as quick as I could. At least I could alleviate one worry. Heart pounding, I grabbed my cell and called Steve.
“Hey man, what’s—”
“This is really important Steve, so just answer my fucking question. Where are you?”
There was a startled pause. “Baltimore… it’s in Maryland, just in case you lost what brains you had.”
“Where’s Kayla?” I swear to god if he said she was there with him, I was turning around and dragging Kristair with me whether he liked it or not.
“What? She’s at the shelter. What’s going on?”
“Are you sure, Steve, are you absolutely fucking certain she’s there?”
“Yeah, I’m sure, she usually goes in early so she can help make breakfast. She should be home in another hour, for god’s sake, cut the caffeine.”
I worried my lip, considering that. “Go check.” I cut off his argument as he started. “Just check for me and call me back, don’t talk to anyone else. I’ll explain it then. Just fucking go. Okay?”
“Jesus, fine, Christ you’re a pain in the ass, Jake. It won’t take long, it’s just down the street, and then I want some answers.”
“You’ll get them.”
Heart racing even more, I hung up. There were too many unanswered questions. Every new revelation only led to more questions and no fucking answers. I hoped Kristair had the sense to tie Kayla up again. Just because she was herself now didn’t mean she wouldn’t go all Mr. Hyde on us when we weren’t watching. I didn’t want him to be put into a position where he would have to hurt her again just to get her under control.
And it sure as hell didn’t explain the creature that looked like Kristair. What had he called it? A doppelganger? Why? Something niggled at the back of my brain, but I couldn’t lock onto it. Oh well, I had a long drive ahead of me to ponder the whys and hows of it all.
The bank transaction didn’t take long, and I was walking out as my phone rang. I snatched it up, tensing as I saw Steve’s number. “Well?”
“You’d better fucking start talking, Jake or I’m pulling your ass out through your face. Where is she?”
I drew in a deep breath, not sure whether to be relieved or not. “Okay, here’s what I need you to do. Pack a bag for you and Kayla, enough for a few days, but don’t weigh yourself down. Grab some cash; you can’t use your cards. I need you to buy three train tickets. One heading south, New Orleans is good, another to Chicago, and the last for Vermont.”
“That’s not explaining shit, asshole.”
“Shut the fuck up. I need you to meet Kayla and me in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Got it? And you can’t tell a fucking soul. Get the third ticket for a few stops past Bellows Falls, but get off there. Don’t tell anyone. There’s something really bad out there, and it’s trying to kill me, Kayla, and Kristair. And if you see anybody who looks like Kristair or Kayla make sure you’re not seen. There’s a good chance it’s not them.”
“Jake.”
“Just fucking do it. And don’t call me again. I’ll find you at the station. Should be easy. You’ll probably be the only black dude there.”
Chapter 16
I FELT a little guilty for manipulating Jacob the way I had. Ussier was ruthless, true, but I didn’t really think he would kill Kayla as long as there were unanswered questions. In his own way, he was rather fond of my daughter. However, there were plenty in this city who would, and they wouldn’t care who they hurt in order to get at
her. I had some immunity given my age and the fact that only a select few knew I was human now.
Jacob and Kayla did not share that immunity.
I didn’t want Jacob or Kayla anywhere near this city when the sun went down. If I could arrange it, they wouldn’t return until the whole nightmarish debacle was resolved. Sending them off to Vermont was the first step.
The house was too quiet after Jacob left. Kayla hadn’t awoken yet, though Jacob assured me her breathing and heart sounded normal. I had been tempted to admit her into the hospital, but that would’ve left her vulnerable to attack. So I watched them drive off, my heart like a dead weight in my chest and unease stalking me. The best way to protect them was to stay behind—at least, that was what I kept telling myself.
And I had to keep reminding myself that Jacob could take care of himself. As a matter of fact, he’d done rather well against the Syndicate when I couldn’t aid him. But still, he was being stalked by a creature wearing my face, and that had to eat at my lover.
I couldn’t get the vision of Kayla’s face, the wounds that I had caused, out of my mind. Nor that strange expression in Jacob’s eyes after he’d encountered the doppelganger. Sleep was impossible.
I spent the day making the calls I needed to make, tidying up our home so that when we came back to it, it would be welcoming, and replaying events over and over in my mind. I went over every encounter again, searching for any clue, no matter how small, that might lead me to whoever was behind this.
It was an exercise in frustration, and for once, I dreaded sunset. Ussier was a very astute man. I did not know the range of his abilities as a vampire. Though he kept his abilities private, I was sure they were extensive. He wouldn’t have risen to the power he had if they weren’t.
It had been a very long time since I’d faced a vampire more powerful than I, and the knowledge that he could crush me easily was unsettling. Not that I thought he would, but it would take awhile to adjust to the truth that though I was still the oldest, I was no longer the most powerful.
As evening dwindled toward night, I put my bags in the trunk of the car Jacob had given me and double-checked to make sure the house was locked up tight. I eyed the car warily. Jacob had assured me it was safe and reliable.
I’d always prided myself on learning new things, but for some reason, certain skills continued to elude me. Using the computer, operating a cell phone… and driving a car. It wasn’t just the mechanical part that was intimidating, but the fact that I just didn’t trust others in the cars around me to behave themselves and obey the rules.
It was far past time that I got over it. I had a very long journey ahead of me this night. I figured that by the time I got to Bellows Falls, I would be an expert at driving. Millions of people had their license—how hard could it be? At least, that was what I kept telling myself. In truth, I didn’t have much faith in the intelligence and skills of the mass of humanity.
The car dinged as I got behind the wheel, and I took a moment to orient myself with the various controls and sticks jutting out from the wheel. It shouldn’t be too hard; Jacob’s aborted lesson and his memories told me that D meant drive, and I dutifully pulled on the stick until it was pointing there. Nothing happened.
I scowled at the offending stick. Jacob swore to me that an automatic was easier than his Camaro, whatever that meant. I just took it as another sign he didn’t want me to touch his beloved car.
I drummed my nails on the steering wheel, grateful that Jacob wasn’t around to see my dilemma. The brat would have been snickering, no doubt. I could almost hear him despite the distance between us. I sighed as I realized I was being stubborn and stalling for no good reason other than pride. How often had I chided Jacob for not using my memories to guide him? It was no different for me.
Casting my thoughts back, I touched upon that familiar jumble in my mind that was my lover’s memories. It wasn’t the same as having our connection, not even close, but oh, it was sweet in its own way. The sense of his presence was enough that I could almost smell him in the car next to me.
Using Jacob’s memories, I found myself turning the key in the ignition and backing slowly out of the driveway. Feeling more confident about the excursion, I turned the car toward Pooh Corner. At least this attempt was a welcome distraction from my worries.
Another car tried to pull out in front of me, and I pointed an imperious finger at him. “You will stop, right now.” Much to my surprise, he did. Perhaps I could teach Jacob that trick, ordering instead of cursing other drivers. Hands clasped to the wheel, leaning far forward so I could see everything around me, I managed to make it to Deke’s bar without any other close calls.
The sun hadn’t quite set when I reached the old converted church. Parking in a straight box in the cramped lot proved to be a futile and impossible task, so I gave up and left the car where it was, slightly crooked along the curb next to Deke’s. How Jacob did it with such casual ease, I didn’t know.
Despite this little snag, I was more confident about driving to Vermont. As long as nothing complicated occurred on my drive up to Jacob, I was sure I would have no further problems.
I slid gloves on to hide the burns on my hand and strode into the bar, making my way toward Ussier’s back room. “I’m expected,” I said to the bartender, and then I slipped into the back, not even waiting for her nod.
I had maybe an hour at most before Ussier arrived, and it made me restless to wait. I would rather have been doing something, anything, than sitting there not knowing whether Alette’s youngling would survive or whether Jacob and Kayla had made it to their destination safely. I forced myself to sit at the table and compose myself for the conversation to come. But driving what haunted me from my mind didn’t happen.
A sound alerted me, and I rose from my seat as Ghedi Ussier strode into the back room. “Ussier. Did Tabitha survive?”
“Yes, barely, but a thread does remain.” The cold sensation inside of me eased a trifle. Still, I didn’t want to have Kayla anywhere near Pittsburgh for the next dozen years. Not with Alette around, not with the chance that she might find out the part my daughter had unwittingly played.
Ussier’s smooth brown face was impassive, a granite slate as his gray eyes fell upon me. I noted with slight unease that he made no attempt at a salutation. “Ancient One, what happened at Alette’s home?”
I sat back down again. I’d have one chance to explain events to Ussier’s satisfaction, and I cast my mind about, trying to figure out what to say first. I’d gone over events and clues again and again the whole day. “It would be best if I began where I believe this all started. When I returned as a human.”
I waited for Ussier’s terse nod and then drew in a deep breath, sitting back and steepling my fingers together. “I’ve been plagued with dreams at dawn, of burning helpless with the sunrise. And for months, I took it to be merely dreams, until the murders came to light and we discovered that the victims were vampires. Now, I think the dreams were imposed by whoever is behind this as a promise of what is to come or a warning.”
Ussier face remained expressionless. It was a rather irksome tactic, though Jacob accused me of doing it myself often enough. Now I understood why that bothered him so much.
“When Jacob and I started investigating, I quickly came to the realization that the one connection all the victims had in common was myself.”
“Or more specifically, your research about what happens with ancient vampires when they disappear.” Ussier’s slate façade cracked slightly, allowing a knowing grin.
I couldn’t say I was entirely surprised that either Lisabeth or Artemise had said something to the vampire lord. Perhaps, in a way, I had been counting on it. Above anyone else, I trusted Ussier’s discretion and his ability to ferret out the smallest detail.
“Lisabeth?”
“No, Artemise.” Yes, that did make sense. Artemise viewed himself as a teacher and everybody else about him as lads and lasses that should be instructed, no matter ho
w old they were. He was an incurable mentor dedicated to Ussier.
“Everyone in the city who had helped me to look into this particular mystery has perished with the exception of Lisabeth and Artemise. I suspect that all the victims have been killed because of the connection to me more so than because they knew too much. I cannot be the only vampire who has researched this.” Though I wasn’t going to discount the possibility entirely. “I think the killer believed that these particular victims would catch my attention faster.
“I also believe that the attack at Alette’s was to target Artemise and when they couldn’t get to him, they went after the rest of the household.” I frowned, lost in thought, idly tapping my fingers together. “Another dream alerted me. I could hear Bethany or Tabitha screaming.” I remembered how I’d also sensed Bedwyr’s screaming outside of his apartment building. “Somehow, I was able to follow the screams to Alette’s place. As much as I hate to admit it, I think we were lured in. They wanted us to confront them, to be helpless to save Bethany and Tabitha.”
“So you know the assassin’s identity? Or am I assuming too much?”
“I do not know yet who is behind it all. Jacob captured one, but he escaped as we confronted another. His captive was out cold and hog-tied and still managed to escape in the few minutes Jacob had his back turned.” I sighed and rubbed my temple. My head never used to ache when I was a vampire.
“First, I’ll tell you what I know, and then I’ll tell you what I suspect. Whoever is doing this is going at me in two ways. They have used a form of possession that is quite distinctive. Whoever’s possessed has their features… erased, as if their face was made of clay and anything distinctive had been blurred and distorted. It’s very noticeable. Secondly, they have created a doppelganger of me. That’s whom Jacob captured. I don’t know if they’ve created others or not. My instincts say not, but I’d rather err on the side of caution than assume that it is possible they have or will do so.”
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