Crimson Storm

by Amy Patrick

  “Okay, well, I guess I’ll call my aunt while we wait for your friend to bring the truck,” Shane said. “Wait—you killed my phone.”

  “There’s a land line. You can use that.”

  I led him to the living room and took a seat on the sofa beside the phone, making it obvious I’d be listening in to ensure he didn’t say anything about our current location or destination.

  Shane shook his head. “Abigail... if I was going to turn you in, I would have done it already. I could have rear-ended a car on the way here, caused a fender bender and a traffic jam on the highway. I could have dialed 9-1-1 on my phone when you were in the back seat with a blanket draped over your head. I told you... I want to help you.”

  “Well... I guess now you’ll have your chance.”

  About forty minutes later, Curtis called Larkin’s apartment phone to let us know he was outside the building with the truck.

  “I’m double parked so be quick about it,” he said.

  “We’ll be right down,” I assured him.

  Apologizing once again, I placed the handcuffs around Shane’s wrists and locked them, pulling the sleeves of his jacket down to hide them as much as possible.

  “You know you don’t need these,” he complained.

  When we stepped out of the apartment building, a group of four men stood just outside the doors, smoking. They gave us appreciative glances. One let out a long wolf-whistle.

  “Looks like the disguises work,” Kelly said in a low, amused voice.

  At the very least they kept the men from paying any notice to our human captive.

  We ignored them and climbed into the rig’s cab, where I exchanged hugs with Curtis. A teddy bear of a man, he had a ready smile and a deep laugh.

  “Abigail. It’s good to see you.”

  “You too. Thank you for coming. You’re a literal lifesaver. These are my friends Heather and Kelly. And this is Shane,” I said. “He’s going to help us out with the border situation.”

  The older man looked from my face to Shane’s and back again. “I see. So are you two—”

  “No,” I interrupted. “He’s... a friend.”

  Shane rolled his eyes and lifted his arms, stretching them out to display his cuffed wrists. “Friends don’t cuff friends.”

  It was true. We weren’t friends. I’d coerced him into being there. It would be foolish to invest too much trust in him.

  But he definitely didn’t feel like an enemy either—not the way the prison guards had been. Or his uncles. Or those Coalition headquarters bombers, whoever they were.

  “Okay then. Let’s hope we don’t get pulled over with a human passenger trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey,” Curtis said.

  He put the truck in gear and navigated the city’s tight, busy streets until we reached Highway 80 east. Just outside the city, he took an exit and parked in a truck stop lot.

  “What’s going on?” Heather asked. “Aren’t we dropping you off at home?”

  “Nope. Those alerts about you three are everywhere. It’s best you get as far away from here as you can as quick as possible. Lisa can come pick me up—she’s the woman I’m dating now. I’ll just go in and have a drink till she gets here.”

  Extracting a wallet from his back pocket, he drew out some bills and offered them to me. “You’ll need this for gas. This truck’s served me well, but it has one hell of an appetite.”

  I looked longingly at the money. He was right. We did need it. But he was unemployed now. How could I take it from him?

  I waved it away. “We can’t take that. We’ll figure something out.”

  “Like what? Putting those little outfits to use? Don’t worry about it. I’ll add this to your tab. You said you’d send me the money when you got to Virginia. I know you’re good for it.”

  After I reluctantly accepted the cash, he turned to Shane. “And you—you take care of my girls. Anything happens to them, you’ll have me to deal with, understand?”

  “Got it, though...”

  “Though what?” Curtis frowned in a way that made him look scary for the first time since, well maybe ever.

  “Maybe you should be more worried about what’s going to happen to me. I’m the one who’s handcuffed and traveling cross country with three vampires.”

  Curtis held his gaze for a long moment then burst into laughter. “I like you, kid.”

  Wishing us luck, he hopped to the ground and strode toward the neon signs of the truck stop’s restaurant, swinging one hand over his shoulder in a casual wave.

  Kelly slid into the driver’s seat. “Okay, let’s see how far we can make it before daybreak. You two should crawl into the back and get some sleep. You were up all day long while we slept. I’ll wake you both when we get to the first border checkpoint.”

  17

  Dangerous

  It was a strange feeling to be on my way back to the Bastion. Honestly, I’d thought I’d never see it again.

  The enormous cavern in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley served as the seat of the Crimson Court and the headquarters of the vampire resistance movement. That was only part of the reason I’d left.

  No, my philosophical disagreements with Imogen hadn’t been pleasant, but it was the constant temptation that had ultimately driven me away.

  An image of Reece’s dark-rimmed lilac eyes insinuated itself on my attempts to fall asleep. That and the discomfort of the colored contact lenses were making it an impossible task.

  I stared up at the ceiling of the 18-wheeler’s sleeping compartment, trying to keep still so at least Shane would be able to sleep.

  “I thought silver was harmful to vampires,” the quiet voice intruded on my thoughts.

  Sitting up, I stared across the sleeping cabin at Shane. “What are you talking about?”

  “Your necklace. It’s silver, isn’t it? You play with the pendant constantly. I thought it was supposed to burn you or something.”

  I looked down at the chain around my neck and the small silver dagger-like ornament hanging from it. Rubbing the red orb in the dagger’s hilt, I answered him.

  “Silver is fine. It’s platinum that weakens us—that’s what the cuffs are made of. It doesn’t burn to the touch though.”

  “What about the pendant?”

  “What about it?”

  “Does it have any special significance? What is that red stone?”

  “It’s... not a stone. It’s blood.”

  Shrugging, I let my pretended nonchalance cover a world of emotion as I was overcome by a hollow, hungry feeling that had nothing to do with my stomach.

  For reasons I still couldn’t understand, Reece had given me this necklace the night I’d left the Bastion. The blood inside the orb was his. “It’s a vampire thing.”

  Shane nodded. “How’d you become one? A vampire? Did you choose it? Was it something you always wanted?”

  It was an odd question, but I answered it. “No, I didn’t choose it. I was in a highway accident, injured and near death. The vampire who turned me saved my life.”

  “Oh. Wow. I didn’t think about it happening like that. What about your friends? How’d you meet?”

  I glanced toward the privacy curtain that hung between us and them. The rumble of the road would obscure much of our conversation from their hearing, but I knew my friends wouldn’t mind me telling him their stories anyway.

  “We met at the place we’re going now. It’s sort of a... sanctuary, I guess, for vampires. Heather was already there when I got there. Her boyfriend, who was a vampire, abandoned her after turning her, so she was alone. Kelly got there about the same time I did. She was attacked by a group of nomadic rogue vampires. They left her for dead, and she woke up alone and really confused. She wandered around on the verge of starvation before she was found by the—”

  I’d been about to say Bloodbound but stopped myself. Shane wasn’t part of vampire society. He wouldn’t understand Imogen’s elite group of warriors even if I was allowed to tell him about t
hem.

  “...by some people from our group. We became friends there and then left together when we decided to work for Sadie Aldritch.”

  “Who do you think bombed the VHC headquarters?” he asked.

  “They said on the news it was terrorists.”

  It had also occurred to me that human vampire haters were not the only enemies Sadie had. Would Imogen order a strike against her sister’s organization?

  It had been more than a year since I’d seen anyone from the Bastion. I assumed my vampire “mother” knew I’d gone to work for the VHC—and for her sister and ultimate rival. There wasn’t much in the vampire world Imogen didn’t know about.

  Was it possible she’d been so angered by my defection she’d ordered the Bloodbound to bomb the building? Had she been trying to kill her sister?

  And me?

  I’d finally gotten the story behind their feud from Sadie one evening after work. It went all the way back to the Regency era when they’d both been turned as young women in England.

  Like so many human rivalries, theirs had started with a man.

  “I hope Sadie’s okay. She seems pretty cool,” Shane said. “I’ve seen her on TV.”

  “You should meet her in person. She’s beyond cool. She’s a hero—our hero anyway. First, she drafted the Accord. Ever since then she’s been a champion for vampire rights. She’s tireless, and she’s truly good.”

  “I’m not sure about her methodology though.”

  I nearly gasped at the insult. “What problem could you possibly have with her methodology? She’s kept countless humans from being drained or turned. She’s the strongest voice there is for peace between the species.”

  “That’s just it. I think she might be too peaceful.”

  “There’s no such thing. It’s the only answer. Do you want a human-vampire war?”

  “Of course not. I’m just saying while she talks about diplomacy and letting the courts and legislature handle things, President Parker keeps chipping away at vampire rights. I mean, they put you in what amounts to a prison camp for no reason. And according to my Uncle Glenn, they were planning to exterminate all of you—in all the camps. I’m not sure Sadie’s message of non-violence isn’t just letting him get away with it.”

  “You don’t agree with the president’s position?”

  Shane rolled his eyes. “Do I look like I agree with him? Look where I am.”

  “Good point.”

  “I’m just saying I’m not sure peace at any cost is the way to go. It might benefit vampires to have a leader who’s a little more... what’s the word I’m looking for?”

  “Scary?”

  “Exactly. I mean, you’re vampires. You’re strong, you’re fast, and if you wanted to be, you could be very dangerous. Maybe Parker would show more respect for vampires as a whole if your leader seemed more dangerous.”

  A picture of Imogen came to mind—a scene, actually. Her, sitting on her throne in the Grand Dome, ordering the public execution of a rogue vampire with a calm dip of her chin.

  That vision was quickly followed by a memory of Imogen caressing Reece’s neck and shoulders as he kneeled beside her throne, submitting to her authority as one of her personal guard.

  How personal had things gotten between them since my departure?

  Stop thinking about it. Just don’t go there.

  “You’re only saying that because you’ve never actually met a dangerous vampire leader,” I said.

  “And you have?”

  I stared at the vulnerable human, listening to his steady heartbeat and the sound of blood moving in his veins. Imogen would view him as nothing more than a food source. I shuddered to think of him—or any human—at her mercy.

  “You should get some sleep.”

  There was no point in telling Shane about Imogen—he’d never meet her. We were going to have him drop us off in a town near the Bastion then he’d drive himself to the closest airport to fly home. We’d finish our journey on foot.

  Not only did I not want Shane within twenty miles of that place, we weren’t allowed to disclose its location to non-vampires for obvious reasons.

  Of course when we got to Virginia and he dropped us off, he’d have a rough idea of the region where the Bastion was located. But I doubted he’d ever suspect a cavern.

  Even if he did, there were literally thousands of them in the state. More than four thousand to be exact, so the secret would remain safe.

  I was determined Shane would, too.

  18

  Men’s Room

  I must have managed to fall asleep because I woke with a start when the rumble of the truck’s engine cut abruptly.

  Opening the heavy curtains between the cabins, I poked my head into the front seat. “Are we at another checkpoint?”

  The one at the California-Nevada state line had been smooth sailing, but I was worried about the Utah one coming up.

  “No. We’re still in Nevada, at a truck stop,” Kelly said. “This thing guzzles fuel. We need to fill it up.”

  “Okay. I’ll wake Shane to see if he needs to use the bathroom or get some food or something.”

  When I withdrew into the sleeping cab again, his eyes were open.

  “What’s going on?” He yawned, blinking against the glare of bright gas station lighting coming through the gap in the curtains.

  “We’re refueling. Do you need anything? Food? Water? Restroom?”

  Shane sat up and stretched his cuffed hands above his head, giving another shuddering yawn.

  “All of the above. So, what are we doing here, sheriff? Are you gonna parade me through the truck stop like a bounty hunter with her prey or can you take these off? It’s not like they’d stop me from shouting for help if I planned to—which I don’t. I’ve already told you I want to help you.”

  His face and the tone of his voice told me he meant what he was saying.

  But it was a risk. If I took the cuffs off, he could make a run for it. If I left them on, it would certainly attract unwanted attention.

  Besides, I wasn’t sure as a guy he could even use the men’s room with handcuffs on.

  Withdrawing Glenn’s keyring from my pocket, I gestured for Shane to extend his hands to me. I unlocked the cuffs with a stern warning. “I’m going in with you. I am a pacifist, but I assure you that won’t stop me from doing whatever is necessary to protect my friends.”

  He rubbed one of his wrists then the other. “Yeah. I get it. It wasn’t that long ago I watched you all kill my uncle.”

  Ouch. “That’s right. And all it would take is a swipe of my hand to break your neck.”

  “Really Abigail. The tough act isn’t necessary, and it doesn’t suit you. Besides, if you were going to kill me, you’d have done it by now.”

  “Try to run or call for help, and you’ll see exactly how well it suits me. I may not kill you, but I was trained in self-defense and hand to hand combat. I know lots of ways to hurt a person.”

  I half expected Shane to laugh at my threat—it sounded ridiculous to my own ears—but he simply nodded. We climbed out of the cab together, heading toward the truck stop’s hospitality area.

  Once inside, Shane went to the men’s room while I waited just outside the door. Several other men entered during the next few minutes.

  Only then did it occur to me—Shane could easily tell one of them he’d been kidnapped. He could ask them to call the police or to borrow their phone so he could do it.

  Heart racing, I flung open the door and started inside. A hefty man in a worn Harley t-shirt and cowboy boots was coming out. He grinned widely.

  “Well, hey there. Ladies’ room is at the other end of the hall.”

  The grin turned lascivious as he got a good look at my outfit, the heavy makeup and clothes I’d borrowed from Larkin. “Or, if you want to come in here, I’ll be happy to act as your personal escort.”

  For a moment I was frozen in indecision. My claims to Shane hadn’t been false. I was quite capable
of defending myself and could easily best this human man physically. But I didn’t want to start any kind of altercation. It would draw attention to us, and if I did hurt the man and reveal my superior strength, out me as a vampire.

  My face had been all over the news in California. Had it been here in Nevada as well? I had the colored contacts in, but if someone looked closely enough, they might recognize me as an escapee and “murderer.”

  “Oh. No. My mistake. Sorry.” I tried backing out of the men’s room, but the smiling man shot out a hand to grab my wrist and started dragging me inside.

  “Stop. Let me go.” My breathing accelerated, and I could feel my fangs emerging from my gums. I ducked my head to hide them and attempted to dig my heels into the painted concrete floor.

  Just then Shane rounded the corner from the stall area. I’d never been so happy to see his face. When he spotted me, his brows shot up before lowering over angry eyes.

  He strode toward us and slid an arm around my back, settling his hand at my waist in a possessive gesture.

  “What are you doing in here sweetheart? Is the ladies’ room full?”

  Sweetheart? Oh. It took me a minute to react, but I played along.

  “Yes. The line is out the door,” I lied. “And then I ran into this man when I was coming in.”

  The Harley guy, who’d released my wrist the instant he’d spotted Shane, held both hands up in the universal sign for surrender.

  “Sorry man. I should have been watching where I was going.” Darting his eyes to me, he mumbled, “Sorry,” then turned and left the bathroom.

  Shane’s perturbed gaze followed him out the door then swung around to meet mine.

  “Are you okay? What happened?”

  One of the men who’d entered the bathroom after Shane rounded the corner from the stalls and went to a sink. He snuck repeated glances at us while he washed his hands.

  Aware of him, I avoided Shane’s question. “I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”