"What's up?" Johnny said, turning to Grace.
"You have to go," she said to him.
"Why?"
Grace's mind was racing. "It's one of Lola's crew," she said. "She must have come back early for some reason."
Johnny looked around, confused. "I don't see anyone," he said. "Are you sure it wasn't a trick of the light?"
"Trust me," Grace said. "You have to get out of here." She began pulling him up from the blanket.
"What about you?" he asked, stumbling onto his feet
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and reaching for his boots, which he'd shrugged off to get more comfortable.
"I'll talk my way out of this," Grace said. "But you have to go. Now!"
"All right!" he said. "But come and find me later. Astral-project or whatever you need to do to tell me you're okay."
She nodded. "Of course."
As Johnny disappeared into the shadows, Grace stood up and began walking in the other direction. "Darcy," she said. "I know you're there. Come out so I can see you."
"All right," Darcy said soberly, stepping out in front of her.
Grace reached out her hand and tested it by passing it through her friend's neck. "Good. This is just an astral visit, then."
"Yes," Darcy said. "But I still saw what I saw." Her voice was low and raw.
Grace frowned. "You look even more disappointed in me than usual," she said. "I know you've been dying to say stuff to me these past few nights. Well, now there's no Lorcan or Mosh Zu around, you can feel free to say exactly what you want."
"I came to see you because I was worried about you!" Darcy said, distressed at her friend's tone. "And, after what I've just seen, clearly I was right to be concerned."
"On the contrary," Grace said. "I'd have thought that
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it's more than evident that I can take care of myself." She smiled. "And that I'm making new friends."
"Grace!" Darcy's eyes went wide. "How do you think Lorcan would feel if he heard you say that? If he knew about you and that boy on the blanket?"
"Well," Grace said. "We won't have to wait long to find out, will we? No doubt you're just itching to hover back to The Nocturne and spill the beans."
Darcy was speechless for a moment. She shook her head. "Lorcan has real feelings for you, Grace. He's opened himself up to you in a way I've never seen him do in all the years I've known him. Can you really brush him aside so casually?"
"I'm not brushing anyone aside," Grace said, dismissively. "I was just having a little drink."
"I saw you," Darcy said. "And, from where I was standing, it wasn't a glass you had pressed to your lips."
Enraged, Grace reached out to slap her friend's face, but, of course, her hand simply flew through the air. It caught her own cheek and stung like mad.
"Serves you right," Darcy said. "If I could have slapped you back, I would have."
"Because I'm having a little fun with Johnny?" Grace said.
"Oh," Darcy nodded. "So that's Johnny, is it? I might have guessed."
Grace shook her head. "How dare you judge me!" she said. "Do you have any idea what I've been through these
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past few months, these past few weeks in particular? Do you? I don't think you do. Not you or Mosh Zu or Lorcan. You're all so busy with your 'important missions' that I never see you except at our nighttime conferences. Lorcan's even stopped coming to them. If anyone's brushed anyone aside, it's him."
Darcy sighed. "That just isn't true, Grace, and you know it."
Grace shook her head once more. "Let's face facts, Darcy. It is true, and it's probably rather pleasing to you. I mean, you've always carried a torch for Lorcan, haven't you? Don't bother denying it. It must have churned you up when he chose me instead of you, even when he thought I was mortal. Well, the coast is clear for you. I'm with Johnny now, and if you want to know the truth, he's a thousand times more fun to hang out with than Lorcan Furey. So hurry back to The Nocturne and help yourself." She folded her arms. "I just hope it ends better for you than your disastrous spin with Jez Stukeley."
Darcy's eyes stung with hot tears. "What have they done to you?" she asked. "You were so sweet, so kind, before Sidorio and Lola Lockwood got to you."
"Oh, dry your eyes," Grace said callously. "I was never as sweet or as kind as you make out. I'm Sidorio's daughter. You know what they say: the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Darcy struggled to string words together. "This isn't you talking, Grace. It can't be."
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Suddenly, she noticed the dry, red stain around Grace's lips. Of course! Darcy had been so taken aback by witnessing the kiss that she'd forgotten what Grace had been drinking. Now, it all made sense. She smiled with relief.
"What are you grinning at?" Grace asked.
"It isn't you talking. All this horrible stuff. It's the blood."
Grace rolled her eyes. "Believe what you want to, Darcy, but please leave me alone. Surely you're almost out of power by now."
"Oh, I'm going," Darcy said. "But I'll be back. You can bet on it." And with that, her image faded from view.
Grace found herself alone in the cellar. Her cheek still stung from her own slap. She lifted her hand toward it. Stupid! She wandered over to the blanket and sat back down, reaching out once more for her glass. As she lifted it to her lips and felt the silky liquid glide down her throat, she felt instantly calmer.
"Do you think perhaps you've had enough for one night?"
She glanced up and missed a breath, finding Johnny standing there in front of her. He looked more handsome than ever. Forbidden fruit.
"I told you to go," she said, smiling nevertheless.
He smiled back at her. "See, I don't always do what I'm told."
"Me neither," she said, stretching out her legs and pass
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ing him his glass as he sat back down beside her. He took a sip.
"So I couldn't help overhearing some of that heated exchange," Johnny said.
Grace flushed, then rubbed her cheek. "Did you see me slap myself? That must have been highly amusing!"
"Actually," Johnny said, his eyes bright, "it really was."
Grace frowned. "It really hurts!"
"I like a woman who can throw a punch--even if it is at herself." Johnny lowered his glass, then leaned closer and kissed Grace softly on her cheek. "Do you think that might just take the pain away?"
"I'm not sure," she said. "You may have to do it a second time, or even a third..."
He shrugged. "Not a problem." But he hung back for a moment, looking suddenly nervous. "Grace, you don't have to answer this, but I'm going to ask you anyway. When you said I was a thousand times more fun than Lorcan, did you mean it?"
Grace looked up into his chocolate-brown eyes. She shook her head very slowly, registering his disappointment even as she did it, though he did his best to hide it.
"No, Johnny," she said. "Not a thousand times more fun. A million times."
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36 SIDORIO'S SON
Connor sat on the rock on the beach where he had his daily meetings with Kally. This, he had no doubt, would be the very last of their rendezvous. But where was she? Her timekeeping was usually impeccable. Today, she was already half an hour late. Should he be worried for her safety? He frowned. If Kally was in danger, what could he do to save her? There was a whole lot of ocean out there to comb for one diminutive fishtail.
An hour later, Kally still hadn't arrived. Connor had grown hot sitting in the sun. He decided to take a dip. He peeled off his shirt and dived into the cool water. He lingered underwater for a time, enjoying the silence beneath the surface. He felt a little envious of Kally. This was her world, and she could stay down here for as long as she chose to, not having to rely on the limited amount of air
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in a pair of human lungs. As he framed the thought, Connor smiled to himself. In the past few weeks, his body had gone through several profound changes. He wa
s no longer vulnerable to vertigo. His strength was growing on a daily basis. And when he was wounded, as in his bout with Sidorio, his flesh was far quicker to heal. Wasn't it possible therefore that he would now be able to stay underwater for longer? He decided to try the experiment. He checked his watch and began swimming away from the shore.
Ten minutes later, Connor's head bobbed up through the water's surface. Even then it wasn't because he'd run out of oxygen--his lungs felt perfectly comfortable--but because he was feeling cold and wanted to get back into the sun. Elated by this fresh demonstration of his new physical powers, he lay in a star shape on the surface, letting the midday sun bathe him with its warm rays.
After a time, he grew bored of floating and swam back across to the rock to dry off. Lying in the heat, his body grateful for the rest, he drifted off easily to sleep.
"Connor!" He woke to find a familiar pair of rainbow-colored eyes, staring at him from beneath a spiky blue fringe.
"Kally!" He was relieved. "You're so late. I was worried about you."
"Were you?" She seemed pleased. "Well, I'm glad you came and double-glad you waited, dude. I have a nice surprise for you."
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"A surprise?" Connor felt his sense of calm instantly vanish. Surprises were no longer welcome, as far as he was concerned.
Kally turned, brought her fingers to her lips, and sounded a whistle. Connor watched her curiously, then stood up on the rock, turning his gaze in the direction she had whistled. He saw a familiar light boat skimming across the water toward them.
Connor frowned. "Kally," he said, "what have you done?"
Shrugging, Kally slipped backward and dipped underwater. Connor was left to watch and wait as the small boat made its way over to the beach. Now it was close enough for him to see who was on board. He saw Bart wave at him. There had been many times when Connor had been thrilled to see his old friend. This wasn't one of them. Nevertheless, he lifted his own hand. Then he dived back into the water and swam over to the beach.
Connor was waiting on the sand as Bart anchored the small vessel and waded through the shallows. Bart smiled as he crossed the sand toward him. "It's so good to see you," he said, opening his arms and drawing Connor into a hug.
Connor nodded but stepped backward. "It's always good to see you, Bart. But I wish you hadn't come."
Bart frowned. "What did you expect? That you'd send back the message that you were staying here and we'd all just accept it?"
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Connor squinted into the sun. He didn't know what to say. There was the truth, of course, but that wasn't an easy conversation to jump into.
"You mean too much to us, Connor," Bart said. "And I'd hope that, after everything we've been through together, you'd feel the same way."
"The sun's really bright here," Connor said. "Why don't we take a walk?"
Bart nodded and they set off, side by side, along the beach.
"So, are you going to tell me what's going on with you?" Bart asked.
"It's complicated," Connor said. "I don't really know where to begin."
Bart smiled. "Just talk to me, buddy. Like you always have."
Connor took a deep breath. "The first thing to say is that my decision to stay here isn't a rejection of you guys. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is all about me, what I'm going through."
Bart frowned. "I was worried from the start of this mission, bud. I thought it was madness for Cheng Li to send you out here solo."
Connor shook his head. "It's not the mission," he said.
Bart stopped in his tracks and turned. "I don't understand."
Connor paused, too. "I've been going through a lot of changes," he said.
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Bart reached out a hand and placed it on his shoulder. "I know, buddy. I've watched you grow up before my very eyes. From that first night when you came on board The Diablo . Remember that?"
Connor nodded.
Bart put his arm around Connor's shoulder as they continued along the beach. "We were at each other's side when Jez was killed, and we helped each other through that. And when you killed for the first time, you know how worried I was about you."
Connor nodded. "I know."
"You're like a brother to me, Connor Tempest," Bart said. "I'm here to help you through whatever curveball life throws at you. Cate feels the same way. And Jacoby and Cheng Li and Bo Yin. Connor, everyone misses you. Everyone wants you to come home."
Connor took a deep breath. "What about Jasmine?" he asked. "Has she said anything to you about me coming back?"
Bart shook his head. "Not in so many words, but I know she's fond of you, too. Why do you ask?"
Connor threw caution to the wind. "Something happened between me and Jasmine when we went to Lantao."
"I see." Bart's eyes narrowed. "Well, she's kept that to herself, and, as far as I know, she and Jacoby are still a couple." Seeing Connor wince, he added, "Connor, I can understand you being torn up about this. You're a decent guy, and Jacoby's a friend of yours. If you and Jasmine
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have fallen for each other, that's okay. Come back and sort it out. In my experience, these situations are rarely as bad as they seem."
Connor smiled. "Thanks for the advice," he said. "But it's a lot more complicated than that."
Bart shrugged. "It's a long beach, and I'm in no hurry."
Connor suddenly stopped in his tracks, scanning the water. "Where's Kally?" he asked.
"She's fine," Bart said. "Splashing around somewhere. I told her I wanted some alone time with you."
"We should turn around," Connor said. "I need to head back to The Blood Captain . And you must get back in your boat and return to The Tiger ."
Bart shook his head. "We've barely started talking, buddy," he said. "I came all this way for you. Give me some more time."
"The clock is ticking," Connor said. "You know about the attack tomorrow night on The Tiger . You should be there to fight."
"I'll be back in good time for that," Bart said. "With you at my side."
"I'm not coming back, Bart," Connor said. "I know it's hard for you to understand, but there are things you don't know about me."
"Then tell me," Bart said, frustration evident in his voice. "Because all you've given me so far is some cock-and-bull story about you and Jasmine Peacock. I'm not
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getting back into that boat until you give me a much better reason than that." His eyes bore deep into Connor's, and Connor knew his friend would stand by his words.
"All right," Connor said. "I'm going to tell you everything. But then you have to go back without me."
"Start talking," Bart said.
"You know Cheng Li's story that she persuaded Sidorio I'm his son, right?"
Bart chuckled. "Sure, I know it. They say there's no fool like an old fool. I guess that holds true for immortals too."
Connor felt his heart hammering as he opened his mouth once more. "He believed it because it's the truth. I am Sidorio's son."
Bart was speechless for a moment. "This is a joke, right? You're about to deliver a killer punchline?"
Connor shook his head. "It's no joke. Our mother had a relationship with Sidorio, and she bore him two children. Grace and I are both dhampirs--half-mortal, half-vampire. There's a lot more to the story, but those are the key facts you need to know."
Bart was, unsurprisingly, taken aback. "How long have you known this?" he asked.
"Not long," Connor said. "Cheng Li found out before I did. She told me, and Sidorio, as we were making our retreat after the attack on his wedding."
"You've known all this time but you didn't tell me?" Bart said.
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Now it was Connor who was lost for words. "What was I supposed to say? How could you possibly understand?"
"I'm your friend, Connor," Bart said now. "Whatever happens to you, I want to be there for you. All right, this is fairly extreme. So, you're half-human and half-vampire. Well, that's got to
be better than one hundred percent vampire, right?"
Connor shrugged. "Maybe. I don't know. Like I said, I've been going through a lot of changes," he said. "You remember my vertigo?"
Bart nodded. "Of course."
"Gone," Connor said. "And if you thought I was strong before, you should see me now. Plus my body has this new ability to heal."
Bart shook his head in amazement. "You're sounding like some kind of superhero," he said. "This is great, Connor! When you come back to The Tiger , you're going to be an unstoppable force."
"I keep telling you," Connor said, "I'm not coming back."
Bart's face was pained. "But I still don't see why. I mean, I completely get how all this crazy stuff would shift your worldview, throw you off center. Of course it would. And here you are dealing with it all on your own..."
"I haven't exactly been on my own," Connor said. "Grace is here, too. And Stukeley."
"Jez?" Bart said. "Of course."
"He's been showing me the way," Connor said. "After all, he's been on a similar journey."
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"But he's a regular vampire, right?" Bart said. "Not a dhampir, like you?"
Connor nodded. "That's right, but he and I do have one thing in common."
"You have lots of things in common with me and all your other pirate mates, too," Bart said forcefully.
Connor couldn't hold back anymore. "Yes," he said. "But there's one big thing that separates us now and joins me to Stukeley and Sidorio and the rest of the Vampirate crew."
"You don't need to say it." Bart closed his eyes.
"I do," Connor said. "Because if I say it, you might just understand that nothing can ever be the same. If I say it, you might just jump back in that light boat, sail away, and forget you ever knew anybody by the name of Connor Tempest."
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