“We’ll have to call in all our favors. We’re facing a major crisis here, Rachel. We’ll need every blood den in the province to give some if we’re going to get through it. Getting some from the blood whores in Sydney shouldn’t be a problem given our connections there. Halifax will be important too. You’ll have to start making phone calls.”
Although I’d been granted hunting privileges there I really didn’t have much to do with the new Halifax Authority. I had hoped to keep it that way but somehow I sensed it wasn’t to be. “I’ll do it as soon as I can,” I promised. “Why do we need so much?”
“They’ll refuse to feed from anyone but you for a while. They’ll need to be subdued and force fed human blood in between doses of your blood to keep them alive. If it was just one or two it wouldn’t be such a problem, but there’s no way you can feed all of them the quantity they need for as long as they need it.”
“And how long is that?”
“Each of them will be different. Undoubtedly some will be strong and only need it for a short amount of time. Others will need your blood for months, or maybe even years.”
I couldn’t even begin to process what that meant and didn’t have time because just then the door swung open, violently thrust up against the wall and almost breaking off its giant hinges. I barely had time to realize Gavin was in the room before he had me in his arms, squeezing me so tightly that a couple of ribs broke in the process. I ignored the snapping, and the feeling of them mending rather quickly, as I put my arms around him just as forcefully as he’d held me. “Thank god,” he whispered over and over again.
I was about to tell him how good it was to see him and how grateful I was to have him next to me. I knew I was going to need him desperately through this entire ordeal. Before I could do that however there was a hand on my shoulder. “We have your room ready for you,” one of the servant vampires said. She wasn’t meeting my eyes now either.
“Come on,” Gavin said, grabbing my hand. “We have a lot to talk about.”
“Make it quick,” Holly interrupted from across the room. “Soon the only thing she’s going to be able to do is feed, be fed, and sleep.”
***
“I thought you would prefer this room as opposed to the one Angus occupied,” the servant said. Where Angus had occupied a small modest quarters, I had been given the room I’d occupied during my brief time living there. It looked as opulent as it had then, with its large bed and formal dining space. The only difference was that now a large sword had been placed above the bed. I recognized it as the sword Ely had presented me with when he’d proclaimed me leader earlier.
“Thank you,” I said.
The servant nodded and promptly left. “You’re ok,” Gavin said as we sat down on the bed. He took my face in his hands. “You’re really ok.”
“But for how long?”
“You’ll get through it. We’re all here to help you. Rachel, I’ve never been so proud of you, do you know that?” I said nothing, but lowered my head. I didn’t feel I deserved his kind words, or his pride.
“I did it out of selfishness,” I said, finally.
Gavin placed his fingers gently under my chin and tilted my head up to meet his. Intensity burned in his bright blue eyes and he looked as if he were about to cry. “No. Selfish would have been to sit and watch as your father was killed in front of you for the sake of saving your own skin. Not only did you jump in and save him, but in the process you saved Ryan, and I believe, our entire clan. We couldn’t go on with Angus in charge much longer. The orphans will just be a bump in the road. Once we deal with this whole situation things will be a lot better for everyone, you’ll see.”
I wasn’t sure that Gavin grasped the length of time this might take to pass and I didn’t want to tell him, at least not at that moment. “The kids and Leiv, are they ok?”
“They’re fine. Duncan and Alexander are caring for them.”
“Ryan must be confused as hell,” I said.
“He’s asking a lot of questions, but you know Ryan, he’s resilient. He’s just missing you.”
A great sadness crossed my heart as he spoke of Ryan’s missing me. With what Holly had said I had no idea when I’d actually get to see Ryan again. “You’re going to be all on your own for a while.”
“Don’t you worry about that. I’ve got it all handled. Let’s just focus on getting you through this one day at a time. The rest will come later.”
“I won’t be able to help you, Gavin. I won’t be able to help you search for another answer. And what about Leiv? I can’t abandon him. He’s only a few months old. I have to be with him.” Suddenly I was overcome with anxiety as the reality of the whole situation dawned on me. There was something wet on my face and as I wiped it away I realized I was crying. “I’m sorry,” I said.
“Sorry for what? For standing up for your father, your child and your clan?”
“I’m not sure everyone feels that way,” I said, remembering the icy reception I’d received from Vincent earlier.
“If they don’t it won’t be for long.”
“I need you on my council,” I said suddenly. “I can’t do this without you.”
“Rachel I’ll be there with you in any way you need me. If you want me beside you in that way I’m all yours.”
“I do.”
“You know I’d do anything you ask. Now, put your worry away and try to rest. There’ll be lots of time to figure everything out.”
Gavin walked me over to the bed and we lay down together, his arms around me protectively. For a few moments we lay in contented silence and I actually told myself that I would be ok. That feeling was broken as the voices of dozens of orphans suddenly pierced my consciousness. It was as if they were all standing in the same room with me, screaming, suffering, pleading for help. I jumped up and looked around to make sure Gavin and I were alone.
“What’s the matter?”
Overwhelmed by voices I couldn’t speak…and then the pain began. A pain so great in my chest that it quickly radiated and spread from one end of my body to the other and all at once I was doubled over and screaming.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica MacIntyre is a writer who is also a rabid Foo Fighters fan, a devoted Schmiddian and someone who both loves and admires Grumpy Cat. She lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia with her husband of fifteen years, Andy, and their two children, Holly and Angus. They also have a cat named Tom.
Check out jessica macintyre’s author page on amazon for other fantasy, erotica and horror titles.
The Vampires of Soldiers Cove: Progeny Page 19