Before he reached it, it flew open and a man stepped in, carrying a large suitcase. “Hey!” he barked, snatching a gun from his hip. “What you kids doin' in here?!”
Varick turned on his heel and darted toward a window. Kicking it open, he turned to catch my eye. I hurried after him as the man shouted, “Thieves!” and part of the wooden hull exploded as he took a shot at us.
My heart beat a hundred miles a minute.
Varick grabbed me by the neck, tugging me after him as we dove into the water below. It was cold and full of salt, and way too deep to reach the bottom. I resurfaced, gasping down air, spluttering and coughing.
“I can't swim!” I cried and Varick locked an arm under mine, tugging me into the shadow of the enormous ship.
“Hold on to this,” he whispered and I clung to a notch in the hull, bobbing up and down in the water, my legs paddling madly of their own accord.
Varick took a coin from his bag and swam out into the sun, twisting and turning it until it cast a beam of light toward the shore. He angled it well until a single man blinked from the flashing light and hurried down the pier. He wore a black cloak, his beard thick and his eyes roaming.
He took a coil of rope from his hip, moving along the pier opposite us and chucking it into the water. A commotion was building back on the ship we'd departed.
Varick swam back to my side, grabbing my arm and forcing me to follow him to the pier. I paddled like a dog, but I made it. The robed man stooped low, dangling the rope into the water.
Varick climbed up with the agility of a monkey, but I didn't have the strength.
“Who's the kid?” the man growled.
“He helped me,” Varick said, gazing down at me. For a moment, I feared they'd leave me there to drown.
“Tie it around your waist,” the man ordered and I complied. In moments, he'd hoisted me from the water and I had all the dignity of a drowned rat as I flopped onto the pier.
“You need to get out of here, get home,” the man commanded.
“I have no home,” I breathed, almost ashamed. I couldn't go back to the orphanage and face Mrs Drake's wooden ruler. I wouldn't.
Varick looked up at the man, his eyes wide and pleading. “Can he come with us, father?”
The shouts from the other pier were growing louder. Varick's father looked from him to me, then shrugged. “So long as you pull your weight on deck. There's no layabouts in my crew.”
“Deal.” I held out a hand to him and he took it with a bemused expression on his face.
He stood upright, lifting his cloak and dropping it around us so we were hugged to his sides. We moved at speed once we were amongst the crowd. We headed away from the docks and policemen barged past us, blowing whistles that rang in my ears.
We walked all the way out of town before Varick's father released us from beneath the cloak. We crested a sandy hill and a cove became visible down below us. In the rocky bay shaped like a horseshoe, was a ship like no other I'd ever seen. Small, built for speed. But large enough to house twenty or so crew. It should have been obvious before, but it was only then I realised who these people were.
“You're pirates,” I gasped and Varick's father turned sharply toward me.
“And is that gonna be a problem, kid?”
“No,” I said honestly. I loved pirates. Practically worshiped them. An older boy in the orphanage had told me tales of the men who seized the King's ships and buried their loot on islands across the world.
“Good. 'Cause if you get onboard The Meadowlark, you're one of us. You sure you're ready for that?”
I looked to Varick who was smiling broadly, the bag of gemstones still clutched in his hand. I gazed down at the pistol tucked in my waistband, my heart thumping a rhythm that sounded like fate itself.
I gazed out to the sea, adrenaline rushing through me. “Oh I'm ready alright.”
Cass
I lay in a hammock on the indoor balcony, high up in the Vampire common room. My bare foot grazed the floor and I flexed my toes to rock myself back and forth. I'd been reading Wuthering Heights all morning, hiding away from the world.
Everyone in The Sanctuary was at peace. Well, mostly everyone. I was anxious, desperate to take the cure to Vampirism the second Selena's father, Brendan Grey, figured out how exactly it worked. But with over a week having passed since Varick's seemingly miraculous return to humanity, I was getting impatient.
And I wasn't the only one in The Sanctuary who wasn't happy. Mercy Helsing kept to herself, maintaining her distance from the Immortals. After she'd switched sides and helped us bring an end to her family's reign of terror, there was no way we could turn her away from The Sanctuary. Not everyone trusted her though, so Brendan had given her a room in a disused part of the manor. And that was where she remained.
Another miserable resident was Ulvic Hund, the Werewolf pack leader. He stayed upstairs in the human quarters, insisting food be brought to him, never once stepping through the locked door that parted the humans from the Immortals. There was one obvious reason for that: Jameson. Even though Brendan had strictly forbidden us from harming Ulvic, he clearly didn't trust that anyone would stick to that promise.
I was most certainly in the long line of people who would have taken Ulvic's life for what he'd done to Jameson's pack. Ulvic may have helped us escape from Øyafrelse, but it was hardly enough to make me forgive and forget. He was a coward. And Jameson was stuck having to obey any order Ulvic gave him because of some stupid Werewolf curse.
My anxiety was at its highest point today. Because today was the day Selena and Varick were leaving, heading abroad for an extended holiday in the sunshine. And I was burning with jealousy. I mean, sure, I was happy for them. More than happy. But seeing Varick enjoying his newfound humanity just made me plain envious. I might not have been a V for long, but I missed the sunshine, and sleeping and, most of all, not needing blood to live. Despite the fact I was well-fed on the donations given by the humans in The Sanctuary, I still despised it every time I drank a bottle. Without it, my throat seared, my willpower lessened, the Vampiric monster inside me reared its ugly head. I supposed I was better off than I could have been, though. At least I wasn't in the Van Helsings' V Games anymore, forced to fight for my life.
Kodiak appeared at the top of the ladder, climbing onto the balcony. His dark hair was cropped short and his eyes were a deep, navy blue. He moved in a stiff way, especially for a V, like a regimented soldier.
“Hey,” he said. “Selena's about to leave. She's looking for you.”
I groaned, dropping the book onto my face to hide.
I heard Kodiak drift back toward the ladder. “I'll tell her you're not coming then.”
I lobbed the book at him and it hit him squarely in the back of the head. “Don't you dare!” I sprang lithely to my feet, following him to the ladder.
Of course I wanted Selena to go. God only knew she deserved a holiday. But, not only was I going to miss her, I damn well wanted to go with her.
Kodiak threw me a knowing smile before bypassing the ladder and dropping directly to the floor below. I hesitated a moment before doing the same, figuring I might as well enjoy the perks of being a Vampire while I still could. But the second Brendan sorted out the cure, I'd be the first to take it. Seeing as Varick had had to die before he returned to his human form, Brendan had deemed it too risky for the rest of us to try.
I followed Kodiak through the winding corridors of the manor, arriving in the grand entrance hall where our friends were gathered.
Selena and Varick stood by the door, two suitcases at their feet, both of them dressed for travelling. Selena's hair had been restored to its usual dark colour and I could have sworn Varick's was growing out already. His beard certainly needed a trim. The most noticeable thing he was wearing, was a broad smile. It had been plastered on his face ever since he'd been brought back from the dead – which was extra-noticeable seeing as his expression had been set at 'brooding' the entire time I'd known
him. I couldn't really blame him for his newfound demeanour. The guy had been through hell and back to find happiness. And I may have once hated him for kidnapping us and sending us to the V Games, but he'd made up for that tenfold. Now, I was growing to like him. Not that I'd ever told him that...
My gaze automatically drifted to Jameson. His eyes were heavy with bags, but a casual grin was slapped onto his face as usual. He wasn't sleeping well, that much I'd gathered. But every time I'd tried to lure him into a meaningful conversation since we'd returned to The Sanctuary, he'd tried to distract me with flirting. We talked daily, but something was bothering him that he never mentioned. And I was pretty sure it was the fact two of his pack members were still missing. But the only one who could help him find them, was Ulvic. The man he despised more than anyone in the entire world. So no wonder he was losing sleep.
Thames rolled forward on the make-shift wheelchair Kodiak had built for her, her golden dreadlocks hanging around her shoulders. The girl had been brave as hell after she'd lost part of her legs to a Vampire attack. But for someone who'd been chased by starved Vs for entertainment, she certainly didn't seem to mind spending time with one of them now. Namely, Kodiak. Maybe that was because he made it his personal mission to look after her though.
Thames tugged Selena's sleeve, gazing up at her. “Take me with you,” she sighed dramatically.
Selena laughed, bending down to hug her. “We'd only bore you.”
“She's right,” Varick said. “I plan on lying on a beach the entire time and getting a tan.”
Jameson barked a laugh. “You've got two centuries of indoor skin to conquer.”
“I've conquered worse,” Varick joked, moving to embrace him.
I could sense tension growing in the room. Even though the Helsings were dead, it felt like leaving this island was still a danger. With Hunters like Rockley Jones still at large, there were still enemies in the world who wanted us dead. And Varick and Selena would be the first ones to test if we really were safe.
Brendan appeared with Selena's mum at his side, the two of them strolling arm in arm as they moved.
“Ready to go?” Brendan asked, carrying a bag on his shoulder and another in his hand.
“You're going, too?” I asked.
Selena answered for him, “I thought it would be nice for us all to spend some time together.” She bit her lip as she gazed at her father. They had years of lost time to make up for, so I was happy that they were taking the opportunity. But Brendan was the beating heart of The Sanctuary; it would be strange for him to absent from it.
“Nirena will be in charge whilst I'm away,” Brendan explained, moving to open the door. Nirena, the Vampire who'd turned Varick over a century ago, was one of my newer friends; she seemed pretty capable of running this place.
I hurried forward before Brendan spilled sunlight into the hall and wrapped my arms around Selena, crushing her into my shoulder. She was such a shortarse.
She slid her arms around me, gasping as I squeezed her a little too tightly. “Sorry.” I stepped back, giving her a sad sort of smile. It was the end or an era for us, in the best of ways. We could finally be friends under normal circumstances, outside of the death game we'd bonded in. Except for the fact that every time I got close to her, a part of me wanted to eat her.
“I'll miss you,” she said, her eyes wide and bright. Her emotions were always right there on the surface, showing how much she cared. I was the opposite. My face never betrayed my feelings. I'd gotten that art down to a T. And it was even easier now I was a Vampire.
“You too, little killer.” She grinned at the old nickname and my eyes slid to Varick. “Have fun for all us house-bound Vs, won't you?”
Varick beamed. “That's a promise.” He raised his brows, shifting toward me as if wondering whether we should hug.
“I like you, Varick, but I don't think we're in the hugging stage yet,” I teased.
He leant closer to Selena and whispered, “Did she just say she likes me? Should we take a photograph or something?”
Selena swatted his arm, laughing.
Jameson moved toward Varick, tugging him into a firm embrace. Varick was still recovering his strength since he'd become human, but he didn't even wince from Jameson's obvious ferocity, so I guessed his physiotherapy was going well.
“See you soon, brother,” Jameson said.
Varick gave him a nod, his eyes dimming for a moment. “Look after yourself. Don't take any risks.”
“I think Varick's taken enough risks to last a lifetime.” Mercy appeared and everyone looked her way. She was dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans, her bright blonde hair hanging around her shoulders, looking as normal as the next person. But the tension in the room was palpable. As far as I knew, no one had seen her for days.
“Come to see us off?” Varick asked, breaking the silence.
“Something like that...” She came to a halt before him and Selena raised a brow, looking curious as to what Mercy was about to do. I was pretty damn curious myself. Varick had lived as Mercy's family slave for nearly two centuries. So their relationship was complicated to say the least. And I'd heard she might even have feelings for him.
She lifted a hand, unfurling her fist to reveal a folded piece of paper. Varick hesitantly took it and Mercy's hand shot forward, encouraging him not to unfold it. “Read it later.” Her cheeks coloured and Jameson cleared his throat, not-so-subtly hiding a note of laughter.
As Mercy stepped back, Brendan gestured to the door. “Come on you two.”
Selena grabbed my hand before I moved away. “Maybe you'll be cured by the time we get home.” Her expression was so hopeful that it made me hope, too.
“You never know.” I pushed her toward the door and she waved as she stepped through it at Varick's side. I hurried into the shadows beside the large staircase, hiding from the sunlight. Kodiak was already there, giving me a nod of acknowledgment.
Mercy floated vaguely in Jameson's direction. He was about the only person in this place who she seemed to like.
Kodiak guided Thames away, but I remained in place. Jameson and I had been spending most days together. Despite how hard I'd tried to keep him out, he'd burrowed under my skin. And I wasn't sure I had control of it anymore.
As he fell into a conversation with Mercy, I forced myself to turn and start walking away. I was almost into the next corridor when footsteps padded behind me and Jameson's scent rolled over me. I fought the smile on my lips as he caught my arm, tossing my crimson locks back as I glanced over my shoulder.
“What's up?” I lifted a brow.
His bronze eyes were dancing with mischief; it was the kind of look that made me want to drop all of my barriers and let him come strolling in to my heart.
“How's your schedule looking for today?” He turned me around and I shot a glance over his shoulder. Mercy was gone. Probably skulked back to the privacy of her room. Maybe I should have cared more. But I didn't. She'd made up for some of her misgivings, and the girl had lost her parents. But my heart wouldn't let her in. Like it didn't let most people in. My heart had iron doors, pass-codes and twenty-four-hour security. There was only a handful of people in the world who knew the way through. Jameson was one of them.
“Hm...” I pretended to think. “Well, I do have a full morning of doing nothing, followed by an afternoon of jack all.”
“Great.” He yanked me after him, dragging me in the direction of the east wing and my laughter rang through the air.
“I need a film buddy,” he explained as he guided me through the corridors of the east wing. It was warmer than the west, where the Vs were housed. A mixture of Immortals milled about, but I only recognised the Sirens for what they were, their faces concealed by lacy masks. One look at their bare faces would have had me fall desperately in love with them. Not that any of them would have abused their power. But seeing as love was not something I dished out easily, I found myself naturally avoiding them.
Jameson pulled me
through a door and I stepped into his bedroom.
My heart pounded against my rib cage. So far, I'd somehow avoided being in his room. It felt like crossing an invisible barrier between us. One of the last walls still in place.
Jameson didn't seem to notice my hesitation, throwing himself onto the double bed and snatching a remote control from his bedside table. I soaked in the neutral tones of the space; it was basic and bland like a three star hotel room. We hadn't been living in The Sanctuary long enough to decorate much, but Jameson had started to put his own stamp on this place. The shutters had been drawn across his window, and I wondered if that was in preparation for me coming here.
A TV was mounted on the wall and a whole stack of DVDs sat beneath it.
“I nicked them from the games room.” Jameson jerked his chin at them. “And that.” He pointed to a Rambo poster on the wall, featuring Sylvester Stalone with a huge machine gun strung around his body.
Jameson patted the space beside him. “We're having a movie marathon.”
I moved toward the bed, relaxing a little as I dropped into the space beside him, propping my head up on a pillow. Jameson pressed play on the remote and Die Hard started up. It was one of those films I'd somehow missed out on watching when I was younger. My upbringing hadn't exactly been 'normal', I guess. With my heroin-addict family screwing up any normalcy I could have had. But my brother had liked action movies. I mean, sure, he'd usually passed out before the credits rolled, but it was one of his few interests outside of injecting himself.
By the time lunchtime arrived, I'd seen more blood splattered and bullets fired than I had in the V Games. Jameson had made a food-run– consisting mostly of sweets – dumping them all on the bed and tucking in.
I sat cross-legged, watching him devour a twix in two bites. “So...what are you going to do about Ulvic?” I asked softly, wondering if he'd open up to me at last.
He shrugged, not meeting my eye.
“Well, you have to do something. We can't let him get away with what he did to your pack.”
Wolf Games (The Vampire Games Book 4) Page 2