*****
They couldn’t bear to occupy the kitchen where so many memories of family meetings, meals, and games were still fresh in their minds, but chose to sit in the living room and discuss their new situation.
“You’ve been busy. It’s not even eight yet.” Jael said after listening to her uncle go through the list of things he’d accomplished before picking her up at the hospital.
Besides going back to the deserted railroad station and throwing the two vamps, who didn’t revert to dust and ash into his trunk, he’d gotten Shadow’s bike running and sent him off to take Brianna home. Then he’d gone through all of the texts sent to the Bishop from Jacob’s phone. The boy had sent numerous messages, but none mentioned her name. The last one he sent said, Eli took her friend. The trap is set.
“So you’re safe for now,” Seth said, raising his glass of soda. He took a long drink.
Jael frowned. “But when the Bishop doesn’t hear from them soon, he’s going to be suspicious and send another team. And Shadow’s grandfather is more than willing to point the finger my way for a chance at immortality. He’s already done it twice.”
“True. That’s why I sent the Bishop another text. I told him the tracker turned. That he sent you a warning and you took off for Phoenix.”
“Phoenix?”
He shrugged. “Sounded like a plausible place for a slayer to disappear.”
“Okay, but what happens when Jacob doesn’t respond to his calls? The Bishop could use simple technology to locate the phone and discover they never left town after all.”
“Actually they did.” He grinned. “At least the phone did. I stopped at the gas station on the edge of town and found a trucker heading home to Phoenix for the weekend. Turned the ringer off on the phone and stuck it under the seat in his cab when he went inside. Those truckers really like to chat. Very friendly fellows.”
She shook her head. “Amazing.”
“I am, aren’t I?” he said, but his usual egotistic bantering didn’t have the same ring to it.
Jael got up and moved to the picture window. The drapes were still pulled closed from the night before. She tugged them open and stared out at the sunlit desert. Her mom had always come in here each morning, opened the drapes, and stood with a cup of coffee in hand to watch the sun rise. She called it her therapy. Jael always wondered why she liked to get up so early, but now knowing the Amish connection it all made sense. No electricity, no alarm clocks, lots of hard work to be done. You got up when the sun did and went to bed when it went down.
“Jael? Did you hear what I said?” Seth asked.
She glanced back at him. “Hmm?”
He leaned forward on the edge of the couch, forearms resting on his thighs, hands clasped before him. The lines on his forehead and between his brows were starting to look permanent. “I have to go away. It has to appear as though I’ve abandoned you.”
“What are you talking about?” She pushed her hair behind her ears and crossed her arms defensively. “You promised you’d take care of me.”
“I know I did and I will. It only has to look as though I’m not.”
“I don’t understand.” She felt like a little girl suddenly lost in the middle of a shopping mall who just wanted her mommy and daddy. She closed her eyes and searched for them. They were still here, somewhere. In her heart. She just had to look harder.
“Jael.” He waited for her to open her eyes and look at him. “I’ll be watching over you from a distance, but to get you into the Amish community you have to be an orphan. Social Services will make sure you’re placed with the closest available and willing relative.”
“And whom would that be?” she asked, dropping her gaze to the carpet at her feet. It was easier than seeing her grief mirrored in his eyes. She knew he was hurting too and couldn’t believe he was willing to throw her to the wolves before the dust had even settled around them. Couldn’t they just take some time before…
“Your grandparents.”
She must have let her mouth hang open because he smiled and said, “Don’t look so surprised. Your dad and I weren’t hatched you know.”
About the author:
Barbara Ellen Brink lives in the great state of Minnesota with her husband and their two dogs, Rugby and Willow. She spends much time writing, reading, motorcycling, running, and enjoying life with the family and friends that God has given her. And sometimes she hunts vampires… in her dreams.
Others Novels by Barbara Ellen Brink:
THE AMISH BLOODSUCKERS TRILOGY
(Or buy them separately)
Chosen (part 1)
Shunned (part 2)
RECKONING (part 3)
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The Fredrickson Winery novels
Entangled
Crushed
Savor
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Split Sense
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Second Chances Series
Running Home
Alias Raven Black
Connect with author online:
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BarbaraEBrink
My AuthorWebpage/blog:
https://www.barbaraellenbrink.com
Facebook Author page:
Barbara Ellen Brink, Novelist
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Facebook Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy page:
https://www.facebook.com/Chosen.Shunned.Reckoning
Amish Vampire Slayer website:
https://www.amishvampireslayer.moonfruit.com
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Chosen Page 43