How did
T-that was
No way!
You met the vampires, Aden said, now meet the shape-shifters.
There was more floundering, and Aden could practically taste their fear and shock. Could definitely hear the increase of their heartbeats. Junior noticed, too, and offered up one of his patented roars.
What else is out there? Ryder asked, peering at the wolf as if he was toxic.
Everything you can imagine.
His grin as grim as before, Maxwell exited the car and Nathan bounded into the drivers seat, then to the concrete outside. Maxwell loaded him down with a harness, service vest and leash.
Victoria, who sat behind Aden, giggled behind her hand. Half humor, half apprehension. A Seeing Eye dog?
Maxwell wiggled his brows over the rim of the shades. No one asks a blind man what hes doing or why hes doing it.
Brilliant, Aden said.
Well be back as soon as we can. With that, the pair was off, Nathan leading the way, trotting slowly, and Maxwell stepping tentatively behind him.
For a moment, as Aden watched them, he caught a glimpse of Edina the Dancing Mama winding through the cars. Not now, he thought, cutting off the moan trying to break free of his throat.
Maybe his unwillingness to deal with the woman shot this newest memory down before it could form, because he blinked and she was gone.
That was close, he muttered. He wondered why she kept appearing, if he saw her during times Victoria would think of her, when she would most want her mothers support.
What was close? Caleb asked. Never mind, doesnt matter. I dont like waiting.
Its been, like, two minutes, Julian replied. Shut it for a bit, and well all get through this.
Victoria climbed into the drivers seat, her shoulder brushing his. Even with their clothes between them, the sensation was electric. How are you doing?
Good. Truth. The aches and pains had faded, as shed promised. You?
Good, she said, but she didnt sound convincedor convincing.
Still holding a grudge?
She smiled sheepishly. No.
Im glad. He reached out and traced a fingertip along her cheek.
Her eyes closed as she leaned into the touch. Once the wolves find Riley and Mary Ann, you might have to risk going inside long enough to use your new vampire voice on the police, hospital staff, whoever happens to be around them.
Thats right. He could do that now. He recalled telling Seth to leave the stronghold, watching the boys eyes glaze over and receiving instant obedience. Recalled Victoria trying to use her voice and failing.
So he could, and she couldnt? Why cant you use yours?
Her gaze moved briefly to the boys in back, none of whom had left their perch against the window. Well discuss it later. Right now, you need to practice.
On the boys? No need to ask out loud. He knew. Who else?
He sighed and turned to them. Bark like a dog. Simple, easy.
Seth flipped him off. Shannon and Ryder leaned toward each other and locked in a whispered conversation. Okay, that was productive, Aden said dryly.
Want them to obey, Victoria instructed. Then force that want into your voice. Propping one elbow on the console between them and resting her weight, she leaned into him and patted his chest, just over his heartbeat. Push the words out from right here.
Her hand was still chilled, he noted. He latched onto her arm and turned her wrist up. The cuts still hadnt healed. Her ability to use Voice Voodoo was gone. She had been unable to teleport them. Something was going on with her, and he would find out what that something was the next time they were alone.
Now he closed his eyes and thought, I want my friends to bark like dogs. I really want them to bark like dogs, itll be funny as crap. Bark like a dog. His throat tingled, and his tongue felt thicker as the words tumbled out of his headand his heart?
Immediately all three boys began barking.
Holy wow, Julian breathed.
Victoria smiled at Aden with a blend of triumph and sadness. See?
Captain, fire the shock at warp speed, because wow. Hed done it. Hed freaking done it. That quickly and that effortlessly. He looked back, and sure enough, all three boys sported glazed expressions. They were his to control. His to manipulate.
He cut those thoughts off at the root. He shouldnt want to control, and he shouldnt want to manipulate. And he absolutely did not want to listen to any more barking.
Quiet, Aden commanded.
Arf.
Woof.
Ruff. Ruff.
Want it, Victoria reminded him.
Hands balled into fists, Aden closed his eyes, forced his mind on the necessary task. I want them to stop barking, he thought and then said the words. Once again his throat tingled, and his tongue thickened.
The barking instantly stopped, the boys glaring at him.
How did you do that? Seth spat.
D-dont do that a-again, you ass, Shannon stuttered.
Leaping over the backseat, Ryder cranked his elbow backward, clearly intending to fly the rest of the way over and strike. Which he did. Aden caught the boys hand just before contact, seeing and sensing his intent at the same time.
Use your words like a big boy, he said. I was just testing something out, making sure Ill be able to help Riley and Mary Ann.
Though Ryder was obviously shocked by Adens speed, he jerked away and dropped his arm to his side. Whatever, dude. You do that again, and Im gonna Illyou dont want to know!
Shannon climbed beside him and tried to put his arm around him, but Ryder threw him off, cheeks brightening. Shannons cheeks brightened, too, and he turned away from hisboyfriend? Were they a couple? Or just getting there?
You know, I believe theres an entrance at the east side of the emergency building, Julian said, distracted, as if hed been studying blueprints of the building during the entire exchange. Its lockedmaybeand no one ever uses it. Maybe. Or rather, they didnt use to. Papers and photos were stored there. Records. Pause. I think.
Hows that supposed to help us? Caleb lashed out.
Aden, Julian said, ignoring him. Check out that entrance, my man. Please. I want a peek at those papers. If theyre there. Just, I dont know, stay out of the hospital, okay?
Why?
Why what? Victoria asked.
He pointed to his head with an apologetic half smile, and she nodded in understanding. True understanding.
Maybe theyll remind me of who I was.
No, I mean, why stay out? If we avoid the morgue
Dont want to risk it. Besides, Im creeped out, remember?
But not by the secret room, or whatever it is. A room that, if it really did exist, could very well be a lab for testing bodily fluids by now. His luck, hed walk in, someone in a lab coat would be holding a vial of something black and smelly, and hed have to beat feet, cries of You ruined everything ringing in his ears.
Right.
You mentioned records. What kind?
Idont know. Just seems really important.
Important like stuff about the night the souls died? A long shot, but worth a peek. If there was a chanceand there washe had to risk his neck to take it.
Victoria, stay here with Shannon and Ryder. Seth, come with me. Theres something I want to check out. The boy would make a goodand probably the only one whod be eagerlookout.
Sweet. Seth was standing outside the car and rubbing his hands together in less than point-six seconds.
Wait. Youre leaving me behind? Sharp, bitter air blustered inside, causing Victoria to shiver.
To his knowledge, shed never shivered before.
I need you to guard the humans. Just in case Tucker was out there. And he probably was.
Even though Tucker was Vlads ambassador, Vlad would not order anyone to slay his daughter. Beat her, yes, Aden thought with a tide of anger. Kill her? No.
But IIoh, very well. She nodded reluctantly, shadows in her eyes. Ill stay behind like a good little girl.
One day, he would find a way to wipe those shadows clean. She was meant for happiness. Hey, are you okay? he asked her. Seriously. He cupped her cheeks and thrilled at her softness. You can tell me.
Im fine. Well all be fine.
Yes, you will be. Right, Elijah?
Silence.
Aden sighed. Hed have to apologize to the psychic, but not here. Groveling might be involved, so private time was a definite necessity. He kissed Victoria, soft and lingering, uncaring about their audience. Ill be back. Do you have your phone?
She nodded.
Text me when the wolves return. Or if you need anything. Or if you get scared. Or if you
I will. She laughed now, and the sweet sound lessened the tension between them. Go.
After another kisshe couldnt stop himself, had to have ithe led Seth toward the east side of the building.
What are we checking out? Seth asked.
They reached a padlocked door, and dread overtook him. I guess well find out together.
TWENTY-ONE
TO A VAMPIRE OR A SHIFTER, a human guarding two other humans was kind of like having a toddler guard other toddlers. Useless. But Victoria had never been more certain of her status. She was absolutely, utterly human.
Earlier shed cut her wrist to pour her blood into a cup so that Aden would finally eat without revealing her secret, or having to bite and addict heror himself. Thered been no je la nune on the metal, yet the blade had sliced right through her flesh without any hindrance. The wound had yet to heal. And Chompers, well, hed stopped roaring, even stopped mewling.
You and Aden dating? Ryder asked her, relaxing for the first time since hed watched Nathan shift.
Leaning her temple against the drivers headrest, she peered back at him. Yes. I think. Since waking up in her bed, hed been kind, tender, sweet and affectionate. More like his old self. She constantly battled the urge to throw herself into his arms and spill everything. Her fears, her frailtiesher love. Fear of rejection formed a clamp around her mouth.
You dont care that hes crazy?
Maybe it was a good thing her beast was quiet. The question pushed all the wrong buttons, and sheor Chompersmight have dove over the seat and ripped out Ryders tongue. Hes not crazy.
He talks to himself. Or to the souls, as he calls them. Im no doctor, but Im pretty sure thats the textbook definition of crazy.
Twisting, she threw her glare at him. How like Draven he was. Clueless to the violence he stirred. I drink blood. Or I used to. And my closest friends turn into wolves. Are we crazy?
The corner of his mouth kicked up. He should have appeared amused, but he just looked sad. Probably.
Sh-shut up, Shannon told him. N-now.
What? Ryder thumped a fist into the roof. This whole thing is fucked up, yet everyone is acting like its normal.
Then why are you here? she demanded. Why did you come with us?
I was bored. Flippant tone, challenging expression.
Shannon peered at him with growing horror. Why the horror? She glanced at the clock on the dash, the numbers glowing a soft red. Nathan and Maxwell had been gone for twenty-three minutes, and Aden for nineteen. When would they return?
II was bored says the b-boy who always t-talks his way out of everything? No. I know y-you. Wh-what did you d-do? Shannon asked Ryder. Why did y-you want to leave Crossroads?
I did nothing. Ryder shifted uncomfortably in his seat. And I didnt want to leave. Aden asked us to come.
Shannon wasnt giving up. Wh-what the hell did y-you do? J-just say it. S-say it b-because I already kn-know. Didnt w-want to believe, but you were g-gone last night, after w-wejust after. You reeked of g-gasoline. I believed you when you s-said youd been working on th-the truck. B-believed you, but youyou S-say it!
Cringing, seemingly in pain, Ryder rubbed the spot just above his heart. The two boys glared at each other for a long while. The pain must have been building, must have pushed from him. A moan escaped him, followed by a spew of poisonous yelling.
You want to hear the truth? Fine. I started the fire. Okay? All right? There was a voice in my head, and he told me what to do. I tried to stop myself, but I couldnt. You know what else? He told me to kill you, to kill all of you, and I stood over your bed. I was going to do it, just like he told me, but I started shaking, and I couldnt. I couldnt do it, so I dragged you out instead.
Victoria listened, her own sense of horror growing.
Youyou Shannon let his head flop into his upraised hands.
The voice told me to go with Aden, wherever he went. He told me Ryders entire body shook, as if he were having a seizure. His eyes rolled back in his head, until only the whites could be seen through the slits in his lashes.
R-Ryder! Darting into action, Shannon pushed his friend to his side, and shoved his own hand into the boys mouth, trying to prevent him from swallowing his tongue. Then the shaking stopped as suddenly as it had begun.
The passenger door slid open, frosty air once again shoving inside the car to battle with what little warmth remained. No one had opened the door that Victoria could see, yet it had openedand was now closing on its own. Victorias horror morphed into alarm, the reason popping into place.
Tucker.
In a snap, he materialized in the seat. His clothes were ragged and bloodstained, his sandy hair plastered to his head and sporting matching streaks of crimson. His eyes held a corrosive sadness that would eat through the rest of him if he wasnt careful.
Hello, Victoria, he said. You got my text, I see.
She would not be cowed. She might be human, but Riley had trained her in self-defense. Weak as she was, she wasnt completely helpless. Yes, I did. And having taken a page from the Aden Stone School of Ass Kicking, shed stored daggers under the sleeves of her robe.
Motions fluid, Ryder sat up and pushed Shannon away from him. Do not touch me with your filthy hands, human, he snapped, and despite his vehemence, his voice was formal, cultured, with a slight Romanian accent in the undertones.