Wait. What? You never wanted me happy. Now call the meeting to order, he demanded, panic blooming.
The others pushed to their feet.
As you left me bound, Jennifer said, we leave you bound. Maybe the isolation will loosen your tongue.
I demand that you stay! I demand you call the meeting to order!
One by one, they strode from the cave, silent. Jennifer watched him until the last possible second. Marie stopped at the dark, yawning mouth and looked back at him over her shoulder. When the clock strikes midnight, your friends die. I am sorry, I truly am, but there are always casualties during war. You know what you have to do to save them. With that, she, too, left him.
Over and over he screamed for her to call the meeting to order; over and over he pleaded, even though he was alone, his voice echoing off the cavern walls, mocking him. He screamed until he was hoarse, jerking at the ivy until blood ran.
The vine never gave, and the witches never returned.
TWENTY-NINE
ANOTHER SUMMONS.
Tucker tried to resist. Tried with every bit of strength he possessed. But Vlads voice called to himCome to meand his feet moved forward before he realized hed taken a single step.
He jumped from the roof of his mom and stepdads house, the impact jolting his entire body. Hed been watching his six-year-old brother play in the drizzling cold, nose wet, coat soaked, hands shivering as he talked to an invisible friend.
Twice Tucker had almost revealed himself. Both times, hed convinced himself Ethan was better off without him and remained hidden. Now, as he strode away, he felt a hollow ache where his heart should have been. He would never go back, he decided. Ethan was all that was good, all that was right, with a bright future ahead. Tucker had never caused him anything but pain.
It was past time for a clean break.
The ache intensified. This is for the best.
Tucker blanked his mind as he ran out of the neighborhood and into town, where it seemed everyone he knewor rather, once knewwas stuck in party mode. Some kids were driving around, throwing beer bottles at the buildings. Others were on the streets, dancing to a beat no one else could hear. Among them floated a beautiful woman, a woman with long blond hair and skin so fair it practically glowed.
She would look a kid in the eye, speak, and that kid would shake his head. She would speak again, then the kids shoulders would slump, head ducking, before he bent down and cleaned up the mess. The blonde would then move on to someone else.
Night had long since fallen. The myths about vampires and sunlight werent exactly true, he knew, since Victoria could stand outside all day without consequences. Vlad, thoughwould he burn to ash? A guy could hope.
Come to me
Closer now, Tucker thought. With dread. With happiness. Vlad was no longer in his crypt. He was here, in town. Hidden.
Tucker rounded the corner of the local laundromat but saw only a cardboard box. He frowned. Still. He knew, as he always seemed to know, exactly where Vlad was. He bent down and peered inside. Yes, there was Vlad, a dead human flung over his lap, blood dripping down his chin.
Most of the kings body was still charred, still black with deadened skin, but patches of pale, smooth flesh were visible.
Next time you make me wait, you will be the one I feed from, the king said calmly. Do you understand?
A tremor of fear moved through him, and his gaze returned to the dead man, whose neck was torn apart as if a wild animal had feasted. A painful way to die. Vlad had fed from him during that last visit, yes, but only briefly, and only as a warning. If that had been misery incarnate He shuddered and each of his already scarred puncture wounds throbbed. Yes. I understand.
Now. What more have you learned?
The witches have taken Aden. Tucker had watched them suddenly appear around Aden. He could have helped. Maybe. Had wanted to help. Kind of. But he hadnt allowed his concealing illusion to fade, his need to please Vlad still too strong to be denied. Even then.
Vlad laughed, a cackling sound that caused his body to hunch over in a spasm of coughing. When he calmed, his lips pulled back, sharp teeth red and gleaming. Go to them, but do not let them know you are there.
To the witches? How will I find them? They vanished.
You can feel the pull of Aden, can you not? We all can.
Reluctantly Tucker nodded. Truer words had never been spoken. First time hed met Aden, hed feared he was, well, attracted to the boy. As in turning gay. Even though he had always preferred girls. Hed wanted to be near the bastard, though Aden hadnt calmed him like Mary Ann did. Aden stirred him up, though, and sometimes even made him want to be worse.
Good. Now, for your most important task. You will kill Aden. You will stab him in the heart, as if he was a witchs sacrifice.
II cant.
You can. Listen closely, and I will tell you how
MARY ANN WAS SCARED. Very, very scared. Apparently, Aden had kidnapped the kidnapped witch, and no one knew where they were. Yet. Victoria had told Riley what had happened, what Aden planned, and then teleported away before Riley could scream at her. Or tell her that her father was still alive. Where had the princess gone? To help Aden?
And God, how was she going to react to the news about her father? Mary Ann had never met the guy, and she was still reeling. After discovering the truth, she and Riley had searched the grounds but had found no sign of him.
Riley was distraught. Mary Ann had never seen him so upset. His new kingwas Aden still his king now that Vlad was walking around?and his princess had beenwerein danger, and he hadnt protected them. At least he and his brothers could feel Aden tugging at them. Well, as long as Mary Ann was out of the way. When Mary Ann was with them, and Riley at her side, they could still feel the tug, but it was somewhat muted. So they were now on the hunt for Aden. Without her.
Mary Ann had thought to use the time searching for Victoria, but no. That idea had been quickly discarded. Where would she begin looking? She couldnt go to the vampire mansion on her own and simply driving around town, which was all she could have done, wouldnt have been productive.
So here she was. At home. Riley had driven her and dropped her off after giving her the quickest, most distracted of kisses. Shed spent the past hour with her dad, hugging him as shed wanted and telling him how much she loved him. Hed laughed and joked with her, and it had seemed as if theyd gone back in time, before shed found out about her mother. Victorias Voice Voodoo had worked its magic, because he never once interrogated her about where shed been.
But her nervousness was growing with every minute that ticked by. Was Aden okay? Were Riley and Victoria okay? Was this her last night alive?
Youre distracted again, her dad said with an ever-patient grin.
They were sitting at the kitchen table, playing cards. War, of all things. She glanced down at her pile, picked a card and flipped it over. An eight of hearts. Her dads card was a three of diamonds, so she gathered that round into her deck.
Want to tell me whats on your mind?
Im fine, she lied. She hated the necessity, but wouldnt cave. He didnt believe in the paranormal, even when the evidence of it was right under his nose, and she wasnt in the mood to fight. Or receive a therapy session.
Problems with Riley? he persisted.
Riley, her sweet Riley. The boy she would date for one more day, then never speak to again. At that, her heart actually lurched inside her chest. Dad, what do you do when you know youre no good for the person you love?
He looked at her for a moment, then sighed and pushed his cards aside. He propped his elbows on the table and stared over at her intently. I hadnt realized you and Riley had reached the I love you stage yet.
Her cheeks heated. We havent said it to each other, no.
He relaxed a little. So why isnt he good for you, sweetie? Gently asked.
She squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She couldnt tell him that it was the other way around. That she wasnt good for Riley. He wouldnt believe her. What would you tell a patient who asked you the same question?
His lips twitched at the corners. I see what youre doing. Deflecting. Ive taught you well. So, are you asking what Id say to a patient if she refused to share all the details with me?
She nodded.
Another sigh. Id tell her to ask herself a very important question. Will the person cause her harm, emotionally or physically?
He still had it backward, but the answer was yes. She, too, pushed her cards away. Shed been right, then, to break things off with Riley. Shed been wrong to let things start back up again. But she couldnt regret her actions. Shed had that one glorious night with him, and she could die without regrets. For the most part.
Die. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
If the answer is yes, I always tell my patients to leave the relationship. He reached over and took her hand. Always. Now. Do I need to get my shotgun? Whatd that boy do?
She laughed. You hate guns, and therefore dont own one. Besides, Riley hasnt hurt me or anything like that. He never would, either. Hes very protective. And I need to be protective of him.
Then whats the problem? You can tell me. This is a safe space.
Another laugh, though this one was forced. That may be true with your patients, but thats never been the case with me. Which she understood. She was his daughter. Everything was personal. So anyway, she said, quickly changing the subject. Ive been wondering. If you knew you only had one more day to live, what would you want to do?
Planning on killing me?
She rolled her eyes. Be serious.
Youve never been this morbid before, but I guess I can play along. He released her and tapped a fingertip against his chin. Id pay the premium for a higher life insurance policy, make sure you were going to be properly cared for, and then spend the rest of my time here, with you.
Tears filled her eyes, burning. Thank you.
And Id want to tell you the truth about something, since Ive learned my lesson about keeping secrets.
Her mind locked onto that one wordsecretsand she froze. Even her heart skipped a beat as panic whipped through her. Wh-what?
I, well, I met someone, he said, a blush staining his cheeks.
Her eyes widened. Really? Who? When? Where? Tell me everything!
He laughed. So many questions at once. Yes, really. I met her yesterday, at the grocery. And I, wellI asked her out on a date.
Dad!
I havent been on a date in ages, but I couldnt help myself. She was just so intelligent and, well, pretty.
Mary Ann wasglad. He deserved to be happy. Especially if sheif sheno, she wouldnt think like that. He just deserved to be happy. Youre leaving details out. Whatd you guys talk about? Whats she like? Where are you going to take
The doorbell rang, and they both jumped.
Her dad grinned sheepishly. Well resume this conversation in a bit. Ill get the door. He uncoiled from the chair and strode off while Mary Ann cleaned up the cards, marveling at the turn of events. Her dad. On a date. Oh, hed been on one or two over the years, but nothing serious, and not once had he lit up like that. His interest had always been detached.
A few seconds later, she heard a female voice and laughter. Her dads laughter, and it was such a sweet sound. What was going on in there?
Mary Ann, he called. Come on in here, honey.
She padded into the living room, hands stuffed into her jean pockets. Soon she was standing in her mothers rainbow living room, staring over at her dad, who was grinning like a loon and saying something to a young, gorgeous blonde wearing a white silk blouse and a flowing white skirt. Her skin was flawless, almost too much so. Her features were perfect and heart-achingly lovely. Could this be the mysterious grocery store babe?
Mary Ann cleared her throat.
Her dad glanced over at her, radiating so much excitement she actually had to look away. Mary Ann, this is the woman I was telling you about.
The blonde nodded in greeting, though her gaze didnt leave Mary Anns dad. She was petting his cheek, as if he was a favored puppy. Mary Ann. Ive heard so much about you.
From their one conversation at the grocery? Dont be petty. This was a good thing. Nice to meet you, she said.
Finally the newcomer turned and faced her, and Mary Ann gasped in horror. Those eyesglowing, wide and brown, revealing the sheen of glitter in her too-perfect skin. This was no human.
This was a fairy.
Leave my father alone, she barked. Hes done nothing
Mary Ann, he said, clearly shocked and disappointed by her behavior. That isnt how you
Be a dear and go to your room, the fairy told him. Stay there, no matter what you hear.
Of course, he said, and walked off without another word, heading up the stairs and never looking back.
Mary Anns heart threatened to beat its way out of her chest. She wanted to run, but she remained in place. She would protect her dad, no matter what she had to do. But the simple fact was, shed never dealt with a fairy before. She knew only what Riley and Victoria had told her.
They couldnt control people with their voices, like vampires could, but humans were so entranced by them, they usually obeyed their word without question. They craved power and didnt like anyone who was stronger. They were cold, icicles on the inside, yet desperate for warmth.
Despite all of that, or maybe because of it, they considered themselves protectors of mankind. Mary Ann was part of mankind. Maybe. With her ability
She opened her mouthto say what, she didnt know.
Do not scream for your boyfriend, the fairy said with a frown. At the moment, the wolves are busy fighting a swarm of goblins. I made sure of it. And youll only distract them. Do you want their blood on your hands?