I nodded, but I would admit to being nervous still.
Shadow gave me a brief once over, then glanced around the forest.
“Perhaps this is not the most comfortable place for a conversation. Will you allow me to take you elsewhere?”
I blinked, surprised.
“What do you mean by elsewhere?”
“There are places in this world that are secluded. Places where humans have yet to venture.” A note of urgency entered his tone. “I made certain I was not followed, but it would be the pinnacle of arrogance to underestimate…” he stopped himself and I saw a flash of terrifying hatred in his eyes. “Will you accompany me? You do not have to worry about time. I can bring you back within minutes if you wish.”
I looked down, my mind racing. I trusted him, but the thought of going off alone with someone…a vampire I barely knew scared me more than a little.
“The decision is yours and yours alone,” he said.
I looked him right in the eye. And I did what I felt was right.
“Okay,” I whispered, but I made sure to press a button on my comm that would signal to Lulu I would be gone for a little while. Shadow lifted me in his arms and took off in a burst of speed.
I gasped and held onto his neck as the wind whipped at my face. The trees passed us in a blur. Though I couldn’t make out where we were going, I estimated his speed was at least five-hundred miles per hour!
When he stopped, I realized we had reached the beginning of the city. Shadow crouched behind a wall as a few people walked by.
“Remain utterly silent,” he whispered.
I nodded.
When the people passed, Shadow crossed the street in less than a second. He set me down in front of the wall of a building before retracting that strange wand-like device he used before to create a portal. He bit his finger and smeared his blood on the tip before slashing the wall with the wand. A portal immediately opened up.
Shadow reached for my hand.
“Quickly!”
I hesitated for a split second before taking it. He pulled me into the portal, and I felt the same incredibly odd spinning sensation that seemed to affect my very essence at a subatomic level. When it was over, I felt extremely dizzy, almost nauseous. Before I could fall to my knees, Shadow caught me.
“Just breathe.”
I obeyed, concentrating on my breaths. This time it only took a few moments for the queasy feeling to fade. When I looked up, I gasped.
We were in a field…no, it was a cliff. A cliff overlooking a magnificent ocean. Wherever we were, it was still late at night. A breath-taking full moon hung high in the sky. The air was cool and dry, and so refreshingly quiet. I looked around in wonder.
“I had a feeling you would appreciate a view like this.”
Shadow walked up next to me, his dark beauty so out of place, even under the silver light of the moon.
“And you don’t?” I responded, my tone slightly challenging.
He looked at me. “You were in my home. You saw what my preferences are.”
His face like his tone was suddenly devoid of emotion. I bit my lip.
“Shadow, we really need to talk.”
“That we do.” I was relieved at the display of some emotion even if it was merely a silver of urgency. “My enemy is searching for you as we speak. The danger you are in is very great.” He looked me dead in the eye. “If you decide that you desire the mercy of a quick death, I will grant it. You need only say the word.”
“I gave you my answer to that already,” I replied firmly. “It hasn’t changed. Shadow, you need to tell me about this enemy. If I can find information on him—”
“I gave you my answer to that already,” he cut me of ruthlessly. “Be thankful for your ignorance, and do not ask questions of anyone. Do not. If even a rumor is heard, the protection of my mark will mean nothing.”
“I didn’t mean I wanted to ask total strangers questions.” I held my hands up, trying to calm him. “I can…I can find information through other means. Just give me his name.”
He was incredulous. “You are that foolish? That determined to get yourself killed?”
He didn’t understand, and he needed to. Now was the time to shock him.
“Does the name Abraham Smith mean anything to you?”
I didn’t think it was possible for his marble flesh to grow any paler. He proved me wrong.
“Where did you hear that?” He gripped my shoulders, his beautiful face terrifying in its urgency. “Tell me how you heard that name right now!”
“Is he a vampire?” I shot back.
“Girl, if you do not answer me—”
“—you’ll hurt me?”
Maybe it was the soft, calm way I asked the question. Or maybe it was just the question itself. Shadow’s grip on me loosened as he attempted to calm himself.
“Mercedes,” he said in a perfectly controlled voice. “Tell me where you heard that name.”
“Abraham Smith was one of the advisors of Senator Peter Young. When Young died, Smith disappeared. I searched for his bank records, but they were all wiped clean from the databases.” My eyes narrowed. “But that doesn’t matter. I’ll find the alias Abraham Smith is using now soon enough.”
Shadow blinked, realization dawning in his eyes.
“You are a hacker?”
There it was. My secret revealed to someone I barely knew. But I didn’t feel naked or vulnerable. I felt strong, almost relieved like a heavy burden was suddenly removed from my shoulders.
“Yes,” I said. “If you use a computer, any kind of computer, nothing you put in it is safe from me.” I put my hands on his arms. “Shadow, give me his name. I can find information on his friends, his family, his dealings, his secrets. I can help you defeat him.”
I could see his mind racing, see him going through a whirlwind of possibilities. Finally, he released me and backed away a step.
“It is not so simple,” he said. “Skilled as you may be in the mortal world, you could not retrieve encrypted information that resides in vampire technology. It is far more advanced than yours.”
“I’ll never know unless I try!”
“I took a very great risk smuggling you into the vampire world once,” Shadow countered. “He has spies everywhere. And the game he forces me to play—”
Something crossed his face then: pain. It was the same pain…the same torment I had seen the last time. And it was old. Very old. I couldn’t estimate how long he had been living with it.
“Never mind,” he cut himself off, anger returning to his eyes. “The risks of bringing you to the vampire world are far too great. And I suggest you discontinue your research on Abraham Smith. Whatever secrets that may be a threat to the enemy are guaranteed to reside in the vampire world.”
“You don’t know that,” I said. “If he has connections to this world, then there’s still a chance—”
“I am the only one who has hope of defeating him!” he snarled. He turned away so sharply that I blinked. His eyes were glowing that pale, feral blue. His fangs glistened in the moonlight. His body was slightly hunched, and he was looking at his trembling hands.
“I will kill him,” he hissed in a voice that didn’t have a shred of humanity in it. “I will tear him to shreds. I will feast on his heart. Even if he takes me with him, I will kill him.”
I could feel the hatred and suffering radiating from him, and the desire to ease it was overwhelming. But I had to be careful. The same with the abused women I helped, I couldn’t just ask him about deeply personal things without earning his trust first.
Then he looked at me again, and I saw something in his eyes I had seen before many times.
The desire for death.
When I first started volunteering at Women’s Aid, I had been very naïve. I couldn’t comprehend why someone would want to die. But after hearing countless stories, I began to understand why. Putting someone through intense abuse, whether verbal or physical, planted f
eelings of worthlessness in the soul. Man or woman, those feelings could grow to the point where they believed they didn’t deserve happiness, or love, or even acceptance. They felt trapped in their own dark world and the only way to escape was…
Slowly, I stepped forward and put a hand on Shadow’s arm. He didn’t stop me.
“Shadow, I don’t know you. I don’t know what you’ve been through, and I’m not going to ask. But I want you to know that I will help you defeat our enemy in any way I can. I swear this to you. As you swore to protect me.”
He stared at me. I felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny, but I stood my ground even as he drew himself up to his full height.
“Your innocent reality was shattered mere days ago,” he said. “You believe beyond any doubt that the enemy could find you at any moment. Yet the hope in your eyes…” he cupped my chin, and I shivered at the feel of his icy, marble skin. “It is fervent. Unshakable. You are not ashamed of it?”
“Why should I be?” I asked.
“Because you are battling with fate itself. Those who do so often lose badly.”
I gave a small nod. “I know. But I have many things…many people to live for. And I’ll protect them with everything I have.” I put my hand on his wrist. “Including you.”
I held my breath as he stared into my soul. Could he read minds? No. If he could hear everything I’ve thought in his presence, he would have told me a while ago. But the way his gaze was piercing mine…it was like he was trying to discover who I really was while attempting to solve an impossible puzzle at the same time. When he let me go, his face was blank.
“Come. It is time for me to return you home.”
I followed him as he walked toward the rocky wall we had come through.
“You’re not going to stop me from trying to find other vampires?” I asked, surprised.
“Your life is your own,” he replied shortly. “You are free to do as you wish. I have already informed you of the risks you are taking.”
I was relieved, but I wasn’t satisfied.
“Shadow, you need to tell me if there’s any information I can find. Our enemy…whoever he is…he has to have contacts here, meaning he’s done dealings here. Does he have bosses? Could they punish him if they caught him going out of line?”
Shadow turned to look at me sharply, his expression frustrated.
“You are a stubborn one, aren’t you?”
I grinned. “What was your first clue?”
His eyes widened in surprise. Their color had returned to that breathtaking black, but they weren’t cold and hard. In fact, as they rested on my face, they actually softened somewhat.
“It is not safe for us to remain together in any location for long.” He turned away and judging from his tone, he sounded like he couldn’t believe what he was saying. “We will meet again in three days' time. Continue your search if you wish. Show me your findings when I see you again.”
“Is there any chance you can tell me his name?”
I heard his jaw grind.
“Xavier.” Loathing dripped off every syllable.
“Shadow…” my tone was cautious. I may be pushing my luck, but the more information I had, the better. “Can you tell me about vampire society?”
He stiffened and for a moment, I thought he would whirl around and yell at me.
“I will consider it,” he said at last in a remarkably controlled voice. He held out his arm. “Come.”
We went through the portal, and I was grateful my nausea was not as great as last time when we emerged. Apparently, I just needed to get used to it. Shadow lifted me in his arms again and we ran through the forest. I clung to his neck, reveling in the security. But I also felt a strong desire to protect as well.
You won’t fight alone, I silently vowed again. I’ll protect you. I promise.
It was over far too soon. He set me on my feet, but didn’t let go of me right away. I didn’t let go of him either. As I stared at those flawless, sculpted features, I wondered how old he was. Physically, he looked to be in his late twenties, early thirties at latest. But he was immortal. Had he ever been human? If he told me no, I would believe him in an instant. He looked so exotic and ethereal, like a dark angel from outer space.
His hand came up to rest against my cheek. His face inched closer to mine. Was he going to kiss me? My heart threatened to burst at the thought.
“Three days, Mercedes,” he whispered. I shivered when his fingertips brushed the scar on my neck. “You will know when and where.”
He moved so fast, I thought he had teleported. The branches swayed in the wake of his departure. I don’t know how long I just stood there, staring into the darkness. Eventually I regained my senses and made to go back inside. I stopped when I saw something by the patio door.
It was my backpack. The one I had lost when…
I ran to it and dropped to my knees. Everything was inside, including my old comm. The smile I now wore threatened to split my face. Before I went inside, I looked back into the trees.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
***
Shadow
Several times during my five-hundred years of life, I contemplated whether I was going mad or not. If I felt I was, my reactions ranged from apathy to morbid curiosity. Never fear, shame, or incredulity that made me want to clutch my head and let out a scream that would shake the foundations of the earth.
I had wanted to see Mercedes for the sole sake of quelling these…these…feelings that churned within me whenever I thought of her. I thought I would discover the origin of these feelings upon seeing her again. I thought I would discover how to make them disappear. I wanted them to disappear. Instead they remained. The only difference was they were ten times more potent than before.
I would admit I admired her, however irritating her stubbornness could be. She was no damsel in distress. She would fight tooth and nail for her life, for people she loved.
For me.
She would fight for my sake.
And she meant it.
I could not ask why for fear of the madness taking over me. Moreover, my feelings for Mercedes were irrelevant right now. I needed to keep her safe from Xavier. I needed to kill Xavier.
But I considered Mercedes’ idea. Discovering she was a talented hacker was surprising, but not unwelcoming. I had underestimated her. Perhaps her skills could be used against Xavier. She had his name now, and if I told her more about vampire society, she could discover something truly incriminating. No elite kept their status by being kind. All elites were incredibly ruthless and dangerous in their own unique ways. I would bet my life that Xavier had indirectly committed crimes against the royal family. And in Brandon’s own words, there was no escape from the royal family. Any Untouchable could evade the wrath of an elite for a time, perhaps even do something to redeem themselves. But if anyone, Untouchable or elite crossed the royal family, they should do themselves a favor and stake themselves. Mercedes was right. Even if Xavier’s secrets were guarded by vampire encryption, he had many contacts and conducted many dealings in the mortal world.
As did the royal family.
I stored the idea away to contemplate at a later time as I neared my apartment. My focus shifted to my own next move. I had anything but abandoned the possibility of killing Xavier myself, but I did not know how close he was to finding Mercedes. And I did not know how many others were involved. He could order his minions to go after her, and they would obey his orders, posthumously or not.
My mind was racing when I opened the door, but came to a halt when I sensed something was wrong. Not assassins, but…
“Blackhole?” I called. I whipped out a silver blade smeared with garlic. “Blackhole?”
Every sense on red alert, I inched my way through my apartment. It was eerily quiet, but I knew someone was here. Or had been here.
Blackhole.
Fangs exploding in my mouth, I snarled and sped through the rest of my apartment. I found Blackhole in t
he washing area, trapped in a cage. He was yipping and barking in rage, but I was deeply relieved to see he was unharmed. The cage he was in was sound proof and designed to block certain aspects of a bond between an Evanescence and a vampire. Had he been harmed, I would have sensed his pain, regardless of the cage, and I would have come to his aid. I knew it was the only reason he was unharmed.
I ripped off the front of the cage and Blackhole immediately leaped out.
“Who did this?” I demanded, reaching out to touch him.
Blackhole ran out of the washing room. I made to grab him, but then he turned around and started barking rapidly. He wanted me to follow him.
When we reached my sleeping quarters, he was yipping and whining at the closet door. Terror and rage seized my heart when I saw the cross on it. Red paint. Not blood, or I would have smelled it right away.
“Mercedes,” I whispered, and tore the door down.
It wasn’t Mercedes. It was Brandon. Bound in silver chains, his veins swollen from garlic poisoning.
Growling, I ripped the chains off. I was not wearing my gloves, but my burns would heal in seconds. Brandon on the other hand…
“Brandon?” I kept my voice low. “Brandon, can you hear me?”
A very soft groan emitted from his lips. Burned, swollen lips. He had been forced to orally ingest the garlic that was now in his system.
I ripped a blood ration pack from my belt and gently tipped his head up. He drank slowly. It took him over five minutes to finish. I fed him another ration pack before carrying him to my cot. I sat in a chair beside him, knowing there was little else I could do. Vampire hospitals did exist since, despite our extraordinary healing abilities, we sometimes suffered injuries that needed extra treating in order to speed up the process. However, all hospitals were controlled by the elites. Sometimes desperate Untouchables staggered inside, knowing they would die if they did not receive help. And so far, not a single one ever came out.
My hands gripped my knees in an effort to mollify my anger. Xavier liked it when I played his games. Sometimes he wanted me to win. Even so, I always paid for my victories.
A low whine caught my attention. Blackhole cautiously approached me, his eyes sorrowful. He leaped onto my lap, and I began to stroke him.