Pale Horizon

by Heather Renee

  When I took a deep breath, I was overwhelmed by the smells. I wanted to try and locate Solomon on my own, but apparently, some heightened abilities took practice to use properly. Jameson led the way, and I gladly followed.

  We arrived at the house we had been in yesterday morning, which surprised me. For some reason, I pictured him sleeping in the forest beyond the town. He opened the door before I could knock, and his lips stretched into a smile as he took in my appearance.

  “Do you know anything about this?” I waved my hand in front of my face.

  He shrugged. “Just more theories. You’re the first of your kind, Lavinia. I can only assume that whatever magic is at work here, it has its own agenda. I can’t pretend to know anything for certain about these changes.”

  That wasn’t the first time Solomon had referred to my vampire side as magic. It had my mind reeling with what that meant. Taking a seat on a wooden chair on the porch, I leaned my head back and soaked in the morning sun. I knew that direct sunlight made vampires uncomfortable and weaker, but it eased something inside me.

  Maybe I hadn’t fully transitioned.

  A deep breath made its way through my lungs, and I let the thoughts soothe me.

  Jameson and Solomon spoke to each other while I only half-listened. If Solomon didn’t know why or how I had changed overnight, then I wasn’t in the mood for talking just yet. Their attention returned to me when I stood from the chair.

  “I want to train,” I announced.

  They both stared at me with awestruck faces.

  “What?” I glanced around, wondering if I had missed something.

  “Your skin is golden again, but your eyes are still the same,” Jameson replied.

  Lifting my arms in front of me, I inspected my hands first. Sure as the sun was bright, my skin appeared just as it had the night before. Closing my eyes, I checked my hearing and smell. After hearing the rustling of the crew on the ship and smelling the blood from an injured animal in the forest, I confirmed that nothing else had gone back to normal.

  The urge to ask why it had happened filled me, but I didn’t waste my breath. If Solomon had known, I was pretty certain he would have said something instead of standing before me like he was seeing a ghost for the first time.

  Jameson opened his mouth to say something, but the bells from the crow’s nest on our ship rang loudly. My body tensed, and I focused in on the crew.

  “Somebody is coming!” Robert yelled, and I didn’t hesitate.

  Strength and speed consumed me as I made it back to the ship in mere seconds. Robert almost fell from his post when I suddenly appeared in the crow’s nest next to him.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled as I stared out into the ocean. I didn’t need the spy glass he held to see the approaching ship. It had white sails and a grey flag with four interlocking circles that made me breathe a sigh of relief. I apologized to Robert once more for scaring him, then made my way back down to the deck.

  Jameson and Solomon were waiting for me near the mast, each with a grin on his face.

  “Why are you smiling like that when we could be in danger?” I asked whoever wanted to answer first.

  Jameson took a step forward. “Because you’re incredible. What did you see up there?”

  I described the ship I had spotted. “Should we be worried?” I asked Solomon.

  “I don’t know. If your portrayal is accurate, then it sounds like one of the ships that left here with the townspeople. They should be halfway to the mainland by now. Something must have happened to make them turn back, and I don’t see how it could be good.”

  Alice and Henry joined us. She took one look at me and moved back a step with wide eyes. My heartbeat faltered, realizing that I had scared her, and I turned away in shame. She had previously assured me that it didn’t matter what I was, but I could immediately tell that wasn’t the case any longer.

  A warm hand settled on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Lavinia. It just took me by surprise. Please, don’t hide from us. Be proud of who you are.” She pulled me toward her and wrapped her arms around me.

  “Thank you,” I murmured into her hair. She was a good friend, and I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions when she was taken aback.

  When we pulled apart, Jameson was already explaining what I saw and what Solomon knew about the ship.

  “So, what are we going to do?” Henry asked.

  Solomon stepped forward. “We need to gather your crew and weapons, then prepare for a worst-case scenario. I want to hope that there are still good people on that ship, but the likelihood of that is nil.”

  Alice’s hand wrapped tightly around mine. She shook with fear, and I joined her. I wanted more time to train, but it appeared I wasn’t going to get what I wanted. When my eyes met Jameson’s, I knew he also felt uncertain about what we were about to face, but like all of the situations before this one, we just had to figure it out together.

  Chapter Twelve

  The crew moved faster than ever before, and I was proud to have them on our side. Jameson estimated we had less than an hour to get set up in the trees and hidden from whoever was coming into port.

  Solomon already had three areas for us to settle in that he had prepared on different parts of the island, prior to our arrival. We separated into groups, which I didn’t like, but I also understood it was necessary. Jameson, Solomon, and I were each in charge of one. A pure vampire to lead each group. I wasn’t sure what I thought about being classified as a vampire, but I just needed to get used to it, because there was no way to deny it any longer or change it.

  Alice was in my group, and we were positioned on the eastern side of the beach—located in front of the town. We sat next to each other quietly, but our silence spoke volumes. No words could express how much I appreciated that, no matter what happened since we met, she and Henry had been there. They were supportive and accepting of Jameson and me. It gave me hope that they would continue to have our backs, regardless of how much I changed. Unfortunately, everyone had their limits.

  The ship that pulled into the bay was larger than the one we occupied. From the size of the town, they would have needed at least three ships to get everyone off the island.

  As the vessel weighed anchor in the bay, I could see the deck. It appeared deserted. The sun had sunk low in the sky, ready to disappear and let darkness rule in its stead. My enhanced hearing was trained to Jameson’s and Solomon’s groups, just in case they relayed any information that we would need. Except for the occasional word spoken, the area had been silent.

  Finally, after the sun disappeared and the sky turned crimson, I saw movement on board the ship. People bustled around the deck, but there were too few to be a full crew. A shiver raced down my spine, and I narrowed my eyes, looking for anything on the ship that would point to them being friend or foe. A deep breath made its way into my lungs, but I didn’t smell anything that gave me pause.

  I was getting frustrated that I had these new abilities, yet no idea how to use them properly. It was beyond time that someone trained me. Either Jameson or Solomon, I didn’t much care which.

  The gangway was dropped onto the planks of the pier with an audible thud. Seven men descended from the deck, by my count. They looked ordinary enough, but I heard Jameson’s sharp inhale from across the beach. I wondered at it but didn’t have time to ask when I saw Solomon stroll out into the open.

  “Joshua.” He greeted the man in the lead, and my eyes caught sight of Jameson. He stepped out onto the sand and made his way toward them as well.

  “Stay here, Alice,” I cautioned before following the others.

  No one noticed me as I quickly made my way toward them. When I was still halfway from them, the wind shifted, blowing from behind me. Jameson glanced back at me when he caught my scent. Then, seven pairs of red eyes turned my way, making the breath hitch in my chest.

  All seven of them were vampires.

  An evident hunger took over as they moved toward me. I had no weapon and menta
lly noted that I needed to carry one in the future. Balling my hands into fists, I watched them draw closer. There was a high probability that they would kill me, but I found comfort in the knowledge that I wouldn’t stay dead for long. Still, I had no desire to die again. We had no idea if there was a limit to the amount of times I could come back to life.

  With a gust of wind, Solomon stepped into the path of the newly-made vampires. I wasn’t sure how I knew they were newly made, but my instincts were certain, and I wasn’t going to argue with myself. I shoved the information to the back of my mind to analyze later.

  Solomon drew his dagger, but I could tell by his movements that he was hesitant to kill them. He seemed to be moving defensively instead of offensively. If he had been correct earlier, and this ship was loaded down with the people who used to inhabit this town, the seven men approaching me were part of those people. Solomon knew them and, though he had tried to get everyone off this place and to safety, he felt responsible for what happened in open waters.

  He engaged the first three while the other four skirted around and moved for me. I ducked the first grab, twisting away. My skirts swirled around my legs, but I ignored the cumbersome material as I continued dodging and ducking to avoid their grasps.

  A snarl came from behind the four I faced, and I knew the sound like I knew my own heartbeat. Jameson surged into the fray, and I was confident that he was not aiming to subdue but to kill. He’d destroy anyone who threatened me, regardless of who they had been.

  His dagger glowed with white light, responding to his emotions, and his eyes were the brightest red that I had ever seen. He knocked two away from me while I sidestepped another clawed hand and twirled again, blocking a strike with my arm and then ramming my palm into the face of the man whose hand had aimed for me. The vampire flew back before slamming onto his side, sand spraying in all directions.

  “Enough!” Solomon roared, flinging the three he had been engaged with onto the sand.

  Turning around, he grabbed the two Jameson was fighting by the scruffs of their shirts, then tossed them next to the others. Jameson hurtled forward, seizing the last two and roughly depositing them with the rest.

  Quickly realizing that all seven were accounted for, I let out a relieved breath and met the red gaze of the man I loved more than anything. Before I could fully comprehend that thought, I was engulfed in his arms. Jameson held me tightly to his chest, his breathing was labored, and he was trembling. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close while I tried to get my own emotions under control.

  “Are you all right?” Solomon asked me once Jameson and I broke apart. He searched my face, concern clearly written on his, which caused my heart to soften toward him just a little more.

  “I’m fine,” I assured him, tucking strands of hair behind my ear. My gaze shifted to the kneeling vampires.

  Solomon’s hazel eyes, so like my own, searched my face one last time, then turned to the vampires. “Joshua, what happened?”

  Joshua shook his head before meeting Solomon’s gaze and his bright eyes faded to a dull red. “Half the crew grew sick shortly after we left, and we fell behind the others. We were a day behind when we finally started to make some headway, but a pirate ship intercepted us. They came so fast, there was no time to properly arm ourselves.”

  “We were overrun,” another man added, swallowing hard as he remembered the attack. “They were too strong. Nothing we did harmed them.”

  “They bit and drained nearly everyone, tossing their bodies overboard,” Joshua continued. “After turning us, they left us adrift in open waters… with nothing.”

  “Everyone on your ship is dead?” Solomon asked, and at Joshua’s nod, he swore vehemently.

  “We didn’t know where to go or what to do. Then, I remembered… what you are. We turned the ship around and headed back here.”

  “Have you fed?” Jameson asked them with a slight growl.

  None of them answered him.

  “Have you fed?” he snarled, his voice deeper that time.

  “No,” I replied for them, and every single one of the new vampires turned to me.

  “They haven’t fed?” Solomon asked me, something tugging on the corner of his lips.

  “I… don’t know how I know. I just do.” Trepidation became thick in my throat as I swallowed.

  “She’s right,” Joshua finally admitted, nodding at me. “We have not fed. You’re the first we have encountered since the attack.”

  The others shuffled around on their knees, and their mannerisms confused me. Jameson noticed their discomfort as well, and he eyed them warily.

  “You need to feed, but you will not feed on humans. I won’t allow it.” Solomon pulled Joshua up to stand. “Follow me, and we’ll get you all some blood. This is going to be a hard transition. You’ll need to strengthen your mind, and you won’t have a lot of time to do it. Blood will speak to you, call to you in every beat of a human’s heart, but if you feed from them, you forfeit your souls.”

  “Will you go to the ship and help them?” a young man asked me in a whisper.

  He was the one I had hit with my palm. He was taller than me, but his body was still thin, showing his youth. He had been turned before he had even transitioned from boy to man.

  “Help who?” I asked, but he shook his head before turning away to follow the others as Solomon led them.

  My gaze went to Jameson, who kept his eyes on their retreating backs for a minute before fully facing me. He cupped my face, brushing his lips against mine. Heat submerged me, and I drew closer to him. Grabbing my hips, he pulled me flush against him, and I moaned as his tongue flicked at mine. Urgent fingers tangled into his hair, and I pressed against him, not allowing any space to separate us.

  I came alive as his hands roved over my body, running up my sides and stopping just shy of my chest. Jameson tore his lips away, and I sucked in a breath as he pressed his forehead to mine. His eyes had returned to their blue shade that I adored. They bored into mine, and I saw the fear he had felt, along with the concern, pride, and love.

  “Shhh,” I cooed, running the backs of my fingers along his cheek.

  “That was too close. They reacted strongly to the human blood that still flows through you,” he whispered hoarsely.

  “I’m all right,” I soothed, watching his eyes close when I ran my fingers along his cheek again.

  “I know, but that doesn’t stop my natural instinct to protect you.”

  “I feel the same about you,” I replied with a smile.

  We stood there for several more moments as the sky darkened further and the moon began its ascent into the sky.

  “Let’s go see what the kid was talking about,” he suggested, then placed a tender kiss on my lips.

  I agreed, intertwining our fingers while we walked toward the dock.

  Our crew had returned to the ship, lighting the lanterns as they went. It glowed brilliantly in the dark. My eyes narrowed until I saw Alice and Henry looking at us from the deck. Alice raised her hand in a wave, and I lifted mine in turn, thankful that everyone was safely back on board.

  Jameson and I headed to the other vessel, and a dose of apprehension slithered down my spine as I took in the dark ship that had no lanterns lit. Glancing up at Jameson, the set of his jaw told me that he was feeling the same way.

  The ship was still, and the rigging creaked eerily with the slight breeze, causing me to shiver. Red stained the wooden planks of the deck. I could smell the scent of old blood and the remnants of pirate filth.

  We searched the deck but found nothing. Jameson grabbed a lantern and lit the wick. Grabbing my hand, he gave me a look that said stay behind me, and I didn’t argue. The feelings I was getting from the vessel were unnatural. It was like it pushed against us, repelled us in some way. Dread filled my chest as we descended into its bowels.

  The second deck was clear, though the feelings increased as we searched. The ship reminded me of Prime’s. The wood finish was beauti
ful, but it had lost its appeal with the dark stains of blood. The stairs were covered with it, while drops splattered the walls and ceilings. The third deck was similar to the one above.

  I clutched Jameson’s hand while we descended the last rickety staircase. We searched the rooms closest to the stairs, but we found nothing. Then, while we were heading toward the next door, a sound reached my ears. A sound no louder than a whisper. Jameson turned toward the noise, holding the lantern aloft to guide our way.

  My heart beat faster as we approached the door where the sound had originated. Jameson paused for a moment to listen, then pushed the door open. A small form scurried into a dark corner, while another crawled beneath a table. Judging by the feet that were sticking out from below the table, they were children.

  My heart skipped a beat when I heard the sound again, and this time it registered as a whimper.

  “Don’t be afraid,” I called softly to them. “It’s going to be all right. You can come out now. We won’t hurt you.”

  Feet shuffled in the dark corner, and I heard the sound of soft fabric brushing against skin, making me wager there was a little girl where the noise originated. A scraping sound came from under the table when the small body repositioned itself. Jameson took a step toward the table, but before he could bend to look under it, the girl from the corner was standing before us, blocking our way.

  She stood protectively in front of us; her long auburn hair was wavy, and shined brightly in the light. She held a doll in her hand, whose dress matched her own, though they were both dirty and stained. What unnerved me the most, though, were the bright red eyes that stared back at us.

  The girl stood as still as stone and made no other move toward us. Jameson was rigid against my side as we took in the tiny vampire girl who couldn’t be any older than ten. Before anyone made a move, the other child came out from under the table. A little boy stood up and gripped the hand of the girl. His hair was a darker brown than hers, but the similarities in their features told me they were siblings. His brown eyes were wide in fear, and his other hand was clutching a small, soiled blanket. I realized then that he hadn’t been turned.