“Alpha?”
I shushed him, needing to hear what Sofia was saying.
“You will be looking at the screen wondering why I have sent him and the answer to the question is the one he has probably already given you. Brendan is there to guard you. Well, to help you. I know you are more than capable of looking after yourself, my dear, but— Things are about to change for the worst, pet. And they will strike while the iron is hot, while you are distracted.”
I squeezed the hilt of my blade. My focus transfixed on this younger version of the woman who had had a hand in raising me. A mixture of confusion and anxiety battled in the pit of my stomach. Why send a stranger, Auntie S? If things are getting worse, why didn’t you tell me, send for me?
“I know you are grieving, my darling, but you must focus. You are more important to them than you realize, Heather. For years, they have watched you carefully; you became a threat only once we completed your training. Maybe it is my fault entirely. Maybe I shouldn’t have trained you. Maybe I ...”
I had never seen my aunt like this. Sofia never questioned her choices. Especially when it came to Heather and what was best for her, when it came to our family’s duty.
“Elle, what t’hell is this?”
“Please shut up,” I snapped, not daring to pull my focus from the screen.
“I had to do what I knew was best for you, my dear. And, because of my choice, you became a subject of great interest to them. Your survival has been a great interest to them. You are rare, Heather. Strong. Unique. And, because of that, some will want to change you. Some will simply want you dead. And others ... the others will want to use you.”
Use her. How would Vampires use Heather? Change her and wanting her dead, I understood. She was an Infected, after all. She was a Vampire Slayer, and all Vampires wanted our family dead. Simple. But Heather was unique as she was a born Infected, which was why the Vampires followed her to Ireland, why they left when she did.
“Elle, seriously, this is freaking me out. What t’hell is she going on about?”
“Heather is different, special. I told you that.”
“Yeah, but this … this is crazy.”
“Heather is the only one of her kind. She’s unique.” I turned to him. The cold light of the television screen seemed to reach out to him in the darkness; his skin looked translucent. His eyes were dark and wide, his brow furrowed in confusion. The tips of his small fangs pressed against his pale lips. “As are you.”
His eyes locked with mine.
He was different, unique. The Vampires had kidnapped him and his friend and used them to experiment on. Was that what Sofia meant? Were the Vampires planning on using Heather in similar ways? If they were experimenting on random humans … What would it mean to experiment on her, the only born Infected they knew of?
Did Sofia know about Nathan? Did she know he would be back and that he would be a Vampire?
A tiny pop of hope tickled my insides as my focus turned back to the screen.
If she knew … well, maybe she had figured out a way to let Nathan in? Maybe Heather was okay?
“I can’t tell you any more than that. I want to. God, how I want to tell you, but if you know, you might change everything, Heather, and you can’t. No. I mean you must not. It is vital that you do not change the path before you. I have told you, many times, that certain events must happen in a person’s life for a reason, always for a reason. The events that will unfold before you ... they must happen, Heather. They have to. Oh, I have seen your future, my dear.”
Tears gathered in my aunt’s eyes, her expression so pained. There was so much she wanted to say. I could see it in the slight tremble of her jaw, in the tight way her lips pressed together.
A shiver spiralled up my spine. Sofia, what the hell have you seen? What haven’t you told us?
“I have seen ... everything. You will see things, sense things—like you always have—but they will be hard to understand. You may not even realize what you are seeing until you are actually within that moment, that situation. But no matter what you do—and I know what you will do because I know you, I know how strong you are—” She smiled slightly. “You must walk this path. It will be difficult, but trust me. Trust yourself. You must stay on this path and face everything head on. I’m just so sorry that I’m not with you and that I can’t help you.
“That is why I have asked Carter to send Brendan, because I know he is the only one who can help you. Brendan, come here, laddie, so she can see you. Otherwise, she won’t believe you are who you say you are.”
Shoving my blade back in its holder, I then rummaged in my jacket pocket, retrieving my phone, quickly opening the camera.
“She seems like a pain in the arse,” a male replied.
The camera moved, stopping on a man. “Heather, this is Brendan Daniels.”
He was tall, with broad shoulders, sandy blond hair, striking green eyes. Handsome, if you liked the surfer type.
I knelt down and took a photo of the man on the screen.
Why was he the only one that could help her? She had family. Why did Sofia call upon a stranger?
“Try to be nice, for your own sake. I love you, Heather. So does your mother. She loves you so, so much. Goodbye, my wee pet.”
The DVD stopped. Grey static filled the screen.
“Well, that was possibly one of the most messed up things I’ve ever seen,” Nathan stated. “Why t’hell is there a Mission Impossible type message in your cousin’s DVD player?”
I fell back onto my calves, my blurred eyes lost in the sea of black, white, and grey dots before me. “How did you—?”
“I wanted to check the news,” He cut in quickly. “T’see if me or Freddie … I’m sorry, it just came on, and—”
“It’s fine.” I pulled my focus from the screen and looked down at the photo on my mobile. “I kind of knew there was a DVD. Heather mentioned it in the last conversation she had with my mum. I just didn’t expect it t’be …”
“Completely cryptic and unnerving.”
A dry laugh escaped me. “Aye. Exactly that.”
Not to mention strange that the DVD would still be in the player. Wouldn’t she have put it away somewhere safe, secret?
It wasn’t exactly full of helpful information, but still, it wasn’t exactly something you would want someone to come across.
“So, Heather’s in danger?”
I slid my phone into my pocket and pushed myself up until I was standing. “Heather has always been in danger.”
“Which is why she has a Werewolf bodyguard?”
“Aye.” How did Sofia know a Werewolf?
“And neither Heather nor this Brendan have been heard from since …?”
I dropped on to the nearby armchair, resting my head against the plump, red material. “September 24th. Exactly three weeks.”
“So, we’re the back-up team?”
It was only meant to have been me. I was coming over to help Heather who I now needed because I suddenly had a Vampire that required my help, our help. I had no Heather and no clue where she was. I had no clue what had happened to Nathan. No clue what the hell Sofia had seen, or knew, or even planned for. Just no damn clue of what I was supposed to do.
I was still torn over the fact that Nathan was with me. Had I done the right thing keeping him alive, well, mobile? Two heads had always been better than one. And once upon a time, Nathan and I had been a good team. Sure, our foes had been imaginary, but we had been inseparable for years … Had been. Past tense, girl.
“I guess we are.” Whether I liked it or not.
“Okay.”
I glanced at him with an arched eyebrow. “Okay?”
“Just making sure I was up t’speed.”
I was glad one of us felt as if we were because my head was about ready to explode. My limbs suddenly felt as if they were made of lead. Sitting down had clearly been a bad idea.
“Do y’mind?” He pointed the remote at the television.
“No.” I leaned forward and braced my elbows on my knees, not paying any attention to the images on the screen or what the reporter was saying. All I could think about was the DVD, the fact that my aunt Sofia had basically told my cousin that she knew shit was about to hit the fan, but she purposely wasn’t giving her an umbrella.
My gaze drifted to the bookshelf in the left corner, to three photos sitting on the bottom shelf. Forcing myself to stand, I moved closer, picking one up. A young Sofia stood smiling with my uncle Jean and a very young Alexis. I couldn’t make out the location, but it was a sunny day.
The next picture was of Alexis and Dorian on what looked like their wedding day. Alexis had a knee-length white Bardot dress on; it was simple. Her hair was down, for a change, dark and wavy. Dorian wore a black suit without a tie, his blond hair slicked back with a stray chunk falling over his brow. I had seen him only once when I was a child. He was handsome. Heather was the spitting image of her mother, but looking at Dorian, I could see the similarities. Heather had his nose and his smile.
My cousin and her husband stood on the steps of what I could only presume was the local town hall. Dorian’s arm was round Alexis’ waist, her right round his while her left hand rested on his chest. No one else was around them, but they didn’t seem to mind, their focus on each other. Genuine smiles rested on their faces. They looked happy.
I couldn’t remember seeing Alexis smile while she lived with us. She was always so quiet, serious. Restrained. Unless she was arguing with my father. I thought he had a fiery temper, but Jesus, Alexis gave him a run for his money.
I put down the first frame and picked up the third, a black and white baby scan: Heather.
Once again, I felt my eyes grow sore as I starred at the scan. My cousin had tried so hard for a normal life. She had done everything she was told she had to, everything she was trained to do. She still hunted. She still protected her family and all the innocent, clueless people of this world, but it wasn’t enough. The small piece of normality she had put so much effort into moulding toward some resemblance of a happy life had been snatched away from her. Her husband had never even got to meet his baby—a baby that was infected on the night he died. Because he died. Because Alexis was still fighting, still doing her duty even while she was pregnant. Even though Sofia had told her she would lose Dorian. Even while she watched him devoured before her eyes.
She had deserved so much more than what had happened to her. As had Dorian.
I put the frame down and wiped my eyes.
“You okay?”
“Fine.” I coughed away the lump forming in my throat. “Just a little tired, I guess.”
“I’m not surprised. You’ve been up all night. You should go and get some sleep.”
“I’m okay.”
“You’re not going t’be any good to anyone if you can’t keep your eyes open.”
As I turned to protest, my gaze fell on a bag wedged between the side table and the end of the sofa. I crossed the few meters and dropped down to my knees, pulling it out. The black sports bag was already open, a man’s limited selection of T-shirts, jeans, toiletries, and other necessities all shoved inside.
I held a green T-shirt out to Nathan. “Can you smell anything?”
“You want me t’sniff another dude’s top?” He arched an eyebrow at me, his nose wrinkling. “That’s nasty.”
“Than, if you can get a scent of some kind, then it might help us.”
“How?”
“The same way me taking a photo of this Brendan will. You might pick up on it when we’re out looking for them.”
He pinched the green material between his right thumb and index finger, pulling it slowly from my grasp. He held it up, the material dangling in front of his face. “This isn’t right.”
I rolled my eyes. “Quit being a wimp.”
“If I’m a wimp, what are you?”
“I’m a human whereas you’re a Vampire with a heightened sense of smell.”
“You always have an answer for everything, don’t you?”
“Just smell the damn T-shirt, you big girl.”
He leant forward and took a sniff. Disgust crinkled his features.
“Can’t smell much. A little BO, a hint of cologne, and a sort of …” He reluctantly sniffed again, “I don’t know. A kinda wet dog smell.”
“Okay. Good. Try and remember it.”
“I don’t think I’m going t’be able to forget it.” He flung the T-shirt back at me, which I caught before it hit me in the face.
Further searching proved useless. There was no wallet or passport, anything that might tell me where this so-called Werewolf lived. The only helpful thing was a pair of black trainers, which I handed to Nathan.
“Now you want me t’wear his shoes?”
“You want to continue walking around barefoot?”
He took the trainers and glanced inside. “They’re two sizes too big.”
“Well, either them or I can see if Sofia or Heather have any.”
“Because ladies’ trainers are so much better?”
“As long as they’re not bright pink with hearts and butterflies, who will know?” I stood. “Besides, it’s not like you’re going t’be seeing anyone y’know.”
“Doesn’t mean I want t’look like an eejit for the people I may accidentally bump into.”
“You look like an eejit regardless of the trainers.”
“Takes one to know one,” he grumbled before pulling his tongue out at me.
“God, you’re such a child.” I folded my arms over my chest. “Look, trust me, girls’ trainers might draw attention away from the fact you look half dead.”
“I am dead.”
“That’s my point.” My heart lurched as his expression flattened slightly. “Rummage through the Werewolf’s clothes and then go get a shower. I will go and see if I can find some alternative footwear for you, which may be possible as Heather has never been a girly girl.”
“I don’t think the Werewolf will like me borrowing his clothes.”
I couldn’t imagine any Werewolf being happy about a Vampire wearing his clothes, but there had been no clothes shops open on the ferry or in the services on the way here. So really, what choice did he have?
“Well, it’s between his, Heather’s, or Sofia’s. Choice is yours.”
He pulled the sports bag across the floor and dipped inside. A smile stretched his lips as he pulled out deodorant and cologne. “At least I won’t smell like a girl.”
“Thank God for small graces.” I wandered to the living room door. “Oh, there should be some of Heather’s mixture in the fridge. You know, if you’re thirsty. It’s been a few hours—”
“I will take a look.”
Cutting across the hallway, I climbed the stairs, each upward step beating home the fact that I was actually pretty exhausted, but resting wasn’t an option.
I paused at the top of the narrow landing. My gaze tripped over the darkened space. Four doors lined the walls, all closed, which seemed odd. Was it normal for people to close all the doors in their house when they weren’t home?
If anyone would have been up here that shouldn’t have, I’m sure they would have been frightened off by now, or alternatively, they would have come charging down the stairs. Nevertheless, my hand still took its usual position on my right hip mere inches away from the blade I had holstered earlier.
I turned to my left and reached for the handle to the nearest door, pushing the panel wide and glancing into the dark room. My left hand skimmed the wall yet again searching for a light switch. In an instant, the light popped on.
I automatically noted that this room was as void of any character as the kitchen and dining room. Sure, the furniture matched, and the colour scheme was the same for the bedding and curtains—a deep red, which seemed somewhat ironic. For all I knew, I could have been standing in a hotel room right now. There was no personality.
The only tell-tale sign that I had just stepped i
nside my cousin’s bedroom was the odd hair accessory resting on the vanity table situated against the wall facing the end of the bed. That, and a single frame of what I could only presume held a photograph of Alexis and Dorian, which sat on the bedside table.
I moved around the bed, stopping before the wardrobe, opening the double doors wide. I knew I had been right when I stated that Heather wasn’t a girly girl, but luckily, the sight of black footwear confirmed my statement. Mainly boots, which I highly doubted Nathan would want to wear, but luckily, amongst the small selection lay a pair of worn in black trainers. They would no doubt be too small for Nathan, but at least he now had an alternative option if the Werewolf’s spare pair turned out too loose for him.
Grabbing hold of the trainers, I straightened, closing the doors and turning back to the room.
The place was spotless. No indication of a struggle. No real indication that anyone actually slept in here. The bed was neat and tidy. The small amount of accessories on the vanity table seemed to all have a place and position. For all I knew, it could have been days since Heather last slept in this room.
It wasn’t like I expected some item or note to be conveniently placed somewhere obvious that would scream “oh hey, just in case I’m missing, and you need to find me, I’m …” No, a clue would have been way too kind and made everything way too easy.
I wandered back across the room and out into the hallway, leaving the light on and the door wide open. I wasn’t sure why, but closing it felt weird.
I moved to the next door situated on the left. I pushed it open. A hint of musk stirred in the air, indicating that I had just stepped into Sofia’s bedroom. I paused, unsure of whether I should even bother looking in the room, but just standing there seemed as close as I was going to get to being near my aunt one last time. The right place to say a proper goodbye.
Turning on the light, I remained in the doorframe. Taking even half a step into the room seemed like a huge invasion of privacy despite how idiotic the thought was. Her room seemed more personal than Heather’s, but then again, she had lived a decently long life and had a collection of trinkets and artwork that she had collected over the years.
Cross My Heart Page 10
