“I told them Nate and Caleb were bringing you inside. They planned to start looking for you in the basement.” Matt scanned the room. “Where are we, anyway?”
“The Boiler Room. I think we’re in the basement.”
“Good, then they’ll find us before they take my soul and turn you into one of them.”
“I can’t wait that long.” The wheels in Janie’s head started spinning. She had to think of something.
“What are you going to do?”
“Get out of here. Seeker training lesson five—resourcefulness.”
“Seeker what?” He shook his head. “Never mind; let me know what I can do.” He didn’t sound confident.
Janie scanned the room for an object she could use to get the cuffs off her wrists. Where’s dry ice when you need it? Nate and Caleb had taken all her blades. Think, Janie.
The doorknob turned and stopped. Fear consumed Janie. She’d rather die then turn into the monster she’d been trained to hunt. That’s it. She wouldn’t let Antony win. If she died, he couldn’t use her as a weapon. It wasn’t the resourcefulness she originally thought about, but she didn’t have much other choice.
She decided not to tell Matt about her plan. He most likely wouldn’t agree. Janie noticed loose rope hanging next to him. She wasn’t that far from him in the small room. Antony would enter soon. She had to act fast.
“Hey, Matt, throw me that rope.”
“Why?” he said. She gave him a look.
“You’re the Seeker,” he said. “I’ll try.” He slid his bound hands across the floor. When he hit the rope’s resistance, he extended his fingers until he reached the excess rope. “Got it.”
“Now throw it to me. You’ve only got one shot, so make it a good one.”
“Pressure—okay, here goes nothing.” He flung the rope forward with a flick of his wrist. It landed next to her.
“Nicely done.” Janie inverted her feet and clutched the rope between the heels of her boots. She pulled her knees into her chest, bringing the rope closer to her cuffed hands. She drew in a deep breath and reached out as far as she could to grab the rope. The metal cuff sliced into her flesh. Blood dripped from her wrists.
“What are you going to do now?” Matt’s face turned green at the sight of her blood.
“I’m sorry to leave you. I don’t know of any other way. I’m too dangerous to be Turned. With me under Antony’s control, he would be unstoppable. They aren’t interested in you. Kai will be here soon. He’ll save you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t leave you. Antony will be too preoccupied with me to touch you before Kai gets here.”
“Janie—what are you saying?” Matt scrambled into a semi-seated position.
“I’m so sorry for everything. . .the attacks, the Imprint, and all of this.”
“Janie—no, you aren’t, you can’t,” he said desperately.
“The Imprint should go away when I’m gone.” She blinked. A tear rolled down her cheek. “You won’t feel this way anymore. It will be better for you.”
Matt tugged on the rope in an attempt to free himself or pull it from Janie’s grip. “Don’t tell me what will be better for me,” he said. “Do you know how many people love you? Kai, your mom, Abram, Ava, Luke. You can’t do this to them. . .or me.”
“I don’t have any other choice. It’s better if I’m dead than a killer.” She smiled faintly. In dying, she’d save so many. She could make that sacrifice. It was her job. In everything she’d learned recently about herself and the people around her, she always knew one thing. . .she was a good Seeker. No matter what, she’d get the job done. “Goodbye, Matt.” She looped the rope around her neck.
Abram strode next to Kai through the concrete hallway in the basement, daggers in hand and ready for anything.
Kai pushed Abram into an open door.
“What’s wrong?” Abram aligned himself with Kai along the wall.
“I hear footsteps.” Kai listened out the doorway. “There are two sets of them. Get ready.” Kai held his arm up. Abram raised his chin, ready to spring on cue. “Now—” They leapt out of the room, daggers drawn.
Kai sprinted up the wall and catapulted into the air. On his descent, he jabbed the dagger into the woman’s skull. She slumped over, dropping the girl in her arms to the linoleum floor.
“Dang, Kai—that hurt.” Tanya yanked the dagger from her skull. “If you were trying to kill me, you missed my heart by a mile.” She shook her head. “Watch where you’re plunging that thing next time.”
Kai fell to the floor. Janie. He scooped her up into his arms and clutched her to him. “Tanya—what happened to her?” He placed his ear to her chest. Her breathing was shallow and weak.
“I don’t know. I found her and that boy,” she pointed to Matt, “tied up like this.”
“She tried to strangle herself with a rope,” Matt said. “I tried to stop her, but I couldn’t reach her.”
Kai glared at him. “Why are you still here? I told you you were going to get her killed.” Kai traced the red line around her neck with his finger. You have to be okay. Wake up!
“I tried to leave! They caught me and threw me in the boiler room with Janie. She was chained to something. Antony was about to inject her with vampire venom and use my soul to Turn her.”
“But why would she do this?” Kai stared at the red line. He couldn’t lose her. Abram was right. You don’t know what you can’t live without until it’s gone. Stay with me please.
Matt continued. Hyperventilating, he said, “She said it was the only way to keep people safe. With her gone, she wouldn’t be a threat.”
Kai appraised Janie’s beautiful face. “You would rather die than become a monster. A Daychild with a Seeker’s skills and strength would be deadly, and you knew that.” Kai kissed her forehead. “Your dagger says it all. . .U-le-tsu-ya-s-ti. You’re so brave, stubborn and reckless, but brave.”
“There they are, get ’em!” Antony said.
Antony and the remaining Daychildren appeared at the end of the hallway.
Abram placed his hand on Kai’s shoulder. “Give her to me. You are the only one who can defeat Antony.”
Kai kissed Janie one more time. “You’ll be okay. You have to be.” He slid her limp body over to Abram. “Move her back to safety.” Abram nodded.
Kai ripped his scythe from Tanya’s hands and blew through Michaela, Caleb and the twins in a direct route to Antony. He entered and exited their bodies faster than they could process what had happened.
He did a flying side kick into Antony’s stomach, sending him to the ground. He whirled around and sent the blade whizzing toward Antony. Antony held up his arm to block his head. The blade severed his arm. It rolled to the ground beside him. Green blood squirted from the stump. Antony shrieked.
“This is for Jerome!” Tanya decapitated one of the twins. In one continuous motion, she swept her arms in a circle. Caleb brandished Janie’s dagger, ready to strike Tanya, but she was too fast—the blade severed his neck. “Rot in Hell, both of you.” Caleb’s gooey flesh disintegrated. Janie’s favorite dagger clattered to the ground.
The remaining twin stared in horror. He turned to Antony for direction.
“Quinn—I command you to kill that vampire-human freak.”
Quinn stared down at Antony with anxious pity. He didn’t speak at first, weighing his options. “You’re reign is over, Antony. Baltimore is my territory now.” He retreated, disappearing down the hallway and out the door.
Kai held the blade to Antony’s throat. Blood seeped from the incision the tip made. “It looks like your crew isn’t as loyal as you thought.”
“What are you waiting for? Just do it. Kill me.” Antony glanced off to the side, refusing to look at Kai in the shame of defeat.
“Kai—”
Kai spun around. Janie.
Abram helped her to her feet. Matt hurried over and slid Janie’s arm around his neck. Her chest jerked in uneven convulsions as she fought to breathe. Her beautiful br
own eyes were fixed on his. Kai found it hard to look away and sighed. He thought he’d lost her.
“End this. Kill him,” she rasped. Kai placed his hand over his heart. She smiled faintly.
Kai turned, glaring down over Anthony, the blade still wedged in his throat. “I will show you more mercy than you showed Jerome and Tavares showed me. It is proof that I was never like you.” Kai flipped the blade up and shoved it into Antony’s skull. A moment later, Antony joined his crew in Hell.
CHAPTER 22
Janie scanned the gym, lit up with rope lights and a mess of gaudy decorations. Every portion of the gym was covered in some sort of paper catastrophe: streamers, posters, confetti. Life-size cutouts of movie stars supported the “Hollywood” theme. How had she allowed Matt to take her to the Homecoming dance? Kai left. She had no excuse not to go.
The music changed to a slow song. Matt slipped his deep charcoal suit jacket over his teal dress shirt. He took Janie’s hand and smiled warmly. “One last dance before we leave.”
Janie followed his lead to the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She rested her hands on his arms. “Thanks for taking me. You’re a good guy, Matthew Baker.”
“You’re not too bad yourself, Janie Grey.” He kissed her lightly on the forehead.
Janie noticed Luke and Ava pressed up against each other on the dance floor a few couples away. So much had changed in just a matter of weeks. Luke and Ava together—who knew? And she was at Homecoming, with Matt Baker. . .and in love with Kai. The biggest shocker of all—I’m in love.
“Matt, I’m really sorry for everything. Almost getting you killed on multiple occasions and Imprinting you.” Janie wondered if this was how it had been with her mother and father. Did my mother really fall in love with my father the first time she saw him, or did she fall in love with him after the Imprint? Maybe my mother doesn’t even know the answer anymore.
“I don’t regret anything.” Excitement filled his eyes. “Besides, I got to shove a lance through Caleb’s stomach. I know better now. Next time I’ll go for the head and make sure to use a silver blade.”
Janie eyed him. “Let’s hope there isn’t a next time.”
“Come on, we’re friends. I don’t think I can avoid it.” He held her tighter. “Now seriously, no more talking. I have only two minutes left to hold you.” Janie relaxed and did her best to enjoy the last song of the night, but her mind wandered somewhere else. . .always somewhere else. . .with Kai.
They exited the gym. Janie smoothed her clingy strapless black dress. After many arguments with Albania, she’d finally chosen a strapless number that fell a few inches above her knees. At least it was black. She looked down at her aching feet—red high heels. Another one of Albania’s suggestions. Janie longed for her boots. They didn’t smash her toes or raise her heels so high that the arches of her feet felt as if they were going to crack in half. She intended to pry them off and never put them on again once she got home.
“Did you have an okay time?” Matt held the door open for Janie.
She stepped outside and offered him a thankful smile. “Surprisingly, I had a good time, minus these heels. How about you two?” Janie glanced at Ava and Luke. They weren’t quite holding hands, but they were close enough so their hands brushed together as they walked.
“Some of the attire was totally off-putting, but other than that, they played some decent tunes,” Luke said. He adjusted the collar of his suit jacket. “I still think there should have been a crown for best-dressed. This tie was imported from Italy.” Luke nudged Janie. “Senior Homecoming Queen. I’m proud of you, J.” He glanced over to Matt. “Sorry, dude, it’s not like we didn’t see your crown coming.”
Matt shrugged, not seeming to care in the least about the title of “Senior Homecoming King.” He already held the crown of Junior Prom King.
Ava doubled over, laughing. “I thought Molly was going to have a canary on the dance floor. She probably wrote her acceptance speech in elementary school. I guess she’ll never get to give it.” Ava’s nose crinkled and her voice deepened. “Serves her right. She’s rude and selfish and. . .I don’t like her.”
“We’ve got to work on the insults.” Luke wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Try catty, pestiferous and odious.”
“I don’t even know what those words mean,” she said flatly.
“Now that’s the Luke and Ava I’m used to.” Janie wobbled over to Ava. She focused on not tripping over her own heels. “When can I take this sash and crown off? The crown is digging into my head.” Janie tugged at the rhinestone monstrosity. “Ava, how many bobby pins did you use?”
“You’ve got a lot of hair.” Ava flipped her hand in the air. “Stop—you look beautiful.”
“So do you.” Ava wore a rusty-orange tank dress that showed off her pale, freckle-covered legs.
“I’ve got to tell you I’m surprised. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about the whole you and Luke thing. Hell, I didn’t even think he was into girls.” Janie smiled. “You make a cute couple, though. It’s nice to watch Luke dote on you. How many times did you send him for punch?”
“We aren’t really a couple. I’m not sure how he feels. We’re just really close friends. I don’t know if anything more will ever happen.” Ava shrugged. “I’m hoping.” Ava directed her eyes out into to the parking lot. She gasped. “Kai’s here.”
“What?” Janie followed her gaze. A chill shot up her spine. She realized the temperature had dropped into the thirties and she was wearing barely any clothing. It didn’t matter. Her focus stayed on one thing. . .Kai. He stood at the far end of the parking lot propped up against his bike, dressed in well-fitted jeans, long sleeves and his half-eaten boots. His hair was a deeper blond in the dark. The subtle waves fell flawlessly around his face. He looked just as he always did—perfect.
Janie nodded in his direction, her eyes still fixed on him, afraid to look away, that somehow he might be gone. Ava sees him, so he can’t be a mirage. “I don’t really know where we stand either.”
“Is he still planning to leave?” Ava tripped over the curb. Janie caught her.
“I’m not sure. We haven’t really spoken much since we took down Antony. He’s been kind of distant. I’ve given him time to sort through things. Not wanting to push him and all.”
“It looks like he’s ready to talk now. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you.”
Janie’s nerves returned. She had no idea if Kai had decided stay. He left right after he killed Antony. Abram assured him she would be fine. As hard as it was to see him go, she had to believe he’d come back to her. And he had, just like he’d promised. Her heart skipped multiple beats. He’s back…but for how long?
“J, I’ll see you later.” Ava waved to Kai. She turned to Janie and mouthed, “Call me.”
Luke and Matt walked a few steps behind. Janie glanced back. Ava pushed her forward. “Just go,” she said. “I’ll tell Matt you’ll call him later. Kai’s waiting.”
Janie smiled uncertainly at Matt. He caught her gesture, focusing on Kai. After a hesitant moment, Matt returned her smile, indicating he understood, for now.
The twenty or so foot walk from Matt’s car to Kai’s motorcycle felt like an eternity. So many questions circled Janie’s mind. Where did you go? Are you staying? Do you still want to be with me? She made a mental note not to blurt them out all at once.
Within reaching distance, his smell surrounded her. She hung back and rested her hand on the seat of his motorcycle. He appraised her and smiled. “You look, amazing.” His eyes settled on her legs. “Wow, you need to bring those out more often.”
“Thanks.” She fussed around with the crown until it finally pulled free of her hair. “I agreed to the dress and the shoes, but I did not agree to this.” She flashed the crown. “I’m not Homecoming Queen material. I don’t see how girls actually wear these.”
“You’re perfect.” Kai removed the crown from her hand and placed it on the back of his bik
e.
Janie glanced back at school. “Do you know that I’ve been in high school for almost eight years and I’ve never been to one dance?” She watched a group of students exit the building dressed in formal attire. A guy she recognized as a junior twirled his date into him and kissed her. The couple seemed to be in their own little euphoric world. For the first time in a long time, Janie felt normal. She didn’t have to watch from the sidelines. I played the game and I survived, no matter what happens next.
Her gaze returned to Kai. “I’m glad I had the experience.” She brushed her hand across his. “How have you been?”
“I’ve missed you.” He stared at her for a long, suffering moment. “I’m sorry it took me so long to find my way back.”
“I wasn’t sure if you were ever coming back.” She swallowed the hard lump in her throat.
He touched her cheek. “I promised you I would.” His words were soft, lightly stroking through her and making her pulse accelerate.
“Where did you go?” She stepped closer to him. His hand slid down her arm, tickled over her wrist and settled in her hand. At his touch, she wanted to feel his lips on hers, to hold him forever. She composed herself. I don’t even know how he feels now.
“I went to Tucson,” he said. His eyes didn’t leave hers.
“To see your parents?” She hesitated.
He drew in a deep breath. “They seem happy,” he said. “They moved. I guess they didn’t need a big house anymore, since I was gone.” Pain filled his voice. He cleared his throat to force his feelings down. “It was better that I didn’t approach them. I’m not what I was when I disappeared. How would I explain my looks? I haven’t aged a day. I still look eighteen. And they. . .they look, well, older.”
“Are you glad you went?” She attempted to comfort him with a sympathetic smile.
“I don’t have to wonder anymore.”
Janie tightened her grip on his hand. “When did you get back?”
“Last night.”
Her eyes widened. Why didn’t you come over? I’ve been waiting for you. Every day and every night I sit and wait. Every time I enter my bedroom part of me dies when you’re not there.
Dark Seeker Page 21
