Alliance

by Lacy Williams as Lacy Yager

  “How old are you, anyway?”

  I wish Shane would stop staring at me. Or ask a few questions of his own. His silence is starting to bug me.

  “I’m seventeen in human years. And,” I cough over my next words, trying to cover them, “A-hundred-seventy in vampire years.”

  Lily looks shocked for the first time since the events of last night. She’s been seriously resilient. “You’re a hundred-eighty-seven years old?”

  “Mm hmm.”

  “So vampires don’t… age?”

  I’m exhausted. I didn’t sleep on the flight, was too worried about Hannah. And I don’t want to talk about this anymore, not with Shane right there across from me.

  “No, they don’t.” It’s Shane who answers.

  Lily turns to him, and I hold back the snarl that wants to erupt when he smiles at her. He’s not mine, and he doesn’t want to be. I need to remember that.

  “But vampires can die, right?”

  “Yeah,” Shane answers. “Stick ‘em in the heart, or the head—basically you have to give them an injury their bodies can’t heal from. Of course that’s sometimes a challenge because they heal so fast.”

  “How can they—you–” Lily brings me back into the conversation with a look, “be in the sunlight?”

  “Myth,” Shane says. “Sort of. Vampires can be in the sun, but only in human form. If they get hit with sunlight while they’re vamped out, it’s like… well, it’s like accelerated decomposition of a human body. If you were left out in the sun for a month, what would happen to your body?”

  She doesn’t answer, but turns a little green. He doesn’t seem to notice as he continues on.

  “That would happen to a vampire in a matter of seconds. It’s not a bad way to get rid of a vamp, but it leaves a pretty disgusting mess.”

  “That’s really gross,” she manages to choke out. “So are all the myths about vampires true?”

  He shrugs. “Holy water works to burn them, although you have to have a lot to make it kill; stakes work, but a knife works just fine too.”

  Does she notice that everything he says revolves around killing my kind?

  Lily considers him for a moment, her eyes narrowing. “How come you know so much about them? Are you one?”

  Shane flinches, disgust showing in the twist of his lips. “No!”

  She waits for him to answer, but he hesitates. Is he going to answer?

  “He’s a Chaser,” I tell Lily.

  “What’s that?”

  I look at him with raised eyebrows, asking does he want to elaborate, or should I? He’s told her so much about me… I return the favor.

  “Chasers aren’t supernatural or anything.” I glance at Chloe because she is supernatural, but I’ve never come across another Chaser who was. “It’s sort of a tradition thing. If your granddad is a Chaser, then your dad is a Chaser, and so are you, and your son is… see what I mean?”

  She nods. “But what does a Chaser do?”

  “They hunt and kill vampires.”

  “What?” She exclaims it. “So you guys are like mortal enemies?”

  Shane looks uncomfortable; he shifts in his seat and his calf brushes mine. Through both our pairs of pants I feel heat.

  I shrug. I don’t have an answer for that. “The girls are Chasers too.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Remember how I said it’s a family thing? They start training really young.”

  “So then…” Lily glances in Rachel’s direction, but the other girl is staring out the window and doesn’t register it. I wonder if Lily is remembering Rachel’s attempt to get information out of her. Something—hurt, maybe?—passes over Lily’s face but she quickly hides it.

  “So how come you guys haven’t killed each other?” Lily asks. She can’t be totally oblivious that Shane and his family are hostile to me, so I silently congratulate her on a well placed question and give Shane a pointed eyebrow. He didn’t answer well enough when I asked him back in the states. Maybe now I’ll find out.

  But he stays silent and I change the subject, talking to both of them. “We’re getting close to Bristol. We should stop and grab some food, because I doubt there’s anything where we’re going.”

  “Fine,” Shane says. He’s been watching me this whole time; I can’t read the expression on his face now.

  I use the intercom to buzz the driver and tell him to stop at a grocery. Daniel bristles at the delay, as expected, but grudgingly agrees.

  Chloe wakes up as we pull in to a spot right out front of the store. I don’t want to leave Hannah, who hasn’t roused again since the airport and whose pulse feels weaker than ever, so I pass Lily some cash and instructions to get some fresh fruit and stuff with protein in it—I know Hannah will need it when she wakes up. I refuse to think that she might not regain consciousness.

  Chloe decides she has to pee, so Rachel offers to go with her. The three girls exit the limo and then Shane and I are left with the comatose Hannah.

  It must dawn on him that this is the first time we’ve been alone since the dance, because color climbs in his face and he moves his legs restlessly, as if he’s uncomfortable.

  “I don’t know what to say,” he admits.

  “So don’t say anything.”

  He clears his throat and I almost feel bad for goading him. “I feel like I should apologize.”

  “You probably should. Which part do you want to start with? Using me? Lying to me? Or almost getting us all killed because you didn’t believe me about the cats? Or what about for ruining my life? I was content at E.W. House.”

  “I didn’t lie to you.” He keeps his voice low but there’s nothing soft about his tone. “And you’re forgetting that I’m the reason you got out of there. Without me, you never would have made it on that plane.”

  “Without you, I wouldn’t have had a problem getting on the plane. Those cataratoares targeted Chloe. You want to tell me why?”

  He shakes his head, throwing up his hands. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen anything like that before. I didn’t even think cats existed anymore.”

  “Your training didn’t cover them?”

  “No,” he snaps. “My parents were worried about other things.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Well, it’s the truth.” A muscle jumps in his jaw as he stubbornly stares me down. “My parents weren’t by-the-book Chasers. They had some off-the-wall ideas.”

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t even know all of it, but what I’ve seen in my dad’s journal they wanted to try and create some kind of super-Chaser.”

  “What do you mean?” I’ve got a bad feeling about what he’s getting ready to say.

  “I think… and you can’t say anything, but I don’t think Chloe is my dad’s.”

  How awful. I imagine Chloe, if she ever finds out, will be really hurt that her parents cared more about Chasing than about her as a person. I know I would.

  “They spent time training me, and started with my sisters, too, but they had this whole other project going at the same time.”

  It sounds like his parents didn’t think Shane was very important either. How sad. But we’re getting off track here.

  “Has Chloe ever been attacked before?”

  He shrugs. “It’s all pretty much the same once the vampires figure out you’re a Chaser. I haven’t noticed anything special towards her, no.”

  “Until yesterday.”

  “Until then.”

  I have to offer, even though I have a feeling it’s going to get thrown right back in my face. “I might be able to help. The place where we’re going—Wellington Castle—has an old library and I can look for some useful texts there.”

  “Thanks, but we won’t be there long. I need to get on the internet and…” he hesitates, “send a couple emails, but then we’re outta here.”

  That’s about what I thought. I stifle my disappointment. What did I think, that Shane wanted to spend tim
e with me, or that spending time with me would magically make him like me? Ha.

  “Well, the house doesn’t have internet, but I bet there’s a library in Dawlish.”

  I see the girls come out of the storefront and turn my head away from Shane, not wanting him to see my disappointment and think it’s something else. I focus on Chloe, who is already munching on something out of the paper bag she holds.

  “For what it’s worth,” he says softly, “I am sorry for everything.”

  It’s not worth much.

  Another two hours passes before we pass the small hamlet of Dawlish, nestled on the southern coast, but nobody’s talking much now—I think we’re all exhausted from the travel.

  Hannah’s not going to last much longer. My vampire senses tell me she’s fading; her breathing is slower and shallower now; her pulse is declining.

  Good thing it’s only about another mile to the castle.

  “Someone’s tailing us,” Shane says, moving to the rear seat and going on his knees to better see out the rear window. “Red sports car—is that a Lotus? Nice!”

  “Umm, that’s Caleb; he’s a friend—Hannah’s brother.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. I’ve known him almost as long as I’ve known Hannah.”

  Shane shoots a scowl at me over his shoulder. “I meant, are you sure it’s him in this car?”

  “Oh.” Whoops. “Can you see his face? Long brown hair—probably to his shoulders? Cute?”

  I see Shane’s lips purse before he turns back again. What’s his deal?

  “He’s not another vampire, is he?”

  “No. He’s warlock; no danger to you.”

  “Whoa…” Lily murmurs under her breath. For a second I think she’s talking about Caleb, but then I realize we’ve turned onto the drive that leads up to Wellington Castle. The humans instantly hush.

  The drive up to my family estate is a quarter mile of arched greenery, so thick that you can’t see through it on the castle side. Behind the greenery is a twelve foot tall wrought iron fence, mostly intertwined with ivy. It’s useful in keeping out most curious humans but wouldn’t keep out vamps if they really wanted to make it to the estate. Let’s hope our arrival has been unnoticed by any locals.

  It’s getting close to sunset, so the last rays of light are flitting through the greenery in small beams, cutting through the shadows. The effect is pretty gloomy.

  “This is creepy,” Chloe comments, moving to sit by Shane. He pats her hand awkwardly.

  “Tell me about it,” Lily says. “What did you say this place is called again?”

  “Wellington Castle.”

  Her eyes assess me. “Is that the same as Edward Wellington House back in Boston?”

  Funny how she’s the only one who’s caught that. I nod and don’t elaborate.

  I still can’t believe we’re here. I’m not ready to face the house—the memories. The last time I was here… everyone died. Including me. I haven’t forgotten one thing, and even the drive up to the house is making me anxious enough to pant. But I have to be strong for Hannah.

  The limo slows for the last curve and I touch Hannah’s face. “Almost there, Han. Caleb’s going to make you all better.” But there’s no response.

  They want to kill us. I look up sharply. The voice sounds like Chloe, but it echoes in my head just like Hannah’s telepathy.

  Chloe is still sitting next to Shane; her eyes are huge and she’s staring right at me.

  “Oooh,” Lily coos, her nose almost pressed against the glass—she’s just seen the castle for the first time. It’s small for a castle—two and a half storeys for the main house with battlements, a servants’ wing, and the church that was added after the original house was built. Gray and white stone, a portico, full-length arched windows, and a few artfully placed topiaries complete the picture.

  Rachel snorts.

  I don’t waste time looking at the scenery, I’m focused on Chloe, who hasn’t looked away from me. Her heartbeat is accelerating.

  “Chloe?” I ask.

  Can you hear me? This time her voice in my head is softer, more like a whisper.

  I nod. Head still in my lap, Hannah moans but doesn’t move.

  Shane’s looking between the two of us. “What’s going on? Chloe?”

  I notice she’s shaking, and apparently so does he, because he moves to kneel on the floor and pushes her until she’s sitting completely against the back of the leather bench seat. “Are you having a seizure?”

  She jerks her head back and forth once.

  “Chloe, who wants to kill us?”

  “What are you doing to her?” Rachel demands, suddenly holding a knife against my throat; her other hand pins me against my seat. If I vamp out, I can push her off, but I can’t risk hurting Hannah further.

  “I’m not doing anything,” I say at the same time Chloe cries, “Don’t, Rachel!”

  Maggie! Chloe’s voice inside my head is followed quickly by a series of images flashing by. Rachel crumpled on the floor, blood forming a pool beneath her. Shane roaring and attacking a vampire I’ve never seen before, in a round room with four doors. Myself, being held against a wall that I recognize. Other images too, but I don’t catch them all because they’re going so fast.

  Then everything stops—I don’t hear Chloe in my head anymore, just my own thoughts. Chloe is holding both her fists against her eyes, now rocking back and forth, still trembling.

  Shane flaps his hands helplessly.

  “Hug her,” I command, and he looks at me like I’ve spoken in another language. In slow motion, he wraps his arms around his sister. She throws hers around his neck and clings to him like a limpet.

  I’m peripherally aware of Rachel moving back to her seat; I’m processing everything I just saw. One thing is clear. The interior walls and windows in those images was the front entrance and center hall beneath the tower. Is someone waiting for us inside?

  They can already smell me.

  Chloe watches me over Shane’s shoulder, tears now in her eyes.

  The limo rolls to a stop, tires crunching in the gravel.

  There’s the sound of multiple doors opening. I punch the button for the window and grab my brother’s sleeve as he passes by. “Who’s in the house?” I demand.

  He pulls out of my grasp, still human thanks to the fading sunlight. “Probably Alex. I don’t know, he might’ve brought a few friends.” His disparaging grin shows his canines, though no fangs.

  “I thought there weren’t more vampires here,” Shane says angrily. He’s got his knife in one hand, the other arm still around Chloe.

  The limo driver opens the back door and Caleb sticks his head in. “Hannah?” he asks, tone urgent.

  “She’s here.” I state the obvious because he’s already inside, carefully picking up his sister. He touches her arm with the hand under her back, and I hope he’s flowing healing to her even while getting out of the car.

  I think he expected Shane and Chloe to already be out of his way, because when he turns to go back out the door, he stalls. “Full ride, Maggie?”

  “We need to get in the church,” I decide. I point to the curved building that extends from the end of the castle, attached only by a small hallway. “There’s an outside entrance on the far corner. Hurry, the sunlight’s fading.”

  21 - Shane

  Chloe seems to calm as we enter what Maggie says is a church; my sister lets me release her from where I carried her in.

  I’m questioning myself. Is this all a big mistake? Even broke and with no IDs, should we have stayed at the airport, away from Maggie?

  I spin in a slow circle, taking in the surroundings. The interior walls are the same gray and white stone as the exterior; there are multiple windows along each wall, at the opposite end of the sanctuary, the building is curved; a large arch delineates a platform that spans the width of the room—probably where the pulpit would have stood. The room is empty, save some uncomfortable-looking woode
n chairs. Maybe they’ll make some heavy-duty stakes though, if we carve them up?

  Maggie seems to know what I’m going to ask before I get the words out. She moves into the middle of the room and points to the first of two doors half-hidden by an alcove on the other side of the arch. “To the house; the other one is a small library. That room doesn’t have an outer exit.”

  Two ways in and out.

  I move to one of the windows and tap on it. The glass feels normal; it’s not really large enough for a person to fit through, but I’ve seem vampires do some crazy things to find their next meal.

  “I doubt they’ll come within fifty feet of this place,” Maggie says. “You know vampires can’t handle anything holy.”

  “Then let’s hope this place was covered in holy water when it was dedicated. Did the limo driver leave?”

  “Yep.” She looks over her shoulder to where the new guy, Caleb, is crouched over a prone Hannah on the floor. “You might be able to talk Caleb into parting with his ride, but there’s a lot of woods between here and town; you’d never be able to tell what was out there.”

  Is she warning me or just making conversation?

  “Don’t worry, Shane,” Chloe says. “We’re going to be okay now. Maggie’s going to take care of us.”

  I look down at her by my side; I didn’t realize she was still so close to me. “Thanks, kiddo.”

  Unfortunately I can’t rely on an eight-year-old’s intuition to help me plan a way to get out of here.

  “Rach, can you help me find something to bar the doors? If we can do that, we’ll leave one person on watch and the other can sleep.”

  She waves and heads for the small room Maggie called the library. I realize what she’s doing right about the same time I realize there could be something hiding in the so-called library, and I start after her. She pulls open the door and a dark shape erupts. She shrieks and I jump toward her, then she throws the item—a large black cloth—onto the floor in front of her.

  “Sorry.” Rach sounds disgusted with herself. “Can’t believe I did that.” She looks up and sees me close and scowls. “I’ll handle it.” She goes into the room without a backward glance at me. I wait a beat but there’s no sound of a scuffle, so I relax.