End Game (Vampire Hunter Book 6)

by Reynolds, S. C.

  “Is that why Henry didn’t drive you to school?” she asked gently. “I got the impression he had feelings for you. When you used to play as kids, I always wondered if it would turn into something more when you got older.”

  “Henry really is sick,” I lied. “But yeah, things between us are…complicated.” I didn’t elaborate.

  “Well, you’re young,” Mom said. “Just try to have fun and not fret so much.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” I replied.

  We pulled up to the school and I hopped out. “See you tonight,” I said, forcing a smile.

  I walked into the courtyard and sat down on a bench. It was crazy, being here without Henry. I guess I knew things were going to change, but I wanted them to change on my terms. I doubted I would finish out the school year here, but the thought of having to go even a week without Henry was almost unbearable. Even though my heart belonged to someone else, I still cared for him deeply. And that was one thing that would never change.

  As I watched all of the students, laughing, talking about their weekends, I knew I couldn’t do it. Not today at least. I needed to see Henry, to make sure he was going to be okay. But I couldn’t ask Lucas to take me. I thought he’d forgiven me for the Mark incident, but he’d probably feel betrayed if I ran to see Henry the very next day. And besides, there was the whole sunlight issue.

  I picked up my phone and called the only person who might agree to take me to Jet’s house.

  Chapter 17

  “Get in,” Emmett said, scowling.

  “Thanks for doing this,” I said in a rush.

  “You know I have a job, right? I have classes to teach,” Emmett replied irritably.

  “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry! I didn’t realize you were missing a class to take me,” I said.

  “My classes don’t start on Monday until after lunch,” Emmett admitted. “But I feel bad, helping you skip school.”

  “Priorities, right?” I said lightly.

  “I suppose. Did anything else happen yesterday?” Emmett asked. “Please tell me your encounter with Senara was the only excitement of the day.”

  “Oh, yeah, I guess I forgot to mention that I also killed the King of Hell,” I said with a grin.

  “Aurora, that’s wonderful!” Emmett exclaimed, his foul mood dissipating. “Tell me everything.”

  After I had finished, he said, “Is that why you wanted to see Henry so badly? To tell him about Senara and Leon? You could have called him instead of skipping school to make the long trek to Jet’s house,” he pointed out.

  “I know, but I guess I’m still worried about him,” I said slowly. “I mean, he’s my oldest friend, he’s the first person I found after I crawled out of my grave. And now he’s a vampire. Life just isn’t making sense anymore.”

  “Life hasn’t made sense for a long time,” Emmett said. “Do you feel guilty about Henry?”

  “How, uh, how did you know?” I replied.

  “I’ve known for a long time you were struggling with your feelings,” Emmett said. “But you can’t force something that isn’t there.”

  “So you know I want to be with Lucas?” I asked, surprised.

  “I’ve suspected it,” Emmett said, smiling. “But I wouldn’t ask, wouldn’t really think about it, to be honest. It’s your business, whatever you decide.”

  “I’ve decided,” I said quietly. “I think Henry and I knew it all along, even if we didn’t admit it.”

  “That’s usually how those things work,” Emmett agreed.

  “Hey, Emmett?” I said.

  “Yes?”

  “The girl you liked, before Rachel, how long did it take you to get over her?” I asked, hoping it wasn’t too personal of a question.

  “Hmm.” Emmett paused. “It’s clichéd, but time really does help. As does distraction. I threw myself into my studies. And by the time I met Rachel, I barely even remembered that Becky existed.” Emmett laughed.

  “Kind of like what Henry is doing,” I whispered, thinking about him, holed up, reading his spell books, planning his career in the vampire realm.

  “Exactly.”

  We didn’t speak the rest of the way. When we pulled up outside Jet’s house, I walked to the gate and rang the buzzer.

  “Aurora? Emmett?” Jet asked, seeing us through the video surveillance attached to the gate. “What are you doing here?”

  “I had a run-in with Senara,” I said. “And I killed Leon. Thought I’d come here in person and tell you guys about it.”

  “Be right out,” Jet replied.

  He came outside and ushered us through the gates. I looked around nervously. “Lassie’s inside,” Jet assured us.

  “Where’s Henry?” I asked when we walked into the house.

  Jet shrugged. “In his room, I guess.”

  “So, is he living here now? Permanently?” I couldn’t help but wonder.

  “Hey.”

  We all turned to see where the voice came from. There was Henry, at the bottom of the staircase.

  He walked towards us. “Yeah, I’m staying here for awhile.”

  “What on earth do your parents think?” I demanded.

  “Well, Dad knows the truth. I feel bad about my mother, but what can you do? She would never believe Dad or me, if we told her the truth. Dad’s going to cover for me, say I’m staying at a friend’s house. I’m sure I’ll see her again…eventually.” He paused. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”

  “I should, but I wanted to see you. And tell you what happened with Senara. And Leon.”

  When I had finished recounting the events of yesterday, minus any mention of Mark, Henry let out a low whistle. “That’s amazing, Rory, about Leon. At least we’ve got one good piece of news.” He smiled, but there was a sadness behind his eyes.

  Jet was shaking his head. “As thrilled as I am that you’ve not only killed a demon, but one of the strongest demons, I’m extremely worried about Senara. You know she isn’t going to respect that protective order on your family, right? I’m not trying to scare you, but it’s just a matter of time.”

  “I know,” I said uncomfortably. I shrugged helplessly. “But what can I do, Jet?” I turned to Henry. “Do you have any type of spell that could help?”

  “I think she’s too powerful,” Henry replied. “Immune to anything I could try.”

  “Just great,” I said morosely.

  “You’ve got to have confidence,” Jet said, “that your powers will be strong enough. But one thing I would suggest. I would find Senara before she finds you.”

  “She already knows where I live,” I admitted. I had left out the part about Mark coming to my house, so I went ahead and told them the abbreviated version, carefully leaving out any mention that I had kissed him.

  “I’m not surprised,” Jet said. “But don’t be discouraged. She’s obviously waiting to make her move. You just need to make yours quicker. And as always, if I can help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “Same here,” Henry echoed.

  “I guess we should go,” I said reluctantly.

  “You can stay as long as you like,” Jet replied.

  “I have to get to the university soon,” Emmett said apologetically.

  “I understand. I just want to talk to Henry for a minute. In private,” I said.

  “Sure. We can go to my room.” Henry got up and I followed him up the winding staircase, down another sinister looking hallway, into a bedroom on the right. “How many rooms are in this place?” I asked.

  Henry laughed. “Too many to count.”

  “Don’t you feel uneasy here?” I asked. “Like something could be lurking around a corner at any moment?”

  “I like it,” Henry responded. “And if something is lurking, I’ll kill it.” I could tell by his tone that Henry wasn’t joking. I remembered what Jet told me when we got the wendigo tooth, about being a hunter before he was head vampire. I couldn’t help but wonder if he would lead Henry down that path as well. Even though Henry was a warlock, Je
t would want him to be strong. Want him to know how to kill when necessary. But I couldn’t bring myself to ask Henry if that was something he’d already discussed with Jet. He probably wouldn’t even tell me the truth, if it was, I thought sadly.

  I stood there awkwardly in his bedroom, my arms folded across my chest. “I thought we already said everything the other day,” Henry said lightly.

  “I guess,” I said slowly, “that I’m just still worried about you. I haven’t gotten over the shock that Jet turned you, and I can’t bear the thought of school without you there.”

  “Come on, Rory. We all knew that change was inevitable. I don’t know how to make you understand that this is what I want.”

  “Okay,” I said skeptically.

  “I assume, after all this is over, you’re going to be a hunter?” he asked.

  “I think so,” I said. “It just feels so surreal.”

  “You got that right,” Henry agreed. “I can help, you know, with spells and stuff. No matter where you are, you’ll always be able to find me. Jet mentioned traveling some, so I probably won’t be here for too long. I didn’t realize there were so many politics in the vampire world! But I’m going to be a part of it, and I’m excited.”

  I forced a smile. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

  “And I hope you’re happy, too,” Henry responded.

  “I’ll be happy when Senara’s dead,” I said.

  Henry laughed. “I think we all will.”

  We went back downstairs. Henry hugged me goodbye, just like the old days, and I felt a wave of nostalgia. Then I hugged Jet, and we left.

  “Do you want to be dropped back off at school?” Emmett asked me.

  “Ugh, I can’t go back there,” I whined.

  “Lucas’ apartment then?” Emmett suggested.

  I hadn’t decided if I wanted to tell Lucas about going to see Jet and Henry, so that wasn’t going to work. “He might be asleep, or working,” I hedged. “I don’t want to disturb him.”

  “Sure, Aurora,” Emmett said, placating me. “I guess you could stay at my house for the day? But won’t your mother be waiting at the school when it lets out?”

  “Shit. I hadn’t thought about that.” I paused. “I’ll make up something about getting a ride home. What’s one more lie?”

  “Suit yourself,” Emmett said.

  “It’s really nice of you to let me stay at your house, Emmett,” I said sincerely. The more I got to know Emmett, the more I liked him, understood him, and he was becoming less and less paranoid the more he got to know me.

  I spent the rest of the morning sprawled out on Emmett’s couch. There was nothing to do except watch TV, and I was still wrought with worry, but it was better than the alternative: school.

  I was a little disappointed that Lucas hadn’t contacted me, but in all fairness, he thought I was busy at school. I was sure I’d talk to him that evening. The thought brought a smile to my face.

  I still had my two phones – the secure one from Lucas, and the one my family knew about. I pulled the unsecure one out of my purse to text my mom so she didn’t turn up at the school in a couple of hours. I cringed when I saw I had five missed calls from her. And a text. This couldn’t be good.

  The school called to find out if you were sick. Where in the world are you, Aurora? I thought I could trust you.

  Yikes, Mom sounded pissed. And hurt. I hurriedly typed back a message.

  I’m sorry. I’m fine and I’ll explain tonight.

  That would buy me some time…maybe.

  But when Emmett got back just as the sun was setting, I knew it was bad with no signs of getting better.

  “Your mother called me,” he said accusatorily, coming through the door.

  “What?” I asked in disbelief.

  “While I was driving home from the university. She said that you had ditched school, and she was concerned you and Lucas had planned this together.” Emmett paused. “I told her I was sure my son wouldn’t do such a thing,” he said sarcastically.

  “I’m sorry for dragging you into this,” I said, “but you know as well as I do that I can’t go back to school. Not after everything that’s happened.”

  “Well, your mom sure doesn’t seem to know,” Emmett countered. “And I’m tired of the lies. I’m an honest person. I don’t like being forced to fabricate ridiculous stories.”

  “Fair enough,” I conceded. “So what ended up happening?”

  “Nothing. I told Audrey I’d be in touch if I had any info on your whereabouts.”

  “Well, I texted her that I’d be home soon and explain it all, so you don’t have to make up any lies,” I said.

  “I can’t be your cover anymore, Aurora,” Emmett said quietly. “Whatever is going on with your parents, it’s down to you to figure it out. And deal with it.”

  “Okay,” I whispered, feeling like the absolute worst, most selfish person in the entire world.

  “I’ll take you home now.”

  I followed Emmett out to his truck and got in the passenger seat.

  “Do you want me to come in?” he asked when we got to my house. “Try and do some damage control?”

  “No, it’s a nice offer but I understand why you’re sick of the lying. I’m pretty fucking tired of it, too, to be honest,” I said. “I’ll deal with my parents. Thanks for everything, Emmett.”

  He smiled but didn’t answer. I hopped out of the truck and trudged up towards my house, my mind reeling. Maybe I should just come clean. Tell Mom everything. She and Dad accepted that I wasn’t human. But to lay everything on them at once…well, it wasn’t fair, not to my parents, and not to Kayla, either.

  I hesitated outside my house, not sure what I should say or do. Finally, I decided I would just fabricate one more story, and then be done with all the lies. I’d say that my dear friend Henry was sick and I went to spend the day with him.

  I unlocked the door and walked into my house. I fully expected my mom to be sitting on the couch, arms crossed, ready to lay into me about my latest fuck-up. But there was no one there.

  That’s weird.

  The lights were off in the room. I flicked them on. “Hello?” I called out. For the first time in my life, my house felt creepy.

  I walked through the living room and into the kitchen. And that’s when I saw it. When I saw them. Mom, Dad and Kayla, each bound to a chair around the kitchen table, cloth stuffed into all of their mouths. I heard their squealing through the gags, vaguely registered that it sounded like pigs at a slaughter, before something connected with my head and everything went black.

  Chapter 18

  When I came to, it took me a minute to realize where I was. First I saw linoleum. It looked like the kitchen of my house, but that didn’t make sense. I tried to push myself up to a sitting position, but my arm wouldn’t move. I tried again. Nothing. And then I felt the scraping of something hard and rough against my wrists. And my ankles.

  I blinked, the room finally coming into focus. I was staring up at the smiling, smug face of Senara Grai. And what was worse, my arms were bound behind my back and my legs were tied together.

  “About time you woke up,” she sneered.

  I managed to pull myself into a sitting position, despite the fact that my arms were rendered useless. I turned my head slowly, almost afraid at what I might see. Senara was capable of anything. Relief washed over me as my mom, dad and Kayla came into view. They were still bound to the kitchen chairs, but they were alive, and given the current situation, that seemed the best I could have hoped for.

  “What do you want?” I tried to sound menacing as I stared at Senara defiantly.

  “You really don’t know?” she sneered. “I want what Tobias wanted, except I’m a little more practical about the situation. I know world domination takes more than getting supernatural brutes to succumb to mind control. No, I plan to slowly, carefully, take every soul I encounter until I’m so strong that no one will ever challenge my power.”

  So th
at was it. Senara intended to take over earth. To rule. The same as Tobias. But instead of controlling the supernatural creatures, she was going to steal the souls of the living, innocent people, until she was so powerful that no one could stop her.

  I struggled to break free from the ropes that were binding my arms, silently cursing my ridiculous power that rarely seemed to activate when I needed it to.

  “Oh, little girl. How sad,” Senara said with a fake pout. “Maybe I can’t kill you – I heard about your run-in with Tobias; I know he’s dead – and all I can say is, good riddance. But just because you did me a favor by killing Tobias, doesn’t mean you’re off the hook so easily.”

  “What do you mean?” I spat out. “I’ve done nothing to you. Just let my family go. You said it. You can’t kill me. There’s nothing more for you here.”

  “I warned you to stay away from Lucas and you didn’t,” she said, her eyes wild with rage. “Maybe I would have spared your family if you’d listened to me, but you blew it, and now you have to pay the price.”

  Senara walked purposefully over to my father. She turned to me, revealing a small knife in her right hand, and, before I could try to react, she jammed it into his abdomen, twisting the blade as she did it.

  I heard myself screaming. Blood curdling screams, desperate screams. But Senara ignored me. I briefly looked to Mom and Kayla. Mom had tears rolling out of her eyes, her face laced with beads of sweat. Kayla was pitched forward as much as the ropes would allow, her body wracked with sobs.

  And now Senara was going in for the kill. She had her hand over Dad’s chest, just like when I saw her take a soul the other day.

  It can’t end this way. The heat overtook me faster this time. I broke free of the ropes with ease and tackled Senara with a ferocious growl.

  “You’re dead, you fucking bitch,” I heard myself scream, wondering if the words had really come from my mouth. I started punching her as hard as I could.

  “Nice try,” Senara retorted. She reached one hand out to stop me.

  I was thrown back against the cabinet with such force that the photo that was sitting on the counter of my mom, Kayla and me crashed to the floor, along with a container of flour. And then it hit me.