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ASHADEOFVAMPIRE12:ASHADEOFDOUBT
BELLAFORREST
Contents
AlsobyBellaForrest
Copyright
1. Prologue:Corrine2. Chapter1:Rose3. Chapter2:Vivienne4. Chapter3:Derek5. Chapter4:Mona
6. Chapter5:Csilla7. Chapter6:Csilla8. Chapter7:Rose9. Chapter8:Rose10. Chapter9:Rose11. Chapter10:Rose12. Chapter11:Rose13. Chapter12:Rose14. Chapter13:Annora15. Chapter14:Aiden16. Chapter15:Sofia17. Chapter16:Ben18. Chapter17:Derek19. Chapter18:Rose20. Chapter19:Annora21. Chapter20:Rose22. Chapter21:Aiden23. Chapter22:Sofia24. Chapter23:Sofia25. Chapter24:Rose
26. Chapter25:Caleb27. Chapter26:Rose28. Chapter27:Mona
29. Chapter28:Derek30. Chapter29:Mona
31. Chapter30:Derek32. Chapter31:Ben33. Chapter32:Annora34. Chapter33:Rose
AnImportantNoteAboutKievNovalic
ReadMorebyBellaForrest!
A L S O B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T
ASHADEOFVAMPIRESERIES
AShadeofVampire(Book1)
AShadeofBlood(Book2)
ACastleofSand(Book3)
AShadowofLight(Book4)
ABlazeofSun(Book5)
AGateofNight(Book6)
ABreakofDay(Book7)
AShadeofNovak(Book8)
ABondofBlood(Book9)
ASpellofTime(Book10)
AChaseofPrey(Book11)
ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGY
AShadeofKiev1
AShadeofKiev2
AShadeofKiev3
BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY
BeautifulMonster1
BeautifulMonster2
Foranupdatedlistofmybooks,pleasevisitmywebsite:www.bellaforrest.net
JoinmyVIPemaillistandI’llpersonallysendyouanemailreminderassoonasmynextbookisout!Clickheretosignup:www.forrestbooks.com
Copyright©2015byBellaForrest
CoverdesigninspiredbySarahHansen,OkayCreationsLLC
Allrightsreserved.
Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeans,includinginformationstorageandretrievalsystems,withoutwrittenpermissionfromtheauthor,exceptfortheuseofbriefquotationsinabookreview.
R
P R O L O GU E : C O R R I N E
oseNovakwaslikemyowndaughter.IbrahimandIhadprotectedherduringthefirst,mostvulnerableweeksofherexistence,andabondhadbeenforgedbetweenthatchildandmethatnothingcouldeverbreak.SofiaandDerekknewthat.Thatwaswhy,whenRoseandMicahhadgonemissing,they’dplacedtheirfaithinustofindthem.
Despitetheirtrust,IbrahimandIleftTheShadewithoutanysemblanceofaplan.Thefirstthingwedidwashoveraroundtheisland,scanningthewatersclosesttous,andthenspiralingoutfurtherandfurther.Aboutfivemilesout,wespottedanemptyboat.Micah’sfishingboat.IbrahimandIlandedonthedeck.
“Corrine,”Ibrahimcalled.Hepointedtoasplatterofdriedbloodatthebow.Hebentcloserandsniffedit.“Humanblood.”
PanicgrippedmeasIclutchedmyhusband’sshoulder.“Rose’s?”Ibrahimlookedupatmegrimlyandshrugged.“Whathappened?Wherecouldtheybe?”“Let’skeepscanningthewaters.”Wecoveredaradiusofseveraldozenmilesmoreinthisway,tonoavail.EitherMicahandRosehaddrownedandwerenowbeneaththewaters
somewhere,orMicahhadfoundanotherboatandthey’dsetoffonit.Butinthetimethatwe’dspent,weshouldhavecaughtthemifthey’dbeeninthewatersomewhere.
WereturnedtoMicah’sboatagain.Welookedaroundmorecarefullythis
time,lookingforanythingthatcouldhelpusunderstandwhathadhappenedhere.
Iwalkedtothebow,eyeingthesplattersofbloodagain,whileIbrahimlookedaroundthestern.
“Corrine,”hesaid.Itoremyeyesawayfromthebloodandapproachedhim.“What?”Heturnedtofaceme,astrandofblackhairbetweenhisfingers.Itwastoo
shortandcurlytobeRose’s,andMicahhadblondhair.“Wheredidyoufindit?”Ibrahimpointedtotheedgeoftheroofcoveringthewheel.Itwasatleastsix
feethighoffthefloor.“Whoeverthathairbelongstoistall,”Isaid.“Ofcourse,thisboatbelongstoTheShade.Thishaircouldbelongtosome
otherresident.”“CouldMicahhavehadanaccomplice?”“Who?”Ibrahimsaid.“Wedidathoroughheadcount.Whoelseonthe
islandhascurlydarkhairandcouldhavedonethistoRose?”Itriedtorackmybraintothinkofsomeone.Truthbetold,Icouldn’tthinkof
asinglevampire,human,wolforwitchwithhairthisdark,shortandcurly.“WhichmeansMicahcouldhavebeenanimposter,”Isaid,following
Ibrahim’slineofthought.“Ihaveafeelingthatablackwitchisbehindthis,”Ibrahimsaid.Ishudderedatthethought.ButwhyonlytakeRosewhenhecouldhave
takensomuchmore?WhynottakeAnna?WhynotusetheopportunitytotakeoverTheShadeandoverthrowMona?
Icouldn’tmakesenseoftheidea,butwedidn’thavetimetostopanddiscusstheories.WejustneededtofindRose.
“Wherecouldtheyhavetakenher?BacktoCaleb’sorStellan’sisland?”“IdoubttheywouldhavetakenherbackthereaftertheNovaksmanagedto
breakinbefore.”Istaredoutattheocean,afeelingofhopelessnessswellinginthepitofmy
stomach.
“IwonderwhathappenedtotherealMicah,”Imurmured,althoughIwassureIalreadyknewtheanswer.Idoubtedhe’dstillbelivingiftheblackwitcheswereindeedbehindthis.
Ibrahimsatdownonthefloornexttome,hisbackagainstthesideoftheboatashecontinuedstaringatthehair,hisbrowsfurrowed.
Wesatinsilenceforthenextfewminutes,bothofustryingtothinkofwhattodonextbutbothfailing.
Eventuallythesilencewasgettingonmynerves,soIstoodupandreacheddownahandforhimtostandtoo.“Let’sjustkeepmoving…anywhere.Ican’tsitstilllikethis.Let’sjustkeepscouringthewatersifwehaveto.”
Ibrahimheavedadeepsigh,thenstoodup.Bothfacingforward,wewereabouttovanishagainwhenaloudthump
soundedafewfeetbehindus.Theboatshook.Wewhirledaroundtoseetwoblondewomen—witches—standingbeforeus.“Brisalia?”Ibrahimgasped,staringattheolderofthetwo.Irecognizedtheminstantly.BrisaliaandCsillaAdrius.Motheranddaughter,
belongingtothelineageoftheAgeless.IbrahimandIbackedupontheboat,exchangingnervousglances.These
werewitcheswecouldn’taffordtomesswith.Theirpowersmorethanrivaledourown.
“Whatareyou—”Ibrahimbegantosay,butbeforehecouldfinishhisquestion,thetwowitchessprangforward,bothleapingforourmidriffs.Ifeltmyselffallingbackwardandbracedmyselftohitthewater.Butbeforeweevertouchedtheocean’ssurface,wevanished.
Aferociouswindengulfedme.IcouldbarelycatchabreathbeforemyfeetmetsolidgroundagainandIfoundmyselfstaringdownintoaholeintheground.Astarryabyss.Agate.Ibrahimstoodnexttome,thetwowitcheseithersideofus.Thicktreessurroundedus.Wewereinsomekindofforest—where,Ihadnoidea.AsIbrahimandIattemptedtofighttheholdtheyhadonus,aforcepushedusbackward.Welostourfootingandtheabyssconsumedus.Asweweresuckeddownward,Icaughtaglimpseofthetwowitchesleapinginafterus.
IreachedforIbrahim’shand,grippingittightaswetraveledatfuriousspeed.Igaspedastheendofthetunnelfinallycameintoview.SunshineblindedmeasIhurtledoutandlandedonagrassylawn.Ibrahimmadecontactwiththegroundafewfeetawayfromme.Scramblingtohisfeet,Ibrahimgrippedmyarmandpulledmeup.Weracedbacktowardthegateassoonasthetwowitchesshotoutfromit.Butasweattemptedtoleapbackthrough,ourbodiesfrozemidair,aninvisiblepowerkeepingusfromfallingthrough,resistingthesuctionpullingusdownward.
Weweresenthoveringbacktowardtheareawehadlandedfirstanddroppedontothegrass.Icastmyeyesaround.Ariverflowedafewfeetawayfromus,andawaterfallthunderedaboutfivehundredmetersaway.Theriverglistenedwithpreciousgems,thebankslinedwithtrees.Icouldhaverecognizedthisriverinmysleep.ItwastheriverthatsurroundedthemaincityofTheSanctuary.
TheSanctuary.IcouldbarelybelievethatIwasbackhere.Brisaliastoodup,Csillaclose
behindherastheyapproachedus.“I’msorrytodothistoyou,Ibrahim,”shesaid,lookingatmyhusbandwith
genuineapology.“Youwereloyaltomysisterforsomanyyears,butwejustcan’thaveyoumeddlingwiththings.”
“What?”Ibrahimspat.NomatterhowmuchIbrahimandItriedtobreakoutofthespellBrisalia
hadusunder,wecouldn’t.ShewasofthelineoftheAgeless,andagainstherandherdaughter’spowerscombined,wehadnohope.
Onceagainoursurroundingsdisappeared,andthistimewhenmyvisioncamebackintofocus,wewerestandinginalargebedroom.Itswallsweremadeofstarkwhitemarble,aswerethefloors.Itwasoval,andtherewasabeautifullycarvedfour-posterbedinthecenter.Lightsatincurtainscoveringtheopenbalconydoorsblewinthebreeze.Therewasascentofflowers.
“I’msureyouwillfindthisplacecomfortableenough.Itusedtobeyours,afterall.”
Thetwowitchesvanishedbeforewecouldutteranotherword.IstaredatIbrahim.Hestilllookedinastateofshockashelookedaroundthe
room.Webothhurriedovertotheopenbalconyandattemptedtovanishourselvesonceagain.Butaswetriedtoleavethebalcony,wehitaninvisiblewall.Werushedbackintotheroomandoutthroughthemainentrance,downasetofwidemarblestairsandtriedtoexitoutthedoor.Whilethefrontdooropened,wecouldn’twalkfurtherthantheendoftheporch.
IbrahimandIassaultedtheshieldwithcurseaftercurse,butnothingwecoulddodamageditintheslightest.
Sweatformingonmybrow,Iwipeditwiththebackofmysleeve.Ibrahimgrabbedmyhandandledmebackintothehouse.Aswestoodinthe
centerofthehall,webothlookedateachother,panting.“Whatthehellisthis?”Iblurtedout.Ithadallhappenedsofast,Ihadhardly
caughtupwiththefactthatitwasreal.Wewerenolongeronearth.WewerebackinTheSanctuary.Therealmof
thewitches.Myhome.AndIbrahim’s.ThelasttimeI’dspentabriefspellherehadbeentoescapeTheShadewhen
KievhadburntitdownwiththehelpoftheotherchildrenoftheElders.IswallowedhardasIlookedaroundtheentrancehall.Itwasuncanny.Istill
rememberedlivingherewithIbrahim.Whenwefirstbecamelovers,allthoseyearsago.
Ibrahimcaughtmyhandandwemadeourwaybackupstairstowardthebedroom.Wewalkedoutontothebalcony.Thishousewasperchedononeofthetallesthillsintheareaandaffordedamagnificentviewoftheheavenlycitysprawlingoutbeneathus.
Thisbalcony…itbroughtbacksomanymemories.ItwasthespotwhereI’dsharedmyfirstkisswithIbrahim.
Wewereoldflames,IbrahimandI.Wesharedahistorythatwentfarback.Muchfurtherthantheshortperiodwe’dspenttogetherlookingafterbabyRose.
We’dbeenloversbeforeIfirstcametoEarthfromTheSanctuary.He’dbeenthereasonIleft.I’dfalleninlovewithhim.Hard.AndI’d
thoughthe’dsharedthesamefeelingsforme.Buthisparentshadforbiddenhimfromseeingmeoncethey’dfoundout.
IbrahimcamefromafamilycloselyconnectedtotheAgeless’line,the
Adriusesthemselves.EvenmybeingadescendentofthegreatwitchCorawasn’tenoughforthem.
Ibrahim’sunwillingnesstobreakfreefromhisfamily’sholdhadsentmeintoaspiralofdepression.Mymother,whoatthetimehadbeenthewitchofTheShade,suggestedIcometoEarth.I’dwantednothingtodowithmyownkindforawhile.I’dintegratedmyselfintohumancivilizationandenrolledinacollegetostudypsychology.
Andthen,whenitwasmyturntotakemyplaceasTheShade’switch,I’dtriedtoforgetIbrahim.Ievenperformedseveralspellsonmyselftohelpblockhimfrommymemory.
I’dthoughtI’ddoneagoodjob.ButwhenI’dseenhimagain,whentheAgelesshadtakenmypowersawayandputhiminchargeofme,allthosebrokenfeelingshadreturned.
ThatperiodI’dspentwithIbrahimonEarth—whenitwasjustthetwoofuslookingafterbabyRose—hadbeenpossiblythehappiestweeksofmylife.
He’dtoldmehe’dregrettedlettingmegosincethedayIleft,allthoseyearsago.ButIwasafraidtogetclosetohim.Asmuchasmyheartfeltthatitmightburstwithjoy,Ididn’twanttohaveitbrokenagain.Istillhadn’tbeensureifwhatwehadwastemporaryandwhetherhewouldreturnwiththeAgelessassoonastheirbusinessonEarthwasdone.
Butthenhe’drefusedtoreturnwithher.AndthedayofVivienne’swedding,he’daskedmetobehis,forever.
IsnappedoutofmyboutofnostalgiaasIbrahim’sthumbbrushedagainstmycheek.Irealizedthathewasbrushingawayatear.Fromthehoodedlookinhiseyes,Icouldtellthathetoowasrememberingourstory,standingonthisbalcony,whereitallbegan.
Iclosedmyeyesashislipspressedagainstmine.Whenheliftedhisheadagain,hewassmilingslightly.
“Idon’tknowwhatjusthappened,orwhywe’rehere,orwhatwillbecomeofus,orRose,orTheShade…butIloveyou,Corrine.AndIneverstoppedlovingyousincethenightwefirstkissedonthisbalcony.”
Moretearsleakeddownmycheeks.Iknewthattheseemotionswerethelast
thingIshouldbefeelingrightnow.Ihadn’treturnedtoTheSanctuaryforsolongthatallthememoriesitbroughtbackofIbrahim,thefirstandlastloveofmylife,sentmyheadreeling.Isankdownonthebed,tryingtosteadymybreathing.
Afterafewmoments,Imanagedit,clutchingIbrahim’sarm.Itwastimewestartedfiguringoutsomeanswers.
“Iwonderwherethatgatewasthatwejustcamethrough.WhetheritwasnearTheShade.”
Ibrahimshrugged.“Ihavenoidea.It’spossibleitwasn’tevenmarkedonMona’smap.”
“Ibrahim.Corrine,”asilkyvoicespokefrombehindus.Ablondewomanhadjustenteredtheroom.Ishottomyfeet.“Thalia,”IbrahimandIsaidtogether.ShewasOdelia’ssister.“TakemetoOdelia,”Ibrahimsaid,walkinguptoThalia,hisfistsclenched.AsadnessfilledThalia’scrystal-blueeyes.“Odeliaisnomore.Beingthe
nextoldestsisteroftheAdriusline,IamnowtheAgelessoftheSanctuary.Inlightofthemanyyearsyouservedmysister,IthoughtitwasonlyrightthatImakeapersonalvisittoansweranyquestionsyoumighthave,soyoudon’tfeellikeprisoners.”
Myjawdropped.“She’sdead?”Igasped.“Shewasmurderedinhersleep.”Ibrahim’sbreathhitched.“Bywhom?”“Tothisdaywedon’tknowforsure.Butwesuspectthatitwasablack
witch.Itseemstheyarebecomingpowerfulenoughtopenetrateourrealm.”Asmuchaswewereshockedbythenews,itwasclearthatneitherofus
weretrulythatsorry.OdeliahadcausedTheShademuchtroubleduringhertime,andtothisdayIhadn’tforgivenherfortakingmypowersawayfromme—andforwhatshe’ddonetoSofia,leavingRoseandBenmotherlessduringthefirstweeksoftheirlives.
“Whyhaveyoubroughtushere?Andwhyareyourestraininguslikethis?”Ibrahimdemanded,gloweringather.
Thaliasighed.Drawingupachair,shesatdownand,gesturingtothebed,indicatedthatwedothesame.
“I’msorryifBrisaliadidn’tgiveyouasatisfactoryexplanation.ButsheandCsillahadtohurrybacktoTheShade.Theyhavesome…preparatoryworktodothere.”
“What?”“Please,sit.”IwasinnomoodtositdownandIcouldseeIbrahimwasn’teither,butwe
gaveintoherrequest.“Theblackwitchesmustbestopped,”shebegan.“Iftheyareallowedto
continuegainingstrength,boththehumanrealmandtherealmofthewitches—indeed,everyrealm—willfeeltheirthreat.Theywillnotstopuntiltheyhavemadeeveryspeciessubordinatetothem.Untiltheyhavereclaimedtheso-calledtruegloryofourAncients.Aglorythatcomesattheexpenseofallspeciesotherthanthemselves.”
“Whatdoesanyofthishavetodowithimprisoningus?Weneedtoleave.SofiaandDerekaredependingonusto—”
“Don’tworryabouttheNovakgirl,”Thaliasaidcalmly.“Hermia,myownsister,hasgoneafterher.She’salreadylocatedtheirtrailandwillbringthembackheresafely.Sofearnot.”
Itfeltlikeeveryclarificationonlyendedupconfusingusfurther.“What?Whywould—”
“TheNovaktwins—well,mainlythegirl.Ithasoccurredtotheblackwitchesthatshewillbeofmuchusetothem,farmorethantheyinitiallythought.”
“Why?”Thaliafoldedherhandsoverherlap.“ThereisanAncientstillremaining.
Lilith,hernameis.Sheisoneofthereasonstheyaregainingpowersoquickly.Sheguidesanddirectsthem.Butsheisailing.Oneofthereasonstheyneedsomuchhumanbloodisfortheritualstheycarryoutonherbehalf,tokeepheralive.Sheishangingontoherdecayinglifebyathread.Todenydeathinsuchawayrequiresaconstanteffort,animmenseamountoflifeforce,themostpotent
ofwhichcomesfromhumanblood.Sincetheyknowofthetwins’uniqueblood,theywanttoseeifitwillhelptoprolongLilith’slife,ifitwillbemorepotentthanregularhumanblood.Basically,theywanttoaddRosetotheiringredientsshelf.Andalsoexperimentwithotherwaysshecouldbeofvalueotherthangivingblood.”
“Whatotherwayscouldtherepossiblybe?”“Ibelievetheyseepotentialinher,toturnherintoawitch.Oneofthem.
Perhapstheyseehergeneticsasastrongfoundation,iftheytrainherright.”“WhataboutBenjaminNovak?”“Lilithconsumesprimarilyfemaleblood.Benjamin’sbloodisnotofasmuch
usetotheminthisregard.Besides,oncethey’vetakenoverTheShade,theywillgethimanyway.”
“TakeoverTheShade?”“Oh,yes.Thatisstilltheirplan.Infact,takingRosewilljustmakethis
easierforthem.Yousee,whatyouneedtounderstandaboutthesewitchesisthattheyvaluevampire,humanandwolflifealike.Humans,vampsandwerewolvesallhavetheirplacesintheirrituals.Theycanfindusesforeachofthem.So,whiletheycouldhaveattackedTheShadefullforce,theywouldmuchrathergaintheircooperation.Theydon’twanttoresorttomasskillinginordertogaincontrol.TheyseetoomanyusesforTheShade’sresidentstojustkillthemwhimsicallyandwouldratherworkoncoercionthanbruteforce.Oncethey’vedonesomeexperimentingwithRoseNovak,andaresuretheycanuseher,theywillusehertogaincooperationfromtheNovaks.TheNovakswillbemuchmoreamenabletonegotiationiftheblackwitcheshavetheirdaughter,don’tyouthink?”
Mymouthdriedout.IstaredatIbrahim.HiseyeswerenarrowedonThalia.“Whydidn’tOdeliatakethetwinsatbirthifsheknewwhatpotentialthey
had?”Ibrahimsaid.“Shecouldhaveeasilystolenthem,justasshestoleSofiaandsenthertoCruor.ThenyouwouldhaverunnoriskofRosefallingintothewronghands.”
Thaliaavertedhereyestothefloor.“Odeliawasaconundrum.”“Whatdoyoumean?”Iasked.
“Imeanshewasn’tasrationalinherthinkingasmostthoughtshewas.TherewasaflickerofremorseinherforthetroubleshecausedtheNovaks.Shedidn’twanttotakeawaythebabiestoo,asmuchasHermiaandItriedtopersuadeher.Shehopedthatthewitcheswouldnotfindoutaboutthetwins.Itoldherthatwasafoolishmove.Ofcourse,itwasonlyamatteroftime.”
“Aretheblackwitchesstillinterestedintheimmune,Anna?”Ibrahimasked.“AsIsaid,theywillgeteveryonewithinTheShade.There’snoneedfor
themtoexertthemselvesseparatelyforheranymore.RoseistheirkeytoBen,theimmune,andtherestofTheShade’slivestock.”
Ipaused,frowning.Somanyquestionshadbeencompetinginourminds,we’dforgottentoaskthemostobviousone.
“Howthehelldoyouevenknowallthisabouttheblackwitches?”Iasked.Shegaveusaknowingsmile.Standingup,shetouchedourshouldersand
theroomvanished.Wereappearedinthecity’sdungeon.Irecognizedthisplace.ThoughI’drarelyvisitedit,IrememberedventuringdownhereonceortwicewhenIwasyounger.
Thaliawalkeduptoacellafewfeetawayandpointedintoit.Crouchedinthecornerwasaginger-hairedman.Hisheadlollingontohischest,heappearedtobeunconscious.
“Wemanagedtostealoneoftheirown.That’showweknowallthis.MeetEfrenHansard.FormerlyaresidentofTheSanctuary.Turnedtraitormanyyearsagotojointheblackwitches.Wecaughthimsneakingaroundthebordersofourrealm.SincehehasnotyetbecomeaChanneler,he’snotaspowerfulasRhysandhisfamily.Iandseveralofourstrongestwitcheswereabletooverpowerhim.”
IbrahimandIgrippedthecells,staringthroughthebarsattheman.“Theblackwitcheswillbeangryoncetheyfindoutwhatwe’vediscovered.
Theywilldoubletheireffortstobringusdown.Butwehadtodoit.Wehadtoknowwhatwearefacing.NowweareinneedofactualcooperationwithaChannelerifwearetohaveanyhopeofretainingourfreedom…”
Knotsformedinmystomach.IdarednotmentionMona,incasetheyweren’tawarethatshewaslivingamongusinTheShade.Butsomehow,I
suspectedthattheyknewalready.Infact,IsuspectedMonawasthereasonBrisaliaandherdaughterhadbeenhangingaroundTheShade.PerhapstheyareconcoctingaplantostealMonaawayfromTheShade…thusleavingitutterlydefenseless.Despairclawedatmychest.IwasgraspingatanyhopeIcouldthattheystillweren’tawareofMona,sinceThaliahadnotmentionedheryet.
Althoughtherewerestillsomanyquestionschurninginmymind,Ifinallyaskedtheonequestionthathadhauntedmeeversinceshe’dfirstopenedhermouth.“Whywouldyoutrustuswithallthisinformation?”
IfearedIalreadyknewtheanswer.Thaliagaveasoftsmile.“Oh,Ineedn’tworryaboutyoutellinganyone.
Neitherofyouaregoinganywhereforalongtime.”
E
CH A P T E R 1 : R O S E
verysecondthatAnnora’shandsremainedwrappedaroundCaleb,itfeltliketheywerewrappedaroundmyneck.TheworstthingwasnotbeingabletoseeCaleb’sface.Ihadnoideawhetherhewasreturningherpassion,heraffection.Butwhenhereachedbehindhisbackandunclaspedherhandsfromhim,steppingawayfromher,IfoundsomehopethatperhapsIhadn’tlosthimyet.
Stillsittinghalf-submergedinwateronthefloor,I’dstartedtoshiverfromcold.ButIfeltnumbtoit.Theshockofwhatthatwhitewitch,Hermia,hadsaidabouttheblackwitchestakingoverTheShade,coupledwiththeshockofseeingAnnora,hadbeenenoughtoleavemenumbtoallpain.Tomakeanybodilydiscomfortseemtrivial.
AsCalebdrewawayfromAnnora,shetriedtolatchontohim.Heplacedherarmsfirmlyathersides.Hecastalookatme.Hisfacewasashen,moredrainedthanI’deverseenit.Thenhelookedawayfrommeandstraightaheadattheexit,focusingonneitherofus.
“Thosewitches…Wehavenotimetolose,”hemutteredasherushedoutoftheroom.
Itcutmehowhisvoicesoundedsodistant,soseparate,whenallIwantedwasforhimtoholdmeandtellmenothinghadchangedbetweenus.Thathisfeelingsstillremainedthesame.ThathestillwantedtoreturnwithmetoTheShade.Buthedidn’t.
PerhapsIamlosinghim.Annoradidn’tevenlookatmeasshefollowedhim.Reachinguptoametal
ledge,Ipulledmyselfupoutofthewater.Iwasknockedtotheflooragainasthesubmarineplungeddownward.Mystomachflipped,andIfeltdizzy.Insteadoftryingtostandagain,Icrawledtowardtheentrance.Itledtoaflightofstairs,andadryerareathathadn’tbeenexposedtothewaterAnnorahadletinwhilstsuckingusthroughthehatch.
Iwassurprisedshehadn’torchestratedtherescuetokeepmelockedoutandonlysuckCalebthrough.ThoughCalebwasholdingontome.Isupposedthatwastheonlyreason.IimaginedshewouldhavetakenpleasureinseeingthosetwowitchesabovewatertakemeawaywhilesheescapedwithCaleb.
Stillshivering,Igrippedtherailingincasethesubmarinesuddenlylurchedagain.Ifoundmyselfinapassageway.Therewereseveralnarrowdoorsoneitherside,leadingtocabins,Iassumed.Igrimaced.Theywereallclosed.IguessedthatAnnorahadclosedthedoortothecontrolcabin.
Iwastoodrainedtocarejustthen.Andtoocold.Igrippedthehandleofthenearestdoortomeandwasrelievedwhenitopenedintoasmallroomwithaclean-lookingcotinonecorner,asmallcabinet,andatowelrack.
Irummagedthroughtheclosetandfoundatowel.Strippingoutofmywetclothes,Idriedmyself.Ifoundcleanclothesinoneofthedrawers—pantsandashirt.Theywerebothtoolargeforme,butanythingwasbetterthanremaininginmywetclothes.
Wrappingmyhairupinthetowel,Ilaydownonthecotandcurledupinaball.
Mom.Dad.Ben.Grandpa…IthoughtofeveryonewhowasdeartomeinTheShade.Please,pleasebesafe.Iprayedthatthewitchwaslying.Calebhadseemedtosuspectso.Butitwasthedoubt,thenotknowing,thatwastorturous.
Ishutmyeyes,tryingtonumbthepainanduncertaintyboilingupwithinme.Scorchingmealive.Ishouldhavebeenmoreconcernedastowhetherornotwehadmanagedtogetthosetwoblackwitchesoffourtail.Butmymindwastoodistractedbyotherworries.
Afteranhourorso,Iheardtheclickofadoor.Icrepttomyowndoorand
openeditslightlytopeerout.Annorahadleftthecontrolroomandwaswalkingintoanothercabin,wheresheshutthedoorbehindher.
Ilaybackdowninbed,heavingasigh.Ididn’tknowwhetherCalebhadaskedhertoleave,orifshehadleftofher
ownaccord.Somehow,Idoubtedthelatter.
P
CH A P T E R 2 : V I V I E NN E
romiseme,Vivienne,thatyouwon’tfeelbadwhileyou’reaway.Iwantyoutoenjoyyourselfandnotthinkaboutus.Canyoupromisemethat?”
AsXavierandIenteredthelobbyofourhotel,mybrotherDerek’swordsrangthroughmyhead.I’dpromisedhimthatIwouldtry,evenifitprovedtobethehardestthingintheworld.
GiventhatweweretryingtogetawayfromthetroublesofTheShadeandthewaterssurroundingit,XaviersuggestedwegosomewherefarawayfromthePacificOcean.He’dsuggestedSantorini,Greece.Neitherofushadbeentherebefore,butwe’dheardthatitwasapopularhoneymoondestination.Iwasn’tpickyaboutwhereweendedup.MyhusbandwasallIwanted.Butnowthatwe’darrivedinSantorini,Icouldcertainlyseehowithadearneditsreputation.
Xavierinsistedwestayinthemostexpensiveroomofthehotel,thepenthousesuite,rightatthetopofthepristinewhitebuilding.Themanagerledusuptherepersonally,alongwithtwoemployeescarryingourbags.
Idrewabreathasweenteredthesuite.Althoughtheinteriorswerespaciousandbeautiful,myeyesweredrawntothebalcony.Itookoffmyshoesandwalkeduptotheglassdoors,partingtheblindstoallowtheeveningsuntoentertheroom.Iopenedthedoorsandwalkedoutsideontotheterracotta-flooredveranda,warmbeneathmybarefeet.
Therewasasprawlinginfinitypooltomyleft,atablefortwowithcandlesandaprettyflowerarrangementinthecenter,andbeyond,stretchingoutall
“
aroundus,wasavisionsoeye-wateringlybeautifulIcouldbarelybelievewewerestillonearth.TheseawasthemostbrilliantblueIhadeverseen.PerhapsonlyDerek’seyescouldrivalit.Andthesky…therewasnotasinglecloudinsightasthesunbeganitsdescentbehindthehorizon.IguessedthatthisplacecouldevengiveTheSanctuaryarunforitsmoney.
“Youbothlooklikeyouhavesometanningtodo,”themanagersaid,smilingasheeyedourpaleskin.
XavierandIexchangedglancesandchuckled.Themenleftourbagsbythequeen-sizedbedbeforetheyheadedfortheexit.
“Icanthinkofmoreinterestingthingsonourto-dolistthantanning,”Xavierwhispered,asthedoorclickedshut.
Myheartracedashedrewmetohimandplantedalong,tenderkissonmylips.“Iagree.”
Xaviercuppedmyfaceinhishands,heatsparkinginhiseyes.“You’reblushing,”hesaid,hisvoicehusky.
“Iam?”Henodded.“Viv,youhavenoideahowbeautifulyouarewhenyoublush.”IwassurethatIblushedsomemoreashisintenseeyesboredintomine.Ireachedforhisshirtandbeganunbuttoningitwhileheunzippedmydress.
Hesliditoffmyshoulders,thenreachedbehindmybackandunclaspedmybra.Hedroppedbothgarmentsonthefloorbeforeremovinghispants.
“Ithinkashowerisinorder,”hesaid,catchingmyhandandleadingmetowardthebathroom.Turningonthemonsoonshower,hebackedmeupagainstthecooltiledwallandtrailedkissesalongmyshoulders.
Wesoapedeachotherdownandwhenhishandsloweredtothesmallofmyback,Ifeltthingswereabouttogetalotmoreheated.Ashemovedtotastemymouthagain,Ipressedafingeragainsthislips.
“Wait,”Ibreathed.Itwinedmyfingerswithhisandledhimoutofthebathroom.Wecrossedthe
bedroomfloor,leavingatrailofsoapywaterbehindus,andsteppedontothebalcony.Onlyhalfofthedeeporangesunremainedabovethehorizonnow.Islidintothecrystalclearpool,pullingXavierinafterme.Drapingmyarmsover
hisshoulders,Ipressedmymouthagainsthis.Iclosedmyeyes,relishingthefeelofhistonguepartingmylips.Iwrappedmylegsaroundhiswaistandpulledmyselfflushagainsthim.
“Now,”Iwhispered.“Remindmewherewewere.”
T
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osaythatBen’sturninghadn’tgoneasI’dhopedwouldhavebeenanunderstatement.AsSofialeftthechamber,hecontinuedconvulsingandcoughingblood—toomuchblood.Hecouldn’taffordtolosethismuch.Peoplehadbeenknowntodieduringthistransitionphase,whentheywerestillvulnerableduetobeingpartlyhuman.AsmuchasIcouldseehewasinpain,Iforcedhimtositupright,hopingthatitwouldstemthebloodalittle.Nochance.Ifanything,hebegancoughingupmore.Hestartedtogetanosebleed.Irippedoffapieceoftheclothhewaslyingonandtippedhisheadback,tryingtoatleaststopthenosebleed.Again,itdidn’tseemtomaketheslightestbitofdifference.
I’dneverwitnessedaturningwithsomuchbloodbeingexpelled.Hewaslookingpalerbythemoment.
Theslabandthefloorwerecoveredinfrighteningamountsofblood.IcursedmyselffornotthinkingtobringawitchinherewithusincaseweneededmedicalhelpforBen.
IwasabouttoleaveBenandgofetchAdelleorPatriciamyselfwhen,tomyrelief,Sofiabargedintotheroom.SheletoutagaspashereyesfellonBen,claspingatremblinghandoverhermouth.
“GofindAdelle,Patricia,orMona,”Isaid.“Oranywitchwithmedicalknowledge.Whoeveryoucanfindfastest.”
Althoughshelookedlikethelastthingshewantedtodowasleavehimin
thisstate,shespedoutoftheroom.Ofcourse,therewasn’tmuchevenawitchcoulddoatthisstageofthe
process.Naturewastakingitscourse.Therewasnowaytostopmyvenomreactingwithhisbody.Wejusthadtohopethatthetransformationtookholdofhimbeforehelosttoomuchbloodtosurviveasahuman.IsupposeditwasmoreformyowncomfortthatIwantedtoknowthatawitchwastherewithus,eveniftherewasn’tmuchmoreshecoulddothanIcoulddomyself.
Pushinghimbackdownontheslabashegroaned,hisbodyshakingandshivering,Iopenedhisjawandexaminedhisteeth.Ibreathedoutinrelieftoseethattheyweretakingform.
Soon.Soon.Ijusthadtohopethatitwouldbesoonenough.Sofiaappearedintheroomafewminuteslater,Adellebyherside.Adelle’s
eyeswidenedasshetookinalltheblood.“Hisfangsarecomingthroughnow,”Isaid.“Hopefully,itwon’tbemuch
longeruntilheispredominantlyvampire,andthebloodlosswon’tmatterasmuch.”
Ishuddered.Mysonisgoingtobeonehungryvampirewhenhecomesto.We’dhavetokeephimasfarawayfromhumansaswecould.Itwouldbe
tortureforhim,tryingtosatisfyhisnewfoundbloodlustonanimalblood.Itwouldbeliketryingtosatisfyaburningitchbyblowingonit.
Buthewouldhavenochoice.He’dhavetogetusedtoit,justaswe’dallhadto.
“Isupposethere’snotmuchIcandonow,”Adelleconcludedasshestoodbytheslab.
Inodded.SofiahurriedtomysideandbrushedthehairawayfromBen’ssweatyfaceashecontinuedtoconvulseandgroan.Sheplacedakissonhisforehead.
“It’sokay,Ben,”shewhispered,asthoughhecouldmakeoutwhatshewassayinginhisagony.“Itwillbeoversoon.”
Icouldn’thelpbutsmilebitterlyatherremark.Oh,no.Oncehe’sturned,itwillhavejustbegun.
Neitherofusexchangedawordforthenexthour.Wejuststood,staringat
Ben,willinghistransformationtotakeholdfaster.WeallbreathedeasieronceBen’scoughingfinallybegantosubside,thebloodhespewedoutbecominglessandless.Whenhisconvulsionsbecamelessviolent,andhisbreathinghadslowedtoanormalpace,IdeemeditsafetoleavetheSanctuary.
IlookedatAdelle.AsIsuspected,wehadn’tfounduseforhermagic.“Thankyouforcoming.”
“It’snoproblem.IhopeBenwillmakeaquickrecoverynow.Ifthere’sanythingIcando,justletmeknow.”
AsAdellevanished,IpickedBenupandwalkedoutofthechamberwithhim.Sofiafollowedalongsideme,anxiouslylookingatourson’sface.Itlookedalittlecalmernow,thoughitwasstillcontortedwithpain.Hiseyeswerestillgluedshut.Evenforme,carryinghimwasn’taseasyataskasithadoncebeen.Hewasalmostmyheight,andhewasamuscularyoungman.Hekepttwitchingeverynowandthen,makingithardtomaintainasolidgriponhim.
Wehurriedbacktoourtreehouse,andonentering,Iheadedstraightforhisroom.Sofiastrippedthesheetsandblanketsfromhisbedandcovereditwithtowels.Iplacedhimdownandheldhimstillwhilehefinishedthelastofhisconvulsions.WhenIthoughtitsafetoleavehim,SofiaandIlefttheroomandclosedthedoorbehindus.
We’dhavetokeepacloseeyeonhimuntilhefullycameto.Becauseoncehedid,he’dbereadytogoonarampageinsearchofhumanblood.Weneededtohaveanamplesupplyofanimalbloodforhimtoguzzledown,orhe’dlikelygoberserk.Hemightstarttearingthewallsdown.
Weheadedtothekitchen.Ibentoverthesink,washingmyhands,armsandface,clearingawaythebloodandsweatfrommyskin.
“Hopefully,theworstdangerisovernow,”Sofiasighed,usingthesinkandwashingherhandsafterI’dbackedawayfromit.
Isankintoachair.Shetookaseatnexttome.EvenifIdidn’tfeelconfidentaboutthestateBenwouldwakeupin,itdidn’tmeanIhadtoworrySofiaundulyaboutit.Whatwouldhappenwouldhappen,andwe’djusthavetodealwithit.Ireachedacrossthetableandclaspedherhand.
“Derek,aboutMona,”shebegan.
“Oh.”Inmyanxietyovermyson,IhadcompletelyforgottenaboutMona.“Whathappened?”Ileanedforward,staringatSofiaintently.Shebitherlipandlookedupatme.Uncertaintyandworryshowedinhereyes.Isqueezedherhand.“Tellme.”
“TwowitchesfromTheSanctuary,BrisaliaandCsillaAdrius—sisterandnieceofthelateOdeliaAdrius—arehereonthisislandaswespeak.”
Thereweresomanythingsaboutthatoneshortstatementthatsentmymindreeling.
“What?”Ispluttered.“Howdidtheygetinhere?WhydidMonaallowit?Odeliaisdead?Whatdotheywant?”
Shewetherlowerlip,drawinginasharpbreath.“Odeliawasmurdered.I’mnotsureexactlyhowithappened.Monasaidtheycalledherattentionoutsidetheisland…Theyclaimtheywanttoformanalliancewithus.Ididn’thavetimetodiscussanydetailswithher,but—”
“Iwantthemoffthisisland.”“Derek…theysaidtheycanhelpusfindRose.”IstaredatSofia,unabletobelievethatshewasevenentertainingtheideaof
cooperatingwiththem.“Idon’tcarewhattheysay,”Igrowled,scrapingmychairbackandstanding
up.IstalkedtothedoorandlookedbackatSofia.“StayhereandkeepaneyeonBen.I’mgoingtotellMonarightnow—”
Shehurriedovertomeandgrippedmyarm,pullingmeback.“Wait,”shebreathed,hereyesglisteningwithtears.“IhadthesamereactionasyouwhenIfirstsawthem.ButDerek…howlonghasitbeensinceIbrahimandCorrineleft?Whatif…whatifsomethinghappenedtothem?Theyhaven’tmadecontactwithusastheypromisedtheywould.Somuchtimehaspassed,withRosegone.I’mlosinghope…”Hervoicebroke.
Thewayshewaslookingatmemademeacheinside.Isawsuchsorrowinthosebeautifuleyesofhers.ItcutmethattherewasnothingIcoulddotoalleviatehersuffering.
Iheldherwaistanddrewherclosertome,wipinghertearswithmythumbsandkissinghercheeks.
Ibreathedoutasshewrappedherarmsaroundme,buryingherheadinmychest.Igrippedthebackofherheadandrockedhergentlyfromsidetoside.
DespitetheburninginmetoalleviateSofia’ssuffering,Iknewthatdesperationwascloudingherjudgment.Iwassurethatthewitcheswerepreyingonusatthisvulnerabletime,knowingthatwewouldbemorelikelytoacceptwhatevertheyproposedoutofdesperationtogetourdaughterback.Butthatwasinsanity.We’dalreadysufferedenoughattheirhands.Iwasn’tabouttoruneventheslightestriskofsufferingbecauseofthemagain.
Wecouldn’tapproachthemfromastanceofweakness.Fromvulnerability.ThatmuchIhadlearntaboutthesecreatures.Wehadtoapproachthemfromapositionofstrength.Wehadtobecoolinourdealingswiththem,evenifitkilledusinside.
Althoughitpainedme,IclutchedSofia’sshouldersandseparatedmyselffromher.Lookingherstraightintheeye,Isaid,“Wecannotallowthesewitchestorunalloverusagain.Wecannotagreetowhateverproposaltheyhave.Icanguaranteeyouwithoutevenhearingitthatwewillbeworseoffforit.Wearedesperatetogetourdaughterback,buttakinghelpfromthesewitcheswillnotmakethingsbetter.”
Tearsbegantostreamsilentlydownhercheeks.“Sofia,weneedthemoffthisisland,”Icontinued.IunderstoodhowSofiasawthesewitches.Shesawthemasaflickerofhope,
howeverfaintitmightbe.Me,Iwasapessimist.IalwayssawdarknessbeforeIsawlight.Andinthese
witches’case,Istruggledtoseeanyredemptivequalityinthemannerinwhichtheyhadapproachedus.
Theywantedsomethingfromus.Theyhadnointerestinhelpingusandtheywoulddoalltheycouldtowriggleoutofanycommitmenttheymightmakeinregardstoourdaughter.We’dberiskingthesafetyofourislandbyforminganalliancewiththem.Ididn’tknowexactlywhattheirmotivationwas,butIknewitwouldn’tbeforourbenefit.
“WhatiftheycouldactuallyhelpusfindRose?”Sofiacroaked.Itwasclearshewasn’tgoingtogiveupontheideaeasily.Iledhertothe
sofaandpulledherbackagainstmychest,strokingherhairasIwrappedanarmaroundher.
“Ican’tsayforsurethattheydon’tknowwhereourdaughteris.Perhapstheydo.Butforminganalliancewiththemislikeforminganalliancewiththedevil.YouknowthesewitchesaswellasIdo.”
Shegulped.“Ido,andyetIcan’thelpbutfeelIwon’tbeabletolivewithmyselfifIdon’tatleasttrythis.Weknowthatnotallwitchesarebad.Afterall,weareallstillherebecauseofwitches.Ijustwonder,sincetheAgelessweknewhasdied,perhapstheyhavedevelopedmorehumanequalities?”
Iforcedmyselftoconsiderherwordseventhoughmygutreactionwastorejectthem.Thesimplefactwas,Iwasn’twillingtoriskthesafetyofourpeopleorourisland.
Ishookmyhead.“TheyareofthesamebloodastheAgeless.YousaidOdeliawashersister,forChrist’ssake.Theyareoneandthesame.I’masdesperatetogetRosebackasyouare,butwesimplycannotletdesperationleadus.”
Sofiapaused,bitingherlip.Ihatedtoleaveherthisway.Iwasdenyingherthisavenuewhileofferingnoalternative.Butshewasn’tthinkingstraight.IwasinjustasmuchpainasheroverRose’sabsence,butwehadtofindawaytogetRosebackwithoutthesewitches’help.Wehadmanychildrenonthisislandforwhomwewereresponsible,notjustRose.Wecouldn’tbereckless.
“IneedtogotoMona,”Isaid.“Theynevershouldhavebeenallowedonthisislandtostartwith,andIdon’twantthemhereamomentlonger.”
LeavingSofia,Istrodebackovertothedoorandlefttheapartment.
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herewasaloudbangingattheSanctuary’sfrontdoor.IdoubteditwouldbeKiev.I’djusttoldhimIwantedsometimealone.Whoeveritwas,Iassumeditmustbeimportant.
IopenedthedoortoseeDerekstandingoutside.Hisfistswereclenched.IwassurprisedtoseehimsosoonafterBrisaliaandCsillahadarrivedontheisland.WithDerekandSofia’ssonturning,I’dthoughtthey’dtakeatleastafulldaytocometoadecision.
JustlookingatDerek’sface,Ialreadysensedwhattheirdecisionwas.“Iwantthosetwowitchesoffthisislandimmediately.There’snoneedforus
tograntthemareception.Theyneedtoleave.”MymouthwentdryasIstaredatthevampire.“A-Allright.”“Fromnowon,don’tletanyonefromTheSanctuaryontothisisland.Ignore
them.”Inodded,althoughIcouldbarelyfocusonhiswords.Heturnedonhisheel
andwalkedaway.Iclutchedthedoorhandle,guiltandanxietywellinginthepitofmy
stomach.Evidently,Iwastobetheonetotellthemthenewsandthenescortthemofftheisland.Iclosedmyeyes,tryingtosteadymybreathing.
Ididn’tknowwhyIwasfeelinglikethis.I’dthoughtI’dberelievedtolearntheywouldbebootedofftheisland.AllIfeltwasanxietyasmymindwhirred,
tryingtoimaginehowIwasgoingtotellthem.HowIwouldwordit.Derekhadmadeitclearthathedidn’twantmetowaitaroundbefore
removingthem.Andhewasright.YeteveryfiberofmybeingfoughtagainstitasIvanishedmyselffromTheSanctuaryandreappearedoutsidethewoodencabinI’dleftthetwowitchesin.
ItookadeepbreathasIclaspedthedoorknob.Justdoit.Justgetitoverwith.Iunlockedthedoorandsteppedinside.Icrossedthelivingroomandheaded
tothebedroom.BothBrisaliaandCsillasatuprightonthebed,lookingunruffledasifthey’donlybeensittingtherefiveminutes,showingnodetectablesignsofimpatience.Theystoodupasbothsetsofblueeyessettledonme.
MyvoicecaughtinmythroatasItriedtospeak.Istilldidn’tknowhowIwasgoingtosaythis.
Brisaliasmiledkindly.Itkilledmehowwidehereyeswerewithexpectation.ExpectationthatIwasabouttodash.
“Well,Mona?Havethekingandqueengrantedusameeting?”Ishookmyhead,avertingmyeyestothefloorboards.Igrippedthesidesof
mydress,tryingtokeepmyhandsfromtrembling.“Youneedtoleave,Brisalia,”Imanaged.Therewasasilence.ThemostuncomfortableIeverrememberedenduring.ThenBrisaliasaid,“Iunderstand,Mona.That’sokay.”Ilookedupandstaredather.Iwassurprisedthatsheshouldbesoeasily
acceptingafterthetroublethey’dundergonetocomehereinthefirstplace.Brisaliawassmilingsoftly.Shecaughtherdaughter’shandandbegan
headingforthedoor.“IsupposeIshouldn’thaveexpectedmuchdifferent,”shesaidasshe
stoppedwithCsillaoutsidethefrontdoor.“ThoughIsupposeIthoughtSofiawouldgiveourofferalittlemoreconsideration,giventhatwecouldhelpgetherdaughterback.Isupposeourkindreallydidputthemthroughthewringerbefore.Perhapstheirtrustnevercanberestored.”
Inoddedfaintly,thenplacedmyhandsonBrisalia’sandCsilla’sshoulders,vanishingusfromthespot.WeappearedagainoutsideTheShade.Wehovered
overthewatersoutsidetheborderoftheisland.Istillcouldn’tbeartolookthemintheeye.IletgoofthemafterIreturnedtheirpowersandtheyhoverednexttome.
“I…I’msorry.”Mychestfeltconstricted,mythroattight.“Itoldyoutherewerenoguarantees…butIsupposeIthoughtthey’datleastgiveyouaproperreception.”
ThistimeitwasCsillawhocomfortedme.Shereachedoutandsqueezedmyshoulder,assumingthesameunderstandingsmileashermother.“That’sallright.Iguessweweren’texpectingaproperreception.Thoughitwouldhavebeennice.”
Ismiledawkwardly.Brisalialeanedtowardme.Herperfumefilledmynostrilsasshedrewmeinforanembrace.Asshepulledaway,herlipspressedagainstmycheek.Csillaembracedmelikewise.Ifeltmyfacegrowhot.
Itboththrilledanddisgustedmethattheyshouldtreatmesowarmly.Ifeltlikeamonsterfornottellingthemthetruth.
ThatmomentwastheclosestI’devercometofinallyadmittingthatithadbeenmewhohadkilledBrisalia’ssister,Odelia.Butsomehow,Icouldn’t.Ijustcouldn’t.EventhoughguiltclawedatmychestatallowingthemtotreatmelikeafriendwhenI’ddonenothingbutcausethemharm,Ididn’tthinkI’dbeabletohandlethedisappointmentintheirfaces.Becausethetruthwas,apartofmewasacoward.Iwasstillrunningawayfromthehorrorsofmypastratherthanfacingthem.
“Well,goodbye,Isuppose,”Isaid.Igavethembothafaintsmileandwasabouttovanish,butjustbeforeIdid,Brisaliacaughtmyhandandsqueezedit.
“Wait,Mona.Beforeyougo,there’ssomethingIwanttogiveyou.”Shesnappedherfingersintheair.Sheclenchedherfists,thenopenedthem
torevealasmallbox.Agaspescapedmylips.Mykneessuddenlyfeltweak.Ireachedoutand
tooktheboxfromher.Iranmyfingersarounditsgem-encrustededges,relishingeverycontourofthesmallboxinmyhands.Ithadbeenmymother’sjewelrybox.Myfatherhadgivenittoherasaweddingpresent.TearswelledinmyeyesasItriedtoswallowbackthechildhoodmemoriesthisboxbroughtabout,
memoriesofmybeautifulmother.“Yourecognizeit?”Csillaasked.Ibitmylip,nodding.“HowcouldInot?”Openingitup,Iwasyetagainsurprisedtoseethesmalloblongboxwasstill
filledwithjewelry.Itwasmymother’sjewelry,stillintact.IstaredatBrisalia,atearspillingfrommyeye.“Howdidyougetthis?”Sheshrugged,stillholdingthatcalmsmile.“Whenyourfamilypassedon,myservantwasputinchargeofsifting
throughtheirbelongingsandkeepinganythingofvalue.Iwasn’tsurethatIwouldeverseeyouagain.Idoubtedit.ButIknewthatifIeverdidmeetyouagain,Mona,Iwouldgiveyouthis.”
Iwasspeechless.ItwasallIcoulddotocontrolmytears.Ididn’tknowthatIcouldmanagetospeakwithoutmyvoicebreaking.
“Thankyou,”Ibreathed.“You’rewelcome…Isupposeweoughttogetgoingnow.Ifearwe’ve
alreadyoutstayedourwelcome.”Shepaused,reachingoutandclutchingmyhandsagain.“Weknowthatyou’veleftRhysandarenolongeralliedwithhim.Iwantyoutoknowthatifyoueverneedsomewheretogo,orifyouwanttojustvisithome,youarealwayswelcomeinTheSanctuary.”
Paintorethroughmychest.Iwantedtogomorethananything,evenifjusttoexperiencewhatitwasliketofeelwelcomeinmyhome,tolivetherewithoutfearingformylife.ButIcouldn’t.Itwouldforeverbeadistantdream.
Inodded.“Thankyou.ButmyhomeishereinTheShadenow.”Shewithdrewherhand,hercooleyesstillfixedonmine.“Ofcourse…”SheloopedherarmthroughCsilla’sand,assheraisedahandtowave
goodbye,bothofthemvanishedfromthespot.I’dbeenclutchingthejewelryboxsohard,itsgemswerebeginningtoform
dentsinmyskin.IvanishedmyselfbackinsideTheShadeandappearedoutsideKiev’sand
myhome.Ididn’tbothertocheckifKievwasback.Openingthefrontdoor,Irushedstraightupstairsandlockedmyselfinthebedroom.Sittingatmydressingtableinfrontofthemirror,Istaredatthepale,teary-eyedgirllookingbackat
me.Ireachedoutandpositionedtheboxinfrontofthemirror.Staringatit,Itraceditwithmyfingersonceagain,asthoughtomemorizeeverypartofitbytouchalone.Fumblingforthelatch,Iflippeditopen.Anamberring,twosetsofrubyearrings,andasilver-platedamethystnecklace.Closingmyeyes,breathingdeeply,Icouldstillremembermymotherwearingthem.
Ipickedupthepiecesofjewelryonebyoneandtriedthemon,withshakinghands,inthemirror.IwasabouttoreplacethemagainforsafekeepingwhenIrememberedtherewasasecondleveltothebox.IfIrecalledcorrectly,ithadcontainedastashofmymother’spearls.Igrippedthesmallhandleatthebaseoftheboxandtriedtopullitopen.Butitwasfastenedtight.Withage,Isupposed.I’dlostcountofhowmanyhumanyearshadpassedsinceI’dlastseenmymotheralive.Ididn’twanttoforceitopenincaseIdamagedthebox,soIclosedthelidandreplaceditonmydressingtable.
Islumpedbackinmychair,myeyesstillfixedonthebox.ThelookofdisappointmentinBrisalia’sfaceandthewordsshe’dspokenbeforewe’dpartedreplayedinmymind.AndIfeltsuddenlydisturbed.
Asmuchasitwasn’tfair,Icouldn’thelpbutfeelresentmenttowardthekingandqueenofTheShadefordismissingmytwooldfriendssounceremoniously.
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nceMonawassafelyoutofview,mymotherandIvanishedourselvestoaclusterofrocksafewmilesawayfromtheboundaryofTheShade.
Ihadtoadmit,I’dthoughtthekingandqueenwouldhaveatleastgrantedusameeting,consideringwhatwe’dsaidwecouldofferthem.Theirkickingusofftheislandsoswiftlyhadn’tbeenexpected,butwehadofcourseplannedforit.Aswewalkedtowardthecenteroftherocks,mymotherdidn’tseemtoofazedbyit.
“Youknow,Csilla,”shesaid,sittingdownonarockandgatheringthehemofherdress,“Ithinkthisactuallymightworktoouradvantage.”Placingherhandsonherlap,shelickedherlipsthoughtfully.“Yes,itwouldhavebeenhelpfulifwe’dbeenabletoscopeouttheislandforourselvesabitmore…butthiswaytheyaremuchlesslikelytosuspectus.Outofsight,outofmind.Wejustneedtotrustinthepreparationswemadebeforearriving,andtrustthatthingswillgoaccordingtoplan.”
“Isuppose,”Isaid,sittingdownoppositeher.Mymothercasthereyesabouttherockssurroundingus.Theyfellonasmallpoolnearherfeet.Shelookedatmeandnoddedtowardit.Istoodupandwalkedovertoher.Webothleanedoveritasshedippedherfingersintoitscenter.
“Yes,”shemuttered,slippingherselfofftherockandkneelingdownoverthepool.“Thisisdeepenough…”
Whenshespreadoutherfingertips,ametallicliquidflowedfromthem.
Heavierthanwater,itsanktothebottomofthepoolandasshefilledthepoolwithmoreandmore,soonithaddisplacedthewater.Mymotherstoppedonceitwasfilledtothetop.Sheranherfingertipsoverthesurfaceofthepoolandthesurfacehardenedbeneathhertouch.AsIpeeredoverit,ittookaboutthreeminutesforittoformamirror.BothmymotherandIstaredatourreflections.
Mymothersmiledasshelookedoverherhandiwork.“Now,wewait,”shesaid.“Howlongdoyouthinkitwilltake?”“Italldependsonwhenhedeemsitsafe.”Isteppedawayfromthepool,manifestingmyselfsomethingmore
comfortabletositonratherthanrocks—arecliningarmchair.Mymotherdidthesameasshetookaseatoppositeme,andwhenitbegantorain,sheformedagazebooverusalongwithaninvisibilityspelltopreventanybodyfromnoticingus.
Forhourswesat,watchingtheglassysubstance,waitingforanysignofmovement.Asmidnightapproached,Ibegantowonderifsomethinghadgonewrong.Ikeptlookingupatmymother.Sheremainedcalmthroughout,nosignoftheslightestbitofanxiety,sothatcalmedmyownnerves.Iknewifshesuspectedsomethinghadgonewrong,Iwouldnoticeitinhercountenance.
Shewasrighttobecalm,forasmidnightstruck,thepoolfinallystirred.Whathadpreviouslybeenareflectionofourselveswasnowadifferentvisioncomingintofocus.Blacknessatfirst,thenasliveroflightformingaroundthelidofthejewelrybox.Asthelidopenedfurther,abedroomcameintoview.Monaandamalevampirelaytogetheronabed,wrappedineachother’sarms,sleeping.
Mymother’seyesgleamedaswecroucheddownclosertowhatwasnowourwindowintoTheShade.
“Yes,”shebreathed.“Now,weseethroughSilas’eyes.”
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CH A P T E R 6 : C S I L L A
sourviewleftMona’sbedroomandglideddownthestairs,towardtheexitofthebuilding,Icouldn’tshaketheworrythatSilasmightmessup.
Yes,wehadaccesstohisvisionthewholetime,butwewerepowerlesstoensurethatheactuallyobeyedtheplanwe’ddiscussedwithhimearlier.Ifhedecidedtobedisobedient,we’dhavetowatchweeksofplanninggotowaste.Mymotherseemedtosensemynervousness.
“Silaswouldbeafooltofailthistask.Thisishislastassignment.Afterthis,hisbondtousisbrokenandheisafreespirit.”
Ibreathedalittleeasierhearingthisassurancefromher.Ifshewasnotworried,Ishouldn’tbeeither.
Shewasrightofcourse.Silaswouldbeafool.IsatbackonmychairandtriedtorelaxalittlemoreasSilasbeganzoomingalongabeach.Twothickhandspressedagainsthiseyelids,blurringourvisionforamoment,towipeawaytherainthatwasbucketingdown.
Hisspeedsoonfoundusenteringadenseforest.Silasraisedhisheadupward,scanningthetreetops.
“Good,”mymothermuttered.“Herememberswheretolookfirst.Weneednotworry,Csilla.It’sinhisinterestasmuchasourstocompletethistasksuccessfully.”
Ibegantowonderhowhewasn’tbashingintothingssincehisfocuswasonthetreetopsthewholetimeandheneverseemedtobelookingwherehewas
going.AlthoughghoulslikeSilasweresubtlebeings—theycouldfoldintoimpossiblysmallspacesandmanifestthemselvesatwill—whentheydidmanifest,asSilashadnow,theywerefleshandbone.Isupposedhehadextrasensoryabilities,sincehedidn’toncesmashintoatree.Ithelpedthathewasfloatingtoo—hedidn’tneedtolookattheground.
“He’sgoingtoofast,”Imurmured.“He’sgoingtomiss—”Mymotherlookedup,throwingmeaglare.“Calmyourself,girl,oryour
nerveswilldrivemeinsane.Havesomefaithinhim.Hewillnotdowrongbyus.”
Ibitmylip,andavertedmyeyesbacktotheghoul’svision.Mymothersqueezedmykneeastheghoulstoppedshortsuddenlyatthefoot
ofatree.“See?Upthere.ThosearetheResidences.He’sspottedthemnow.”MystomachclenchedasSilasrushedtowardatreeandbeganzooming
upwardwithbreathtakingspeed.Ibegantofeeldizzyjustwitnessingit.Whenhearrivedatthetop,hecasthiseyesabout.Hewasonawideverandawithflowerpotsandivygrowingupthesidesofthewallsofamagnificenttreehouse.Silasscannedthebuildingandthen,onspottinganopenwindow,helurchedtowardit.Twopalehandswithsharpblacknailsreachedoutandpriedthewindowopenwiderbeforehefloatedinsideit.
Nowwefoundourselveslookingaroundalivingareaofsorts—comfortableseatingandvarioustypesofhumantechnology,whichledthroughtoanopenkitchenarea.
Iwonderedwhosepenthousewehadenteredfirst.Iwasrelievedthathe’dfoundtheResidencessoeffortlessly.Idoubtedbythesizeandlavishnessofthepenthousesthattheycouldbeanythingbuthousingfortheroyaltyoftheisland.Now,wejustneededtofindourtargets.
Silasdriftedquicklyfromroomtoroom.Ihadtokeepmyeyespeeled.HemovedsofastitfeltlikeImightmisssomethingifIblinked.
Finally,afterwhatfeltlikethesixthroom,Silasexitedthecorridorbydriftingthroughanotherwoodendoorandthistimeweappearedinthelargestbedroomwe’dseensofar.
Adark-hairedvampirelayinthecenterofthebedwithabeautifulred-haired
womaninhisarms,sheetswrappedlooselyaroundtheirbarebodies.Theybothsleptsoundly.
Iwasn’tsurewhatSilaswassointerestedin.Ididn’tknowwhothismanandwomanwere.Itlookedlikethewomanwasawitch,butIdidn’trecognizeher.Asforthevampire,Iwasn’tsurewhohewas.Butneitherofthesepeoplewereourtargets,soIdidn’tunderstandwhySilaswasbotheringtolingersolonginthisroom.
“Whydoesn’theleave?”Iwhispered.Mymotherleanedforward,watchingintently,asIdid.Tomysurprise,he
reachedouthisgnarledhandsandtheirsoliditybegantofadeuntiltheybecamealmostinvisible.Hisblacknailsmadeiteasiertolocatetheirshapeastheyloweredtowardtheman’shead.Ishiveredashisghostlyhandssankrightintothevampire’sskull.Thevampiredidn’tstiratall.Ofcourse,hewouldn’tfeelathing—perhapsafaintbreeze,achillaroundhishead.ForSilas’handswerenowtransparent,thinandlightasair.
Silaswasleavinghismarkinthisvampire’smind,andIdidn’tunderstandwhy.Itseemedtomelikehewaswastingtimetaggingotherswhenheshouldhavebeenfocusingonourtargets.
Mymotherdidn’tanswerforseveralmomentsasshestared,herlipsparted,barelybreathing.Thentheyformedasmall,knowingsmile.“Silasisjusthavingsomefun.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”Mymotherlookedatme,nowsmilingmorefully.“It’sharmless.Aslongas
hedoesn’twaittoolongtoreachourtargets,wehavenothingtoworryabout.”Twominuteslater,Silasliftedhishandsawayfromthevampire—still
sleeping—andexitedtheroom.Weheadedstraightoutoftheapartmentandrushedbackdowntotheforestground.EventhoughIwassittingsolidlyinmyseat,mystomachlurchedatthethoughtoftravelingthatfastdownthoseenormoustrees.
Iwasexpectinghimtoimmediatelymoveontothenexttreehouse,afewmetersaway,andcontinuehissearch.Insteadhehurtledforwardalongtheforestpath,whippingthroughthetrees,nowinhissubtleformagain.Iwantedtoask
mymotherwhathewasdoingnow,butsheseemedtohavehadenoughofmyincessantquestioningsoIremainedsilent.
ItwasonlyoncethetreesdisappearedandaclearingcameintoviewthatIcouldn’tholdinmygasp.Ididn’tneedtohavelivedinTheShadetorealizethathehadstrayedawayfromthevampires’residentialquartersandenteredthehumans’.
“He’sstrayingfromhiscoursealready?”Icouldn’tbelievemyeyes.He’donlyjustexitedthejewelryboxandalreadyhewasstrayingfrommymother’sexplicitorders.
Mymotherignoredme,herfaceseriousasshefocusedallherattentiononthewindow.Herfacewasexpressionless—itwasimpossibletotellwhethershewasdisturbedbySilas’conductorapprovedofit.
Silasheadedstraightforthenearesttownhouse.Nowindowswereopen,butnonewereneeded.Therewasblacknesssuddenlyasheseepedthroughthestonewallandemergedagainontheinsideofthebuilding.Aspacioushallway,decoratedwithsoftcarpetsandpaintingsonthewalls.Acozyhome—andsotypicallyhuman.
ThestairsflewawaybeneathSilasasheascendedthestaircase.Onceagainhedriftedthroughawallandappearedinanotherbedroom.Ahumancouplesleptinabed.AsSilaspassedalongmirrorfixedtoacloset,hestoppedandstaredintoit.Ishivered.EventhoughI’dseenhimbeforeintheflesh,catchingthisunexpectedglimpseofhiminthedarkness—hisambereyesglowing—mademyhearthammeragainstmychest.Hisskeletalbodywascoveredwiththin,translucentskinthatrevealedthecoldblueveinsbeneathit.Hehadjagged,shark-liketeethandtuftsoflongblackhairhungfromthebaseofhisotherwisebaldskull.
Asheleftthemirrorandcontinuedmovingthroughtheroom,Iwasn’tsureIcouldstomachthesceneIwasabouttowitness.But,likewatchingatrainwreck,Ifoundmyeyesgluedtothescene.
Glidingaroundtheedgeofthebed,heextendedhishandstowardthemanandwoman.Theybarelyhadachancetoopentheireyes,muchlessscream,astheghoul’sblacknailsdugintotheirthroatsandpuncturedtheirarteries.As
bloodbegantooozefromtheirnecks,soakingthebedsheets,andSilaspulledawaythesheetscoveringthem,Icouldnolongerlook.Iknewwhatwascomingnext.
Humanfleshwasasweetdelicacyghoulsdidn’toftenhavetheopportunitytotaste.MymotherhadoftentaskedmewithfeedingSilasbackinTheSanctuary.Hedevouredallhumansthesameway—aftertearingtheirthroatsout,hedugintotheirstomachsandatetheirguts,swallowingtheintestineswhole,last.Insteadofwitnessingthisnightmarishscene,Ifixedmyeyesonmymotherwhoremainedwatching,stillunflinching.
Itseemedunlikemymother.IhadseenhowharshshecouldbewithSilasduringtraining.Shewouldn’tlethimstrayevenaninchfromherinstructions.TowatchhersocalmlywitnessingSilasviolatingtheveryfirstrulewegavehimwasbewilderingtome.
“Mother,whatareyouthinking?Didn’twefeedhimenoughbeforeweleft?Ithoughttheplanwastofillhisstomachtolasthimatleastafewdays,sohewouldn’thavetoriskkilling.”
Shedidn’tanswermeforseveralmoremomentsasshecontinuedwatchingSilas’gruesomefeast.Finally,sheclearedherthroat.“I’mnothappywiththeattentionthisisgoingtocause.Ifhewasherewithmenow,Iwouldpunishhim.Butitseemshecouldn’thelphimself.Heknowsoncehehascompletedhistask,hewillbeclosertofreedomandthere’snosayingwhenhewilltastehumanfleshagainafterthat.Aslongashe’scarefultohidehistracks,wehavenothingtofear.”Shelookedatmepointedly.“Youcanlooknow,he’sfinishedhismeal.”
Ilookeddownatthebedtoseeitsoakedwithblood,thecorpsessplitopen,fragmentsoftheirstomachsstrewnaboutthebedroom.
Wrappingtwostrongarmsaroundthecorpses,heliftedthemupoverhisshouldersanddriftedoutoftheroom.Sincehecarriedthesephysicalbodieswithhim,hehadtoopenthedoorinordertoexit.Iwinced,hopingnobodyelsewasinthehousewhomightnotice.Andthenhewasrushingbackintothewoods,asfastasthewind,grippingthebodies.Hesoonreachedthebeachand,hoveringoveraclusterofboulders,heshiftedoneasideandstuffedthecorpsesintoacrack.
Iwasgladthatatleasthehadthesensetodisposeofthebodiesratherthanleavethemonthebed.NeithermymothernorIknewhowmuchexperienceMonahadwithghouls,orifshe’devenencounteredonebefore.Wedidn’tknowwhethershe’dbesmartenoughtodetectaghoulattackbyexaminingabody.Butwecouldn’taffordtotakethatrisk.Themomentshesuspectedaghoulwaspresentontheisland,shewouldsuspectus…andthebox.WitchesofTheSanctuarywereknownforthepactstheyenteredintowithghouls.
Silashadtokeephimselfhiddenorourwholeplanwouldcomecrashingdown.IjusthopedthatSilaswouldn’tslipupifhewastomakefeedingonhumansaregularhabit.
Mymotherseemedtosensemyfear.“Weneednotworrytoomuch,”shesaid.“Allthatfleshhe’sjustconsumed
willkeephisstomachfilledforatleasttwodays…”
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’dlosttrackofhowmuchtimehadpassedsinceAnnoraleftthecontrolroom.But,despitetheanxietygnawingawayatme,Icouldnolongerignoremyhungerandthirst.IthadbeenalongtimesinceI’dlasteaten,andI’dswallowedtoomuchsaltwaterwhenCalebhadkeptduckingmeunderwaterduringourescapefromJulisseandArielle.
Igotoutofbedandwalkedtothedoor.Openingit,Ilookedoutintothecorridor.Allseemedquiet.Novoices.IwonderedifCalebhadevenleftthecontrolcabin,andwhereAnnorawas.
Butmyfirstprioritywasfindingwaterandsomethingtoeat.Iwasbeginningtofeelamigrainecomingonfromdehydration.Iwalkedfromcabintocabin,lookingforsomekindofkitchenarea.Therehadtobeagalleyhere.AnnorahadsaidthatshehadsurvivedonthissubmarinefordaysalreadyasshewaitedforCalebtoarrive.
MostdoorswereopenalreadyandIcouldpeerineasily.Istoppedshortattheendofthecorridor,justbeforethelastcabintomyleft.Iheardtherustlingofaplasticbag.MyheartleaptasIwonderedifitcouldbeCaleb.
Itwasn’t.IturnedthecornertoseeAnnorasittingatopacupboardfilledwithdried
snacksandastashofwaterbottles.Hereyesshottowardme,andIstoodstaringather,speechless.Therewasa
coldnessinhergazeasshelookedmeoverfromheadtofoot,asthoughshewas
sizingmeup.Shewassittingrightontopofthefoodcabinet,herlegshangingdownover
thedoor.TheonlywayIcouldgainaccesstothefoodwouldbebyaskingher.IrealizedI’dratherputupwithmymigrainethanaskanyfavorofher.
Breakingeyecontact,Iturnedaroundandheadedbacktomyroom,cursingbeneathmybreath.I’llhavetotryagainlaterwhenhopefullyshewillbegone…
Ilookedbackovermyshouldertobesureshewasn’tlookingafterme.IalmostwalkedrightintoCaleb.Isteppedbackinshock.
“Sorry,”hemurmured.IremainedwhereIwas,blockingthenarrowcorridor,staringathim.Iwas
expectinghimtosaysomethingelse.Hedidn’t.Hiseyesremainedonthefloor,hisexpressionstonyasever.
Isteppedasideandwasabouttolockmyselfbackinmycabinwhenhereachedoutandgrippedmyarm.Hewasstillavoidingdirecteyecontact,buthiseyesloweredtomycrackedlips.
“You’redehydrated.”Notwaitingformyresponse,heletgoofmeandwalkedinthedirectionof
thekitchen.IremainedwhereIwas.AsCaleb’sfootstepsapproachedthekitchen,IheardAnnoramurmuringsomethingtohim,thoughIcouldn’tmakeoutwhat.Whateveritwas,itwascutshortasCalebexitedthekitchenandmadehiswaybacktome.
Hewascarryingabottleofwaterandseveralpacketsofoatcakes.Heplacedtheminmyhandsandsteppedback.“Ifthat’snotenough,there’splentymoreinthekitchen.”
Hekepthiseyesonthefloorashecontinuedwalkingdownthecorridorbacktothecontrolcabin.Istoodstaringafterhimasheclosedthedoor.
Ilookeddownatthefoodandwaterhe’djustgivenme.Atthatmoment,IfeltIwouldhavepreferredhimtojustlookmeintheeyes.Iwouldhavegivenanythingtoknowwhatwasgoingthroughhishead.
Iwonderedifhewasperhapsstillinshockaboutthewholething.Maybethiswashiswayofdealingwithit—toretreatintohimself.ItookcomfortinthefactthatheseemedtobeavoidingAnnoratoo,notjustme.
Heavingasigh,Iretreatedintomyroomandsatdownonmybed.Irippedopentheoatcakesandbeganchuggingdownthewater.Thecakeswerebland,butfilling.IfinishedallthreepacksandrealizedIwassatisfied.Ididn’tneedtomakeanothertriptothekitchenfornow.
AsIwasswallowingthelastofthewater,Ialmostchokedastherewasarappingonmydoor.Discardingthewaterbottle,Ileaptupandopenedit.ThiswastobethesecondtimeinthirtyminutesIwasdisappointedtoseeAnnora’sfaceinsteadofCaleb’s.
She’dignoredmesinceIarrivedonthissubmarine.AsmuchasIhatedher,Icouldn’thelpbutfeelcuriousastowhyshewasknockingonmydoor.ThatwastheonlyreasonIdidn’tslamitshutinherface.
Iraisedabrow,staringathericily.Shelookeddownatherfeetandclaspedherpalehandstogether.“Ithoughtweoughttotalk,”shesaid.“Aboutwhat?”ShelookedtowardthedirectionofthecabinCalebwaslockedin.“MayI
comein?”Iwasreluctanttoletherintomypersonalspace,butIdid.Iwassuretoleave
thedoorajarincaseIhadtomakeaquickescape.Istilldidn’ttrustthisgirlonebit.
Shewalkedovertotheendofmyroomandleanedagainsttheheater,stillstaringdownatherfeet.Finallyshelookedupatme.“Sincewe’restuckonthissubmarinetogether,wemightaswellbestraightwitheachother.Firstly,Ican’tblameyouorCalebforstrikingupa…friendship.”
Herchoiceofwordprickledme.Iwalkedovertoher,lookingherrightintheeye,andstoppedtwofeetaway.Iwasalmostastallasher,andnowthatsheseemedtobedevoidofpowers,therewasnothingthatintimidatedmeaboutthisyoungwoman.
“Firstly,”Isaid,“IplacetheblameentirelyonyouforthebrokenmanCalebhasbecome.Secondly,whatCalebandIshareismorethanfriendship.Thesooneryouacceptthat,thebetteroffwe’llallbe.”
Herjawtensed.
IwasbreathingheavilyasIlookedather,mylowerliptremblingwithangerandfrustration.IwantedtowringtheneckofthislittlewenchandthrowheroffthesubmarinesoCalebandIcouldcontinuewithourstory.Herexpressiontoldmethatshefeltnodifferentaboutme.
Shedrewinasharpbreath,obviouslyattemptingtoreelinhertemperasIwasmine.Whenshespokeagain,hervoicewashigherpitched.
“Praytellthen,whatexactlydoyouandCalebshare?”Shewasattemptingtomaintainaciviltonewithme,buteachwordsheutteredwasdrippingwithjealousy.
Herquestionmademestumble.Whatdoweshare?ThoughI’dnotyetsaiditaloudtohim,IknewthatIlovedCaleb.AllhisactionsupuntilwemetAnnorahadindicatedthathefeltstronglyformetoo.Thewayhe’driskedhislifetoprotectme.HisagreementtoreturnwithmetoTheShadeeventhoughIknewitmadehimuncomfortable.
ButIwassuddenlystrugglingtoarticulatetoAnnoraexactlywhatitwas.Lovesomehowfelttoostrongofaword,sinceCalebhadn’tyetprofessedittome.
“Wecaredeeplyforoneanother,”Isaid,wincingevenasIsaidthewords.Itfeltlikesuchanunderstatement.
Shecrossedherarmsoverherchest,frowningatme.“WouldyouliketoknowwhatCalebandIshare?”
“Ialreadyknowwhatyoushared.”Sheglaredatme,thenshovedherrighthandinmyface,brandishingthering
onherfinger.“Hisengagementringstillsitsonmyfinger.Idon’tseeoneonyours.”“Anoldbandofmetalmeanslittleagainstactions,”Isaid,tryingtokeepmy
cool.“Backinthecave,hediscardedyouforme.”“I’vechanged,Rose.I’mnolongerthepersonCalebdiscarded.I’vereturned
asthepersonCalebsworeundyingloveto…many,manyyearsbeforehemetyou.”
“IfyouhadevenanounceofloveforCaleb,you’drealizeyou’vedoneenoughdamagealreadyandstayoutofhislife.”Inarrowedmyeyesonher.
“Youdon’tdeservehim.”Shelookedlikeshewasabouttoslapme.Takingadeepbreath,shestepped
back,tryingtoassumeacalmerexpression.“Well,perhapsweshouldletCalebdecideforhimselfwhodeserveshim.”
Sheextendedahand.“Let’sjustseewhoCalebchoosesnowthatI’mback,shallwe?”
Igrippedherhand,squeezingitinafirmshake.Iwasn’tgoingtoletCalebfallbackintothisbitch’sarms.EvenifCaleb
didn’tlovemeIwouldratherheendedupwithanyotherwomanthanthiswench.
“Gameon,”Isaidthroughgrittedteeth.
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CH A P T E R 8 : R O S E
nnoraleftmycabinandheadedstraightforthecontrolcabinagain.Iwatchedwithamusementassheknocked,onlytobecompletelyignoredbyCaleb.Evenwhenshecalledtohimthroughthedoor,hedidn’tanswer.Throwingascowlbackatme,shewalkedbacktoherowncabinandslammedthedoorshutbehindher.
Iwasfedupofsittinginmyowncabin,sowhileIdidn’tgotoCaleb—Iwasn’tsurethathewantedtobearoundmeeither—Iwentforawalkaroundthesubmarinetostretchmylegs.AsIwasdescendingaflightofstairsdowntothestoragechambersbelow,thevesselshudderedsuddenly,makingmelosebalanceandfalltothefloor.MystomachturnedasIfeltusrising.Iwincedasmykneewhackedagainstasharpmetalstep.
Whatwasthat?Iheardtwocabindoorsclickopen.Iretracedmystepsbacktothefrontof
thesubtoseeCalebstandinginthecorridorwithAnnora.HelookedupatmeasIapproached,agrimexpressiononhisface.
“We’verunoutoffuel,”hesaid.“Ithoughtwemightbeabletomakeittoland,butImiscalculated.”
HebrushedpastAnnoraandmeandwalkedtowardtheladderleadinguptothehatch.Whenweclimbedupit,therewasagrindingofmetal.Asthehatchopened,Calebgroanedassunlightstreameddownoverhim.Ihurriedover,breathingindeeplyasfreshseaairfilledthechamber.Annorawasaboutastep
behindme.Caleb’sfeetdisappearedthroughthehole.Ihurrieduptheladderafterhim,
peekingthrough.Wewereinthemiddleoftheocean,thesunbeatingdownonus.AtfirstIcouldn’tmakeoutanysignoflandatall.ButthenIsawit—afaintoutlineofashoreinthedistance.
Ifeltasharppaininmyankle.MyeyesshotdownwardtoseeAnnorapinchingme.
“Hurryup,”shehissed.Scowling,Itookmytimeinclimbingupontotherooftomakewayforher.
ItpainedmetoseeCalebstandinginthesun.Hecouldbarelyseewiththeglareofthesunreflectingoffthewavesandbouncingintohiseyes.
Annorabrushedpastme,almostmakingmelosebalanceandfallintothewaves.Igrippedholdofapipe,pullingmyselftothecenteroftheboat.ShewalkeduptoCaleb,removinghershawlandcoveringhisheadandshoulderswithittoshelterhimfromthesun.
“Whatnow?”sheasked.Calebsteppedawayfromherandwalkedtotheendofthevessel,staringout
atthelandinthedistance.“Ididn’tnoticeitonthemap…butthatseemstobeanislandafewmiles
away.Weneedtoreachit.”Hewalkedbacktowardthehatch,passingAnnoraandapproachingme.He
stopped,allowingmetoclimbbackdownbeforeheenteredinafterme.Shutthehatchonthebitch,Icouldn’thelpbutthinkasCaleblowered
himselfdown.AsAnnoraturnedthewheelofthehatchshut,weallstoodtogetheronthe
floorofthesub.“I’mgoingtoseeifthere’sanywaytojumpstarttheenginetomoveusforward,justuntilwereachtheisland.Ifwecandothat,we’llbevery,verylucky.”
Hedisappeareddownthesteps.Annora,predictably,followedhim.Unlikeher,IhadnointerestinfollowingCalebaroundlikealostpuppy.Iwalkedtothecontrolcabinandstaredatthemap.Calebwasright—thisislandappearedtobeunmarked.Igrippedthebackofachairasthesubmarineshudderedagain,the
enginebeginningtohumandsplutter.Afewmomentslater,CalebandAnnoraenteredtheroom.Calebresumedhis
seatbehindthecontrols.“Itrestarted.Wemightjustmakeittoland…”IwatchedwithbatedbreathasCaleburgedthevesselforward.Itsoon
becameapparentthatwewerenearingshallowerwater.Theseabed,coveredinrocks,bouldersandmulticoloredflora,wasbeginningtoemergebeneathus.Eventuallythesubmarinehitsoftsand.
Weclimbedbackoutofthesubmarineagain.Standingontheroof,Ifoundmyselfgazingoutatapristinewhitesandbeachlinedwithcoconuttrees.Furtherinland,therewasdensevegetation.Itlookedlikeajungle.
“Whatisthisplace?”Annoraasked.Calebshrugged.Wesliddownintothewaterandmadeourwaytowardthe
drysand.CalebspedupaheadandrushedbeneaththeshadeofthetreeswhileAnnoraandIfollowedafterhim.
AsIturnedmybackontheislandandlookedbackoutattheocean,Ibreathedoutdeeply.Great.Nowwe’restrandedonadesertisland.
IfAnnorahadn’tbeenwithus,theideaofbeingstrandedherewithCalebwouldn’thavebeensounappealingatall…
IquickenedmypacetoreachCalebbeforeAnnora.Shewaspantingalreadyandwe’dhardlytraveledfaratall.Apparentlyherpowershadallowedhermusclestogrowweakandlazy.
IsatdownwithCalebonafallentreetrunk,staringatherasshestruggledtowardusthroughthesand.Ilookedpastheratthesubmarinemooredonthebeach.AtleasttherewasstillastockoffoodforAnnoraandmeonthevesselifweendedupstrandedherefordays.AsforCaleb,Ihadnoideawhatwe’dfeedhim.Ifherefusedtodrinkbloodfromeitheroneofus,whichIknewhewould,he’dhavetogohunting.
Annoracollapsedassoonasshereachedtheshade,pantingandspreadingherselfoutonthesand.
Dramaqueen.Ilookedoutatthehorizon.Ididn’tneedawatchtoseethatitwasevening.
Thebrightorangesunwasdescendingovertheocean.Wehadperhapsafewhoursleftofsunlight.
“Thesubmarinemusthavearadio?”Isaid.Calebgrimaced.“It’scapableofcontactingmyorStellan’sisland.Nowhere
else.”“Damnit.”Istoodup,kickingsandbeneathmyfeetasIpacedupanddown.Thetruthwas,Iwasn’tsurewherewecouldheadtoevenifthesubmarine
wasfilledwithlimitlessfuel.Evenifthesubmarinehadn’tbrokendown.TheShadeofcoursewasmyfirstchoice.ButafterwhatHermiasaid,Ididn’tknowifgoingtherewouldbelikeridingrightbackintothejawsoftheblackwitches.
Mybreathhitched.IsuddenlyrememberedMicah.I’dbeensowrappedupintheideaoflosingmyfamily,andthesituationwithAnnoraandCaleb,I’dtotallyforgottenthatwe’dlefthimbehind.IturnedtoCaleb.
“WhathappenedtoMicah?”Helookedconcernedasheshookhishead.“Idon’tknow.Ilostsightofhim
inthewavesaswewereescapingJulisseandArielle.”Iwetmylowerlipnervously.Ihopedthewitcheshadn’tgottenholdof
Micah.Orperhapshe’dmadehiswaybacktoTheShade…andwhateverlayinwaitforhimthere.
“Youknewthosetwowitches?”Iasked.“Iknewofthem.”Annorabegantofidgetinthesand,annoyednodoubtthatshewasn’tgetting
theattentionshewasseeking.Calebstoodup,leaninganelbowagainstalow-hangingbranchand
squintingatoursurroundings.“Atleastwhilewe’rehere,itmakessensetosleepinthesubmarine.”
Icouldn’thaveagreedwithCalebmore.Ididn’tfancytryingtosleepouthere.Godknewwhatkindofwildanimalsandinsectscameoutonthisdesertedislandatnight.Evenifwebuiltsomekindofshelterupinthetrees,therecouldbepoisonoussnakesanddangerousinsects.
Atleastthesubmarineofferedsomelevelofcomfortinthissituation.Therewereshowerstheretoo—basicamenitiesthatIsuspectedwewouldbeginto
cherishinthedaystocome.IshudderedasIrealizedwemightnotbeanyclosertoescapinginaweek
thanwewerenow.Wehadnocommunicationdevice.Unlesswefoundsomeoneelseonthisisland,wewouldbejustasstuckhereinaweek’stime.Noclosertoescaping.
Wehadtotrynottothinkaboutthefutureandjustfocusonsurviving.AnnorafinallystoodupandwalkedovertoCaleb,takinghishandinhers.
Shestoodrightinfrontofhim,tryingtomeethiseye.“I’mhumannow.Youdon’tneedtoworryaboutblood.Icanfeedyoumine.”
IrolledmyeyesasCalebscoffed.“YouhonestlythinkIwouldsinkmyfangsintoyouagain?”
Shetookastepback,lookinghurtashebrushedheraway.“Oncenightfalls,”hesaid,“I’llexplorethisislandwhilethetwoofyou
remaininthesubmarine.I’llscopeoutthisplaceandfigureoutifitreallyisuninhabitedorifthere’sperhapsatownorvillagesomewherewithboats.”
“Inthemeantime,”Isaid,notinghowredCaleb’seyeswerebecoming,“weshouldreturntothecoolofthesub.”
Nobodyhadanyobjections,notevenAnnora,sowewalkedbackacrossthesandtowardthesub.Beforeweclimbedontotheroof,Calebgrippedholdofthefrontrailingofthevessel,digginghisheelsintothesandandpullingtheentirevesselwithhisbarehandsuntilitwasfullyinland.Heloweredhimselfthroughthehatchandreappearedmomentslater.Heleaptbackdownintothewaterand,holdingthevessel’sanchor,dugitintothesand.Thatwouldhopefullystopthesubmarinefromgettingsweptawayduringthenight.
ThenhehelpedbothAnnoraandmeontotheroof,andweclimbedbackinside,sealingthehatchaboveus.
Weheadedtothecontrolcabinwherewealltookaseat.AnnoraattemptedtositonCaleb’slap,buthecaughtherbythewaistandsatherdowninherownseat.Iheavedasigh,rollingmyeyesagain.IwantednothingmoreatthatmomentthantohavetimealonewithCaleb.Toholdhiminmyarms,feelhislipsagainstmyskin.Butitwasn’ttobe.AnnoyingAnnoraremainedwithusthewholetime.Notmanywordswereexchangedaswesatwatchingthewaves
becomingdarkeranddarker.EventuallyCalebdeemeditdarkenoughforhimtoleaveonhisexcursion.IwouldhavegivenanythingtogowithCaleb,tohavesomequalitytime
withhim,butIdidn’twanttoslowhimdown.Itwasbetterhewentalone.Besides,ifIwent,Annorawouldwanttogoaswell.Shewouldn’twantmetoeverbealonewithCaleb.
ItwaswithadespondentheartthatIwatchedCalebclimbupthestairstowardtheexit.Beforeheleft,helookeddownatmeseriously.“Lockyourdoorwhenyougotosleep.”Asanafterthought,headdressedAnnora.“Youtoo.”
Inodded,watchinghimdisappearandclosethehatchbehindhim.AnnoraandIstaredateachother.Ihadnoreasontobeoutherenow,soIleftherandwalkedbacktomy
cabin,lockingmyselfinside.AsIfloppeddownonthebed,Annora’sfootstepsapproachedmydoor.To
mysurprise,theystoppedoutside.“Goodnight,”shecalled.WhenIdidn’trespond,herfootstepscontinuedalongthecorridortowardher
owncabin.Iwasn’tsurewhyshe’dbotheredtosaythatatthetime,asIdriftedoffto
sleep.ButwhenIwokeupafewhourslater,coughingandsplutteringasthicksmokechokedmylungsandstungmyeyes,Irealized.
Shewasplanningtomakethisagoodnightforherself.Thenightshegotridofme.
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CH A P T E R 9 : R O S E
deafeningexplosionpiercedmyeardrums.Irolledoutofbed,landingonallfours.Iscrambledtowardthedoor,reachingforthehandleandpullingitopen.Ablastofheatscorchedmyface,stingingmyeyes.Awallofflamesengulfedtheentirecorridortomyleftandhadalmostreachedmydoor.Ihurledmyselfout,flatteningmyselfagainstthefloor.
Theflameswereblockingtheroutetotheexit.TherewasnowayIwouldmakeitthroughtherealive.TheonlydirectionIcouldheadwasright,towardthecontrolroom.AlthoughIfeltclosetosuffocating—myheadfaint—IforcedmybodyforwardwithallthespeedIcouldmuster.Igrippedthehandleandpushedthedooropenbeforeclosingitbehindme.
Itfeltliketherewasmoreoxygeninthisroom.Thedoortothisroomwasthicker.Iwasabletostand.Ilookedaroundtheroomforanyplanofthesubmarine,hopingIcouldfindanemergencyexit.Ihadn’tnoticedonesinceIboarded.IcursedmyselffornotmakingmyselfawareofalltheemergencyexitsassoonasIboarded.Iwasunabletofindanyplanofthevesselandthetemperatureinthecontrolcabinwasrisingbythesecond.Itwouldn’tbelongnowuntiltheflamesbeganlickingthedoor.
Istaredatthelargeglasswindowandgasped.Ihadexpectedtoseethemoonlitbeach.AllIsawwasawallofdarkwater.Theanchorhadloosened—orbeenloosened—allowingthetidetoclaimthevessel.
Ibeganscramblingaroundforaheavyobject.Ifoundaboxoftoolsbeneath
oneoftheseatsandpulledoutascrewdriver.Ididn’tknowifIwouldsurvivethesuddenrushoftonsofwaterspillingintothisroom,mixingwithglass.Itmightcutmetoshreds.Butitwaseitherthisorcertaindeathbyburningalive.
Ifoundapairofgogglesinoneofthedrawers.Donningthem,Ididn’thesitateamomentlonger.Wieldingthetool,Ismasheditagainstthecenterofthescreen.
Itdidn’tsmash.Itbarelyevenmadeascratch.Thiswasthickglass.Islammedagainstitagain.Aslightlystrongercrack.AgainandagainIattackedtheglassuntilfinallyitgaveway.
Ibarelyhadtimetoholdmybreathbeforewatercrashedoverme,smashingmebackagainstthedoor.Theforceofitwassooverwhelmingasthecabinfilledupwithwater,Icouldbarelymovemylimbs.ThebreathI’dtakenhadn’tbeendeepenough.Asshardsofglassrippedmyskin,Iwasalreadyfeelingmylungs—weakenedfromthesmoke—beginningtostrainandonlyafewsecondshadpassed.Thesubmarinebegantocreakandgroanaswaterleakedthroughthedoorintothecorridor,andthevesselbegansinking.
Grippingholdofapipeintheceiling,Iforcedmyselfforward.Althoughmylimbswerescreaminginagony,IcontinuedtoreachforfixtureafterfixtureuntilIreachedthewindow.
IcouldonlythanktheheavensthatI’dthoughttoputthegoggleson.IcouldseewhatIwasdoingatleast.Withoutthem,IdoubtedIwouldhavehadachanceinhellofsurviving.
Squeezingmyselfthroughthecrackedwindow,andgrazingmyselfevenmoreintheprocess,Ikickedwildlytowardthesurface.Afewmoreseconds,andIknewmylungswouldgivein.Theweightofthesubmarinesinkingwascausingsuction,draggingmedown.Ifeltdarknessclosinginonmyvision.Everythingwasbecominghazy.
Iwasabouttoloseallhopeofeverreachingthesurfacewhenastrongarmwrappedaroundmywaist,jerkingmeuptothesurface.AsIwasliftedupabovethewaves,Igaspedforbreathtooearlyandswallowedseveralmouthfulsofseawater.Ichokedandspluttered,gaspingforbreath.Myvisionwasstillunfocused.Myheadfeltlikeitwassplittingintwo.EventhoughIhadairnow,I
wasfindingithardtobreatheproperly.EachtimeItried,itwasonlyshallowbreaths,notenoughtosatisfymysorelungs.
Iwasdraggedthroughthewater.Ifeltsandbeneathme.“Rose.”Thegogglesweretornfrommyhead.Legsclosedaroundmyhips.Hands
pumpedmychest.Fingerspinchedmynose.Andthenacoldmouthsealedovermylips,breathinglifeintome.
Myvisioncameintofocusforbutamoment—enoughtoseeCaleb’schocolate-browneyeslessthananinchaway.ThenIlostconsciousness.
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warmbreezeblewoverme.Iopenedmyeyes.Iwasstaringupataroofofglisteningleaves.Inthedistance,wavescrashedagainsttheshore.Itriedtositup,buthandspushedmebackdown.
“Don’tsitupsofast.”IturnedmyheadtothesidetoseeCalebsittingbesideme.Iwaslyingona
bedofleavespiledontopofsand.Hisfacewaslinedwithworryashelookedatme.Hereachedoutand
touchedmyface,brushinghairawayfrommyforehead.“Oh,thankGod.”Tomyright,Annorakneltinthesand.Shehadalookof
reliefonherface.“Wethoughtwemighthavelostyou.”Memoriesoftheburningsubmarinecamefloodingback.“Wouldyoulikesomecoconutwater?”sheasked.IjustglaredatherandturnedtheotherwaytofaceCalebagain.Calebtook
thecoconutfromAnnoraand,slidinghisarmaroundmyback,helpedmesitupanddrink.
Myheadstillfeltdizzy,thoughmycutsseemedtohavehealed.IguessedCalebhaddrippedhisbloodintomymouthwhileI’dbeenasleep.
HelookedatAnnorapointedly.“Apparently,somethingblewintheengineroomandtheforceoftheexplosionunearthedtheanchor.”
Annoranodded.“Ionlyjustgotoutintimemyself.”Clearly,CalebhaddoubtsaboutthestoryAnnorahadfedhim.Though
neitherofuscouldprovethatshehadjustattemptedtomurderme,Iknewthetruth.
ButIwasn’tgoingtobringitupwithCaleb.Iwantedtohandlethebitchmyself.
“Sonowwhat?”Isaid,rubbingmyhead.“We’vejustlosttheonesafeplacewehadtosleep.Alongwithallthefoodandwaterwehadthere.”
“I’dalmostfinishedscanningtheislandwhenIheardtheexplosionandcamerunningback.”Calebsaid.“Ifoundnothingbutjungleandbeachesduringthattime.I’llneedtocompletethesearchstill,butitdoesn’tlookhopeful.”
That’sjustgreat.IshotanotherglareatAnnora.Ihadn’tbelieveditpossibletohatehermore
thanIalreadydid.Well,she’djustmanagedtoprovemewrong.Thankstoher,we’dlosteverythingthatwouldhavemadesurvivingonthisislandabitmorebearable—comfortablebeds,showers,toilets,food,freshwater,andclothes.
Nowwehadnothingbuttheclothesonourback.Hell,Ididn’tevenhaveshoes.
ImagesflittedthroughmyheadofAnnoraandIrunningaroundinbikinismadeoutofpalmleaves.Calebwearingaloincloth…
“Whataboutyou?”IlookedatCaleb.“Aren’tyoucravingblood?”“IfoundaboarwhileIwasoutlastnight.Howareyoufeeling?”“Okay.IthinkIcanstandnow.”Grippingthetrunkofatreenearby,Islowly
proppedmyselfup.Bloodrushedthroughmyhead,blindingmesuddenly.Iclosedmyeyes,waitingforittopass.
WhenIopenedthemagain,Icouldseefine.Mykneeswerealittleshaky,butnothingthatIwouldn’trecoverfromsoonenough.
Irealizedonlynowthatmypantsweresotorn,myunderwearhadbeenshowingallthistime.IsupposedI’dbetterstartgettingusedtowearingfewerclothes…
Calebrosewithme,indicatingthatAnnoradothesame.“Weshouldfindsomewheretosleeptonightbeforeitgetsdark.We’llhavetofindsomewhereupinthetrees,nearastream.Ipassedbyonelastnight,soIthinkIknowwheretolookfirst.”
Istaredatthethickjungleliningthebeach.ThenIlookeddownatmybarefeet.IlookedatAnnora’sfeet.Sheworenoshoeseither.
“I’llhavetocarryyouboth,”hesaid,followingmytrainofthought.“Weshouldleavenow.”
Annoraapproachedhimfirst,reachingherarmsaroundhisneckandwrappingherlegsaroundhiswaist.ItleftmenochoicebuttoclimbontoCaleb’sback.ImadesureIbashedmylegsagainsthersasroughlyasIcouldasIclimbedontohim.
Calebwastallandsturdy—butbothAnnoraandIwerealsofairlytallandwithbothourarmsandlegswrappedroundhim,tosaythattherewasn’tmuchbreathingspacewouldhavebeenanunderstatement.IhatedthatIhadtotwinemylimbswithhersjusttoholdontightenoughasCaleblaunchedforwardintothejungle.
Ijusthopedhewouldhurryandgetusthereassoonaspossible.EspeciallywhenAnnorapressedherlipsagainsthisneck.Iscowledatherandrestedmychinonhisleftshoulder,wherehersmugfacewasoutofview.
ItwasluckyforCalebthatthejunglewasdense.Thetreesshieldedhimfrommostofthesun’srays.
Asitturnedout,whatCalebhadseenthenightbeforewasmorethanastream.Itwasabeautiful,crystal-clearlake.Ibreathedoutinreliefasitcameintoviewthroughthetrees.Iwassweating.BothAnnora’sandmylimbshadbeenrubbingagainsteachother.AssoonasCalebstopped,Ijumpedoffhimandwalkedovertothebank.
Discardinganyconcernformodesty—Calebhadseenmebarealready,andIdidn’tcarewhatAnnorasaw—Istrippedtomyunderwearanddovein.IrealizedasIwasalreadyunderwaterthatIhadn’tconsideredthepossibilityofdangerouscreatureslurkinginthesewaters.Butatthatmoment,Icouldn’tthinkaboutthat.Itwasjustarelieftohavefreshwater.Iscrubbedmyscalpandranmyhandsovermybody,washingawayallthestickyseasaltandsweat.
IwishedIhadsomesortofsoap.Icaughtsightofabunchofexotic-lookingflowersnearby.Hopingtheyweren’tpoisonous,Ireachedupandgrabbedthem.Theysmelledwonderfullyfragrant.Icrushedthemupinmyhandsandrubbedthemagainstmyskin.TheysmelledbetterthananybodywashI’deverused.
BythetimeIclimbedoutofthelake,Iwassmellinglikeaflowermyself.IcaughtsightofAnnorabathingfurtheralongthebank.Shehadn’tbothered
toevenkeepherunderwearon.Ididn’tbotherputtingonmyrippedclothesagain.Theyweredirtyanddamp
andsweaty.Iwouldhavetomakedoinmyunderwear.Steppinggingerlyovertheroughjungleground,tryingtonotcutmyself,IlookedaroundforCaleb.Icouldn’tseehimanywhereintheclearing.
“Caleb?”Therewasasnappingofabranchoverhead.IlookeduptoseeCaleb
halfwayupatalltree.“Uphere,”hegrunted.Grippingholdofoneofthebranches,Istartedtoclimbupmyself.Itriednot
tolookatallthegrossinsectsIpassedasIclimbedgingerlyhigherandhigherintothetreeuntilIreachedthespotwhereCalebwasstanding.Hewasrippingbranchesandsnappingthemalltothesamelengthwithhisbarehands,layingthemoutoverthickbranchestoformaflatplatform.Ilookedupwardtoseehe’dalreadylaidouttwoplatformshigherup.Heworkedfast.
“Therearethreebedshere,”hesaid.“Youwillsleepontop.Iwillsleepinthemiddle.Annorawillsleepdownhere,onthelowestlevel.”Helookedatmedarkly.“Clearly,thereneedstobeseparationbetweenthetwoofyou.”
Ikeptclimbingupward,pastCaleb’splatformuntilIreachedmyown.Itwassurprisinglystable.NowIjusthadtofigureouthowtoavoidgettingeatenalivebymosquitoeswhilesleepinghereinmybikini.Oh,andI’dhavetohopeIdidn’trolltoomuchinmysleep…Still,itwascomfortingtoknowthatCalebwasdirectlybeneathme.
Ibegantearingoffleavesandlayingthemdownoverthewoodtohopefullymakeitmorecomfortable.Ididn’tstopuntilthewholeplatformwascoveredinleaves.
IlookeddownatCaleblayingdownthelastslabofAnnora’slayer.IclimbeddowntohislayerandbeganlayingdownleavesasI’djustdonewithmine.ThenIloweredmyselfbackdowntoAnnora’slevel.Shecanmakeherownstupidbed.
Calebleanedagainstatrunkashefinished,wipingthebarkonhishandsontohispants.
Oureyesmetforamomentbeforehelookedawayagain,clearinghisthroat.Thegentlechirpingofbirdssurroundedus,thesighofthewindinthetrees.Foronce,Ididn’thaveAnnora’svoiceinmyears.
Ididn’tknowifitwouldmakehimfeeluncomfortable,butIdidn’tknowhowtostopmyself.Ireachedoutandheldhishand,drawingmyselfclosertohim.
Itouchedhischin,guidinghimtolookatme.Thewayhewasstillactingdistantwaskillingme.
Ijustwantedtounderstandwhatwasgoingthroughhismind,whetheranythinghadchangedbetweenus,soIatleastwouldn’tcontinuethinkingandactingunderfalsepretenses.Ifsomethinghadchanged,Iwouldratherfacethepainnowthanhavetheuncertaintydragoutlonger.
Asmylipspartedtospeak,hereacheduptomyface,caressingmycheekwiththebacksofhisfingers.Histouchsenttinglesdownmyspine.ThewaymybodyrespondedtohimmademerealizejusthowmuchIachedforhisaffection.
“Caleb,”Isaid,myvoicehoarseasIstaredintohiseyes.“I…Ineedtoknow—”
“Caleb.”Iexhaledinfrustrationtohearbranchescreakingbeneathus.Afewseconds
later,Annorahoistedherselfupontotheplatform.Calebbrokeawayfromme,steppingbackandeyeingher.Tomyhorror,shewastopless.Shereliedonherlongthickhairformodesty.Aroundherwaistwasanarrowwreathofleaves.
Shemightaswellhavechalkedthewordslutontoherforeheadwhileshewasatit.
“Youwillsleephere,Annora,”Calebsaid.“Wherewillyousleep?”
Calebnoddedtotheplatformaboveus.“And…Rose?”“Stillhigher.”Shelookedlikeshewasabouttoobject,but,apparentlyhavingsecond
thoughts,closedhermouth.Iwantedtoscream.Unabletoremaininherpresenceamomentlonger,I
grabbedabranchnexttomeandswungmyselfupontoit.Iclimbedhigherandhigher,hopingtoblockouthervoiceanddistractmyselffromthefrustrationofbeingunabletogeteventwominutesalonewithCalebbeforesheinterrupted.IclimbeduntilIreachedtheverytopofthetree,andpokedmyheadoutfromthecanopy.
Theviewwasbothbreathtakinganddisconcerting.Weweresurroundedbycrystal-blueoceanforasfarastheeyecouldsee.AndtheislandwaslargerthanI’dimagined.Icouldmakeoutthecoasttooureast,nearesttous,butwhenIlookedinotherdirectionsallIcouldseewasmoredensetreetops.Iloweredmyself,lookingdownward.
CalebandAnnorawerestillstandingtogetheronherplatform.Itlookedliketheywerehavinganargument,butIcouldn’thearwhattheyweresaying.Atleastshedidn’thaveherarmsaroundhim…orperhapsshe’djusttriedtoflingherselfathimandhe’drejectedher,hencetheargument.
SinceI’dreachedthetopofthetree,IwasabouttobeginmakingmywaybackdownwhenIcaughtsightofalargebird’snest.Ileanedclosertoitandpeeredinside.Itwasemptyexceptforaheapofdarkolive-greenmuck.
Ilookedbackdownatmyownplatform,gaugingthedistance.Grabbingtwothickleaves,Itippedthesloppysubstanceontothemandwrappedthemuptightly.OnceIreachedmyownplatformagain,Ifixedthepackagetoabranchnearby.
Somethingtoldmethatitmightcomeinhandytonight.
Wespenttherestofthedaylookingforfood.ForAnnoraandme,we’d
harvestedseveraldozenmangoes,orangesandcoconuts.Thecoconutswereparticularlynourishingwiththeirmeatyflesh.Asforwater,ifthewaterfromthecoconutswasn’tenough,wehadtogodowntothestreamnearourtreeorthelake.
AsforCaleb,hewouldjusthavetocontinuehuntinganimalseachtimehecravedblood.
Aseveningapproached,AnnoraandIstillhadn’tsolvedtheproblemofmosquitoes—beingsoclosetothelakeandawayfromthebreezeoftheocean,Ifearedthiswouldbeabigproblem.
Westoodonthegroundbeneathwherewe’dsetupcamp.CaleblookedatAnnora.
“YouknowmoreaboutplantsthanIdo.Theremustbesomeherethatcanactasarepellant.”
“Hm.”Annoraconcentratedonscanningtheareaforthenexthalfhour.Ifollowedheraround,payingcloseattentiontowhichplantsshepulledupsoIcouldreplicateitformyselfifIhadto.
Seeminglysatisfiedwiththeleavesshe’dfound,shecroucheddownonthefloorand,pickinguptwolargerocks,begantomushtheplantsandflowerstogether.Shesqueezedsomeofthejuiceontoherskinandsniffedit.
“Thiswilldo,Ibelieve,”shemuttered.Shecoatedherselfwiththejuice,thendiscardedtheusedplants.Ipicked
themupafterherandsqueezedtherestontomyself,coveringasmuchofmybareskinasIcould.Iendedupsmellingbitter,butifitdidthejob,Ididn’tcare.
Nowthatthistaskwasdone,weallclimbedbackupthetreeandsettledintoourrespectivebeds.
Calebstillneededtofinishhisexplorationoftheisland,butitwasclearhedidn’twanttoleavemealoneagain,sofornowhewasputtingitoff.Ihopedthathewouldaskmetoaccompanyhimthefollowingday,withoutAnnora.
AssoonasIreachedmybunk,Irolledontomystomachandpeekedovertheedge.IhadaclearviewofbothAnnora’sandCaleb’sbedsfromthisangle.Perfect.
Iremainedinthispositionforthenexttenminutesorso,untilwhatI’dbeen
expectinghappened.AnnoraslunkoutofherbunkandbeganclimbinguptowardCaleb.Withoutwastingasecond,IreachedupandgrabbedthegreenbundleI’dcollectedearlier.
Ipositionedmyselfbackovertheedge,waitinguntiljusttherightmoment.Thelightingwasn’tgreat,buttherewerejustenoughshaftsofmoonlighttricklingthroughthecanopyofleavesformetoseewhatIwasdoing.IheardAnnorawhispertohimseductively,thoughIcouldn’tmakeoutthewords.Justhersoftwhisperfollowedbyamoan.Brushingherhairawayfromherchest,shecaughtholdofCaleb’sarms,tryingtopullherselfup.
And…fire.Holdingmybreath,Itippedthebundle.TherewasasplitsecondwhenI
doubtedthatitwouldmeetitsmark.But,oh,itdid.Thegreenmucklandedrightonherhead,oozingdownherfaceanddrippingontoherchest.
Iquicklypulledmyselfbackincaseshelookedup,fightingtostiflealaughasshecriedoutindisgust.Thebeautyofitwashernotknowingexactlywhatthesubstancewas.Imaginationwasusuallymorehorrifyingthanreality.
Itcouldhavejustbeenanexceptionallylarge,constipatedbird.ButIhopedthatshe’dguessI’ddroppedit.
Brushingawayafewleaves,Ipeeredthroughthecracksofmybed.Shestaggeredback,stillgasping.Iwatchedasshebegantoclimbdownthetree—alate-nightbathinthelakewasinorder,Isupposed.
Nothinglikeapileofcraptospoilthemood.Irolledontomyback,staringupattheleavesblowinggentlyinthewind.I
doubtedshe’dtryanythingelsewithCalebtonight.Inhalingdeeply,IsupposedIoughttotrytogetsomesleep.TheplantpotionI’dappliedearlierseemedtobeworking.Ihadn’tnoticedasinglemosquitoorotherinsectlandonmesinceI’dbeenlyinghere.
Calebletoutadeepsighbeneathme.WhatIwouldn’tgivetobelyinginhisarmsrightnow…
Iturnedontomystomachagainandpeereddownathim.IsupposedIhadatleastafewminuteswhileAnnorabathedbeforeshereturnedandcausedadistraction.
IslidoffmybedandclimbeddowntowardCaleb.Helayonhisback,hisarmsbehindhishead,hiseyeswideopen.HiseyesfollowedmeasIcrepttowardhim.
UnlikeAnnora,Ididn’ttrytoclimbontohisbed.Hesatup,staringatmeandraisinganeyebrow.
Iwasrelievedwhenhebrokethesilenceandsaidinadeepvoice,“Youweretryingtoaskmesomethingearlier.”
“Yes.”Iswallowedhard.“Caleb,I—”Ifroze.Awaveofscreamspiercedthenightair.Calebjumpedoutofhisbedandrusheddowntotheground.Iwenttofollow
him,buthelookedbackupoverhisshoulderandhissed,“No.Youstaywhereyouare.”
Imovedaboutinthetree,swingingfrombranchtobranchasItriedtogetabetterofviewofwhatthehellwasgoingon.I’dhopedatfirstthatsomethingawfulhadhappenedtoAnnora.Butthescreamswerefrommorethanoneperson.Howcouldthatbe?
IclimbedtotheedgeofthetreewhereIcouldgetaclearviewofthelake.IspottedAnnorastandingonthebank,clutchingherchestandshivering.Calebarrivedbyhersideasecondlater,shakinghershoulders.Thenheleftherandsprintedawayintothejungle.
IwaitedwithbatedbreathforCalebtoreturn.IhadnoideahowlongI’dhavetowait.Annorareturnedinthemeantime.Soakingwet,sheclimbedontoherbunk.Iignoredher,keepingmyeyesfixedonthespotwhereI’dseenCalebdisappearintothejungle.
Myheartpoundedinmychest.Asecondwaveofscreamswashedthroughthejungle.Andthenathird.Afourth.
Thescreamswereloud,butthey’dcomefromthedistancesomewhere.IlookeddownatAnnora.“Doyouhaveanyideawhatthatis?”Icalled.Shescowledatmeandturnedoveronherside,herbackfacingme.Ikeptwaitingforafifthwaveofscreams,buttherewasn’tone.They’d
stopped.Thequietsoundsofthejunglereturned.IbreathedoutinreliefasCalebfinallyappearedatthefootofourtreeandswunghimselfbackup.
“Whathappened?”Hewaspanting.Hishairwasdisheveledandhisarmswerecoveredwith
scratches.“Ihavenoidea.Irantothesourceofthenoise,oratleastwhereIthought
thesourcewas.Icouldn’tseeanyone.Ievenshoutedout.Nobodyreplied.”Ishuddered.Perhapswe’renotasaloneaswethought.
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hosescreamsstillringinginmyears,Iwastooscaredtofallasleep.Idriftedinandoutofconsciousnessthroughoutthenight,tossingandturninginmybunk.
Astheearly-morninghoursapproached,Irolledbackontomystomachandlookeddown.IwassurprisedtoseeCaleb’sbedempty.Perhapshecouldn’tsleepeitherandhaddecidedtogoforawalk.IlookedpastCaleb’splatformtowardAnnora.Hereyeswereclosed,hermouthslightlyopenasherchestheavedgently.
Imightaswelldosomethingusefulwithmytime…ConsideringAnnorahadtriedtoburnmealive,therewerestillafewlessons
Ineededtoteachher.Swingingmylegsoffmybed,IloweredmyselfontothebranchbelowasquietlyasIcould.
Iscannedthebranchessurroundingmeonceagainforanythingthatcouldassistmeinmyendeavor.Therewereafewmoreemptynestsnearbythatprobablycontainedmoremuck,butsheneededaworsesurprisenow.IwasabouttostartclimbingdownthetreeinhopeoffindingsomethinginthejunglebelowwhenIwasmetwithasightthatsentgoosebumpsrunningalongmyskin.Aredspiderthesizeofmyhandswayedonabranchaboutfourfeetawayfromme.Itsdewywebgaveoffaneerieglowinthemoonlight.
NowIneededtofigureouthowtogetitoffthebranchwithoutitbitingme.Ileanedforwardandreachedouttoseehoweasilybrokenthespider’sbranch
was.Itwasn’tthickandwouldn’tbehardtosnap.Ijusthadtomakesurethatthecreaturedidn’tgoboomerangingtoitsdeath…orontomyface.
ThecloserIgottoit,themoredisgustedIwas.I’dneverseensuchavilespider.Itsredbodywascoveredwithpatchesofbrownfur,anditspincerslookedlongenough—perhapsevensharpenough—tobenailclippers.
AsIwassecondsfromsnappingoffthebranch,Istopped.Itsbrightredcolorledmetobelievethatitwaspoisonous.Althoughitwasnotimetostarthavingmoralquandaries,Icouldn’thelpbutthinkthatmymotherwouldn’thaveapprovedofthis.
Whatifitsvenomisdeadly?DoIreallywanttobecomeamurderer?Thepartofmethatwasclosertomyfatherbrushedthethoughtaside.Eh.
Maybeit’sdeadly,maybeitisn’t…AssoonasIsnappedoffthebranch,thealarmedspiderscrambledupward,
itsfatbodyquivering.Iwasrelievedthatitstoppedwhereitdid—asafethreefeetaway.Brandishingthebranchinfrontofme,ImademywaydowntowardAnnora’sbed.Iprayedthatshewouldremainsleepingsoundlyandwouldn’tsensemypresence.Shemusthavebeentired,becauseshedidn’t.NotevenwhenIplacedthebranchbetweenherlegs.
Iracedbackuptomyownbunkand,lyingonmystomach,peekedovertheedge.Thespiderwasalreadybeginningtomakeitswayupward,ontoAnnora’sleafskirt.Iheldmybreathasitcrossedtheleavesandbegancrawlingoverherstomach,acrossherbarechest,uptowardherface.Hereyesdidn’tshootopenuntilitstartedclimbingontoherface.
Therewasamuffledscreamasshesatboltupright.Herhandsshotuptoherface,whichonlysquishedthespidercloseragainstherskin.Feelingitsfurryback,sheloweredherhandsagain,nowscreamingsoshrillyithurtmyeardrums.
SheonlyhadtoendurethetraumaforaminuteorsobeforeCalebcameswingingupthetree.Basedontheterrorinhervoice,he’dprobablythoughtoneofushadjustmurderedtheother.Grippingthespider’sback,heyankeditoffAnnoraanddroppeditontothecanopyofleavesbeneaththem.
Spoilsport.
Imovedmyheadoutofviewagain.Ifoundmyselfwonderingifthespiderhadbittenher.Shewasstillmoaning,whichgavemehopethatithad.Nowwejusthadtowaitandseeifitsvenomreallywasdeadly…
OnceAnnorastoppedsobbingafterhalfanhour,Ifinallystartedtodriftoff.Thenacoldhandtouchedmyshoulder.IopenedmyeyestoseeCalebstaringdownatme.
“Caleb?”Isaidinnocently.“Iwanttofinishmytouroftheisland,”hewhispered.“AndIwantyouto
comewithme.”IlookeddownatAnnora.Sheappearedtobesleepingagain.Ididn’tneedasecondinvitation.Isatupandashemovedhisbodycloserto
mybunk,Iwrappedmylegsaroundhiswaist,myarmsaroundhisneck.Heputonearmaroundmywaist,supportingmeasheleaptdownwardfrombranchtobranch.
Iheldhimtighteraswehitthegroundandhebeganrunningforward.Iclosedmyeyes,buryingmyfaceinhisneck,wantingtolosemyselfinhim.Iwishedhewouldkeeprunningforever.Acrosstheocean,awayfromthisisland,awayfromAnnora.TosomewhereCalebandIcouldbetogetherwithoutanyinterruptions.Nodistractions.Justus.
Fornow,Iappreciatedhimtakingmeawayfromher,ifonlyforanhourorso.Ifelthimstoprunningandheloweredmedown.Ilookedaround.We’dstoppedattheothersideofthecrystallake.Istaredoutatthebeautiful,calmwaterscoveredinlotuses.
Calebcaughtmyhand,pullingmetofacehim.Helookedatmeseriously.“You’vebeentryingtosaysomethingforthelasttwodays.Therearenointerruptionsnow.Talktome.”
Finally,Idid.“I-IwanttoknowwhatAnnora’sreturnmeansforus.”Heremainedsilentforseveralmoments,hiseyesroamingmyface.Iwas
reassuredthathisgriponmyhanddidn’tloosenafterI’daskedthequestion.Ifanythingittightened.
Iheldmybreathashislipsparted,fearinghisanswer.“IlovedAnnora.Deeply.Madly.IdoubtIwouldhaveputupwithherall
thoseyearsifIhadn’t.WhenIsawheragainonthesubmarine,asahuman…andshekissedmethewayI’dwishedshewouldforthelongesttime,Iwasafraid.Afraidthatallthosefeelingswouldreturn.”Heslidhishandbeneathmychin,tiltingmyheaduptolookdirectlyintohiseyes.“Buttheydidn’t,Rose.Iwonderedatfirstwhetheritwasjusttheshockofseeingherandtherushoffeelingswouldcomelater.Buttheystillhaven’tandnowIdoubtiftheywilleverreturn.She’s…differentthanthegirlIfellinlovewith.Eventhoughshe’shumanagain,shejustdoesn’tfeellikethatsamegirl.I’vecometorealizethatI’mmoreinlovewiththememoryofherthanIamwithher.Ijustfeel…numb.You,ontheotherhand…”
Iheldmybreath.Hetookastepclosertome,slippinghishandseithersideofmywaistandrestingthemonthesmallofmyback.Dippinghishead,herestedhisroughcheekagainstmineashewhispered:“Myheartstillraceseverytimeyouglancemyway,Rose.”
Theemotionscoursingthroughmeleftmebarelyabletobreathe,muchlessspeak.
Catchingmylipsinhis,hebackedmeupagainstatree.Ifelttearsinmyeyesashislipscaressedmine,slowly,tenderly.Irelishedeverysecondthatkisslasted,andwhenhebrokeapart,Igrippedhishairandpulledhimdownformore.Iwasstarvingforhim.IfeltlikeIcouldkisshislipsallday,juststandingherelostinthisperfectmoment.
“Soyou’llstillcomebacktoTheShadewithme?”Igasped.HekissedmeharderuntilIfeltthetipsofhisfangsagainstmylowerlip.“If
wecanfindawayoffthisisland.”“WhataboutAnnora?”Iwhispered.Hepaused,furrowinghisbrows.“Untilwecanfindsomewheresafeforhertostay,Iamresponsibleforher.”
Hestaredatme,apparentlyreadingmythoughts.“Ican’tjustabandonher.”Ifearedhemightsayasmuch.Calebwasamanofvalorandresponsibility.
Afterall,he’dgrownupinatimeverydifferenttomine.EvenafterallAnnorahaddone,Icouldn’timaginehimleavingayoungwomanaloneandhelpless.Hisold-fashionedvalueswereapartofhimthatIloved,butinthiscaseI
couldn’tdenythattheywereannoying.“She’snotgoingtobewelcomedbyanyoneinTheShade,”Isaidbluntly.“Oh,Iknow.”“Thenwhatcouldwepossiblydowithher?”Helookedoutatthelake.“Idon’tknowyet.Butwhilewe’refiguringout
howtogetoffthisisland,wehavetimetothinkaboutit.”Heturnedbacktome,pressinghislipsagainstmineoncemorebeforepickingmeupagain,guidingmylegstowraparoundhiswaist.“Weshouldfinishscopingouttheislandnow.”
Evenashestartedrunning,Icouldn’tstopkissingeverypartofhisskinthatIcouldreach.I’dbeenscheminghowtogetbackatAnnora.ButnowIrealizedIreallydidn’tneedto.Calebhadalreadychosenme.AndthatwasenoughtocutherdeeperthananythingIcouldpossiblydotoher.WhatCalebhadadmittedtomewasenoughtowipeheroutcompletely.I’dalreadywonthebattle.Infact,basedonthewayCalebhadjustlookedintomyeyes,IsuspectedI’dwonthebattlebeforeithadevenbegun.
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CH A P T E R 1 2 : R O S E
alebransofastmysurroundingsblurred.Butheevidentlywastakingineverydetailaswezigzaggedacrosstheremainingpartoftheislandthathehadn’tyetexplored.Itlookedmuchthesameastherestoftheisland:densejunglesandsandywhitebeaches.Therewasnosignofanyhumanhabitationherewhatsoever.
Aswearrivedbackatthespotonthebeachwherewe’dfirstarrivedinthesubmarine,Calebstoppedrunning.
“Well,”hesaid,wipingsweatfromhisbrow,“there’snothinghere.”“Wheretonow?”Ifearedhewasgoingtosaybacktoourcamp,butinsteadhesaid,“Iwantto
gobacktotheareawhereweheardthosescreamslastnight.Clearly,there’ssomethingaboutthisislandthatwe’remissing.”
Ifeltnervousasweracedbackintothejungleanddrewnearerandnearertothespot.
Hestopped,lookingaroundaclearingcoveredbytrees.“Thisiswherethebloodsmellsstrongeststill.Itwasaroundherethattherewereagroupofhumans.”
“What’sthat?”Ipointedtowhatappearedtobeapieceofclothingafewfeetaway.Hebentdownandpickeditup.Itwasagraywoolenshawl.
“Youmightaswellkeepit¸”hesaid,handingittome.Ihelditagainstmychest.Thiswouldbeusefulasablanket,sinceitdidget
quitechillyupinthetreesintheearlymorningandIcouldn’taffordtogetsick.Calebstoodandsearchedtheareaformorecluesthatcouldhelpustopiece
togetherwhatwe’dfound,buthediscoverednothingmore.SoIclimbedbackontoCalebandwereturnedtocamp.
IgroanedinternallyasCalebfinallystoppedagainatthefootofourtree,bracingmyselftohearAnnora’svoicegratingagainstmyears,askingCalebwherewe’dbeen.
Butasweclimbedupthetree,Annorawasn’tthere.Calebwenttochecknearthelake,thinkingshemighthavegonethereforanotherbath,buthereturnedwithablanklookonhisface.
“She’snotthereeither,”hemuttered.Calebdidabroadersearchofthearea,callingouthername,butwithno
reply.Asheclimbedbackuptomeinourtree,helookedatmeandshrugged.“I
can’timaginewhereshe’sventuredofftoalone…”Helookedconcerned.“I’llwaitafewhours.I’msureshe’llbeback.Wherevershe’sgone,sheobviouslydoesn’twanttobefound.”
IhopedtoGodthatshe’djustdoneusallafavoranddrownedinthelakeorgottenswallowedwholebyagiantanaconda.Orperhapsthespidervenomhasfinallyclaimedher.
ButIcouldn’tshakethefeelingthatthiswasjustanattention-seekingstunt.Itwouldn’thavesurprisedmeifshewashidingsomewhere,hopingtodrawareactionfromCaleb.
Well,evenifthatisthecase,Idon’tcareanymore.BecauseCalebismine.
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CH A P T E R 1 3 : A N NO R A
sI’dfloatedinthelake,tryingtowashoutthegreenfilththatwasstillplaguingtherootsofmyhairevenafteritssixthscrub,I’dswornthatIwasdonewiththisgame.Iwasn’tgoingtomessaroundwiththisgirlanylonger.
ItwastimethatIcuttothechase.Thenthenextmorning,whenIwokeupalonetofindmynoseswollenfrom
thespiderbite,andthenclimbedoutofbedtospotthemstandingineachother’sarmsacrossthelake,IknewIcouldn’twaitanotherdaytodoit.
Myfirstattemptatfinishingheroffhadfailed.Itwasjustaswell,Isupposed.Calebhadseemedtosuspectthatitwasme.ThistimeIneededtobemorecareful.Because,onceIwassuccessfulatgettingridofher,ifCalebblamedmeforit,itwouldtakelongertomakehimfullymineagain.Forhimtoforgiveme.I’dhopedthatRosewasjustadistraction,totakehismindoffme.NowIfearedthatshehadcometomeanmoretohimthanthat.Thesituationhadtobehandleddelicately.
Iwassurethat,withtime,Calebwouldforgetherandlosehimselftomeagain.IjustneededthechancetoremindhimwhoIwasandwhyhe’dfalleninlovewithmetostartwith.
Buttodothat,IhadtoeliminateRose.ItmightbetruethatIhadlostCaleb’sheart,butIwouldstopatnothingto
reclaimitnow.Thescreamsfromthenightbeforestillplayinginmyears,Ileftourtreeand
headeddeeperintothejungle,towardwhereIthoughtthenoisehademanatedfrom.Myprogressthroughthetreeswasslowenoughwithoutshoes.Ididn’twanttowastetimestoppingtotreatmynose.
ThemomentI’dheardthosescreams,I’dhadasneakingsuspicionwhatthisislandmightbe.Andifmysuspicionswerecorrect,Iwasvery,veryluckythatweendeduponthisisland.Ofalltheplaceswecouldhavewashedashore,thiscouldn’thavebeenamoreperfectarrangement.
ItwasafternoonbythetimeIfinallygotconfirmationofmysuspicion.Althoughmythroatwasparched,myfeetbleeding,IfeltasenseofeuphoriaIhadn’tfeltsincefirstfindingCalebagaininmyheartthatdayI’dwokenupasmyselfonLilith’sisland.
AsIstoodinthemidstofthejungle,staringintoanoldstonewell,Icouldn’tkeepthesmilefrommyfaceasaplanformulatedinmymind.
Yes…Yes.ThiswillbeamuchmorefittingendingforRosethanevenhandingherovertotheblackwitches.Theyonlywantherblood,afterall…
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CH A P T E R 1 4 : A I D E N
hemomentKyleandAnnadiscoveredthebloodiedbedsheetsoftheirneighbors,CarolineandThomas,theislandwasinanuproar.KyleandAnnawerebothabagofnervesastheycamerunningtoinformDerekandSofiawhathadjusthappened.They’dbeenthroughsuchlossandtroublerecently,andforthistohappenjustnextdoorshookthembothdeeply.KyleandAnnatookCarolineandThomas’twochildren—noworphans—intotheirhome.
Alargenumberofvampiresandhumansontheislandwerestillconvincedthatthewerewolves—inparticular,Micah—wereresponsibleforRose’skidnapping.Manyhadheldagrudgeagainstthewerewolveseversince.
Now,withthebloodymessthatCarolineandThomashadleftbehind,itwasjustanotherstabtoanalreadygapingwound.Allthedoubtresurfacedagaintenfold.
DerekandSofiawereforcedtocallameetingintheGreatDome.TheShade’scouncil,consistingofvampires,humans,andnowwerewolvesalike—exceptforEli,whoforsomereasonhadrefusedtoattend—arguedforhours.Iremainedsilentthroughout,listeningtotheargumentsforandagainstawerewolfbeingresponsibleforthis.Thewholetime,IkeptlookingatSofia.Icouldn’thavefeltmoreproudofandsorryformydaughterandson-in-lawatthesametime.Theirdaughterwasmissing,theirsonwasstillhavingatoughtimerecoveringasavampire,andnowtheyhadtodealwiththisnewoutragethatwasthreateningtooverruntheislandwithanimosity.
Theentiretimeweweresittingthere,wehadtobeawareprimarilyofMona—weknewthewerewolveswereherfamily,andforthatreasonDerekandSofiasimplycouldnotsidewiththoseopposedtothewerewolves,eveniftheywereresponsibleforthis.Thewerewolveshadtostayontheisland,betheyinnocentorguilty.Isawitinmydaughter’seyesasshestruggledwiththisconundrum.SheandDerekweresupposedtobecompletelyimpartial,searchingonlyforthetruthfortheprotectionofthehumansontheisland,yetatthesametimetheyhadtomaintainapartialitytowardthewerewolves.Evenifitwasunjust.
No,themeetingwasnotintendedtogettothetruth.Itwasintendedtoreachbalanceandcompromise,tryingtoappeaseopponentsonbothsidesoftheissue.Becauseiftheculpritwasfoundtobeawerewolf,thesituationwouldbecomeevenmoretense.NeitherDereknorSofiawereusedtorulingtheirkingdomthisway,andyetnow,dependentonMonaaswewere,theyhadnochoice.IcouldseeDerekclosetolosinghistemperonseveraloccasions,andhavingtopausetoreelhimselfin.
Backandforththeargumentswentallday.BythetimeeveningcameandDerekadjournedthemeetinguntiltomorrow,Iwasexhausted.IwasrelievedforDerekandSofia.Theyhaddarkshadowsundertheireyes—fartoodarkevenforvampires—andworrylinedtheirfaces.Nowthatthetorturousmeetingwasoverfortheday,theyhadtoreturntomoreworries.Worriesmuchclosertohome.
IstayedbehindintheGreatDomeastheassemblypiledout.SofiaandDerekremainedseatedatthetableevenasthelastpersonexited.Iapproachedthemslowly,waryofinterruptingtheirconversation.Sofialookedupatmeandgavemeaweaksmile.
Ibentdownandkissedherforehead.“Idon’tthinkthere’smuchIcandotorelievethepressureonyou.ButIjustwantyoutoknowhowproudIamofbothofyou.”
Shebreathedout,rubbingherforehead.“Thanks,Dad,”shesaid,hersmilealittlebroaderandwarmerthistime.Shesqueezedmyhand.
“Youbothshouldgetanearlynight.”Theyexchangedglancesandnodded.“Wewill,”Sofiasaid.
WelefttheDometogetherandmadeourwaybacktotheResidences,wherewepartedways.
Icouldn’tbebotheredtowaitformyelevator,andbesides,Ineededtostretchmylimbsaftersuchalongmeeting,sowithonegiantleap,Iplungedmyselfupwardand,shootinguptowardthecanopyofleaves,landedonmyveranda.
Iheadedstraightformyfrontdoor,anddidn’tnoticeashadowstirringtomyleftuntilithadfullyemerged.
“Aiden.”IalmostjumpedwithsurprisetoseeKailynstandingnexttome.“Oh,hi,”Isaid,attemptingasmile.Ihadn’tseenhersinceI’dtaughtherandhersisterhowtousetheirwashing
machine.Openingthedoorforher,Inoddedinside.“Wouldyouliketocomein?”ShesteppedinsideandIfollowedafterher.Igesturedtowardthecouchand
shesatdown.Sheshiftedinherseat,lookinguncomfortable.Finally,shestaredatmeandasked,“Doyoureallysuspectoneofus?”
Iheavedasigh,leaningbackinmychair,asIlookedather.Thetruthwas,Ididn’tknow.Noneofushadknownthesewerewolveslongenoughtojudgetheircharacter.FromwhatI’dseenofthemsofar,theyappearedtobecivilizedcreatures.ButIofallpeopleknewthatappearancescouldbedeceiving.
Iwasn’tsurehowtoanswerKailynwithoutoffendingher.Ishookmyhead.“Idon’tknow,”Isaidhonestly.
Disappointmentshroudedhereyes.“Iknowourpack,Aiden.Nobodywouldhavedonethis.Wemayhavealeaningtowardhumanflesh,butwewerewolvesareloyalcreatures.Wewouldnothavebetrayedyouinthisway.Besides,manyofusaregratefultobeonthisislandandhavebasicamenitieslikerunningwater.Youdon’tknowthelifewelivedbeforewecamehere…”
WhenIdidn’trespond,sheshottoherfeetandbegantopaceimpatientlyaroundtheroom.
“TheMicahwhotookRosewasn’tMicah.Iswear.Mysisterispracticallybestfriendswiththeguy.Heneverwouldhavedonethis.”
Iranahandthroughmyhair.“I’mnotsurewhatyouwantmetosay.”Kailynletoutasoftgrowlasshewalkeduptomyseatandtoweredoverme.
“Saythatyoutrustus.”“Idotrustyou.ButthenIalsotrustourvampires.Ofthetwogroupswho
couldhavecarriedoutthisattack,I’minclinedtobelievethatthewerewolvesarebehindthis.I’veknownthevampiresonthisislandfartoolongtosuspectthem.”
Herblueeyesboredintomineforseveralmomentsbeforesheslumpedbackintoherchair.
IfeltguiltythatIcouldn’tgiveherthestraightforwardanswershewanted.ButIwasbeinghonest.“Youshouldn’tbetooworriedthough,”Isaid.“AslongasweneedMona,youwillalwayshaveaplaceonthisisland.Wemayjusthavetoputsomeextraprecautionsinplace…somestrongboundariestokeepyouwolvesseparatefromtherestofus…”
NowitwasKailyn’sturntoheaveasigh.Therewasnopointdiscussingthisnow.We’dbeenbackandforthalldayin
theDometryingtocomeupwithasolution,acompromisethatwouldkeepallpartiessatisfied.Iwassickofthistopicnow.Istoodupandwalkedovertothekitchen.Sinceshewasstillinherhumanform,IfiguredIshouldofferherarefreshment.
“Doyouwantsomethingtodrink?”“Whatdoyouhave?”Iopenedmycupboardandscannedtheshelves.Ismiledbitterlyatthe
homemadechamomileteabagsthatAdelleusedtolovewhenshevisitedme.Ihadn’ttouchedthechamomilesinceI’dlastseenher,andIguessedthatitwouldbeawhilebeforeIcouldbeartomakeitagain.
“Howdoesherbalteasound?Elderberry,nettle,mint…”“I’lltryelderberry.”Isetaboutpreparingthetea.KailynwalkedovertomeasIdid.Leaning
againstthekitchencounterasthekettleboiled,shecasthereyesaroundmyapartment.
“Soyouliveinthisbigplaceallbyyourself,huh?”Shethrewmeasideways
glance.“Yes.”AsilencefellbetweenusasIbusiedmyselfpreparingthetea.Isetacup
downforherandwesatoppositeeachother.Iwatchedhersipitcautiously.Shereachedforthehoneyinthecenterofthetableandaddedadollop.Herfreckledfacelitupasshetastedthedrink.
Shelookedup,andoureyesmet.Herexpressionwasserious.“Youknow,Ilostmypartnertoo.”“Oh,”Isaid,takenaback.“I…I’msorrytohearthat.”Shebreathedindeeply,andaflickerofpaincrossedherface.Thiswas
hardlyturningouttobethelight-heartedconversationI’dhopedtoleadustoward,butsomehowIwastouchedthatshewouldchoosetosharesomethinglikethiswithme.
“Mymate,”shecontinued,tracingtherimofhercupwithherindexfingerasshestareddownathertea,“hewaskilledbackinthesupernaturalrealm.Duringanattackbyogres—relativesofBrett’s,actually.Mymatewastheoneleadingeveryonetocharge.Hewentfirst.Gotspearedthroughtheheart.”
Iguessedthatthismusthavehappenedlongago,becauseshespokecalmly,asthoughshewasjustreflectingonamemory.Thoughherjawstillclenched.ItremindedmeofhowIthoughtofCamillanow…asadistantmemory.Exceptforwhenmydaughterspokeofher—somehowthatalwaysslicedopenthewoundsafreshandittookawhiletostemthebleeding.
IreachedforKailyn’shandacrossthetableandsqueezedit.Shelockedeyeswithmeandsmiled.
“Don’tworry,”shesaid.“Iwon’tbreakdownonyou.Thishappenedmanyyearsago.”
Iwasabouttorespondwhentherewasarappingatthedoor.Icouldn’timaginewhoitmightbe.IdoubteditwouldbeDerekorSofia—theyhadbothlookedreadytoflopintobedaftertheexhaustionoftheday.
Ipeeredthroughthespyholeandswungopenthedoor.IfoundmyselffacetofacewithEli.Hisexpressionwasserious,hiseyesintenseashelookedatme.
“Eli?Whatbringsyouhere?”
“MayIcomein?”“Ofcourse,”Isteppedasidetoallowhimentrance.HiseyesfellonKailyn
sittingatthetablebeforeheturnedroundtolookatme.Hisbrowswerefurrowed,hisfaceagitated.Ihadnoideawhatcouldhave
causedsuchadisturbanceinhim.Henormallyavoidedconflictatallcosts.“Howcomeyouweren’tatthemeetingtoday?Areyouallright?”Eliscoffed,thenbeganpacingupanddowntheroom.IexchangedglanceswithKailyn.ShelookedjustasconfusedasIfelt.When
hestillfailedtorespondtome,Ireachedoutandgrippedhisshoulder.“Eli,what’s—?”Hishandshotout,knockingmyhandawayfromhim.“Don’ttouchme,”he
snarled.Iwassostunnedbyhisbehavior,Istaggeredback,barelybelievingwhatI
wasseeing.Hisbreathingbecamelouderandmoreunevenbythesecond.Hetookastep
closertome,andfinallyspokewhatwasonhismind.“IsawyouwithAdelledownbythelakelastnight.”
Hiswordsknockedthebreathrightoutofme.Myfacecontortedwithconfusion.“What?”
“Don’tmesswithme,Aiden,”hesnapped,hisfacenowmerelyinchesfrommyown.
Myshockwasbeginningtoturnintoangerathisaccusatorytoneofvoice.“Iwasn’tevenatthelakelastnight,”Isaid.“AndAdelleandIarejustfriends.EvenifIdidfeelsomethingforher,Iwouldnever,andImeannever,poachanotherman’swoman.”
Mywordsbarelyseemedtoregister.“Howlonghaveyoutwobeenseeingeachother?”Hishandsshotoutandgrippedthecollarofmyshirt.
Iclutchedhishands,pushingthemawayfromme.Whatiswrongwiththisman?He’scrazed.Mymotiononlyseemedtoagitatehimfurther.Hishandsshotoutagain,this
time,tomyshock,hisclawsextending.Ihadtojumpbacktoavoidbeinggrazed.
Istaredathim,stunned.“Eli,”Igasped.“Whatthehell?”Helurchedforward,aimingformeagain.Icaughtbothhisforearmsbefore
hecouldreachmeandpushedhimbackward.Bynow,Kailynhadabandonedhertea,tooshockedbywhatwasgoingon.
SheapproachedElifrombehindandattemptedtorestrainhim.Butassoonasshewaswithinthreefeetofhim,helashedoutathertoo,catchinghercheekwiththetipofhisclaw.
Sweatdrippedfromhisforehead,hischestheaving.“You’reacheat,Aiden,”hehissed.
Thathitarawnerve.“Howdareyou,”Igrowled.“WhomeveryousawAdellewithlastnight,it
wasnotme.”Ididn’twaitforElitolungeagain.Idoveforhiswaist,sendingusboth
thuddingtothefloor.Grippinghisneckwithonehand,placingmyotherroundhisback,Iflippedhimoveruntilhewaslyingfacedownonthefloor.
PerhapstheoneadvantageIhadoverhimwasthat,despitebeingavampire,Eliwasnottrainedincombat.Heusedhisbrainfarmorethanheeverusedhismuscles.SohebarelyhadtimetostruggleasIsnappedhisneckwithoneswiftmotion.
Therewasagruntinthecorner.IturnedtoseethatKailynhadnowturnedintoawerewolf.Shepaddedovertome,andwebothstareddownatEli’sunconsciousform.
He’dbebacktonormalsoonenough.Igrimaced,thinkingthatwe’dhavetotakehimtoAdelletogetfixedupandI’dhavetospeaktoher.
Ididn’tknowwhattothinkasIstareddownatEli—alwaysthemostgentleofpeople.Itsentchillsdownmyspine,thewayhehadlookedatmewithsuchhatred…suchdarkness.Howhecoulddoubtme,andwhatIhaddonetodeservesuchdoubt,Icouldonlywonder.
Andwhohadheseendownbythelakelastnight?Howhadhemanagedtomistakethatmanforme?
Icouldonlywonderwhathadgottenintohishead.
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CH A P T E R 1 5 : S O F I A
uringthesecondday’smeetingattheGreatDome,wefinallycametoadecision—albeittemporary.Monawouldenforceaboundary,separatingtheirpartoftheislandfromours.Nowerewolfcouldcrossitwithoutpermission.
We’ddiscussedtheideathedaybefore,butI’dfeltdeeplyuncomfortableaboutit.Now,afteranotherdayofdiscussion,wewerenofurtherforward.Itseemedthatthiswasouronlychoiceifwewantedtokeepthisislandfromgoingunder.
Ihatedit.Itcausedadividefardeeperthanthephysical.Ihadbeguntomakefriendswiththem.Itfeltlikeweweregoingbackwards.IwasgratefulatleastthatMonaseemedtobeunderstandingaboutit.Althoughshe’dmadeclearinnouncertaintermsthatthewerewolveswerelikeherfamily,shewasatleasthelpingusdealwiththesituationandcometoacompromise.
Oncethiswasdecidedupon,DerekandIpaidavisittoKyleandAnna,whoweredoingtheirbesttocareforCarolineandThomas’children—aten-year-oldboyandathirteen-year-oldgirl.JackandStephanie.
Ourwitcheswerestillscouringtheisland.Ihopedthey’dfindthebodiessoonandwewouldbeclosertodiscoveringthecauseoftheirdeaths.Partofmewasafraidtofindoutwhowouldhavedonethis.Ifitwasavampire,itwouldbedevastating—likewise,ifitwasindeedawerewolf,theanimositywouldbecomegreaterandtherewouldbenochanceofgettingtheboundaryremovedanytimesoon.
Butifitwasnotavampireorawerewolf,theotherexplanationwasfarmorechilling.Iwonderedifwecouldhaveanotherimposterlivingamongus,justaswe’dhadMicah.
Afterthemeetingwasover,IcalledMonatostaybehindwithDerekandme.Fromthelookonherface,sheseemedtoguesswhatthiswasabout.
“Weneedtoscreeneveryoneonthisisland.Justincaseanimposterhasmanagedtoinfiltrateus,”shesaid,beforewecouldevenexpressourselves.
DerekandInodded.“Assoonaspossible,”Dereksaid.“Howwillwedoit?”Iasked.Monatookaseatnexttous,placingapalmoverherforehead.“We’llhavetoarrangeforeverysingleinhabitantofthisislandtoseeme.I’ll
castaspelloneachthatwillforcethemtorevealtheirtrueforms.”Ibreathedout,justthinkingaboutwhatacolossaljobthiswouldbe.DerekstoodupandbeganmakinghiswaytotheexitoftheGreatDome.
“Wehavenotimetolose,”hecalledback.“I’mgoingtostartappointingmanagerstohelpwiththis.”
Irealizedwithashudderthatwe’devenhavetoscreenthechildren.Ofcourse,Iwasn’tsurewhyablackwitchwouldbothertokillCarolineandThomas.Butweoughttoscreenthemanyway.Infact,weshouldhavedonethisthemomentwesuspectedMicahhadbeenanimposter.
IexchangedafewmorewordswithMonabeforewepartedways.IneededtoreturntoourpenthousetocheckonBen.
AsInearedourtreehouse,Iheardarguingboomingdownfromthetreesabove.ItwascomingfromAshleyandLandis’penthouse.
Notwantingtoeavesdrop,Iplacedmyhandsovermyearsandhurriedaway,butthetoneoftheirvoicesshookme.I’dneverheardthemshoutlikethatateachother.
Everyoneisjustfeelingthisstress.JustasElihadsnappedsoeasilywithmyfatheratasimplemisunderstanding.ItwasasurprisetoallofusthatAdellewouldbecheatingwithanotherman,butIknewthatmanwouldn’tbemyfather.Ifullybelievedmyfatherwhenhesaidhewouldneverdosomethinglikethat.
Ihurrieduptoourpenthouseandpushedopenthedoor.ItwassohardleavingBenathomewhileDerekandIattendedtotheaffairsoftheisland.Mystomachwasinknotsbecause,evenafterallthistimesincehisturning,Benstillhadn’tcometo.JasonandArianahadrecoveredmuchfaster.
IwentstraighttoBen’sbedroomand,unlockingthedoor,peeredinside.Igaspedtoseemysonsittingboltuprightinthegloom.Hewassittingon
theedgeofhisbed,hiseyesfixedonthemirror.Hedidn’tevenregistermyentrance.WhenIrecoveredfromtheshock,reliefrushedthroughme.Hehadfinallycometo.
“Ben,”Isaid,hurryingovertohim.Hiseyesremainedfixedonthemirror.ItwasthefirsttimeI’dseenthem
openfully.Mybreathhitched.Now,asavampire,BenlookedsomuchlikeDerekitwasuncanny.HisgreeneyeswerejustasintenseasDerek’sblueones.
Itouchedhisarmandshookhimalittle.“Ben?”Stillheignoredme.“Ben,areyouokay?”
Heseemedtobeinadaze,andyethiseyeswerenotglassy.Theywerequitefocused,staringathisreflectioninthemirror.
Istoodinfrontofthemirror,blockinghisviewofit,andforcedhisheadtofaceme.
“Howareyoufeeling?”Heraisedhiseyestomeslowly,hisjawtensing.Whenhespokefinally,it
wasthroughharsh,unevenbreathing.“I…need…blood.”Icaughthishandandpulledhimupoutofhisbedroom,leadinghimtothe
kitchen.Thecoldnessofhishandsentguiltrunningthroughme.IcouldonlyimaginetheguiltDerekwouldfeelonseeinghimfinally,recoveredandfullytransformed.
Ipulledoutajugofbloodfromthefridgeandpouredhimaglass.Hestaredatitonthetable.Heraisedtheglassandtookasip,thendroppedit,doublingoverandcoughing.Itwasdisgusting,anditwouldbetortureforBenhavingtodrinkthiswhenallhecravedwasfresh,hothumanblood.Buthehadtogetusedtoit.
“Ican’tdrinkthis,”hegasped.
Hestaggeredback,awayfromthekitchen,wipinghismouthonhissleeve.Thenhemovedtowardthefrontdoor.Myheartbeatquickening,Irushedtowardhim.Butitwastoolate.Inbarelytheblinkofaneye,he’drippedopenthedoorandleaptofftheveranda.
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CH A P T E R 1 6 : B E N
landedinatreeoppositeourownandleaptfrombranchtobranchuntilI’dmadeitbackdowntotheground.
Mybrainwasinafog.Ididn’tknowwhatIwasdoingorwhyIwasdoingit.AllIknewwasthatIneededtogetawayfromthestenchofthebloodmymotherhadjustpassedtome.Itmademystomachturn.Iheardmymother’sshouts,andthesoundofherrunningafterme,butIranforwardwithspeedI’dthoughtimpossibleevenforavampire.
Icaughtthescentofhotbloodintheair,comingfromtheVale,andmystomachclenched.Althougheveryfiberofmybeingwasachingtoruninthatdirection,Icouldn’tallowmyselfto—atleastIhadthatmuchpresenceofmind.
IkeptrunninguntilIreachedtheocean.AndIdidn’tstop.Idovein,buryingmyheadbeneaththewavesasifthecoolwaterswouldhelptoextinguishthefurnaceinmystomach.
“Ben!”AfemalecalledmynameasIduckedonceagainbeneaththewaves.Itwasn’tmymotherthistime.IlookeduptoseeAbby.Shewasalreadywadingthroughthewaterstowardme.Ikickedbackandswamawayfromher.
Shewasinnodangerfromme,butsomehowIdidn’twantanyoneapproachingmeformiles.Ijustwantedcompletespace.EverythingaboutTheShadesuddenlyseemedclosed,claustrophobic.
IswamfurtherandfurtherdownthebeachuntilAbbygaveuponfollowingme.Eventhoughshewasavampireherself,herspeedwasnomatchformine.I
lookedbacktoseehersilhouettebobbinginthewaterinthedistance.Everypartofmefeltonfire.Ididn’tevenknowwhoIwasanymore.The
bloodlustwasconsumingallrationalthought.Onevisionreplayedoverandoverinmymind—rippingopenahuman’sthroatanddrinkinguntiltheyhadnobreathlefttospend.Untiltheirfragilebodiescollapsedinmyarms.Icouldbarelyevenconcentrateonmysurroundings,Iwassoconsumedwiththevision.
IwasafraidthatthefirsttimeIlaideyesonahuman,Iwouldn’tbeabletostopmyselffromrippingtheirthroatout.Itwashorrifyingtorealizethatthevisionbothdisgustedanddelightedme.
Icontinuedswimming,forhowlong,Iwasn’tsure.Inoticedmymotherfollowingmealongthebeach,keepingwatchonme.Iwasgladthatshedidn’tfollowmein.Thatshegavemethisspace.
AlthoughIfeltclosetopassingoutfromhunger,Iforcedmyselftoremaininthewater.IwasafraidofwhatmighthappenifIallowedmyselfbackonland.
“Ben!”Thistimeitwasthebaritonevoiceofmyfather.I’dbeenexpectinghimtoarriveatsomepoint.Unlikemymother,heimmediatelyleaptintothewater.Itseemedthathewas
theonlyonewhocouldmatchmyspeed.Hecaughtupwithmeand,grippingmyarm,pulledmeroundtofacehim.“Ben,”herepeated,staringatmewithamixtureofconcernandhorror.Hisgriparoundmyarmtightened.“Youneedtodrinkthebloodyourmothergaveyou.”
Igrowledandpulledawayfromhisgrasp,swimmingfurtheruptheshore.Myfathercaughtupwithmeagain,grippingmefirmerthistimeandpullingmetowardtheshore.Ithrashedagainsthim,buthekeptholdingmeandwrestledmeintosubmission.Bythetimewereachedtheshore,Iwasstillfightingagainsthim.
Hepinnedmedownagainstthesand,myarmslockedinanarmbarbehindmeasheforcedmetostandup.
“Ifyoudon’tfillyourselfwithanimalblood,youwon’tbeabletokeepyourselffromattackinghumans.”
Istoppedstrugglingagainstmyfatherasamomentofclarityfelluponme.Sothisiswhatit’sliketobeavampire.
Atthatmoment,Ididn’tunderstandwhyI’deverwantedtobecomeone.HadIknownthiswaswhatitwouldfeellike,IdoubtedIeverwouldhavewantedtoturn.Ofcourse,myparentshaddescribedwhatitwaslike.Butnowordscouldhavepreparedmeforthepainburningthroughmenow.
Stillgrippingmyarmtightly,myfatherranwithmeuntilwereachedmymotherandAbby,waitingforusontheshore.Iallowedmyfathertoleadmebacktothepenthouse.MychestheavedasIstaredattheanimalbloodstillwaitingformeonthetable.
Myhandstrembling,Ipickeduptheglass.“Justholdyournoseandswallowitback,”hesaid.Iglaredathim,butdidashesaid.Withoneswiftmotion,Iswallowedback
halftheglassinonegulp.Closingmyeyes,Itriedtoignoretherevoltingtaste.IwasabouttoswallowdowntherestoftheglasswhenIdoubledover,coughing.IretchedallthebloodI’djustswallowedontothefloor.
Itwascompletelyinvoluntary,asthoughmybodywashavinganallergicreactiontoit.Ileanedagainstthebackofthechair,mymotherwipingmymouthwithatowel.WhenIlookedupatthem,bothwerelookingatmewithconcern.
“Ican’tdrinkthatstuff,”Ibreathed,beforeretchingagain.“I…Ineedproperblood.Humanblood.”
Icouldbarelybelievethewordsspillingfrommyownmouth.Myparentsexchangedworriedglances.“Wecantryinjectingyouwithblood,”myfathersaid.“Atleastthatwill
helptoeasesomeoftheburning.”“I’llgotoCorrine’smedicalroomintheSanctuaryandfetchsome
equipment,”mymothersaidandhurriedoffoutofthedoor.Igroaned,sinkingintoachair,grippingmyheadinmyhands.Inadditionto
myburninginsides,Inowfeltasplittingheadachecomingon.Myfathersatdownnexttome,watchingmesilently.Ilookedupathim.“Isthisnormal?”Imanaged,clutchingmyabdomen.Myfatherfrowned.“Detestinganimalbloodisnormal.Throwingitup
isn’t,”hesaidbluntly.Isqueezedthesidesofthetable,anotherwaveofhungerroaringthroughmy
stomach.“Andbeinginjectedwithanimalblood,”Igasped,“itwillmaketheburning
stop?”“Thecravingforhumanbloodwillremain,buttheburningwillcalmdown.
Itwon’tbeasunbearable…”Hepointedtothejugofblood.“Whydon’tyoutryoncemoretostomachitwhilewe’rewaitingforMomtoreturn?”
Ishookmyhead.“No,I’lljustwait—”BarelyhadIfinishedmysentencewhentherewasaknockatthedoor.I
breathedoutinrelief.Myfathersprangtohisfeetandopenedit.Iturnedmyhead,expectingtoseemymotherbackalready.
Instead,myeyesfellonfourgirls.GirlsIrecognized,butsuddenlycouldnotputanametoasadarknesssettledovermyeyes.
Twovoicesspokeatonceamidgiggling.“WeheardBenhaswokenup.”“Wewantedtosayhi.”“Getthehelloutofhere!”myfatherbellowed.Hewasabouttoclosethedooronthem,butwithspeedIdidn’tunderstand,
myfootlodgedthroughthecrackandbeforemyfathercouldevengrabmetoholdmeback,I’dcaughtagirl—Ididn’tevenhavethesensetoknowwhich.IfelthersquirmingbeneathmeasIbroughthertotheground.Asplitsecondlater,myfangsfoundherneck.Herscreamsinmyearonlyaddedtomyfrenzyasherwarmbloodbegantogushintomymouth,drippingdownmythroatlikesmooth,sweetecstasy.Finally,thesatisfactionI’dbeenseekingeversinceI’dfirstwokenasthisbeast.
Itwasastruggletoevenfeeltheguiltamidthewavesofpleasurecrashingoverme.ItwasonlyoncemyfathermanagedtoprymeoffthegirlthatIrealizedwhatI’ddone.
I’djustclaimedmyfirstlife.Thelifeofmyex-girlfriend,YasmineRenner.
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CH A P T E R 1 7 : D E R E K
couldhardlybelievemyeyes.Iwashopingthatsomehowthiswasadream.ThatI’dwakeupandBenwouldstillbelockedsafelyinhisbedroom.AndyethereIwas,ayoungwoman’sbloodsoakingmyhands,staringatdeepwoundsinherneckcausedbymyownson.
AtfirstIhopedtheremightbesomehopeofsavingher.ButIsoonrealizedthatshewascoldinmyarms.
“No,”Ibreathed.“No.”Itwasthethirdhumancasualtywithinthespaceofafewdays,afterwe’d
goneyearswithoutasingleviolentdeathontheisland.Thegirlstilllayonthefloorofourapartmentinapoolofherownblood.My
firstpriorityhadtobegettingmysonawayfromtheothergirlsstillstandingoutsidethedoor,shellshockedatwhatthey’djustwitnessed.Ihurledmyselfathim,dragginghimbacktowardhisroom.Hegavenoresistance.Bloodstilldrippedfromhislipsandstainedhisclothes.Hisfacewasashenashestaredatthebodyonthefloor,hisbreathingharshanduneven.
Ben’sexpressionremindedmetoomuchofthefirsttimeI’dkilled.Therush.Thepleasure.Thehorror.PushingBenbackintohisroom,Ilockedthedoorbeforeracingbackinto
thehallway.Iglaredatthegirls.“Leavenow,”Isaidhoarsely.Allthebloodhaddrainedfromtheirfaces,andtheylostnotimein
scamperingaway.Lookingdownonceagainatthecorpse,Icursedbeneathmybreath.WeknewYasmine’sparentspersonally.Howwillweevertellthem?
AsIwrappedthecorpseupinsidetheblanketitrestedon,Iheardagaspbehindme.IlookeduptoseeSofia,handclaspedoverhermouth.
“No,”shebreathed,kneelingdownnexttomeandstaringatYasmine’scorpse.“No.”
BrushingSofia’shandsawayfromtherug,IproceededtowrapYasmineup.Icarriedheroutsideandlaidherdownoutsideontheveranda.
“WhereisBen?”Sofiachoked.Inoddedmyheadtowardthedirectionofhisbedroomandshehurriedaway.Icastmyeyesaroundthebloodstainedroom.We’dbeenworriedabout
werewolvesattackingourhumans.Nowwehadtoconcernourselvesfirstandforemostwithprotectingthemfromourownson.
IstaredatthemedicalequipmentSofiahadbroughtinanddroppedonthefloorassoonasshe’dseenthecorpse.Thenmyeyesfellonthejugofbloodwe’dtriedtofeedBen,stillperchedonthekitchentable.
Inafitofrageandfrustration,Igrabbedthejugandsmasheditagainstthecounter.Bloodsoakedthesurface,drippingdowntomixwithYasmine’sonthefloor.
W
CH A P T E R 1 8 : R O S E
henAnnorastillhadn’treturnedbytheafternoon,Calebwentlookingforheragain.Hereturnedafewhourslater,unsuccessful.
Truthbetold,Iwasexpectinghimtolookmoreworriedthanhedidasheswungbackupontomybranch.Whilehecertainlylookedconcerned,Iwonderedifhealsowassecretlyhopingsomethinghadhappenedtoher.Itwouldrelievehimoftheresponsibilityheseemedsobentonhavingforher.Itwouldbeaneasywayout.
“Iwonderifsheperhapssawusacrossthelake,”hemurmured.Oh,Isohopethatshedid.“Perhaps,”Isaid.“Ihaveafeelingshe’llreturnthough.”Hesatdownonthebunknexttome.Reachingformyhand,heplantedakiss
onthebackofit.Mycheeksgrewwarm.Iclearedmythroat,leaningbackagainstthetruckofatreeandtryingtomakemyselfmorecomfortablenexttohim.IoughttomakethemostofthistimeIhadalonewithCaleb.Ididn’tknowwhenAnnorawouldreturnandthenhowlongitwouldbebeforewehadtimewithouther.
“So,CalebAchilles…”Ithrewhimasidewaysglance.“Itseemsyouhaveatype.”
Heraisedabrowatme,asmallsmilecurvinghislips.“Tall,longblackhair…”Icontinued,unabletoholdbackagrin.Herolledhiseyes,butindulgedme.“PerhapsIdo,”hesaid.“ButI’dneed
moreofatrackrecordforyoutoconcludethat.”“WasAnnorayourfirst?”Henodded.“And…whatnumberamI?”“I’mnotsureIfeelcomfortableplacinganumberonyou,princess.”He
twinedhisfingerswithmine.“Butifyou’reaskingiftherewasanyonebetweenAnnoraandyou,theanswerisno.”
Hereachedformesuddenly,pullingmebackagainsthischest.Heranhisfingersthroughmyhair,pullingmyheadbackwarduntilthebaseofmyheadtouchedhiscollarbone.Hewassostrong,itfeltlikehecouldsnapmyneckintwo.Hisroughcheekbrushedagainstmyfaceandsettlednearmyneck.
“Whataboutyou,RoseNovak?Doyouhaveatype?”Ifeltheatriseinmycheeksagain.Thetruthwas,I’dneverreallyhadacrushbeforeCaleb.Sure,I’dmetboys
I’dthoughtwerecute.Butnevertheheart-stopping,all-consumingpassionIfeltforCaleb.
“I…Idon’tknow.”Heloosenedhisgrip,hiseyesfixingonmeintensely.Hisexpressionwas
suddenlyseriousashestudiedeveryflickerofemotionthatcrossedmyface.“Whatdoyoumean?”“You’remyfirst.”Hiseyessoftened,andhelookedatmelikeIwasthemostpreciousthingin
theworld.AsthoughthosethreewordsI’djustspokenhadmademeseemfragile,vulnerable.
“Whydoyoulooksosurprised?”Iasked,tryingtobreakuphisseriousnesswithagrin.
Heranahandthroughhishair.Hislipsparted,thenclosedagain.Ididn’tunderstandwhathadrenderedhimsospeechless.
“ArealltheyoungmeninTheShadeblind?”hesaidfinally,staringatmeincredulously.
Ilaughed.“No.ButI’mnottheonlygirlthere.Iguessitalsodoesn’thelpbeingthedaughterofthemostintimidatingvampireontheplanet.”
Calebfellsilent.IreachedmyhandsaroundhisneckandbroughthisheaddownsoIcouldplaceakissonhislips.Ithadbeenamistakementioningmyfather.Calebalwaysfellsilentandgrewseriouswhenheturnedhisthoughtstohim.
RealizingthatIwashungry,Ireachedforacoconutinthecornerofthebunkandattemptedtosmashitopenagainstanearbybranch.Aftermythirdfailedattempt,Calebtookthecoconutfrommeandsplititopenwiththepressureofhishandsalone.
“Thanks,”ImutteredasItookthetwohalvesfromhim.Hereachedforalongsharpleafandhelpedmetoloosenthefleshfromtheshell.
“ShallIfeedyouwhileI’matit?”heteased.Hewasjoking,butItookhimuponhisofferallthesame.Isliddownhis
chestuntilmyheadrestedonhislap,openingmymouthinexpectation.Hesmiled,thenslidthefirstpieceoffleshintomymouth.
IstaredupathimasIchewed.Ibrushedmyhandagainsthisstrongjawline,tracingmyfingersoverhisroughstubble.
Asheslidthelastpieceoffleshintomymouth,Icaughthishandbeforehecoulddrawitaway,pullinghisthumbtowardmymouth.Isuckedonit,thengentlydugmyteethintoit.
Movingthecoconutshellsaside,Isatupand,holdinghisshoulders,pushedhimbackward.Hehadaquestioninglookinhiseyes,butleanedbackasIwasrequesting.Placingmylegseithersideofhiships,Icroucheddownoverhim.Iloweredmyheaddowntohisneck,kissinghischeekalongtheway.Ipressedmymouthagainsthisthroatandgrazedmyteethoverhiscoolskin.
“Whatareyoudoing?”heasked,amusementinhisvoice.“Practicingbeingavampire,”Iwhisperedback.Hischestshookashechuckled.Themomenthechuckled,Iwantedtolookintohiseyes.Theylituponthe
rareoccasionsthathelaughed.Iliftedmyselfup,stillsittingontopofhim,andspreadmypalmsoutoverhischest.
I’dalreadydecidedthatwhenthetimecameformetoturnintoavampire,IwantedCalebtodoit.Ididn’tdarementionitnowthough.He’dhavetogetover
thetraumaofhisturningAnnorafirstbeforeIevendaredbringupthesubjectwithhim.Hewasstillfartoobrokenfromthatexperience.He’dbeenafraidhemightruinmejustbykissingmebackontheboat.Atleastweseemedtobepastthatstage.Heseemedcomfortablebeingcloseandintimatewithmenow.
ThoughtherewerestillboundariesIknewhewasn’tyetreadytocross.AndIhadtobecarefulnottomakehimfeeluncomfortableaboutthat.
Caleb’sarmshotouttowardanearbytree.Whenhewithdrewit,hewasholdingalargepurplehibiscus.Myheartflutteredashebrushedthehairawayfromthesideofmyfaceandtuckeditbehindmyear.
Iliftedmyselfoffhimandlaydownbyhisside,positioningmyselfsothatmyfacewaslevelwithhis.Hehaddiscardedhisrippedshirtbynow,andworeonlyhispants.Itpainedmetoseeallthescarshestillhadfromthebulletshe’denduredbackinBrazilandVenezuela.Icouldevenseethedarkshadowofmanyofthembeneathhisskin.
CalebAchilles.Mybeautiful,brokenwarrior.Welayinsilenceforthenextfewminutesasbothofusbecameserious.We
justlaythere,staringintoeachother’seyes.Whenhefinallydidbreakthesilencewithahuskywhisper,itletlooseathousandbutterfliesinmystomach.
“You’rebeautiful,RoseNovak.”IfonlyAnnorawouldjustvanish,Icouldhappilyspendthenextfewyears
aloneonthisislandwithCaleb.
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CH A P T E R 1 9 : A N NO R A
climbedupontotheedgeoftheoldcrackedwell,staringdownintothestarryblackabyss.Iwasalmostsuckeddowninstantly.Drawingadeepbreath,Ileapedintothegate.
ItwistedandturnedinthevoidasIrusheddownwardatwhatfeltlikethespeedoflight.Ibarelyhadtimetobenervousatwhatmightbewaitingformeontheotherside.Whichwasagoodthing.Icouldn’taffordforthemtodetectapprehensioninme.
IbracedmyselfasIdetectedthelightattheendofthetunnel.Placingmyhandsovermychesttocovermyself,Ifinallyshotoutofthetunnel,landinginaheap.IscrambledtomyfeetassoonasIcould,adjustingtheleavesaroundmywaisttocoverasmuchofmeaspossibleandbunchingmyhairovermychest.
Itookinmysurroundings.Iwasstandingonalong,widebeach.Oceanstretchedoutinfrontofmeforasfarastheeyecouldsee.Behindmewasatoweringstonewall.Behindit,Icouldmakeoutthepeaksofthemassiveblackmountainrangesthatthisrealmwasfamousfor.Myeyestraveledalongthewall,andrestedonagiantirongate,spikedwithhumanskulls.
Idrewinadeepbreath.IhadonlybeentotherealmoftheogresoncebeforeanditwasamemoryIwouldnoteasilyforget.I’dgonewithIsolde,toaccompanyheronanegotiation.Theblackwitcheswouldsupplyogreswithhumansinexchangefortheirownkind’sblood,whichwastheingredientofmanyritualswecarriedout,alongwithsomeotherfavors.
AlthoughI’dknownaboutthistradebetweentheogresandthewitchesforalongtime,IhadneverbeendirectlypartofitsincethatmeetingandIhadn’tknownexactlywherethegatetotheogres’realmwaslocatedonearth.ItwassuchluckthatCalebhadledusallrighttotheirprimarypointoftrade.
Irealizedwithashudderthatitwaslikelysomeblackwitcheshadalsobeenpresentthatnightweheardthescreams,tocarryouttheexchangethroughthegate.
Brushingthesandoffmybody,Itriedtogetmythoughtsinorder.Iknewthekingandqueenofthisislandwouldrecognizemefromallthoseyearsago.AndifIplayedmycardsright,theywouldhavenoreasontosuspectIwaswithoutmagicnow.Ogresbothfearedandreveredblackwitches.IwouldhavetoplayonthisknowledgeifIwastogetwhatIwanted.Iknewhowdangerousitwastoinvoketheorderoftheblackwitchesfraudulently.Butrightnow,thevisionofRoseandCalebembracingacrossthelakestillfreshinmymind,Iwaswillingtorisktheconsequences.IwasintroublewiththeblackwitchesanywayiftheyfoundoutaboutmyhelpingRoseandCalebescapeJulisseandArielle.Onemorenotchonmyreputationwouldn’tmakeawholelotofdifferencetothepunishmentIwouldundergoshouldtheyevercatchme.
Isnappedmyselfbacktoreality.Iwasstandingheretopless,withnothingbutabreakingwreathofleavesaroundmywaist.Ihadtosomehowmakemyselfpresentablebeforeenteringtheogres’kingdom…
Iscannedtheshorelineoncemoreandnoticedaclusterofsmallboatsinthedistance.IranuptothemasfastasIcouldandpeeredintothefirstone.Itwasempty.Aswerethesecondandthirdboats.WhenIclimbedaboardthefourthboat—abouttwicethesizeofthepreviousthree—IfinallyfoundsomethingIcouldworkwith.Alargeblackcloak—belongingtoanogrenodoubt—restedoverthebackofachair.Itwassoheavymyarmmusclesfeltstrainedjustpickingitupandsolongitdraggedalongthefloorbehindme.
Iwalkedtothecabinatthefrontoftheship,rummagingaroundinalargechestafewfeetawayfromthegiantwheel.Ifoundanarrayofweapons—daggers,swords,axes…IpickedupthesharpestdaggerIcouldfind.Layingthecloakdownontheground,Iusedtheknifetoshortenittomyheight.
Ipulleditoverme.Althoughitlookedbaggyaroundmychest,thiswouldhavetodofornow.ItriedtotidyupthehemssothatitlookedlessobviousthatI’djustcutitwithacrudeknife.ButthenIhadnomoretimetospendonthis.
Ithrewtheexcessclothovertheedgeoftheboatintothesea,replacedthedaggerinthechestandthenleftthevessel.Iracedbacktowardthewall,myeyesfixedonthenightmarishirongates.
Thegatesofhell,theywereoftencalled.For,asthesayingwent:Hewhoventuresindoesn’tventureout.
MybreathingquickenedasIreachedthegates.WhatIwasabouttodowouldbesuicidalifanyoftheogresfoundout,orsomehowknewalready,thatIwasaroguewitch.TheirbeliefthatIwasstillwiththeblackwitcheswouldbetheonlythingkeepingthemfromfryingmyinsidesfordinner.
Itriedtotamemylonghairabit,brushingthroughitwithmyhandsandwindingitintoatightbunatthetopofmyhead.ThenIduckeddownand,pickinguparock,slammeditagainsttheironthreetimes.Theeeriesoundoftheechoingmetalsentshiversrunningdownmyspine.
MymouthdriedoutasIwaited,mystomachchurning.Iprayedthattheroyalswouldremembermefrommyvisitbefore.IhopedI
didn’tlooktoodifferentnowthatIwasahuman.Myheartleaptintomythroatastheclankofaboltbeingdrawnbroke
throughthesilence.ThegatescreakedopenslowlyuntilIstoodfacetofacewithabulgingogrewholookedalmostfivetimesmysize.Hisbrightyelloweyesglintedashestaredatme,frowning.
Ispokebeforehecouldcometotoomanyassumptionsofhisownaboutmypresence.
“MynameisAnnora.IamoncommissionherefromRhysandIsolde.InserviceoftheorderofourAncients,IamheretoseeHisandHerHighnesses.”
HiseyeswidenedthemomentImentionedRhysandIsolde.Hegrunted,beckoningmeforward.WhileogresgenerallydespisedthewitchesofTheSanctuary,mentionoftheorderoftheblackwitcheswasenoughtoinvokereverenceandfearinthisguard.
Ienteredthroughthegates,buryingmyhandswithintherobetohidethe
waytheywereshaking.“TheirHighnessesusuallyrestatthistime,afterlunch.ButIwillseeif
Anselmisawake,”theogreboomedintomyear.Anselm.Irackedmybraintorememberwhohewas.Ofcourse,Icouldn’t
ask.Ineededtoappearasknowledgeableabouttheseogresaspossible.SoInodded,despitethefactthatIhadnoideawhatIwasabouttowalkinto.
“MayIcarryyou,witch?Itwillbefaster.”Eyeingthegrotesqueogre,Inodded.“Youmay.”“Or,ofcourse,youcouldsimplymagicusinside,ifyouarefamiliarwiththe
castle.”“Iamnotsofamiliarwiththeexactlocation,”Isaid.“It’sbetterifyoucarry
me.”“Asyouwish,”hemumbled.Hereacheddownhishandandlaiditflatonthefloorlikeastep.Istepped
ontoit,andheliftedmeuptoleanagainsthisshoulderashebeganthunderingforward.Myheartpoundedinmychestashespeduptoanevenfasterpace.Ihopedhewouldn’twonderwhyIwasbarefoot.IwouldtrytohidemyfeetwiththehemofmycloakwhenIwaspresentedbeforethisAnselm,whoeverhewas.
Wetraveledalongadirtpath,linedeithersidebygnarledblacktrees,whichledintoaclearingfilledwithtombstones.Theroyalgraveyard.Irememberedpassingbythisbefore.Thefootofamountainlayupahead.Therewasamassivewoodendooratitsbase.Theogredrewkeysfromhispocketandpushedthedoorsopen.Chillyaircreptdownmyneckasheenteredthebaseofthemountainandlockedthedoorsbehindus.
Wepassedthroughonecavernoushallafteranother.Thewallswerelinedwithlong,bloodredanddeeporangetapestriesdepictingvariouspastimesoftheirancestorsofold.Mostlyinvolvingconsumptionofhumanflesh.
Iwasbeginningtolosetrackofhowmanychamberswehadtraveledthroughwhentheogrefinallystoppedandsetmedownontheground.
“Pleasewaithere.”Turninghisbackonme,hewalkeduptoadoortoourrightandknocked.It
swungopenafterseveralseconds.Icouldn’tseewhowasbehindthedoor
becausetheguard’simposingformwasblockingmyview.“Youhaveavisitor.Ablackwitch.HernameisAnnora.”Therewasapausebeforeadeepmalevoicesaid,“Showherin.”Theguardsteppedasidetorevealatallfigure,hisfacecastinshadow.I
steppedintoagrandhigh-ceilingedhallwhosewallswerecoveredwithrichvelvettapestries.NowthatAnselmhadturnedaround,inthelightofthetorches,IwasbetterabletomakeouthisfaceandIimmediatelyrealizedwhohewas.Hewasalmostasplittingimageofhisfather.Hewastheprinceofthiskingdom.
Ashewasroyalty,hisfeaturesandphysiquewereverydifferentfromanyusualogre’s.Hisframewastall,muscularbutslender.Whilehehadbrownleatheryskin,hisfacialfeaturesweremorehumanoid.Hisnosewasthinandstraight,hisjawlinesharp,andhehadnotusks.HehadaregalappearanceandIfoundhimalmosthandsome.
“Annora.”Hebowedhishead,reachingoutastronghand.“Apleasuretomeetyou.”
Ishookhishand.“Comesit.”Ifollowedhimtotheendofthehallwheretherewasalongtableandhigh-
backed,cushionedchairs.Hedrewoneupformeandtookaseatoppositeme.Hereachedforajugofbloodandfilledtwogoblets.
NowthatIwasahuman,theideaofdrinkingbloodwasvile.Iwasn’tevensurewhattypeofbloodthiswas—human,Isuspected,sincethatwasafavoriteoftheroyals’.Icouldn’tmakehimsuspectanythingwasdifferentaboutme,soItookapolitesipofthecoolliquidbeforesettingthegobletbackonthetable.
“Whatbringsyouhere?”Heflashedmeacharmingsmile,revealingasetofsurprisinglywhiteteeth.
“Onbehalfofmyfellowwitches,andtothankyouforyourloyaltyalltheseyears,Ihavecometoofferararegifttoyourmajesties.Ahumangirlwhosebloodisoneofakind.Itwilltasteunlikeanythingyou’vehadbefore.”
Anselmlookedatmeexpectantly.“Well,whereisshe?”“Sheisinthehumanrealm,waitingforyouontheislandweusetotrade.
Notfarfromtheothersideofthegate.”
Hefrowned.“Whydidn’tyoubringherwithyounow?”Igavehimagracioussmile.“Well,yousee,thisyoungwomanreallyisquite
abeauty.Ifyouhaveroominyourharem,beforeyoutasteher,Iwasthinkingshewouldmakeanexquisiteaddition.”
Hesmirked.“MyfatherandIalwayshaveroominourharem.”Ichuckled.“Ithoughtasmuch.ThenyoucanunderstandwhyIwantedto
leavecapturinghertoyou.Iknowyouroyalsenjoythechase…”Helickedhislips,hisdeeporangeeyesgleaming.“Indeedwedo.”
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CH A P T E R 2 0 : R O S E
nnorastillhadn’tshownupbythetimenightfell.Althoughwe’dstayedaroundbasecampincaseshereturned,webothwantedtotakeabathbeforesleeping.Weclimbeddownthetreeandwalkedtotheedgeofthelake.
MymouthfellopenasCalebdroppedhispantsonthegrass.Hedoveinandresurfacedinthewater,flickinghishairbackandlookingupatme.Hecockedhisheadtooneside.
“Whatareyouwaitingfor?”Apparentlytooimpatienttowaitformyanswer,heclimbedoutontothe
bankandstoodup.Mycheeksablaze,Ikeptmyeyesfixedonhisfaceasheapproachedme.Hefingeredmybrastraps.
“Thisthingisfilthy,”hesaid,lookingitoverdisapprovingly.BeforeIcouldrespond,hereachedaroundmybackandunclaspedmybra.
He’dalreadyseenwhatIlookedlikeontheboat,butIstillfoundmyselfblushingashiseyesroamedme.Therewasawarmthinhiseyesashesmiledatmybashfulness.Hecaughtmyhand,pullingmetowardthewater.Scoopingmeupinhisarms,heleapt,submergingbothofusinthecoolwater.
Iresurfaced,gaspingforbreath.Sincemypantieswerehalfoffalreadyfromthecontactwiththewater,Ijustdiscardedthemcompletelytoo.Ithrewthemonthebanknearmybra.
Calebresurfacedafootawayfromme,reachingoutandpullingmeagainsthim.Ishiveredashispalmsbeganrunningupanddownagainstmyskin,
scrubbingmelikeasponge.Hebreatheddeeplyintomyneck.“Youalwayssmellgoodtome,”hewhispered.Icouldn’thelpbutgiggleatthat.“WouldIstillsmellgoodifAnnora
droppedapileofbirdpooponme?”Helaughed,andIonceagainfoundmyselflookingupintohisgorgeous
browneyes.Theysparkledastheyreflectedthemoonlighthittingthewater.“Iguessedthatwasyou,”hemuttered,lookingatmewithmockdisdain.Iconsideredpointingoutthatthecrapandthespiderwerebothalight
punishmentconsideringshe’dtriedtoburnmealiveinthesubmarine.ButIwasintoogoodamoodtobringupthattraumaticincident.
Itwistedaroundandbegantorunmyhandsalonghismusculararmsandshoulders,takingmyturntowashhim.Iswamtowardthebankandgrabbedahandfulofcleangrass.Bunchingitup,Iusedittoscrubhisskin.Itwasmoreeffectivethanmypalms,whichweren’troughlikeCaleb’s.Imovedroundtohissculptedback.Whenhefeltmeslowingdownaroundtheareashehadbulletsembedded,hesaid,“It’sokay.Thosepartsarenumb.Theydon’thurt.”
OnceI’dfinishedmakingmywayaroundhisbody,Iletgoofthegrass.“Thankyou,Princess,”hewhispered,gatheringmetohimandclaimingmy
lips.“A-Anytime,”Irepliedbreathlessly.Mybodyrespondingtohistouch,Ishiveredagain.Mistakingmypleasure
forcoldness,hespedforwardandcarriedmeoutofthewater,backontothebank.
Thatwasthethingwithvampires—therewasbarelyasecondtoobjectbetweenthetimetheymadeadecisionandthetimetheyexecutedit.
Still,withimagesofspendingthenightwithCalebinhisbunkfloatingaroundinmyhead,Ididn’tmindtoomuchleavingthewatersosoon.
Gatheringupmydirtyunderwear,Ibentoverthewaterandscrubbedthemcleanbeforelayingthemoutonastonetodry.
IdriedmyselfwiththeshawlCalebhadfoundearlier.IturnedaroundtoseeCalebrippingoffleavesfromaclusterofbushesnearby.Iwalkedovertohim,eyeinghimquestioningly.He’dfoundtherippedpairofpantsI’ddiscardedon
thebankthedaybeforeand,removingtheelasticfromthewaist,begantostringitthroughthebroadleavestoformaskirt.
Iwatchedwithfascinationashisnimblefingerscompletedthegarment.Helookedupatme,beckoningmecloser.HetuggedawaytheshawlIwasholdingaroundmybodyandwrappedtheskirtaroundmywaistbeforeknottingtheelasticattheside.
Iwasimpressed.Itwaslongenoughtomakemefeelcomfortablewearingit,butnotsolongastogetintheway.TheleaveswerealsosofterthanI’dimaginedtheywouldbe.Theyfeltalmostvelvetyagainstmyskin.
Usingthepieceofelastichehadleftover,hebeganstringingitthroughtwomorebroadleaves.Thenhestoodup,kissingmedeeplyashereachedaroundmeandadornedmychestwiththebikini.
“Wow,”Isaid,eyeingthecompleteresultonceI’drecoveredfromhiskiss.Ilookedathim.“Andwhataboutyou?”
Icouldseehe’dbeensoabsorbedinthinkingaboutmyownmodestythathehadn’tyetstoppedtoconsiderhis.
Hecasthiseyesaroundthebank,anamusedlookonhisface.“Doyouthinkaskirtwouldsuitme?”
Ilaughed.“Um.Probablynot.”Hefurrowedhisbrows.“ThenwhatdoyousuggestIwearuntilmyown
pantsdry?”Stillgiggling,Ipickedupmytornpants.Therewasnoelasticleftinthem,
butwecouldusethefabrictostringsomethingtogether…Ipickedsomemoreofthevelvetyleaveshe’dusedformybikini.
“Canyouripthreelongstripsoffthefabricwithyournails?”HedidasI’drequestedandhandedthemtome.Myskillsweren’tas
impressiveashis,butafterafewminutesI’dmanagedtofashionhimsomethinghalfdecent.
Iheldituptohim.“Howaboutaloincloth?”Hegrimacedashetookitfrommeandfasteneditaroundhiswaist.“Sexy,”Isaid,gigglingashefinishedputtingiton.
Herolledhiseyes.“Howdoesitfeel?”Iasked.“Stupid.”Ilaughedharder.Atleastitwasbetterthanaskirt.Pickinguphisownpants,hewalkedovertothewaterandwashedthem,
layingthemouttodryonastonenearwhereI’dleftmyunderwear.Then,bendingdownsoIcouldgetontohisback,hecarriedmebacktothe
footofourtreeandclimbedwithmeuptohisbed.Iclimbedupfirst,crawlingtotheedgetomakeroomforhim.Hewasabout
tofollowwhentheinevitablefinallyhappened.Annorareturned.Caleb’sandmyeyesshotdownwardasweheardthecreakingofabranch.I
groanedinternallyasherdarkheadapproachedcloserandcloseruntilshehadreachedourlevel.Sinceshe’dfoundmeabouttoclimbintoCaleb’sbed,Iexpectedhertothrowmeadeepscowl.Shedidn’t.Shebarelyevenlookedateitherofusashereyesfixedonherclaspedhands.
Calebslippedoffhisbunkandstoodup,staringdownather.“Wherewereyou?”
Hervoicewasdeepandcrackedassheresponded.“Ithoughtweneededatimeout…Ineededsomespacetothinkaboutthings.”
CalebandIexchangedglances.Helookedasconfusedasme.“Whatdoyoumean?”heasked.Annorasigheddeeplybeforefinallyraisinghereyestohis.“I’vebeenthinkingaboutyou,aboutme…aboutRose.First,Ineedto
apologizetoyou,Rose.”Hergazefellonme.“Iwastheonewhosetthesubmarineonfire.”
Igapedather.Calebexhaledsharply.Whywouldsheadmittothat?“IwassoblindwithjealousyseeingtheaffectionCalebheldforyou.I
wasn’tthinkingstraight.I’mnotsurethatyou’lleverforgiveme,butI’msorry.”Sheleanedbackagainstatree,clutchingherleftarm.CalebandIremained
speechless.“It’snotfairthatIresenteitherofyou.IneglectedCalebformany,manyyears.Ican’tjustexpectthingstobethesameastheywere.”Hervoice
trembled,andIthoughtshewasabouttobreakdown,butsheswallowedhardandcontinued.“I’mgoingtostepback.”
Icouldbarelybelievemyeyesasshegrippedtheengagementringonherfinger,pulleditoffandhandedittoCaleb.Shehadtearsinhereyesasshelookedathim,herchestheaving.“It’sbetteryouhavethisback.”Shereachedforhishandandclosedhisfingersoverthering.
Thensheturnedtomeagain,placingahandonmyshoulder.“Iwon’tgetinyourwayagain.AndI’msorryforalltheharshwordsIspoketoyouearlier.Youdidn’tdeservethem.IjustneededthetimeIspentaparttoclearmybrainandthinkthingsthrough.AndasIdid,IrealizedIfeltlikeamonsterformybehavior…Soagain,I’msorry.Iwishthetwoofyouhappiness.I’llnolongerbeinyourway.Isupposewe’llhavetotrytofindawaytogetoffthisisland.Whenwedo,youcandropmeoffsomewhereandI’ll…I’lltrytostartanewlifeawayfromallthissupernaturalcraziness.Perhaps,inafewyears,I’llmeetanewsweetheartofmyown.”
Caleb’smouthopenedandclosed,butnowordscameout.IwassureIlookedlikeadrowningfishtooasItriedtounderstandwhatgameshewasplayingwithusnow.Itfeltlikeshe’djusthadapersonalitytransplant.Orbeenpossessed.
EventuallyitwasCalebwhomanagedtobreakthesilence.“Annora,I…I’mgladyou’vecometothisconclusionbyyourself.”Hepaused,eyeinghersteadily.“BecauseIcan’tlie.Whatwehadisgone.Itdiedovertheyearswespenttogetherinthatfrozencastle…Idon’tloveyouanymore.”
Herjawtwitched,tearslookingdangerouslyclosetofalling.Iexpectedtoseeatleastsomehintofjealousyorangertowardme.ButIsawnothingbutsadnessandregret.
Hegrippedhershoulder.“Oncewemanagetogetoffthisisland,we’lltakeyoutothenearestshoreandfindyousomewheretostay.Ahostel,ashelterforthehomeless.Youcanstartyourlifeoverandstayoutoftrouble.”
Shenodded,thenturnedawayandbeganclimbingbackdowntoherbunk.IstaredattheringinCaleb’shands,dumbstruck.WhileeverypartofmewantedtobelievethatAnnorahadchanged,
somehow,Ijustcouldnotbelieveit.Ididn’tknowwhatgameshewasplaying,whatthisnewchangeoftackwas,butIdidn’tlikeit.
Itwassomehowmoreunsettlingthanwhenshehadchallengedmeoutright.
E
CH A P T E R 2 1 : A I D E N
venthoughwestillhadn’tmanagedtolocatethebodiesofCarolineandThomas,weheldajointceremonyforthemalongwithYasmine.Yasmine’sparentswereinconsolable.DerekandSofiadidalltheycouldtoapologize—butwhatwerewordsinthefaceofthelossofone’schild?ThedeathofCarolineandThomas,andnowthedeathofYasmine,allwithinsuchashortperiod,sentshockwavesthroughoutthecommunityofhumans.
I’dnoticedhumanskeepingtothemselvesmoreandeyeingvampireswarilyastheypassedby.Itseemedthey’ddevelopedadistrustofallsupernaturalcreatures.ThiswassomethingthatusedtohappenintheolddaysofTheShade,beforehumansweremadeequal.Toseeusregressingtowardsuchastateofdistrustinsuchashortspaceoftimewasdisturbing.
IlookedaroundthemoonlitcourtyardoutsidetheSanctuarywherewehadgatheredfortheceremony.Thecrowdofvampiresseemedthinnerthanitshouldhavebeen.Someofthemostfamiliarfaceswereabsent.Therewerealargenumberofhumansattending—albeitstickingtoonecorner.Therewerealsowerewolves,witches,andBrett,whowaswearinganewwaistcoatfortheoccasion.
DerekandSofiastoodoppositeme,nexttoKyleandAnna.InotedMona,Kiev,ErikandSairastandinginfrontofme.MatteoandHelinawereafewfeetbehind.Vivienne,Xavier,CorrineandIbrahimweremissing,ofcourse,andEliwasstillrecoveringfromtheinjuryI’dcaused,beingnursedbyAdelle.I
wonderedifthatwaswhyitlookedemptier…No.AsIlookedaround,Irealizedthatsixofourkeycouncilmembersweremissing:ClaudiaandYuri;LandisandAshley;GavinandZinnia.Ascouncilmembers,theyofallpeopleshouldhavebeenpresent.
AsYasminewasloweredintoagravebyherparentsandtheceremonycametoaclose,thecrowdsbegantodisperse.IwalkeduptoDerekandSofia,bothlookingfarpalerthanevenvampiresshould.Sofiahadtearstainsdownhercheeksandhereyeswereredfromcrying.
Iwasn’tsureiftherewasanythingIcouldsaythatcouldconsoleher.SoIdidn’tbringupthesubjectofYasmine.InsteadIaskedthequestionthathadbeennaggingme.
“Whyweresomanyvampiresmissing?”Iasked.Sofialookedsoanxious,Iwouldn’thavebeensurprisedifshe’dbarely
noticed.Derek,however,sharedmyconcern.“It’soddthattheywouldallbemissingatonce,”hesaid.“Leaveittome,”Ireplied,pullingmycloakcloseragainstme.“I’ll
investigate.”Theyhadenoughontheirplatealready.ThiswastheleastIcoulddotohelp.SinceGavinandZinnia’shomewasnearesttotheSanctuary,Idecidedto
stopbytherefirst.Ileaptuptotheirtreehouseandknockedthreetimesonthedoor.
Aginger-hairedlad,Rose’sbestfriend,Griffin,answeredthedoor.Worrymarredhisfaceandhecouldbarelyfinditinhimselftosmileatme.
Heraisedabrow.“Aiden?”“Whereareyourparents?”Hedrewasharpbreath.“They’rehere.Lockedthemselvesineithersideof
theapartment.”“Whyweren’ttheyatthefuneral?”Hegrimaced.“They…they’vehadafight.”“Oh.I…I’msorrytohearthat…Now’snotagoodtimethen.”Griffinshookhisheadgrimly.Iretreatedandallowedhimtoclosethedoor.
GavinandZinniawereknowntohavetheirdisagreements.ButfromthelookonGriffin’sface,Isensedthatthiswasworsethanusual.
IdescendedthetreeandcontinuedthroughtheforestuntilIreachedmynextstop—LandisandAshley’stree.IstoppeddeadinmytracksasIreachedtheveranda.Ashleywassittingonthefloor,leaningagainstthewall,sobbingintoatissue.
Ifeltawkwardencroachingonherduringsuchaprivatemoment.ButshenoticedmebeforeIcouldretreat,soIfoundmyselfwalkingoverandkneelingdownonthefloornexttoher.
Iplacedahandonhershoulderasshesobbedevenharder.“Ashley,what’swrong?”“Landis…he…he’scheatingonme.”“What?”“Isawhimwithoneofthehumangirls.”IwasstunnedspeechlessasIstaredather.“Ashley,areyousure?”Shenoddedvigorously.“Imean,areyouonehundredpercentpositive?YoudefinitelysawLandis?
Areyousureitcouldn’thavebeensomeoneelse?”“Ihavefreakingvampirevision,Aiden.IknowwhatIsaw.Itwashim.”Her
sobbingbecameharderandshestoodupabruptly,runningbackintoherapartmentandslammingthedoorbehindher.
Whatisgoingon?AsIdescendedthetreehouseandmademywaytowardthefinalcouple,
trepidationateawayatmethinkingwhatImightwitnessthere.Ididn’tknowthatIcouldstandseeingClaudiaandYurifight.I’dgrowntoofondofthemboth.
AsIreachedtheirtreehouseandbeganascending,Icouldalreadyhearanargumentboilingup,theangryvoiceofYuridriftingthroughthekitchenwindow.Ididn’tneedtoenterthehometohearwhatitwasabout.
Istoppedoutsidethekitchenwindowandstaredthroughit.YuriandClaudiawerestandingatoppositeendsoftheroom.TearsstreameddownClaudia’sfaceasYurishoutedherdown.
“Itoldyoualready,Ididn’t,”Claudiacried.“Iwouldnever,Yuri.Iswear—”“Stoplying.Juststopit,”Yuribulldozedoverher.“Whatdoyoutakeme
for?Amoron?Ithoughtatleastthatmuchhadchangedwhenyoumarriedme.NowIseethatIwaswrong.”
Icouldn’tbelievesuchharshwordswerecomingfromYuri’smouth.Heneverspoketoherinthisway.Itwassounlikehim.
Althoughitwasnoneofmybusiness,Icouldn’tstandwatchingmybestfriendcrushhiswifelikethis.Ihurriedtothefrontdoorandpoundedmyfistsagainstit.
“Openup,”Iyelled.Thedoorswungopen,Yuristandingthere,hischestheavingasheglaredat
me.“Whatdoyouwant?”hespat.Grippinghiscollar,Iforcedhimback,awayfromthedoorway,andbarged
intotheirapartment.Ipushedhimagainstthewall,pinninghimtherebyhiscollar.
“StopaccusingClaudiaofwhateveritisyouthinkshe’sdone,”Igrowled.Yuri’seyesnarrowedonmeashestruggledagainstmygrip.Iheldhimthere
fast.“Getoffme!”“Notuntilyoulistentome.”Hekneedmeinthestomach,looseningmygriponhimenoughforhimto
scrambleawayfromme.Herushedforthefrontdoor,butIgottherebeforehim,slammingitshutbeforehecouldexit.Heexhaledinfrustration,wipingsweatfromhisbrowwiththebackofhishand.
“Listentome,goddamnit!”Ihissed.“Youneedtostopyellingatyourwifebeforeyousorelyregretit.Somethingstrangeisgoingonaroundthisisland—”
BeforeIcouldfinishmysentence,Yurilurchedforoneofthetallwindowseithersideofthefrontdoorandsmashedthroughit.Shardsofglassfelleverywhere.Itriedtochaseafterhim,butheslammedtheelevatorshutbeforeIcouldreachit.Iglaredathimashedescendedtotheground.
IwalkedbackintotheapartmenttowardthekitchenwhereClaudiawas
slumpedinachair,stillsobbinguncontrollably.AsIputanarmaroundher,tryingtocomforther,Icouldn’thelpbutwonder.
Who’snext?
D
CH A P T E R 2 2 : S O F I A
erekandIwereinourkitchen,abouttopourourselvesaglassortwoofbloodfordinnerwhenIheardourelevatorcreaking.IlookedoutofthewindowtoseeAbbyhurryingtowardourfrontdoor.Ileftthekitchenandopeneditbeforeshehadachancetoknock.
Herpalmsweresweatyassheclutchedmyhandsandpulledmeoutofthepenthouse.
“What’swrong,Abby?”“There’sbeenanotherone,”shepanted.“Anotherwhat?”Derekhadappearedatthedoorbehindus.“Akilling.”Myheartsanktomystomach.“Who?Where?”Derekdemanded.Hisfacewasstonyashegrabbedhis
cloakandlockedthefrontdoorbehindus.“Just…justcome.”Derekhadnopatienceforelevators,andneitherdidI.Thethreeofus
jumpedoffthebalconyintoanearbytreeandleaptfrombranchtobranchdowntotheground.AbbyledusawayfromtheResidences,towardtheVale.Aswebeganwindingthroughthestreetstowardthetownsquare,Iprayedthatitwasn’tAnnaandKylethistime.Whateverpredatorthiswashadstruckjustnextdoortothemlasttime.
IwasrelievedwhenAbbyledusstraightpasttheirhouse.Wespeddown
severalmorestreetsbeforefinallystoppinginacul-de-sac.Shepointedtoahouseattheendofitwhereacrowdhadgathered.
ThecrowdpartedforDerekandmeassoonastheynoticedus.Ilookedaroundatthehumansaswepassed.Theirfacesweregrim,theireyesfilledwithpanic.
Weenteredthehouse,passingbymorehumansinthecorridorandonthestaircase.IheldmybreathasDerekandIenteredthebedroomatthetopofthestairs.
Itwasascenethatbelongedinahorrormovie,muchlikethelastincident.Clearly,thiswasthesamepredator.Thesheetsweresoakedwithbloodandfragmentsoforgansweresprayedabouttheroom.Asmuchasbloodwasdelicioustome,evenIfoundmyselfretchingatthissight.
Again,therewerenobodies.DerekandIscannedtheroomandtheensuitebathroom.Derekturnedto
Abby,whohadfollowedusupstairs.“Thewholehousehasbeensearchedforremains?”heasked.Shenodded,swallowinghard.“Whatyouseeinthisroomisallwe’ve
found.”MyhusbandandIstaredateachother.“Howcouldtherebenoskeletonatleast?”Ibreathed.Heclenchedhisjaw.“Eitherthispredatorisswallowingthemwhole,orwe
aren’tlookinghardenoughfortheremains.”“Thenweneedtodoubleoureffortsinsearchingthisisland,”Isaid.Dereknodded,runningahandthroughhishairashetookintheghastlysight
oncemorebeforeheadingtowardtheexit.“Andfromthismomenton,avampiremustbeappointedtoguardeachhumanresidence,”hesaidwhilewedescendedthestairs.“Nohumanhomecanbeleftunprotecteduntilwegettothebottomofthis.”
Aswewalkedoutthefrontdoor,backontothestreet,thecrowdassaileduswithquestionafterquestion.Dereklookedinmydirection.Inodded,indicatingthatheshouldleavetomakeemergencyarrangementswhileIremainedtotrytopacifyourpeople.
Ilookedaroundatalltheterrifiedandconfusedfaces.Ididmybesttoanswertheirquestions.Mostofall,theyjustwantedtobereassuredthattheirchildrenwouldbeabletosleepsafelyatnight.
“Derekhasjustlefttomakesurethisplaceisswarmingwithvampireguards.Theywillcampouthereandwillnotleaveuntilwehavefoundthekiller.”
“Butwhatifit’savampirewho’sthekiller?”ahigh-pitchedvoicecalledout.Ilookedtowardthesourceofthevoice,ayoungboywithjet-blackhair.Cal
washisname,ifIrememberedcorrectly.TheyoungestoftheAndersonfamily.Iwalkeduptohimandplacedahandonhisshoulder,bendingdowntohislevelsoIcouldlookhimintheeye.
“Noguardhastouchedahumanonthisislandforalmosttwentyyears,honey.Doyoureallythinkthatoneofthemwouldhavedonethis?”
Heshrugged.Ilookedaroundatthecrowdagain.Everyonesurroundingmewasalso
lookingatmequestioningly.Itshockedmethatthisdoubtcouldhaveenteredsoquicklyintotheirheartsafterwe’dlivedtogetherinharmonyonthisislandforsomanyyears.
“Whatifit’sShadow?”ahigh-schoolstudentnamedEmilyasked.“AdellehasalreadyconfirmedthathewaslockedupinEli’sapartment
duringthetimeofthefirstattack.Andbothoftheseattackswereclearlycarriedoutbythesamekiller.Besides,ShadowhasbeentrainedbyElitobeofnoharmtohumans.Liketheothervampires,hehasn’ttouchedahumaninrecenthistory.”
“Whatifit’sawerewolf?”Hector,anelderlyman,spokeup.“Wouldyousentenceittodeathorbanishitfromtheisland?”
It.Iwincedatthewayhereferredournewresidents.IlookedHectorrightintheeye.“Whoeveritis—werewolf,vampire,or
somethingelse—willbethrownofftheisland,nevertoreturn.”ThewerewolvesweredeartoMona,butifonewasproventobeakillerI
wassurethatevenshewouldagreethatheoughttobeexpelled.“WillBenjaminbethrownoutformurderingYasminethen?”Myeyesshottowardthethirty-somethingbrunettetomyleft,dressedin
black.Angelica,Yasmine’saunt.Myvoicecaughtinmythroat.Severalawkwardmomentsofsilencepassed
beforeIfoundmyvoiceagain.“Angelica,theincidentwithYasminewasatragicaccident,”Isaid,fighting
tokeepmyvoicesteady.“Asyouknow,BenjaminhadjustcometoafterbeingturnedandYasmineshoweduprightonhisdoorstep—”
“SoyoublameYasmine?”Istaredather,horrifiedatthewayshewastwistingmywords.“That’snot
whatIsaid.Isaidthatitwasanaccident.Yasminewasexcitedtoseemyson,whowasnotincontrolofhimself.ThedeathsofCarolineandThomas,andnowLucindaandIzmael,areclearlyinaleagueoftheirown.Theywerenoaccident.Theywerecold-bloodedmurders.”
“SoifBenwasindeedfoundtoberesponsibleforCaroline,Thomas,LucindaandIzmael’sdeaths,youwouldclassifyhimasacold-bloodedmurderer?”Angelicashotback.Shelookedaroundatthecrowd.“Rememberourqueen’swords,people.Wehavethisfromherownmouth.”
“Mysondidnotkillthem,”Isaidthroughgrittedteeth.Angelicalookedlikeshewasabouttothrowanotherbitterretort,but,
apparentlysatisfiedthatshe’ddoneenoughdamage,shepursedherlipsandbeganwalkingintheoppositedirection.
“Whenwilltheguardsarrive?”Hectoraskedafterapause.“Withinhalfanhour,”Ireplied,relievedforthechangeofsubject.“My
husbandisseeingtoitaswespeak.”Thecrowdmumbledamongthemselvesandafteransweringtherestoftheir
questions,Itookmyleave.AsIexitedtheVale,mymouthwasdry.TheencounterwithAngelicahad
shakenme,andIstillhadn’trecoveredfromit.Bencouldn’thavedonethis…couldhe?Istoppedinmytracks,shockedtorealizethatherwordshadinstilledeven
theslightestbitofdoubtinmeaboutmyson.Ifevenhisownmothercan’thavecompleteconvictioninhisinnocence,
wheredoesthatleaveTheShade’sprince?
Ishookthethoughtaway,tryingtodismissalldoubtthatitcouldhavebeenmyson.IhadalmostreachedtheResidenceswhenPatriciaappearedoutofthinairinfrontofme.
“We’vefoundthekiller.”Mymouthdroppedopen.“Who?”“Theogre.”
B
CH A P T E R 2 3 : S O F I A
rett?”Igasped,staringatPatriciaindisbelief.“Howwouldheevenfitinthosesmallhumanhouses?He’sfartoobig.Itwouldhavebeenimposs—”
“Theevidenceisquiteconclusive,”shesaid,lookingatmesternly.“Justcomewithme.”
Shetouchedmyshoulderandwevanished.Wereappearedafewsecondslater,standingonaflatboulderdirectlyoutsideBrett’scave.
Iwasshockedtoseethattherewasalreadyacrowdofhumanssurroundingthearea.HowtheyhadgottenwindofthisbeforeevenIhadwasbewildering.ThelastthingIwantedwaspeopletostartdoubtingBrettbeforeI’devenseentheevidence.
“Whyaretheresomanypeopleherealready?”Idemanded.Patricialookedaroundatthecrowdbeforeturningbacktome.“Thehumanshaven’tbeencontentwithleavingthesearchtothewitches.
Wewereintheprocessofscouringtheseawithinthebordersoftheislandwhenagroupofhumanscalledourattentiontothis…”
Grippingmyarm,shepulledmeovertowardagapintherocks,abouttenfeetaway.Ilookeddowntoseeamessofmangledlimbs.
“Fourbodies,allpiledupandsquashedintothesameplace,”Patriciasaid,grimacingasshelookedoverthecorpses.
“Theywerefoundinthisspotexactly?”“Yes,”shesaid,lookingbackatBrett’scave.“Lessthantenfeetawayfrom
“
theogre’shome.Thehumansrolledaboulderawayfromthemtogainabetterviewofthem,butotherthanthattheyhavenotbeentouched.Assumingthehumansaren’tlying,ofcourse.ButIdoubtthat.It’smoreintheirinterestthanourstofindthekiller.”
Myinsideswrithedtoseehowslashedandsquishedthecorpseswere.Theywereunrecognizable.Icouldbarelymakeoutthestartofonebodyandtheendofthenext.Icoveredmynosewiththesleeveofmyblouse,tryingtoblockouttherottingstench.
“AndwhereisBrettnow?”Iasked,castingmyeyestowardthedarkentranceofthecave.
“Sleeping.”Ilookedatthehumanssurroundingusagain.Theywereallstaringatus
expectantly.Fromthelooksontheirfaces,Iwassurethattheyfeltlikestormingtheogre’shomewithpitchforksalready.
“Patricia,”Isaid,turningmybackonthemtofaceheragain,“yousaidyouhadconclusiveevidence.Whereisit?”
Sheraisedabrowandnoddeddowntowardthebodies.Iexhaledimpatiently.“Thisisnotconclusiveevidence.Someonecouldhave
framedBrett,forallweknow.Besides,youstillhaven’tansweredhowhecouldhaveevengottentothosehumansinthefirstplace.”
Sheheavedasighandbitherlip,shrugging.“Well,it’sthemostconclusivewe’vefoundsofar.”
Ibrushedpastherandlookeddownonceagainatthemangledbodies.“Atleastwe’vefoundthecorpsesnow,”Imuttered.“Wehavetohopethat
theyarenottoomashedupforustoexamine.Butinthemeantime,nobodyistolayahandonBrett.Notunlessyouorsomeoneelsecanexplainhowhecouldhavefitthatelephantinebodyofhisintothosesmallhomes—”
BarelyhadIspokenthewordswhenagroanemanatedfromthecave.Iwhirledaroundandstaredinhorrorashumansclambereduptherocksandbeganrushinginside.
Iracedafterthemand,asInearedthebackofthecave,gaspedtoseethreehumansalreadycirclingBrett,brandishingdaggers.Theogrewasslumpedina
cornerofhisstrawbed,grumblingandburyinghisheadinhishands.ThissightaloneshouldhavebeenenoughtoconvinceanyonethatBrettwas
notakiller.Hecouldhavesmashedtheirskullsagainstthewallofthecavewithaknockofhisfist,butinstead,hechosetocowerinacorner.
ThehumansloweredtheirweaponsasIstoodinfrontoftheogreandgloweredatthem,buttheystilldidn’tputthemawayentirely.
“OnwhatauthorityhaveyoudisturbedBrett?”Idemanded.“Whatauthoritydoweneed,Sofia?”oneofthemenspat.“Didn’tyoujust
seethosebodiesoutsidehiscave?Hehasmorethanenoughstrengthtomanglethemintosuchapulp.”
“Youneedmyormyhusband’sauthoritytolayahandonanyresidentonthisisland,howeverguiltyyoumaydeemthemtobe,”Ishotback.“YouallknowthelawsofTheShade,andifyoudon’t,Isuggestyoulockyourselvesindoorsforadayandstudythemagaintorefreshyourmemory.”
“Sofia,ourlivesareindanger—”“Yes,butchasingdownthewrongpersonisn’tgoingtorelievethatdanger.
Thosebodiesoutsidehiscaveprovenothinguntilwe’veexaminedthem.”Thecrowdpartedasawerewolfboundedintothecave.Saira.Hereyes
blazedasshereachedmeandturnedtofaceoffthehumansalongsideme.“Backoff,people,”shegrowled.“Bretthasanalibi.Me.I’vebeenvisiting
everynightforthepasttwoweeksforbonfiresonthebeach.”AlthoughBretthardlyneededanalibi—forthereasonI’dalreadyexplained
toPatricianumeroustimes—itcouldonlyhelphiscasehavingone.Themenlookedliketheywantedtoproteststill—perhapsarguethatSaira
couldbeinonittoo,sinceshewasawerewolf—butwithbothSairaandIglaringatthem,theysheathedtheirweaponsandbackedoff.
“Gobacktoyourhomes,”Isaid,usheringthemalloutofthecave.“IfBrettreportsanyofyoucomingwithinamileofhiscave,youwillanswertoDerekNovakpersonally.”
Thatmadethempayattention.Theblooddrainedfromtheirfacesandtheyscurriedawaylikerats.
Isighed,lookingbackatSaira.
“Thankyoufordefendinghim,Sofia,”shesaid.“He’smoregentleasoulthananyofthosehumanscaneverhopetobe.”
“Iguessedasmuch,”Isaid.“Hehasaphobiaofviolence.Wouldn’tcrackaperson’sskullevenifyou
beggedhimto.”Shescowled,shootingalookbackatthequiveringogre.“Ishouldknow.Whenwefirstacceptedhimasamemberofourcrewbackinthesupernaturalrealm,wethoughthe’dbeusefulhelpingusdefendourship…Whatdidhedothefirsttimeathreatcamealong?Heabandonedhispostandwentsquealingbelowdeck.Thewholelotofusalmostlostourdamnlivesbecauseofit.Afterthat,wetrustedhimwithnothingbutcookingandcarving.”
Shesmiledfondly.Paddingovertotheogre,shenuzzledherheadagainsthisarm.Still,herefusedtoraisehishead.
“It’sokay,sweetie,”shesaid.“Youcanlookupnow.”Therewasapause.“Arethemeaniesgone?”hemumbled.Sairaheavedasigh,rollinghereyesatme.“Yes,themeaniesaregone.”“Theywon’tbotheryouagain,Brett,”Ireassuredhim,walkinguptohimtoo
andpattinghisheavyshoulder.SairaremainedwiththeogrewhileIbadegoodbyetobothofthemandleft
thecave.ItwastimeformetotouchbasewithDerek.PatriciawaswaitingoutsidetheentranceasIemerged,stillleaningoverthe
bodies.Shelookedupatmequestioningly.“TakethebodiestotheSanctuaryand,withthehelpoftheotherwitches,
startyourexamination.ReportbacktomeorDerekonceyou’vemadesomeprogress.”
Shenoddedand,sincesheappearedtohavenofurtherquestions,Itookmyleave.Iranacrosstheboulderstowardthebeachandbackintotheforest.TheeventsofthedayreplayedinmymindasItraveled.
Well,sofarallwe’vedoneisestablishwhoisnotthekiller.Butwhoonearthis?
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espitemymisgivingsaboutAnnora’smotivations,shekepttruetoherwordandstayedoutofCaleb’sandmyway.Shebarelyexchangedawordwitheitherofusthenextday.Shewentwanderingoffintothejunglebyherself.
Calebseemedtohavehisdoubtstoo,buthewasactingasthoughhebelievedherwords.TheideaoffinallygettingridofAnnora,droppingheroffinsomehomelessshelter,leavingCalebandIfreetoreturntoTheShadeanddiscoverforourselvesifanythinghadreallyhappenedthereorifHermia’swordshadbeenalie,mademedesperatetofindawayoffthisisland.
IsatonCaleb’sbunk,lookingaroundatthethicktreessurroundingus.Thatwaswhenithitme.Caleb’stradeusedtobebuildingships.Hisfatherhadbeenashipyardowner.
“Whatifwebuiltaboat?”Calebcrossedhisarmsoverhischest,lookingaroundatthetrees.
“Absolutelyfromscratch,”hemuttered.“Withnotasingletool.I’veneverdoneanythinglikethatbefore.But…Iguesswe’venochoicebuttotry.”
“Maybetherewillbesomepartsofthesubmarinewecanstilluse?”Isaid.“Ifwegotothewreck,andyoudivedowndeep,maybeyoucanfindsometoolstomakethejobeasier.”
Henoddedslowly.“Yes.Therewasatoolboxintheengineroom.Ifthatwasn’truinedintheblast,thatcouldproveinvaluable.Let’sgoandseeifthere’sanythingtherethat’ssalvageable.”
SinceAnnorawasn’taround,wecouldn’twarnherwherewewereheadingoffto.Itwouldbetoughluckifshearrivedbackandwonderedwherewe’dgone.
Itwasn’tlongbeforeCalebhadrushedtotheedgeofthejungle.Withthesunhighinthesky,Calebtoreabranchwithflatleavesoffatreenearbyandhelditoverhimselfasheracedustowardthespotofthewreckage.
Itookthebranchfromhimashesetmedownandcontinuedholdingitoverhisheadasheenteredthewater.IfollowedhiminasdeepasIcouldstillstand,andthen,asheduckedbeneaththewaves,Istopped,waitingforhim.Ididn’tknowhowmuchtimeIpassedwatchingthesurfaceofthewater,waitingforhimtoemerge.ButIbreathedoutasighofreliefwhenhedid.Ihurriedovertohim,holdingtheleafoverhimtoshieldhimfromthesun’sharshrays.
Hewasholdingalargegraytoolboxinonehand,whilewiththeotherhewasclutchingathickmetalsheet.Wemadeourwaybacktothesand,wherehedroppedtheitems.Ifollowedhimbackandforthfromthesandtotheseaasheretrievedmoreandmoreitemsforwhatfeltlikethenexthour.
Bythetimehe’dretrievedeverythinghedeemedsalvageable,thebeachwascoveredwithequipment.Hedraggeditallfurtherinland,beneaththeshadeofthetrees,sotherewasnochanceofpiecesbeingsweptaway.
Wipingsweatfromhisbrowwiththebackofhishand,helookedovertheentirecollection.
“Yes,”hesaidquietly.“Ithinkthismightjustwork.Wewillonlyneedasmallboat.Thesmalleritis,thelesslikelythingswillgowrongandthefasterIcanbuildit.”Hebeganpacingupanddownonthesand,thinkingoutloud.“We’llneedwood…Thesecoconuttreesaren’tasgoodasthetreessurroundingourbunks.”
Hegrabbedmeandbeganhurryingbackthroughthejungle.Hestoppedatourtree,pulledmeupandsetmedownonhisbunk.Annorastillhadn’treturned.
Afterplantingalingeringkissonmyneck,hedrewaway.“It’ssaferifyoustayupherewhileIwork,outofharm’sway.I’llcomegetyouifthere’sanythingyoucanhelpwith.Otherwisejuststayherefornow…AndifAnnora
returns,shoutoutandletmeknow.Istilldon’ttrustheralonewithyou.”Inodded,watchingasheleaptbackdownthetreeandjoggedawayfurther
intothejungle.SinceIhadnothingelsetodo,Idecidedtodosomeclimbing.Imademy
wayuptothetopofthetreeandlookedout.TheoceanwasstillcrystalblueandemptyforasfarasIcouldsee.Therewasn’tasinglecloudinthebluesky.Ibreatheddeeply,inandout,relishingtheseaairandthewarmsuntanningmyskin.IimaginedCalebandIsailingawaytogetheronthatcrystal-bluesea,wrappedineachother’sarmsandkissingasweheadedtowardthesunset…
IlosttrackoftimeasIperchedthere,myheadstuckoutofthetreetops,fantasizingandtakinginthebeautysurroundingme.
Whensomethingbrushedagainstmyankle,Ilookeddowninexcitement,expectingtoseeCaleb.
InsteadIwasmetwithavisionthatshouldhavebelongedonlyinanightmare.
Abrownleather-skinnedmanwithglowingeyesandsharpwhiteteethgrippedmyankleandpulledmedownward.
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screampiercedthroughthejungle.Idroppedmyaxeandhurtledbacktowardourtree.
IwassurethatitwasRose’svoice.Itsoundedsomuchlikeher.ButwhenIstumbledacrossAnnoralyingontheground,nursingableedingfoot,IassumedthatImusthavebeenmistaken.
Ibentdowntotakeacloserlookatitasshemoanedandwrithed.Iheldmybreathasthescentofherbloodinvadedmynostrils.Igrippedherfoot,examiningit.Thefleshbetweenherlargeandsecondtoehadsplit.Bloodwasseepingfromit,soakingthegrass.
Islitopenmypalmandhelditouttoher.Shegrippedmypalm,hersofttonguelappinguptheblood.Asthewoundhealed,Ihelpedherup.
IdecidedtogocheckonRosebeforeIgotbacktowork.Imotionedtoleave,butAnnoratuggedonmyarm,pullingmeback.
“Iwouldalsoliketoreturntocamp.Couldyoucarryme?Idon’twanttocutmyselfagain.”
Iallowedhertoclimbontomybackbeforerunningbacktowardourtree.“Ouch.”Islowedforamoment,lookingbackatAnnora.“What?”“Ididn’trealize,Igotacutheretoo.”Shethrustoutableedingwrist,
hoveringitbarelyaninchawayfrommynose.IalmostdroppedherasItriedtodistancemyself.Mymouthwasalreadywateringfromthebloodonherfoot.
Crouchingoverheragain,Ionceagaincutopenmypalmandfedher.Ididn’tdarepickherupagainuntilthesecondwoundhadclosedandshe’dwipedherhandsonherclothestoremovetheexcessblood.
“Ineedtogetbacknow,”Isaidimpatientlyasshepulledherselfontomeagain.
ShecomplainedacoupleoftimesthatmyspeedwashurtingherasIracedbacktocamp,butIignoredher.IwasrelievedtolowerhertothegroundonceIarrivedatthefootofthetree.Swingingmyselfup,IstoppedatRose’sbunk,expectingtoseeherthere,perhapsresting.
Herbedwasempty.“Rose?”Icalled,myheartbeatquickening.Icastmyeyesaround,upward,downward,sideways,thinkingperhapsshe’d
goneforaclimb.Shewasn’tthere.Perhapsshe’dbebythelake,takingaswimtocooloffduringtheheatoftheday.Shewasn’tthereeither.
“Rose?”Iyelled.Iracedthroughthejunglesurroundingthetree,wonderingifshe’dventured
insearchofmorefruit,despitemyrequestinghertostayput.“Rose!”Ibellowed,myhearthammeringinmychest.Iyelleduntilmythroatwashoarse.
Shecan’thaveventuredthisfarbarefoot.Ihaven’tevenbeengonelong.Therewasanotherbloodcurdlingscream.Rose?Iwhippedbackthroughthejungletowardthesourceofthenoise,onlyto
findAnnoraagain.Onepalmwasclaspedoverhermouth,theothershakingasshepointedafewhundredmetersawayfromthefootofourtree.
MyheadreeledasIfollowedhergaze.Lyingintheundergrowthwasabody.No.No.Almostblindwithpanic,Irushedforward.AsIapproached,Ifoundmyself
staringdownatacorpseswarmingwithbeesandsodisfiguredthat,haditnotbeenforhertorndarkhair,Iwouldn’tevenhaveknownthatitwasRose.
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hemomentIscreamed,thecreature’sleatheryhandclampedmymouthshut.Withdrawingtwosilkhandkerchiefsfromhissnakeskinwaistcoat,heshovedonedownmythroatand,placingtheotherbetweenmyteeth,knotteditbehindmyhead.ItwasallIcoulddotonotvomit.
“Princess,”heraspedinmyear.“Iammosthonoredtomakeyouracquaintance.”
MystrugglingonlybroadenedhissmileashebegantouchingmeinplacesnotevenCalebhadyet.Heflungmeoverhisshoulderandleaptfrombranchtobranchdownthetree.Ashisfeethittheground,helaunchedintoasprint.
Everythinghadhappenedsoquickly.Iwasstillinshock.Thejunglewhizzedpastmeinablurasbloodrushedtomyhead.Itriedtograbholdofabranchaswespedpastone,butIonlyendedupcuttingmypalmsashehurtledforwardregardless.
Thenwithoutwarning,hisgriparoundmyanklesloosenedandIcrumpledtotheground,grazingmyheadagainstasharprock.Inadaze,Iscrambledbackwarduntilmybackhitatreetrunk.
Ilookedupinhorroratthecreaturestaringdownatme,asmirkstillonhisface.
“Youwanttorun?”hesaid,lickinghislipsashiseyesroamedmyalmostbarebody.“Now’syourchance.”
AsIstaggeredtomyfeet,Ipickeduparock.Ihurleditathimandspun
around,noteventakingthetimetoseeifithadhititsmark.Despitethornsandsharpleavesrippingthroughthesolesofmyfeet,Icouldn’tallowmyselftoslowdown.Icastaglancebackovermyshouldertoseehewasstillstandinginthesamespot.Iduckeddownbehindabushandthenflungmyselfbehindanearbytree,slowlypivotinginadifferentdirectiontothatwhichhehadlastseenmerunningin.
ItriedtoundothegagsoIcouldscream,butitwasknottedsotightitwouldhavetakenmeatleastafewminutes.AndIhadnosuchtime.
Iheardthecreakingofbranchesafewhundredmetersawayandfrozebehindthetrunkofatree.Peeringround,Isawthecreatureapproaching.Iheldmybreath.
“Iknowwhoyouare,treasure,”hewhisperedthroughthetrees.“ButIoughttointroducemyself.MynameisAnselmRaskid.Andwehavesomethingincommonalready.Myparentsarealsokingandqueen…Weareprincessandprince.”
Icouldbarelypayattentiontohiswordsashecreptcloserandcloser.Ashewassecondsfromdiscoveringme,Ipickedupathornybranchand,leapingoutofmyhidingpace,hurleditatthecreature’sface.Hestumbledback.Reachingforalow-hangingtreebranch,Ifoughttopullmyselfupontoit.I’dalmostmadeitoutofreachwhenhishandclosedaroundmyankle.Asheyankedmedownward,tomyhorror,Ifoundmyselffallingintohislong,strongarms.
Hisfacescratchedandbloody,heseemedtohavehadenoughofwhatevergamehe’dbeenplayingashewrestledmeintosubmissionandcontinuedrunningwithmethroughthejungle.
Heonlystoppedagainoncewenearedanoldstonewell.Heleaptontoit,balancingusbothonitsnarrowedge.
Whatintheworldishedoing?AsIlookeddownintothehole,ifmytonguehadn’tbeenattachedtothe
backofmymouth,Imighthaveswallowedit.Beneathuswasatunnelwhosewallsweremadeofwhatappearedtobea
swirlinglightbluesmoke.Beyondthewallswasablackabyss,scatteredwithstars.
Thiswasnowell.Thiswasagate.Leadingwhere,Iwastooterrifiedtoevenimagine.Asthecreaturepreparedtojump,IcaughtsightofAnnorastandingafew
feetaway,halfofhersweatyfacecastinshadow.TherewastimetohearbutafewwordsescapeherlipsbeforethebeastandIhurtleddownward:
“AnnoraAchilles.Ithasaniceringtoit,doesn’tit?”
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thadbeenanotherlong,stressfulday.I’dmanagedtoscreentheentireisland.Therewerenoimposters.Iwouldhavesenseditthemomentmyspelltouchedthem.
No.Therehadtobeanotherexplanationforthedeaths.Andthisrevelationleftuswithanevenmorechillingconclusion:itwasoneofourownwho’dclaimedtheirlives.Nowthatwe’dfoundthebodies,hopefullyitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforewefoundoutwhowasbehindit.I’dtoldPatriciaandherteamthattheycouldcallonmetohelp,buttheyseemedmorethanabletohandlethejobontheirown.
Iwasrelievedtoreturnhome.Iwentstraightuptothebathroom,showeredandthensatdowninfrontofmydressingtable,staringatmyselfinthemirror.Icombedmyhairandtieditupinabun.Myeyesfellonmymother’sjewelrybox.IfingereditabsentmindedlyasItriedtoputafingerontheuneaseI’dfeltovertherecentdays.Sincethedeaths,itfeltlikethewholeislandwasriddledwithtension…uncertainty…doubt.Vampiresnolongertrustedwerewolvesthewaytheyoncehad,whilewerewolvesfeltwronglyaccusedbyvampires.Witches,ontheotherhand,doubtedbothvampiresandwerewolves.Andhumanstrustednoone.ThenBenhadgoneandmurderedahumangirl,causingmanyaccusingfingerstopointathim—theveryprinceofTheShade.
Ihadn’texperiencedsuchstrifesincearrivinginTheShade.IcouldseefromDerekandSofia’sreactionthatsuchturmoilwasn’tcommonplacehere.They’d
rebuilttheShadebasedontrustandloyalty.Thatwashowthingshadworkedforalmosttwodecades.Abreakdownoftrustwouldmeanabreakdownofthewholestructure.Ididn’tknowwhatwouldfollowifthathappened.
Pushingtheboxbackinitsplaceinfrontofthemirror,Istoodupandfloppeddownonthebed.Snugglingbetweenthesheets,IwishedthatKievwashomealready.Itwassolate,Iwonderedwherehecouldhavegottento.
Istayedawakeforthenexthourwaitingforhim,butwhenhestilldidn’treturn,sleepfinallyclaimedme…
ThecooleveningbreezeblewthroughmyhairasIstrolledthroughthewoods.Ididn’tunderstandwhereKievcouldhavegottento.Healmostalwaysreturnedbeforethislatehour.Iworriedthatsomethingmighthavehappenedtohim.
Ifoundmyselfexitingthewoodsandwalkingdowntowardtheshore.Iquickenedmypace,scanningthebeachasIwent.Itwasn’tuntilIreachedtheendofthesandandapproachedaclusterofrocksthatInoticedalightflickeringintheroomatthetopofthelighthouse.
CouldKievpossiblybethere?Whatwouldhebedoingthereatthistimeofnight?
Iclimbedovertherockstowardtheentranceandascendedthewindingstaircase.MyheartwaspoundinginmychestasIfinallyreachedthetop.Reachingforthehandle,Iwasabouttoopenit,butrealizedthatthedoorwasalreadyajar.Therewasnoneedtodisturbwhoeverwasinthere,incaseitwasn’tKiev.
Ikneltandlookedthroughthecrack.Mybreathhitched.TherewasKiev,croucheddownoverthebarebodyofawomanwhosefaceI
couldnotsee,foritwasbeingshoweredwithhiskisses.Butasmyeyesfixedonthepillowsbeneathherhead,Ididn’tneedto.
ItwasSofia’sbareformwrithingbeneathhim.Herdeepredhairsplayedoutonthepillow.HerfingersdugintoKiev’sbackmusclesashepressedagainst
her.Hislipsloweredtoherpaleneck.Whenhebrushedhishandsalongherhips,tremorsranthroughhisbody.
Theyweresoconsumedwitheachother,itfeltlikeIcouldhavewalkedrightovertothemandtheymightnotnotice.
Icouldn’tremainawitnesstothissceneamomentlonger.Pushingthedooropen,Iranuptothebed.IgrippedKiev’sshoulders,
attemptingtopullhimoff.ButmyfingersslippedoffhisskinlikebutterthemomentItouchedhim.
Ishouted.Iscreamed.Itriedtousemymagictoturnoverthebed.Butitwasasifaninvisibleforcefieldwasaroundthem,keepingthemlocked
intheirownlittlebubble.NothingIdidhadanyeffect.Myshoutingfellondeafears.Myspellsbouncedoff.Theystillremained,lyingthereinaworldoftheirown—aworldIwas
totallylockedoutof.Ifanything,withallmyattempts,theirpassiononlyincreasedeachsecondthatIstoodthere,untilfinally,Kievwhisperedthewordsthatslicedmyheartintwo:
“Ihavealwayslovedyou,Sofia.”
Myeyesshotopen.Gaspingforbreath,Isatboltupright.Beadsofsweatdrippedfrommyforehead.Shaftsofmoonlighttrickledthroughthecurtains,fallingonKiev’ssleepingformbesideme.
Idroppedmyheadintomyhands.Itfeltstrangelychilly.Fromthesweat,Iassumed.
Ibreatheddeeply,tryingtosteadymyracingheart.Itwasadream.Justadream.Iloweredmyselfbackdownagainstmypillowandreachedanarmaround
Kiev’swaist,pullingmyselfcloseragainsthisbackandkissinghisshoulderasheremainedinslumber.
Sofiawouldneverbetraymelikethat.Sheismyfriend.AndKievcertainlywouldn’t.
Inanycase,he’soverSofia…isn’the?
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henighthadbeenplaguedwith…astrangedream.Afterhoursoftossingandturning,Ieventuallygaveuptryingtosleepand
gotoutofbed.Makingmywaytothekitchen,Ipouredmyselfaglassofblood.TryingtopushasidethoughtsofthenonsensicaldreamI’dhad,Iforced
myselftothinkoftheproblemsthatwereplaguingus.Aswehadpromisedthehumans,swarmsofvampireswerenowtakingturns
toguardtheirhomes.SofiaandIhadalsodecidedthatwe’dpersonallytakeatourroundthehumanresidencesthreetimesadaytomakesureeverythingwasinorder.
Mythoughtsturnedtoourson.NowthathehadmurderedYasmine,humans,vampires,werewolvesandwitchesalikehadbeguntosuspectthatperhapshewasthecauseoftheothers’deathstoo.Ofcourse,SofiaandIknewthathecouldn’thavedoneit,butuntilwefoundtheactualkiller,thissuspicionwouldremainintheheartsofmany.
Ben.Ithadbeenawhilesincehe’dlast…fed.Hisbloodlevelswouldberunninglowagain.
GrabbingsomebloodfromthefridgeandthesyringeSofiahadfetchedfromCorrine’smedicalroom,Iheadedtohisbedroom.
Openingthedoorslowly,Iwassurprisedtoseethathewasawakealready.Helayflatonhisback,staringupattheceiling,hiseyesglassy.HedidnothingtoacknowledgethatI’denteredtheroom.Isatontheedgeofthebedand
reachedforhiscollarbone.Hedidn’tresistasIinjectedseveraldosesofbloodintohim.
ThenIlefttheroom.Iguessedhewasfeelingguiltyaboutwhathe’ddone.Hedidn’tneedmetorubitin.Silencewasthebestcourseofactionrightnow.Imadesuretolockthedoorbehindme.
Iretreatedtomystudyandpacedupanddownforawhilelonger,mullingoverthemosturgentissuesIhadtodotoday,untileventuallyIdecidedtotrytosleepagain—atleastforanhourbeforeSofiawokeupatsixo’clock,sowecouldwakeuptogether.
ButasIreturnedtoourbedroom,shewasn’tthere.Hersideofthebedhadbeenneatlymade,andhernightgownthathadlainonthechairnearbywasgone.
“Sofia?”Icalledsoftly.Iwalkedintotheensuitebathroom.Itwasempty.Iwalkedbacktothe
kitchen,thinkingmaybeshe’dalsohadarestlessnightandwashavingsomebreakfast.Butshewasn’tthere.Iwalkedthroughthelivingroom,intendingtochecksomeoftheotherrooms,whenInoticedthathercloakthatusuallyhungbythefrontdoorwasgone,alongwithhersetofkeysfixedtothekeyholdernearthedoor.
ThenIspottedastickynoteonthedoor.Sofia’shandwriting.“Goneforawalk…”Anearly-morningwalkwasappealingtometoo,soIgrabbedmycoatand
headedout.Abriskwalkwoulddomesomegood,helptoclearmythoughtsfortheday,andperhapsI’devenbumpintoSofia.
Idescendedintheelevatorandbeganwalkingthroughthewoods.Iwantedtofeeltheseabreezeagainstmyskinandthewaterlappingaroundmyfeet,soImademywaytowardtheshore.ButasIenteredtheclearinginfrontofthePort,Istoppedshort.
WhatIsawthere,attheendofthejetty,mademebelievethatImusthavestillbeendreaming.
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triedtofallasleepagain,butthenightmarekeptresurfacingeachtimeItried.
IletgoofKievandtossedandturnedinbed,tryingtofindacomfortableposition.Idriftedoffonlybrieflybeforebeingwokenyetagainbythesamenightmare.Isatupinbed,rubbingmyeyes.
IglanceddowntowardKiev’ssideofthebed.Itwasemptynow.“Kiev?”Icalled.Icheckedthebathroomandalltheotherroomsupstairsanddownstairs.I
couldonlyassumehe’dgoneforawalk.SinceIcouldn’tsleep,IdecidedImightaswellgoforawalkmyself.
Iexitedthehouseandsteppedontothebeach.Iwalkedtothewater’sedge,dippingmyfeetinthewaves.Ilookedoutatthestilldarkhorizon.Thestarstwinkledoverhead,themoonlightmakingtheseaglisten.
Iwasn’tsurewhereIwasgoing.IjustkeptwalkingalonguntilIeventuallyrealizedthatIwasnearingtheisland’sport.Ishiftedawayfromthewavesandmovedfurtherinland.ItwasonlyonceI’dleftthebeachandclimbedupthestepstotheplatformalongwhichthesubswerelinedthatInoticedtwofiguresstandingattheendofthejetty.
Ihadtolookcloselyinthegloom—theycouldhavealmostbeenmistakenforonefigure,theywereembracingsotightly.Iwasn’tsurewhichlovebirdsweremakingoutatthistimeofthemorning,anditfeltintrusivetokeepstaring,
soIwasabouttoturnaroundandwalkbacktowardhomewhenIheardit.Adeepgroan,andthenawhisper—soft,butstillclearlyaudibleinthequiet
oftheearlymorning:“Sofia.”Ilookedmoreclosely,andnowIcouldrecognizeKiev’ssilhouetteinthe
moonlight,andSofia’slongredhair.Istaredinhorror.Thismuststillbeadream.Ineverwokeup.IwasabouttopinchmyselfwhenIheardthesnappingofbranchesbehind
me.IwhirledaroundtoseethedarkshadowofnoneotherthanDerekNovak.Webothlockedeyes.HelookedasdumbstruckasIfelt.
IfDerekishere…witnessingexactlythesamesightasme…howcanthisbeadream?
IlookedbackatKievandSofia.Hishandsrestedonherlowerback,holdingherflushagainsthimastheirlipskneadedagainsteachother.
Thisisn’tadream.I’mseeingthiswithmyowneyes.Thisishappening.Iwokeup.Kievwasn’tthere.He’dcomehere…tomeetSofia.Myhandswereshaking,mymindwasonfireasdoubtafterdoubtblazed
throughit.Couldmydreamoftheminthelighthousehavebeenavision?Hasitbeen
SofiaonKiev’smindwheneverwe’vemadelove?Didheeverevenloveme?WasIjustadistractionforhim?Howlonghavetheybeenseeingeachothersincewearrivedontheisland?Isthiswhyhewantedtoreturnhere?ForSofia?
Istumbledbackfurtherintotheshadowsofthetrees.Althoughmyheartwasburning,Ididn’tknowthatIhadthecouragetohearitfromhisownlips.TohearhimadmitthathelovedSofiaoverme.Ididn’tknowthatIcouldhandlethepainthatwouldcause.Iwasinenoughagonyalready.
SoIran.VanishingmyselfawayfromthePort,Ireappearedinourbedroom.Suddenlyallthelove,allthepleasure,I’dthoughtwe’dsharedinthisroom
togetherseemedtovanishintoanemptyhole.IfeltlikeIwaslosingmymind.
AllIcouldseearoundmenowweretracesoftheredhead.Hell,IeventhoughtthatIcouldsmellherhere.
Angercoursedthroughmyveins.Allthistime,bothofthemhavebeenplayingmeforafool.Itrustedthem
both,andtheybetrayedmeintheworstpossibleway.Ifeltfireheatingupmypalms,andasrageandgriefconsumedme,Icould
nolongercontrolit.Flamesburstfrommyfingertips,lightingupthebedsheetsandlickingthewallsuntilsoonthewholeroomwasengulfedintheblaze.Theheatwassoscorching,tearscouldbarelyspillfrommyeyesbeforetheydriedout.
Ilookedaroundatthefiredevouringtheroom.AroomI’doncecherished.Aroomthatnowheldnothingforme,except…
Myeyesfellonmymother’sjewelrybox,stillsittingonmydressingtable.Itsgemsglimmeredintheflames.
AsIstaredatthatbox,itsuddenlyfeltlikeitwastheonlythingofvalueleftformeonthisdeceitfulisland.
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hePort.WhereI’dsharedmyfirstkisswithSofia.NowwhereIsaw—orthoughtIsaw—mywifesharingapassionatekisswith
KievNovalic.EitherthepressureI’munderhasfinallydrivenmetoinsanity,orI’mstill
dreaming.YetseeingMonastandingoppositeme,sharingthesameshockedexpression
—itsomehowmadethevisionbeforemeseemreal.AnotherpersoncouldclearlyseewhatIsaw.
Iwasfrozentothespot.IcouldbarelycoordinatemyselfenoughtomovemyfeetasIstaredatmywifekissingKievasthoughherlifedependedonit.
EvenwhenIwasfinallyabletomoveandwalkforward,Istillcouldn’tfindmyvoice.ItwasasthoughI’dswallowedmytongue,orforgottenIevenhadone.
AsIreachedthejettyandbeganwalkingtowardthem,KievcaughtSofia’shandandtheyleaptofftheedge.Icouldn’tseewheretoatfirst,butwhenIspedup,Icaughtsightofasubmarinedisappearingbeneaththewaves.
What?Istoodstaringatthewavesforseveralmoments,blinking,tryingtomake
senseofwhathadjusthappened.“Derek?”
Ididn’tthinkthatthenightcouldbecomeanymoreinsane,butasIturnedaroundtoseeSofiarunningoutoftheforesttowardme,Ifoundmyselfreeling.
Assheapproachedmewearinghernightdress,abewilderedlookonhersleepyface,IlookedfromhertothewaterIthoughtI’djustseenherdisappearbeneath.
Ireachedoutandgrippedherarms,thencaughtherlipsinmine.Ikissedherhard,partlytomakesureshewasrealandpartlybecauseIwasstillsufferingfromthetormentofwatchingKievclaimher.
“Derek,”shegasped,asIfinallyletgoofher.“Whatonearthisgoingon?Whatareyoudoingoutofbedsoearly?”
Istaredather.Mymindfeltsomuddled,Iwasunsureofhowtoevenbeginarticulatingmythoughts.
“Ijustsawyoustandingrighthereattheendofthisjetty,kissingKiev.”“What?”“AsIapproached,youjumpeddownintoasubmarineanditsubmerged
beneaththewaves.”“Baby.”Shelookedatmewithconcerninhereyesassheheldmyheadin
herhands.“What’shappenedtoyou?What’sthelastthingyourememberbeforesteppingoutside?”
“I’dgottenoutofbedtogetaglassofbloodandcheckonBen.WhenIreturned,youwerenolongerinbed.Therewasanoteonthedoor,sayingyou’dgoneforawalk.AndthenIreachedthePortandsawyoutwo…”
Shereachedupandplacedapalmovermyforehead,lookingmoreworriedthanever.“IfeltyougetuptocheckonBen.AndIwasstillinbedwhenyoucameback.Ievenspoketoyou.YoulookedrightthroughmeasthoughIwasn’teventhere.Thenyoulefttheroomandaminutelater,Iheardthefrontdooropeningandclosing.”
BeforeIevenhadachancetoprocessSofia’swords,someonecalledouttous.
“Derek.Sofia.”WeturnedtoseeKievjoggingalongthejettytowardus,stillinhispajamas.“HaveyouseenMona?”
Iwasabouttoansweryes.ButthenIwonderedifthevisionofMonahadalsobeenanillusion.
“I…IthoughtIsawherhere,afewminutesago.”Kievfrowned.“Whatdoyoumean,youthoughtyousawher?”Iexhaledinfrustration.“Well,IalsothoughtIjustsawyoumakingoutwith
mywife.”NowitwasKiev’sturntolookflummoxed.“What?”Hiseyestraveledfrom
Sofiatome,thenbacktoSofia.“Hasyourhusbandbeendrinking?”Sofiashookherhead,thoughevenshedidn’tseemsosureasshestilllooked
atmeworriedly.“Ihaven’tbeendrinking,”Isaidimpatiently.Myheadinmyhands,Iclosed
myeyes,leaningagainsttherailing,tryingtomakesenseofmythoughts.Whatthehelljusthappened?“WeneedtotalktoEli,”Sofiasaidsuddenly.“Justrecently,hethoughthe
sawAdellecheatingonhimwithmyfather.”Shedidn’twaitformyresponsebeforerushingoff,leavingmestanding
alonewithKiev.Hispresencestillgavemeshudders.EventhoughIwasawarethatwhatI’d
witnessedwasanillusion,itdidn’tstoptheurgetoripouthisthroat,oratleastmaimhimalittle.DespitethefactthatI’dmadeupwithhim,mytemperstilltendedtobemuchshorterwithhimthanothersonthisislandbecauseofthepastweshared.AndIwasn’tsurethatmuchcouldeverbedoneaboutthat.
“YoureallythoughtI’ddothat?”heasked,staringatme.Ishothimaglance.Ididn’tbelievethatmySofiawoulddothat.Butasfor
Kiev?Thetruthwas,Ididn’tknow.He’dmadenosecretofthefactthathe’dheldastrongattractionforheryearsago.I’devenfearedthathe’dhavehiswaywithherwhileshewasunderhiscareinTheBloodKeep.Ididn’tknowhowstronghisattractionforherstillwas.Althoughhe’dchanged,hestillhadadarkside…liketherestofus.
AnawkwardsilencefellbetweenusasIchosenottoanswer.Itdidn’tlastlongthough,asSofiacameracingbackthroughtheforest,withbothAidenandableary-eyedElitrailingalongbehindher.IwasgladtoseethatEliseemedto
haverecoveredfromhisneckinjury.Aidenwasthefirsttospeak.“YuriandClaudia.LandisandAshley.Zinnia
andGavin.Doyouknowwhytheywereallabsentfromthefuneral?”Istaredathim.“Why?”“Allhadarguments.Ibelieveallaboutthesamething—oneofthemthought
theotherwascheating.”Aidendidn’tneedtosayanotherwordformysuspicionstobegintofinally
alignandmakesense.Islammedmyfistagainstawoodenpost,cursingbeneathmybreath.“I
knewweshouldn’thaveletthosewitchesontotheisland.”“Derek,buthow—?”Sofiastammered.Ishookmyhead.Ididn’tknowhow.Butnow,inarushofthoughts,Iwas
beginningtoguesswhy.“WeneedtofindMona,”Isaid.Ibeganlurchingforwardtowardthedirectionoftheirhomealongthebeach
whiletheothersfollowedme.Thatwasthelogicalplacetostart.PerhapsthevisionI’dhadofherwasindeedreal,andshe’dmagickedherselfbacktothehouse,narrowlymissingKiev,who’dcomeoutlookingforher.
Aswenearedthestretchofbeachwherethevampireswerehoused,myheartbeatquickened.Dozensofvampiresandwerewolvesstoodoutonthebeach,allstaringandpointingatabillowingvortexofsmokerisingupfromthetopofKiev’sbuilding.
“Whatthe—”Kievsworeand,beforeanyofuscouldholdhimback,hehurtledintotheburningbuilding.
“He’smad!”Aidengasped.Icouldn’targuewithmyfather-in-law.WewaitedwithbatedbreathforKievtoemerge.Hissiblings,Erikand
Helina,rushedovertous.Theireyeswerewidewithpanic.“Whathappened?”Helinacried.Ishookmyhead,myeyesstillfixedonthefierybuilding’sentrance.WeallbreathedasighofreliefwhenKievfinallyemergedfromit.Butour
reliefdidn’tlastlongashestaggeredtowardusempty-handed.Hisclotheswere
singed,hehadburnsalloverhisbodyandashsmearedhisface.Hefelltohisknees,wheezing.“Mona’sgone.”
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CH A P T E R 3 1 : B E N
bouthalfanhouraftermyfatherinjectedme,bloodbegantospillfrommynostrilsandIfeltanoverwhelmingurgetoretchagain.Drawingopenthewindow,Icoughedupmouthfulsmoreofit.
Ididn’tunderstandwhy,butonethingwasbecomingcleartome.Mybodyrejectedanimalblood.I’dhadnoproblemconsumingYasmine’sblood.
Islammedthewindowshut,breathingheavily.Isensedatingeofhumanbloodinmyroom,carriedinbyabreeze.Mymouthwatered.
Ipacedupanddownmyroom,tryingtodistractmyselffromthehungertearingthroughmystomach.Butitwasimpossible.Itfeltlikeeverycellofmybeingwascravinghumanblood.
GuiltstillgrippedmeforwhatI’ddonetoYasmine.AndyetIrealizedIwouldn’thesitatetokillagainifitmeantsatisfyingmyhunger.Itriedtofeelguiltyattherealization,butIwastooconsumedbybloodlust.Remembranceofthetasteofherbloodfilledmymind,tantalizingmytastebuds.Mymouthtingledjustatthememoryofit.
Iwalkedbackovertothewindow,staringoutatthestarrynightsky.Ican’tremainherelikethis.I’dthoughtitwouldgetbetter.I’dthought,asmyparentshadhoped,thatI’d
getaccustomedtoanimalbloodanditwouldfillmeupenoughtonotbesodangerous,notbesuchathreattohumans.ButIdidn’tseehowthatcouldeverhappenwhenIcouldn’tevenholddownthestuffformorethanafewminutes.
Thisislandwasunderenoughstressasitwaswithoutmegoingaroundmurderingpeople.AndIdidn’twanttorisktakingthelifeofanotherpersonIcaredfor.WhatwouldbecomeofTheShadeiftheycouldn’teventrusttheirownprince?
Althoughitcutmetothinkofhowitwouldhurtmyparents,thereonlywasonesolution.AndIneededtodoitsoonerratherthanlater.
NowthatI’djustthrownupagain,Ifelthungrierthanever.Iclutchedthehandleofmydoor.Itwaslocked.Icastmyeyesaroundthe
room.Grabbingabackpack,Ibeganpilingitemsofclothingandpersonalbelongingsintoit.Iemptiedmycupboard,drawers,andlookedundermybedformoney.WhileIhadafewnotes,itwouldn’tbeenough.Ididn’tknowhowlongIwouldneedtostayaway.
Icouldn’tbreakdownthedoor.Itwouldwakemyparents.Swingingthebagontomyback,Ipulledopenthewindow.Mybreath
hitchedasIlookeddown—theforestgroundwashundredsoffeetdown.Iclimbedout,grippingholdofthewoodenframe.Withoneforcefulswing,Ihurledmyselfagainstthewindowledgenexttomine.Itwasthewindowinthehallway.Iwasrelievedthatitwasslightlyopen.
Haulingmyselfup,Ipulledthewindowfullyopenbeforeclimbingbackintotheapartment.Iheldmybreath,listeningforanysignofmyparentsstirring.Theapartmentwascompletelysilent.Icouldn’theartheirsnoring…orevenbreathingforthatmatter.Iwonderediftheywereevenintheapartment.
Ipaddedalongthecarpetandheadedtomyfather’sstudy.Easingthedooropen,Iwalkedtothesafeandenteredthecode.Ipulledoutseveralwadsofcashbeforeclosingitagain.Wehadplentyofmoneyonthisisland.Morethanweneeded.Itwouldn’tbemissed.
Next,IreachedintothefilingcabinetnexttothesafeandpulledoutoneoftheseveralphotocopiesofMona’smapmyfatherstoredthere.Iwasn’tsurewhyI’dtakenit,buttherewasnoharmhavingit.
Afterstuffingboththemoneyandthemapintomybag,finallyIwalkedovertomyfather’sdesk.Ipickedupapenandrippedoffapieceofpaperfromhisnotepad.
Istaredatthepaperforseveralminutesbeforeputtingthepentoit.NomatterhowIwordedit,itwouldcutmyparentsdeep.SoImightaswell
justbeasdirectaspossible.Ididn’thavemuchtimeafterall.Icouldn’tbecaught.IfIwas,Ididn’tknowthatIwouldbeabletoescapetheisland.
Bendingdownoverthedesk,Ibegantowrite:“Ican’tholdinanimalblood.I’veleft,becauseit’swhatisbestforTheShade.Ourpeoplearesafer
withoutme.Idon’tknowwhenI’llreturn.But,please,don’tcomelookingforme.Ben.”Istaredatmyhandwritingafewmoremoments,jaggedandmessyfromthe
waymyhandwasshaking.ThenIslidthenoteintothecenterofthetablewheremyfatherwouldseeit.
IregrettednotbeingabletosaygoodbyetoeveryoneIcaredforinTheShade.EspeciallyAbby.We’dbecomeclosefriendsinrecentweeks.Ihopedthatshe’dunderstand.
Drawingadeepbreath,Ilefttheroom.AlthoughIguessedthatitwouldbelocked,Itriedthefrontdoor.Iwasrighttohavetried.Itwasopen.Icouldn’tusetheelevatorincaseIbumpedintosomeone.Climbingontothebalconyrailing,Ileaptintoanearbytree.MyhearthammeredinmychestasIclosedthedistancebetweenmyselfandtheground.Assoonasmyfeethittheground,Ilostnotimeinracingforward.Iwhizzedthroughthetreessofast,Iwouldhaveappearedtobebutablurtoanyonlooker.
OnceIreachedthePort,Iduckeddownlow.IhadtokeepmyselfhiddeninshadowasmuchasIcould.Iarrivedatthebayofsubmarinesand,scanningthelineforthesmallestone,openedthehatchandloweredmyselfinside.
AsIseatedmyselfinthecontrolroomandstarteduptheengine,navigatingitawayfromtheharborandintotheopensea,Ididn’tknowwhereIwouldgoorwhatIwoulddo.OrhowIwouldsurviveasthisbeastIwasstilltryingtounderstandmyself.
Ididn’tunderstandwhyIwasdifferentfromalltheothervampires.Theyadjustedtoanimalblood.Theirbodiesdidn’texpelitlikeitwaspoison.They
didn’tfeeltheurgetoviolatethelawoftheislandbyharminghumans.Ididn’tknowwhatwasdifferentaboutme,orwhatwastobecomeofme.
Butwhateverthecase,onetruthremained:InolongerbelongedinTheShade.
A
CH A P T E R 3 2 : A N NO R A
nselmhadbeengraciousenoughtograntmethecorpseofablack-hairedwomanwithoutaskingmanyquestions.I’dnoticeditpiledupoutsidetheroyalkitchensasIwasescortedbacktowardthegate.AftertheguardledmebackoutontothebeachandsetmedownnexttothecircularholeinthesandI’darrivedthrough,Ilookedoverthebody.Iwaiteduntiltheogrehaddisappearedbehindtheirongatesbeforestartingworkonit.ThiswomanlookedverydifferentfromRose.Herhairandheightweretheonlysimilarities.IwalkedovertotheshipI’dfoundthechestofdaggersinandstartedrunningthincutsalongthebody,enoughsothatnodiscerniblefeaturescouldbemadeout.Sincethehairalsowasn’ttherightlength,Islashedthetipstogivethemarippedeffect.
Draggingthebodywithmetowardtheedgeofthegate,Ileaptthroughwithit.
OnceIarrivedattheotherendofthetunnel,Ihadtobecareful.IfCaleborRosefoundmebeforeitwastime,myplanwouldbespoiled.Andmorethanjusttheplanlayinthebalance.AnselmwasscheduledtocometocollecthisgiftsoonandifCalebgotintheway,AnselmwouldrealizeImightnotbewhoIsaidIwas.No,Icouldn’taffordforthattohappen.
IdraggedthebodyclosertoourtreeandleftitinsomebusheswhileIcrepttoseeifCaleborRosewereanywhereinsight.Theyweren’t.Icircledthetreesclosesttoours,lookingupwardandstrainingmyeyestospotthebees’nestIhadnoticedthedaybefore.Onspottingit,Ihurriedbacktofetchthebodyand
placeditdirectlybeneaththenest—somemetersawayfromthefootofourowntree.ThenIcovereditwithpilesofleaves.Fortunately,thebodyhadalreadybeentreatedwithpreservativesbytheogres,soitwouldstilllookfresh.Buttherewasn’tmuchIcoulddoaboutthefactthatthecorpsewasnaked.Calebwouldjusthavetoassumethatherunderwearrippedawayfromherbodyduringherfalltotheground,andsharpbrancheshadslicedherskin.SinceRoseseemedtolikeroamingaroundinthetreetopssomuch,Ihopeditwouldn’tbetooimplausibleastorythatshemighthavetriedtogathersomehoney.Itwasfarfromideal,thatwasforsure.ButitwasthebestIcoulddo.Ihadtohopethattheshockwouldleavehimtoodevastatedtothinkmuchfurtherintoit.
ThenIwaiteduntilCalebandRosereturnedtotheirbedsbeforeapproachingthem.Itstungmetoseethewaytheyweredressed,andthewayhewastouchingher.AndwhenCalebtoldmehenolongerlovedme,Iwasn’tsurethatIcouldkeepupmyact.ButIhadto,soIdid.ItoldthemwhatIneededtoandleftthemalonethatnight,andthenextmorning.
ItwasfortunatethatCalebhaddecidedtoleaveRoseinthetreewhileheventuredintothejungle.OtherwiseIwouldhavehadtocauseadistraction.Now,allIhadtodowasuncoverthecorpse,loosenthebees’nestfromitsbranchandcoverupRose’sscreamsasAnselmcarriedheraway…andofcoursehurrytothewelltosaygoodbyetoRose.Thelatterwasn’tdifficult.Calebseemedsoconsumedingriefashetriedtobrushawaythebees,Idoubtedheevennoticedmeslipaway.
HewasstillinthesamespotthatI’dlefthiminonceIreturnedhavingbiddenfarewelltoRose.Hewascroucheddownonthegroundnexttothebody,hisheadonhisknees.Hewassostill,Iwonderedifhewasevenbreathing.
Ihatedhowaffectedhewasbyher.Iwonderedifhewouldhaveevergrievedsointenselyforme.
Isnappedmyselfoutofmyjealousy.Ineededtothinkstraightnow.CalebandIneededtoleavethisislandassoonaspossible.Itwasn’tsafetobehereanymore.IftheblackwitchesfoundoutaboutmyvisittoAnselmandthatI’dhandedRoseNovakrighttothem,mylifewouldn’tbeworthliving.AndtheywerestillafterCalebtooforstealingawayRosefromLilith’scave.
IapproachedCalebcautiously,touchinghisshoulder.ThemomentItouchedhim,hishandshotoutandgrippedmythroat.BeforeIcouldevengasp,heslammedmyheadbackagainstatreetrunk.Painsearedthroughmyskull.Itfeltlikeithadcracked.Heheldmeinplacebymythroat,hiseyesblazingintomine.
“Youdidthis,”hesnarled.“What?”Ichoked,myeyeswidening.Hisgriponmynecktightenedasheslammedmeagainstanothertree.His
clawsextended.Ifelttheirtipsbeginningtodigintomyflesh.“C-Caleb,no!Iswear!”Hiseyesdarkened.Heseemedtobelosingcontrol.Ithrashed,tryingtopryhishandsawayfromme.“There’snowayIcould
havedonethis,”Iwheezed.“Ihaven’tbeennearourtreesincemorning.”“Youlie.”“No!”Ibegantopanicashisclawsdugsohardintome,theydrewblood.I
clutchedhishair.“Please,Caleb.It’sme…Annora,”Iwhispered.“Don’tdothistome.”
Growlinginfrustration,hethrewmetotheground.WhenIlookedupagain,hehadvanishedintothejungle.
Hejustneedstimetogetovertheshock.He’llbeallright.Shaking,Iclimbedupourtreeandsatonourbunk.Iwaitedthereforhours,
andbynight,Calebstillhadn’treturned.Ibegantofearthatperhapshehadfinishedtheboatandlefttheislandwithoutme.
No,Ican’tbelievehewoulddothat…DuringtheearlyhoursofthemorningIwasseriouslydebatingleavingand
goingtolookforhim.ButIforcedmyselftotrustthathewouldreturn.IfIleft,Imightgetlostinthejungleandwouldn’tbehereifhecameback.
Iwasrighttowait.Justbeforesunrise,hereturned.Iheardthesnappingoftwigsashewalkedonthegroundatthefootofourtree.Hemovedtowardthebody.Imovedinthetreetobetterseewhathewasdoing.Helifteditupandcarrieditovertothelake.Istaredashelaiditdownonarockandbeganpilingdriedleavesandtwigsaroundit.Afewminuteslater,therewasthesparkofafire.Iclimbeddowntothegroundandwalkedtowardhim.Istoppedtwentyfeet
away,givinghimspaceasthefireclimbedhigherandhigher.Hekneltontheground,staringintotheflamesastheylickedthecrisp
morningair.Dawnwasbeginningtobreakinthedistance.Todaywouldhavetobethe
dayweleft.I’dfeltnervousaboutstayingthenighthere.ButCalebhadneededthespace.
Iwaitedforanhourorso,watchingasheremainedmotionlessinfrontofthefire,watchingastheflamesconsumedthebody.Heremainedinthesameposition,stillwatchingthecorpseevenasitfadedintoapileofashes.
Finallyhestoodupandwalkedovertome,hiseyesred,hisfaceashen.Ithoughthewasgoingtosaysomethingashewalkedtowardme,buthe
brushedrightpastme.“Wait,”Icalled,hurryingtokeepupwithhim.“Whereareyougoing?”“Leaving,”hesaid,hisvoicehoarse.Ibreathedoutinrelief.“Haveyoufinishedtheboat?”Heignoredme.Icaughthishandandtuggedonit,tryingtoforcehimtostopandlookatme.Heyankedhishandawayfromme.“Don’ttouchme.”Thewayhewasglaringatmecutmetothecore.I’dhopedthathewouldbe
lesslikelytoblamemeafterallthepainsI’dtakeninsettingupRose’skidnapping.IsupposeditwasfoolishtoexpectthatafterI’dalreadyadmittedtryingtokillRoseonthesubmarine.
“Caleb,please.”MyvoicebrokeasIkneltathisfeet.“Don’tleavemealoneonthisisland.IsweartoGodIdidn’tpushRoseoffthattree.”Hepaused,turningaroundtostareatme.IhopedthatIwasgettingthroughtohim.“Iknowyoudon’tlovemeanymore.I-Ican’texpectyouto.Butpleasedon’tleavemehere.Dropmeoffatthenearestshore,andyou’llneverhavetoseemyfaceagain.”
Itriedtoreadhisexpression.Amyriadofemotionsseemedtobreakthroughthemaskhe’dbeenassumingatonce.Grief.Anger.Confusion.Conflict.Ithoughthewasabouttoturnawayagain,butinstead,grippingmyshoulder,he
pulledmetomyfeetandpulledmeontohisback.Andthenhehurtledforwardthroughthejungle.
Itsplitmyheartintwotothinkthatthethoughtofabandoningmeonanearbyshorewasprobablytheonlyreasonhe’dagreedtomyproposal.Ofcourse,Ihadnointentionofallowinghimtodoanysuchthing…butrightnow,theimportantthingwastojustgetoffthisislandbyanymeansnecessary.Icoulddealwiththeconsequencesofmywordslater.
Itwasn’tlongbeforewereachedthebeachandhedroppedmeontothesand.Igottomyfeet,staringatasmall,half-completedboat.
Heseemedtonotevenfeelthesunbeginningtoriseintheskyashebeganworkingfuriouslytofinishit.Hecertainlyhadn’tlosthisskill.
TearswelledinmyeyesasIwatchedhim.Itbroughtbackmemoriesofthetimewhenmyfatherwouldmoorourshipinhisfather’syard.I’dalwaysfindanexcusetobeinthepartoftheshipCalebwascarryingoutrepairsin.AndI’doftencatchhimglancingatmewhenhethoughtIwasn’tlooking.
WhatIwouldn’tgivetoturnbacktime…Itriedtooffertoholdabroadleafoverhimwhileheworked,sincethesun
wasbeginningtosizzlehisskin,buthebrushedmeaside.Iwasstunnedthatwithinwhatfeltlikelessthantwohours,theboatwas
completed.Itwasasmallboatconstructedofamixtureofpiecesfromtheoldsubmarineandwoodhe’dfelledinthejungle.He’dbuiltasmallcoveringoverittoprotecthimfromthesun.Wedidn’tknowifitwouldfloatyet.Buttherewasonlyonewaytofindout.
Ifollowedafterhimashepushedtheboatintothewavesandleaptinside.Igrippedtheedgesandhauledmyselfupafterhim.Imovedtotheendoftheboatwhileheraisedthesailshe’dconstructedoftarpaulinhe’dfoundinthewreckedsubmarine.
Wehadnoengine,ofcourse.Thiswasanold-fashionedboat.ThetypeCalebhadbeenusedtosailingallthoseyearsago.ThetypeCalebandIhadbeenplanningtotraveltheworldinafterwegotmarried…
IsuspectedthatCaleb’shopewasthatwewouldcomeacrossalarger,fastervesselwecouldjumpaboard,whichcouldtakeustoland.Becausethisboat
wouldonlygetussofar.Ididn’tknowwhereI’dgowithCalebonceImanagedtogethimtostick
withme.Butitdidn’tmatter.AslongasIwaswithhim,Ididn’tcare.We’dfiguresomethingout.
ButIwasgettingaheadofmyself.Firstthingsfirst.AfterCalebsetourcourseandwebeganglidingthroughdeeperwaters,he
sankdownonthefloorbeneaththecovering.Heturnedhisbackonmeandburiedhisheadinhishands.
Ishiftedinmyspot,tryingtorackmybrainastohowIwouldevenstartconvincinghimtonottakemetoshoreandabandonme.
Ifoundmyselfjuststaringathim.Istillwasn’tusedtothefeelingsthateruptedinmewheneverIlaideyesonhim.Eventhoughheseemedlosttomerightnow,myyearningforhimwasjustasintenseasever.Itpainedmetoseehowsoreandblisteringhisskinwasfromthesun’srays.Anditwasshowingnosignsofhealing.Iwonderedhowlongithadbeensincehe’dlastdrunkblood…
Blood.Thewordrangthroughmymindlikeabell.BloodwasthestartofCaleb’sandmydownfall.Coulditalsobetheendofit?Ilookeddownatmypalms.Thenatthepileofunusednailslyingonthe
deckfewfeetaway.IknewCalebhadaparticularweaknessformyblood.Ialsoknewthe
consequencesthatwouldcomewithtrickingCalebintodrinkingit.Hewouldcraveme.Desireme.Possessme.Perhapsevenconsumeme.ButasIlookedathimacrossthedeck,stillsodistantfrommeashe
mournedthelossofRoseNovak,IrealizedthatI’dfoundmyanswer.Therereallyisnootherway…
A
CH A P T E R 3 3 : R O S E
sAnselmandIreachedtheexitofthetunnel,wewenthurtlingthroughtheairandlandedonsand.Itriedtoscrambleawayfromthecreatureassoonaswereachedtheendofthetunnelandlandedonabeach.BeforeIcouldevenfullytakeinmysurroundings,hegrabbedmyarmand,pullingoutanothersilkhandkerchieffromhiswaistcoat,tieditaroundmyeyes.
Stillgagged,Icouldn’tevenscream.Ifelthimpickmeupagainandbeginwalking.Whereishetakingme?Therewasaknockingagainstmetal.Andthenthedeafeningsoundofheavy
doorscreakingopen.“YourHighness,”araspingvoicesaid.“Wouldyoulikemetocarryherfor
you?”IshudderedasAnselm’sroughlipsbrushedagainstmyearlobe.“No,”hesaid,breathingheavilyintomyear.“I’dratherhandlethislittle
beautymyself.”Hestartedwalkingagain.Ikickedandthrashed,butheheldmeinplace.Whatfeltlikethenexthalfhourpassedwiththesoundsofhisfootstepsin
myear.Atsomepoint,thelightseemedtodimandIheardtheopeningofadoor,soIcouldonlyassumewe’dgoneinside.ThesoundofAnselm’sfootstepsturnedfromwhatsoundedlikecrunchingoverstonestoaclackingagainstsomekindofsmoothsurface.Ishivered.Theairseemedtobegettingcolderbythe
momentasAnselmcontinuedwalkingforward.Ifelthimclimbingseveralflightsofstairs.
Finallyhestopped,andanothervoicespokeafewfeetawayfromus.ItsoundedeerilysimilartoAnselm’svoice,exceptthatitwasalittledeeperandolder-sounding.
“Sothisisher?”Footstepsapproachedandleatheryfingersbrushedagainstmycheek.“Yes,”Anselmsaid.Iwassoclosetohischest,Icouldfeelhisvoice
rumblingthroughit.Thefingerstuggedonmyblindfold,looseningitandpullingitdown.My
heartpoundedasIfoundmyselfstaringupatanalmostsplittingimageofAnselm,exceptthathehadsilverstreakinghishairandmorelinesinhisface.Iwasgrantedthissightforbutamomentbeforethecreaturefastenedtheblindfoldovermeagain.
“Doyouapprove?”IcouldtellbyAnselm’stoneofvoicethathewassmiling.
“Sheneedstobefattened.Otherwise,yes.”Whatarethesecreatures?“Weshouldn’tmixherinwiththeothergirls.Thisone’sspecial.I’llgiveher
privatequartersinthewestwing.”“Ofcourse.”Anselmcontinuedwalking.Morestairswereclimbed,morefloorscrossed,
andbythetimeIfelthimloweringmetotheground,mywholebodywasshaking.Notwithterror,butrage.
IkeptreplayingthefewsecondsbeforeAnselmhadjumpedwithmethroughthegate.Annora’ssmugtoneofvoice.Hersmileasshewavedgoodbye.
Iwasburningupinside.Icouldn’tbelievethatI’djustbeenkidnappedagain.Iwasbeginningtolose
countofthenumberoftimesithadhappenedinthelastfewmonths.Iswear,thisisthelasttimeI’mgoingtobeswungoversomeone’sshoulder
likeasackofonions…Adoorclickedopen.Iwasdraggedforwardandpusheddownontoacold,
smoothfloor.Theblindfoldwasremovedagain,andfinallysowasmygag.Icoughedandspluttered,theedgesofmylipsstinging.
Iturnedaround,expectingtoseeAnselm,butthedoorslammedshutagainbeforeIhadachancetoswearathim.Icastmyeyesaround,takinginmysurroundings.MybreathhitchedatthebeautyoftheroomIwasstandingin.Ihadn’texpectedtobebroughttosuchaluxuriousroom.Inthecenterwasadarkmahoganyfour-posterbedcoveredwithfurblankets.Alargegold-platedmirrorwasfixedtothewalloppositeme,andnexttoitwasadressingtable.Thefloorwasmadeofsomekindofpolishedwhitestone.Inthefarcornerwasanotherdoor,leftajar.Abathroom,Iassumed.Strangely,thewholeroomsmelledofroastedspices.
Myeyesweredrawntothesourceoflightintheroom.Tallwindowpanestookupanentirewall.IgaspedasIapproachedthem.Pitch-blackmountainsstretchedoutforasfarastheeyecouldsee.Graysmokeswirledaroundtheirsharppeaks.Theskywasovercast,nosignofthesunbreakingthethick,low-hangingclouds.
WhereamI?“Hullo.”Athickvoicespokebehindme.AsIwhirledaround,theblooddrainedfrommyface.Istumbledbackasmy
eyesfellonagrotesque-lookingcreature…anogre.HaditnotbeenforBrett,Iwouldn’thaveevenknownwhatitwas.Butitsharedthesamethick,muddybrownskin,tusks,smallsquashednose,andbulgingeyes.Therewasonlyonerealdifferencebetweenthisogre’sphysiologyandBrett’s.Andthatwasthatthisogrehadlonghairandbreasts.It—orrather,she—worealongbeigesmockoverherbulgingform.
Sheploddedforward,holdingoutameatyhand.Ikeptmyarmsfirmlybehindmyback,pressingmyselfharderagainstthewall.
“I’mArabella…ButyoucancallmeBella.”Bella?Iwouldhavelaughedhadmysituationnotbeensodire.“I’mtobeyourmaidwhileyou’reinthewestwing,”shecontinued.AlthoughIwasn’tmakinganymotiontoindicatethatIwasgoingtoaccept
herhandshake,stillsheheldoutherhandexpectantly.
“WhereamI?”Iasked,myeyesnarrowingonher.Herexpressionsuddenlytightened.Shecasthereyesdownwardanddropped
herhandbacktoherside.“HisHighnessdidn’tpermitmetoanswerquestions.”“WhatisAnselm?Hedoesn’tlooklikeyou.”Shechewedonherfatlowerlip,shakingherheadapologetically.Iexhaledinfrustration.“Whatcanyoutellme?”“Notreallysupposedtotalkotherthanintroducemyself,”shemumbled.Ibrushedpasther,walkingovertothebedandslumpingdownonthe
mattress.MyeyesfollowedBellaasshecrossedtheroomandopenedacupboard.Shepulledoutalightpinkrobemadeofsilkandhandedittome.SinceIwasstillwearingthenowbatteredbikiniCalebhadmadeforme,Ieagerlypulleditovermyself.
ThenBellamovedtowardadoortomyleftthatIhadn’tnoticeduntilnow.Ifollowedherinside.Itwasakitchen.Therewasastoveandadeepclayoven,andthewallswerelinedwithsteelpots,knives,platesandothercutlery.
“Wasexpectingyouaboutnow,”shesaid,reachingforapanofoilonthestoveandshakingit.Ithissed,andgaveoffastrongspicysmell.Shereachedforalargerpotsittingonthefirebehinditandliftedthelid.Itwasfilledtothebrimwithakindofcolorfulstew.Howmanypeopleisshecookingforhere?Tippingtheoilintothestewandmixingitalltogether,shereachedforabowlandsloppedsomeintoit.
Shenoddedtowardthebedroom.“Goandsit.”Ihesitated.I’dlivedonnothingbutfruitforthelastfewdaysandIwas
famished.ButIhadnoideawhatitwasshewasabouttofeedme.AndIdidn’tdareask.Iwassuretheanswerwouldmakemefeelqueasy.
Seeingnootheroption,IdidasBellahadrequested.Sincetherewasnoothertableintheroom,Isatdownatthedressingtable.Sheplacedthebowlinfrontofmeanddunkedaspooninit.
Bellasatdowncross-leggedonthefloornexttome,watchingasItookmyfirstmouthful.Iwaspleasantlysurprisedasthewarmliquidglideddownmythroat.ItwasunlikeanythingI’dtriedbefore,butitwastasty.
“What’sinit?”Icouldn’thelpbutask.
Sheflashedmeagoofygrin,revealingasetofwideyellowingteeth.“It’sasecret…myspecialrecipe.”
HeranswerhardlymademefeelmorecomfortableaboutwhatIwasputtinginmymouth,butsinceIwasn’tretchingyet,Ifinishedthebowl.
“Youwantsomemore?”Ishookmyhead.Mystomachhadshrunk,andonebowlwasmorethan
enough.Shegotupandtookmybowlintothekitchen.Iheardwatergushingandpotsclankingasshebegantowashup.
NowthatIhadsomepropernourishmentinme,Ifoundmyselfabletothinkalittleclearer.Ipushedmychairbackandwalkeduptothemirror.Islippedahandbeneathmygown,runningitoverthetornleavescoveringmychest.
Caleb.Iclosedmyeyes,wincing.Itcutmedeeptothinkthathe’dbeallalonewith
Annoranow.Ihatedtothinkwhattheymightbedoingwithoutme.Iprayedthathewasstrongenoughtokeepresistingherandnotgiveherasecondchance.
MybloodboiledasIrecalledAnnora’s‘apology’anddeclarationthatshewouldleaveCalebalone.Shewasfullofmorecrapthananygiantbirdnestcouldhold.
Ididn’tknowwhathorrorslayinwaitformeinthisghastlyrealm.Ididn’tknowwhatwouldbecomeofme.OrhowIwouldeverescape.
ButasIstaredatmyselfinthemirror,thefuryrunningthroughmyveinsleftnoroomforfear.Ifeltlikeaballoffire.
AndIdidknowonething.AnnorawasgoingtoruethedaysheevermessedwithaNovak.
ReadyforthenextpartofDerek,Sofiaandthetwins’story?AShadeofVampire13:ATurnofTidesisavailablenowfromAmazon!:Clickherenowtograbyourcopy!I’veneversaidthisbefore,butIhonestlythinkthatATurnofTideswillbe
possiblythemostepicbookintheseriessofar.Myheartwaspoundingallthe
waythroughwritingit.Here’sapreviewofthecover(youmayneedtoturntothenextpageforitto
bevisible):
Ican’twaittoseeyouthere!:)Love,BellaxP.S.JoinmyVIPemaillistandI’llsendyouapersonalreminderassoonasI
haveanewbookout!Clickheretosignup:www.forrestbooks.comP.P.S.Ifyouwantmorefrequentupdates,followTheShade’spageon
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D
A N I M P O R T A N T N O T E A B O U T K I E V N O V A L I C
earShaddict,Ifyou’recuriousaboutwhathappenedtoKievduringhistimeaway,howhe
metMona,andhowhecameuponAnna,Isuggestyoucheckouthiscompletedtrilogy:AShadeofKiev.
Kiev’sstorywillalsogiveyouadeeperunderstandingoftheShadebooksandthekindofthreatDerek,Sofiaandthetwinsarenowupagainst.
ThetrilogyisavailablefromAmazon.Clickheretograbthefirstbook!
R E A D M O R E B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T !
A S H A D E O F V AM P I R E S E R I E S
AShadeofVampire(Book1)
AShadeofBlood(Book2)
ACastleofSand(Book3)
AShadowofLight(Book4)
ABlazeofSun(Book5)
AGateofNight(Book6)
ABreakofDay(Book7)
AShadeofNovak(Book8)
ABondofBlood(Book9)
ASpellofTime(Book10)
AChaseofPrey(Book11)
AShadeofDoubt(Book12)
ATurnofTides(Book13)
ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGY
AShadeofKiev1
AShadeofKiev2
AShadeofKiev3
BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY
BeautifulMonster1
BeautifulMonster2
Foranupdatedlistofmybooks,pleasevisitmywebsite:www.bellaforrest.net
JoinmyVIPemaillistandI’llpersonallysendyouanemailreminderassoonasmynextbookisout!Clickheretosignup:www.forrestbooks.com