Page 24 of High Seas

One he wanted to wipe from the earth.

My stomach spasmed violently.

The priest let me go and finally raked his eyes up and down me. “What manner of dress is this?” Fear shone in his eyes.

“Father, what is the year?” I rasped, my throat as dry and gritty as sandpaper.

“It is the year of our lord, seventeen-seventeen,” he answered with a stutter, blinking rapidly.

I swayed on my feet. He put one step out on the landing to steady me, and when his hands clutched my arms and he leaned in, his scent struck me. “Father,” I breathed.

“Allow me to call a healer for you.” He pushed away so he could see me, but kept a supportive hand on my shoulder to hold me up. But it wasn’t the strength of his arms I needed. “You aren’t well.”

“No, I am not well,” I agreed, pressing my eyes tightly closed. “Forgive me,” I begged.

His rheumy eyes met mine for one flickering moment. “Forgive you for what?”

I lunged forward, my fangs effortlessly sliding into and opening the vein in his neck. He tried to fight me off, tried to push me away, but his movements slowed and it was he who slumped as I drank every drop I could from him. I dragged his body onto the step and continued to drink until he went still and his blank, icy pupils fixed on me. I felt the warmth of his blood spill from the corners of my mouth and wiped it away with the back of my hand. Pressing his lids closed, I stuttered, “I’m s-sorry,” instantly remorseful for what I’d done.

I killed a man of the cloth.

What blood I didn’t take spilled down the steps like a red carpet, thinning into pink rivulets because of the dampness the storm left in its wake.

My body trembled.

Not with weakness, but strength.

His blood fortified me.

It made me whole.

Strong.

God hadn’t forsaken me; he transformed me into a mighty sword. One strong enough to eradicate the first three, and Eve along with them.

I prayed until the sun burned my skin, thanking God for using me in this glorious new way and for giving me a position of honor. I would do his will and wipe the vampire race from the surface of the earth.

Chapter Eight

Maru

The Assets were still gone, yet the broadcasts hadn’t reported any upset to the vamp community. Victor was as tight-lipped about them as Kael was, and I was sick of getting non-answers to the questions I posed.

If they had landed at the gala, it would’ve been broadcast all over. That, or else something went awry and they had to go into hiding…

The Compound slept. I snuck down a hallway, pausing my steps as I passed Eve’s room. It was dark and lifeless inside, and since she’d locked it with her handprint, there was no way in unless someone from the security team overrode the command.

Security operated from five control rooms positioned strategically on varying floors of the building in case one was compromised or damaged. The three aboveground were the largest and used most frequently. The two below backed up the main rooms but were kept functional at all times, manned by a skeleton crew.

A close friend happened to be that skeleton tonight.

Taking the quickest but most shadowed route, I made my way into the belly of the Compound. The steel door opened as I approached. I should’ve known she’d be watching.

“Yarrow,” I greeted as I stepped inside.

The room was a cavern, held up by a single steel column. Every wall held a series of projections from the various cameras positioned around the place. Yarrow rolled her chair backward. The vibrant, yellow fabric seat upholstery was the second brightest thing in the room, dimmed only by her smile.

Her sweatshirt was three sizes too big, the pale blue a stark contrast to her silky, ebony skin. “Maru.” She stood and gave me a quick hug and kissed my cheek. “No word yet?”

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