Page 88 of Voyage of Fury and Fate

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Thirty minutes later, we turn onto a road that givesend of the worldvibes. Tall ancient oak trees that have withstood hundreds of storms through the years line the path. Their twisted branches stretch and turn in all directions as they beckon us into the unknown.

“This looks like the perfect place for a pirate,” Thorne says as we continue. “It’s also the perfect place to figure out what we’re going to do when we get there. We haven’t talked about a plan.”

I shrug. “I have no idea what we’re going to find when we get there, which makes it impossible to form a plan. Right now, the plan is simple—kill him.”

“Aye.” His voice is barely audible.

The sensation of vampire energy comes from nowhere and hits me like a brick wall. Thorne slams on the brakes, obviously feeling it too. “What the hell?”

We step out of the SUV, searching through the trees for the source. “Do you recognize the energy?” Thorne asks.

“Somewhat. But I’m not sure who it belongs to.” I move behind the SUV, and the feeling grows. “It’s worse back here.” The energy feels both young and old at the same time. I raise the lift gate of the SUV, and the energy nearly overtakes me. A hand-sewn quilt covers the floor. Underneath are two very suspicious bumps. Pulling the quilt back, two tiny heads pop out, each smiling a toothy grin.

“What the hell? Girls, why are you here?” Thorne scolds.

“We want to save Alex,” Everly answers. “He’s our brother.”

“We’re not going to save Alex. We’re…” I walk away, not sure how to explain what we’re doing. “Where we’re going, it’s not safe for either of you.”

“We want to help,” Autumn answers with large tears filling her eyes.

Thorne pulls the quilt completely away. Both girls are wearing modern clothing and are cleaner than earlier. “We appreciate your offer, but we’re not willing to put either of you in that kind of danger.” I cross myarms in front of my chest as I speak, hoping to appear more threatening to the immortal children.

“Whatever you’re doing, we can help.” Autumn slides out of the back of the SUV, clearly not intimidated. “We have abilities.”

“Aye, I know. The man we’re going to see will want you for those abilities.”

“How’d we get this far from the house without recognizing your energies?” Thorne interrupts, asking an excellent question.

Everly smiles. “I borrowed the boy’s ability and hid us.”

“Brayden’s ability?” I ask. “How?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I just did.”

“Can you borrow anyone else’s ability?”

Everly turns toward her sister. She stares at the doe-eyed girl for a few seconds before turning back to the SUV. Seconds later, the SUV is lifted from the gravel road, hanging in the air several feet.

“Holy shit. Did you do that?” I ask, knowing the answer.

“I guess,” Everly answers before putting our vehicle back on the ground.

“Maybe theycouldhelp.” Thorne’s words are no louder than a whisper.

“We could!” Autumn enthusiastically answers for the two of them.

“You’re asking us to take you into an environmentwhere you could die. Do you realize this is not a game?” I turn into the stern parent.

“Will this help get Alex back?” Everly asks.

Thorne and I share a look before I answer. “It could, but there’s a chance all of us could die trying.”

“Then you have to let us help. We’ll stay out of your way and use our abilities from a safe spot,” Autumn argues.

“There are no safe spots.” I prop my hands on my hips. “Thorne and I may not survive. If that happens, you will be taken captive, and…and you’ll wish you were dead.” I don’t go into detail.

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