Page 35 of Crimson Born

“Your destiny.”

Destiny.

There was that word again. Reece had used it to describe us—and we’d had only one magical evening together before everything had changed. Before he’d vanished, and I’d become something other than human.

I stillfelthuman, though, and I couldn’t imagine ever hurting people like my family and the members of my community—anyone really. Imogen needed to understand that.

If she really was determined to create an heir, some kind of warrior princess, she’d have to go bite another girl.

“I was raised to seek peace with everyone, whether they’re like me or not,” I said. “To turn the other cheek when I’m offended, toavoidconflict. I’m not a soldier, and I’m certainly not some kind of general. I’m sorry but I think you have the wrong person.”

There was a flash of annoyance across her face—as plain to see as my mother’s exasperation with me used to be when I talked about wanting to travel and have adventures.

But then Imogen’s expression smoothed, and she gave me the same cool smile she usually wore.

“I understand. And though I did gift you with your second life, itisyours to use as you wish. You are free to stay in the Bastion in whatever capacity you choose, or you may leave when your training is complete and go wherever you’d like to go.”

Turning away, she resumed her stroll through the garden. At a loss for what else to do, I followed her.

Honestly, I was a little surprised she hadn’t reacted with more anger. Maybe the others here were wrong to fear her as they did. She was actually quite reasonable.

As she walked, Imogen reached out and stripped the petals from the roses she passed, crushing them in her fist before letting them fall to the ground.

“By the way, my Bloodbound are following up on some interesting reports in the area where we found you,” she said in a casual tone. “We think it may be the young male from the red car.”

My attention left the pulverized petals and riveted to her, my pulse picking up speed.

Reece.“What kind of reports?”

“There have been a few...incidentsin the area over the past few weeks. Kannon is handling it. He took several Bloodbound with him to investigate. Perhaps he’ll return with some news on your friend.”

She stopped walking and turned to face me. “Would it make you happy to see him?”

Happy. That wasn’t a word I’d expected to ever associate with myself again.

But the instant she’d mentioned the possibility of finding Reece still alive, my supposedly undead heart thumped several times.

It might not have beenhappinessexactly, but it was definitely something.

For the first time since being turned, I felt alive.

13

The Rogue

Ireturned to the Bastion with new hope—and a new perspective as well.

The others here had treated me differently, not because I’d grown up Amish (though that probably hadn’t helped,) but because I’d been turned by Imogen herself.

They were afraid of her. Were they really afraid of me too, as she had suggested?

The notion seemed ridiculous. I had to have been the worst vampire in the history of the race. But I did start making more of an effort to be outgoing and friendly toward the others instead of waiting for them to reach out to me.

It made a difference. Instead of looking away when they’d pass me in the corridors, people said hello.

The other new vampires in my classes began to joke around with me and even invite me to hang out. I started forming friendships in addition to the ones I shared with Kelly and Heather.

Speaking of my two best friends, they were excitedly whispering together about something when I caught up with them in a cavern everyone called the Rainbow Cave because of its multi-hued iridescent drip formations.

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