Page 78 of Crimson Born

I sat quietly and listened. My friends were happier than I’d seen them in a long time—maybe ever. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one who longed for a different life than the one we’d been living.

Was it a ridiculous hope or was it really possible that we could make it on our own—without the protection of Imogen and the Bloodbound?

Just thinking the word tore at my heart. I believed Reece would do everything in his power to put off taking his vows until he saw me again. But there were other powers at play here—far greater than his or mine.

I couldn’t think about it right now—worrying wouldn’t do any good. All I could do was follow the plan and try to seek help for us.

* * *

On the stepsof the Lincoln Memorial and stretching all the way down both sides of the reflecting pool was the largest collection of vampires I’d ever seen.

It was a little shocking. The population of the Bastion had seemed massive to me, but obviously there were many more vampires in the world than those aligned with Imogen and sequestered apart from the human world.

Were they all with Sadie? Or perhaps they were somewhere in the middle, neither human-hating war mongers or peace-at-all-costs pacifists, but moderate vampires who just wanted to live their lives and be left alone.

I wondered which kind of vampire I would have been if I’d been turned by anyone other than Imogen.

Some stood and talked with one another, but most sat, already prepared for Sadie’s speech.

Along the perimeter of the crowd stood human police in riot gear and solid metal neck and wrist guards. They didn’t seem to be hassling anyone, and none of the vampires seemed to be paying them any attention either.

Moments after we found a spot, a large white spotlight lit up the top of the monument’s staircase. The enormous crowd quieted. I was so filled with anticipation it was hard to sit still.

Seated on a stool in front of a stand microphone, a young female vampire sang a wispy-voiced song that went from poignant to furious and back again.

After that a male vampire I recognized from news coverage as a senator made some introductory remarks. And then Sadie Aldritch stepped up to the microphone.

At this distance, it was hard to tell if there was any sisterly resemblance, but their coloring was completely different. Sadie looked more like Grace Kelly than Audrey Hepburn, with smooth waves of shining blonde hair and dressed in a classic tweed skirt suit.

Like Imogen, she was beautiful and cloaked with the kind of wisdom that could only come with a long life. But where Imogen’s consistent air of calm was almost frightening, Sadie emanated peace and goodwill.

She spoke with the kind of motherly voice that set you at ease and made you believe everything was going to work out—somehow.

But she also imparted a sense of deep-rooted strength—the kind that reminded you of one of those giant Sequoia trees that had stood for literally thousands of years.

For the first time, it occurred to me there were many different ways to be a “strong” leader. I was certain Imogen believed her way was the best, just as Sadie did.

What didIbelieve? I wasn’t sure yet, but when a line started forming to meet the peaceful vampire leader after the rally, I jumped at the chance. Heather and Kelly joined me.

“Was that the best thing you ever heard in your life?” Kelly asked.

“Pretty much,” Heather said. “Well, I did get to see Billie Eilish last year in concert—so it’s a tie. But I love Sadie. I feel like I’ve known her my whole life or something.”

My fingers shook with adrenaline as our wait finally ended, and we approached the monument’s highest step where Sadie waited with literal open arms

“Welcome young ones. I’m so glad you were able to come. Where do you hail from?”

Thrown off by the odd wording, I let Kelly and Heather answer first.

“Alabama,” Heather said.

“West Virginia.”

When Sadie’s gaze fell on me, I stuttered, “P-Pennsylvania. Amish country. I... really loved your speech.”

She gave me a beatific smile. “Thank you. You’re new to the life. How have you found it so far?”

There was a complicated question if I’d ever heard one. But Sadie was the expert at giving speeches, not me. I simply said, “It’s not so bad.”

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