Page 19 of Crimson Born

“Well, you won’t have to be alone for the rest of it. Imogen is eager to get you home to the Bastion and begin your training.”

“What? What training? I’m not leaving—not until after Josiah’s funeral. And then... I’m not sure where I’ll go.”

I was determined to pay my final respects to Josiah, even if I had to do it from a distance. Hannah and Aaron’s services would probably be tomorrow as well.

Though I hadn’t been driving either vehicle, I felt responsible for what had happened to my friends.

Maybe it was the survivor’s guilt talking, but I was plagued by the thought that if I’d only taken that ride with Reece, if I’d been more courageous, been willing to step outside my comfort zone and have an adventure, none of this would have happened.

Maybe his car would have been somewhere else at that time—with me and him in it—and my friends would have traveled safely back to the village.

They’d all be alive tonight.

I’d still be human.

Kannon looked surprised at my declaration. “Youmustcome with me to the Bastion. Imogen will have my head if I return without you.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “What does that mean? Who is she? Why does she even care?”

“She’s our leader. I’m a lieutenant with the Bloodbound, and she sent me to retrieve you. It’s not my place to ask why. All I know is if I don’t carry out her order, it’s not going to go well for me. It’ll be all right, I promise. I was scared at first too, but there’s no reason to be. I remember thinking my life was over when I was turned, but it’s just the opposite, Abigail. There’s so much you don’t understand, so much you need to learn. That’s why you should be with your people.”

Looking at his open, sincere expression I felt bad. But I didn’t know him—or Imogen—or have any idea what a Bloodbound was or what this Bastion place was all about.

Until today, the bonfire at the Miller’s farm—which I now regretted attending—was as far away as I’d ever traveled from my small village. I’d never been to Virginia and had no desire to go there now.

I didn’t knowwhatI wanted actually, but I couldn’t make any decisions until I’d seen my friends laid to rest. I owed them that much, and frankly, I needed the closure. I was still sort of in a state of disbelief.

“I’m sorry,” I told the big blond vampire. “I don’t want you to get into trouble. Butthisis my home.Theseare my people. I’m not going with you.”

His crestfallen expression was followed by a resigned nod.

“I’ll be at the Travelers Inn if you change your mind. And Abigail... you will.”

After he drove away, I found a spot near the Yoder’s buggy to sit and wait and begin the death watch for my friend.

7

Strong for the Both of Us

Three days later, Josiah went home.

I knew because I’d shifted my surveillance to his family’s farm. There were no sheltered hiding places near the hospital, and I’d nearly incinerated myself when I’d accidentally rolled out from beneath an SUV where I was sleeping.

But there was a large barn on the Yoder’s property with an empty, shaded loft. It was much safer and gave me a perfect vantage point of their house and yard.

During daylight hours, I slept in fits and starts, waking and shading my eyes to peer outside whenever I heard a wagon roll by. At night I sat awake, watching, and listening, and anticipating the once-and-for-all end of my life as I knew it.

Hannah and Aaron’s services had taken place two days ago. I’d been able to hear the words just fine from a safe distance and had added my own prayers to those of my former community members.

My family had been there, standing close together at the simple graveside service. Once my mother had lifted her handkerchief to her eyes, and I’d wondered if any of those tears were for me.

Observing them and the rest of the people I’d known my whole life moving on without me triggered the deepest loneliness I’d ever experienced. I was on the verge of just giving up and leaving.

That’s when I saw the Yoder’s buggy pulling into their driveway.

It was dark, but I saw Josiah clearly. He sat in the front seat next to his father, his posture straight and tall. In fact, he looked taller than he had before, which was strange.

He also looked incredibly healthy. His bruises and swelling were gone. His shattered limbs were once again intact.

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