Page 39 of Crimson Born

If Imogen’s order was an indication of the kind of “leadership” expected of queens, I was definitely out. I could never kill a man—not on purpose anyway—and I couldn’t understand how it had been necessary for the protection of our people.

It was hard to see the others just going about their business as if it hadn’t happened. Maybe theyweren’t, as Imogen called them, my people.

At this point, it seemed like the best thing I could do was leave. Maybe I could find a group of vampires who thought differently. A group who had no idea whose “daughter” I was.

Maybe Heather’s boyfriend would agree to let me sneak out tonight without telling Imogen. I was on my way to find her when I ran into Kannon.

“Hey there squirt,” he said. “Where’re you going in such a hurry?”

“Nowhere,” I lied.

“Well you sure are in a rush to get there—you walked right by me and didn’t even see me.”

“I’m sorry. I’m distracted I guess.”

“Well I’ve got something that’ll get your attention.” He paused dramatically. “I saw Reece.”

“What? Where? Are you sure it was him? Is he okay? Why didn’t you bring him here?”

Kannon chuckled. “Hold on now, one question at a time. We were patrolling near the Pennsylvania-West Virginia state line, and I saw a vampire dart into the woods. I followed him, got a good look at him. It was definitely Reece. As for why I didn’t bring him back, the answer is I couldn’t catch him. He’s damn fast—he’s Imogen’s child, too, you know.”

“So he was in good shape then?” I said, my heart soaring.

His smile dimmed. “Well, I wouldn’t saythat. He’s been out there alone for a long time, Abbi. He looked rough. I told him I was there to help, but I’m not sure he even understood what I was saying.”

“Maybe he didn’t recognize you. You said you were chasing him. Maybe he thought you wanted to hurt him.”

“Maybe. Who knows what he’s been through in the past few weeks? I’m sorry I couldn’t bring him in. I know you’ve been worried about him. But you don’t need to. I’m going to go back to the area—bring a few of our fastest guys. We’ll catch him.”

A bolt of inspiration hit me so hard I almost staggered. “Take me with you. I can help. He’ll listen to me. He knows me.”

Kannon shook his head side to side. “I can’t do that. It’s too risky, and you’re too important to Imogen.”

“Not anymore,” I assured him. “I told her I’m not going to be her heir. I’m still just a common vampire, like everyone else here. She told me I was free to leave the Bastion as soon as I complete my training.”

“Yeah. Right.”

He didn’t seem convinced. “Anyway, it probably wouldn’t do any good. It’s unlikely he’d still remember or recognize you. I think he’s been surviving on animal blood, Abbi. You know what—”

I cut him off, the suggestion too horrible to contemplate. “No. I don’t know anything—not until I see him.”

My mind filled with the disturbing images from the execution of the rogue vampire a few nights ago.

“Bring him back Kannon.Please.” I debated making my next request but then decided to do it. “And if he’s not... healthy... tell me about it first, okay?”

“No promises, kiddo, but I’ll see what I can do.”

With a wink he walked away, and I went to my room where I would unpack my bag. There was no way I could leave the Bastion now.

If the Bloodbound brought Reece here, and he was in bad condition like the other rogue had been, I had to be here to protect him from Imogen.

15

Not Himself

They found him.

It was about a week later when Kannon and his team came swaggering into the Rainbow Cave bragging about how they’d finally captured the rogue vampire who’d managed to elude them for so long.

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