Page 51 of Crimson Born

20

Recruit

My heart raced as I walked down the west corridor toward the clinic two hours later, carrying a duffel bag with the few items of clothing I owned and a stash of blood bags.

This was it, the first day of the rest of my life. Now that I’d made my decision, I could hardly wait to get started.

It felt right—it feltgood. And Reece would be thrilled to be free again.

He’d been right all along. He didn’t belong here. Neither did I. I wasn’t sure where exactly we did belong in the outside world, but we’d find a place—together.

Of course I’d have to persuade Dr. Coppa to release him from the clinic first.

For the first time, I hoped what Imogen had said about me was true—that I’d inherited her queen bee pheromones—or at least enough of them to influence the doctor just this once.

He looked up and smiled when I opened the clinic door.

“Abigail. I’m surprised to see you here. Have you decided to train with us to be on the medical staff? I think you’d be quite good at it.”

“What?” I shook my head in confusion. “No. I uh... I came to see Reece. I know I visited earlier, but actually, I wanted to speak with you about his progress. I really think—”

He cut me off before I could finish. “Reece isn’t here. I thought someone would have told you.”

“He’s... gone? You released him?”

“It wasn’t up to me, actually. I would have liked to keep him a few more days to make sure he’s fully recovered,” the doctor said. “He left not ten minutes ago with that Viking fellow, Kannon, and some of the other Bloodbound. They said Imogen gave the order.”

“Imogen?”

Now my mind was reeling. What was she up to?

Was she having Reece escorted from the Bastion and thrown out to punish me?

And then a different possibility occurred to me. A far more frightening one.

Was Imogen planning to start training Reece and havehimtake my place at the ceremony? She had turned him that night as well.

Instead of having a daughter to rule by her side, she could have a son.

Or a mate.

I couldn’t let that happen. Reece didn’twantto stay here. And he didn’t know Imogen like I did.

If he took part in that ceremony and succeeded in turning a human with a single bite, she would never let him go.

I left the clinic and headed for the main common area, asking people along the way if they’d seen Kannon and the other Bloodbound.

When I finally spotted the squad of warriors, I picked up my pace. I needed to find out where they’d taken Reece. If he was out there alone in the world, I’d go after him.

If he was with Imogen... well I didn’t know what I’d do.

Reaching the group, I went directly to Kannon. He looked surprised to see me.

“Hi. I thought you’d be at the cathedral with Kelly and Heather. Weren’t you looking forward to the concert?”

I didn’t have the time or the inclination to explain myself. I had to find Reece before he got too far away.

“Where did you take him?” I demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me he was being banished?”

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