Page 77 of Crimson Born

Yes.We were doing this. We were going to be free of Imogen and the Bastion for good. My heartbeat danced with joy and hope.

“But I can’t go with you,” he said. “If I’m not there with the rest of the Bloodbound, someone will report me. And if we’re both missing... Imogen willknowsomething major is going on. She’ll track us down and stop us before we can even get to D.C.”

Damn it.He was right. I hated to admit it, but I knew Imogen. And I knew he was right.

“I’m afraid to leave you here,” I said, clinging to him.

“I’m afraid for you togo.”

He petted the back of my head, stroking my hair again and again. “But you should. You’re right. It may be your only chance to avoid Imogen’s plans for you, and you should take it. Maybe Sadiewillhave some information that will help.”

Throwing my arms around him, I hugged him fiercely. “I’ll come right back afterward and tell you what I learn. Promise me something, okay?”

“What?”

I pulled back so I could look into his eyes. “Promise me you won’t take the vows. You can’t—not until I get back and we know forsurethere’s no other way.”

His lips drew back from his clenched teeth, and his eyes winced. “Abbi... I’m not sure if I can—”

“Youcan,” I interrupted. “I’m going to do my best to get back before midnight. But if I’m late, do whatever you have to do to avoid the ceremony. You can say you’re not ready yet, you’re not sure. You can say you’ve been thinking about it and maybe there’s another job in the Bastion you’d prefer, say you were still under the effects of the animal blood when you made the commitment.”

After another moment’s hesitation, he said, “I’ll try. I’ll do my best.”

“No. You’llpromise.” Stretching up to press my mouth against his once more, I repeated the words, “Promise me.”

When the kiss ended, he stared down at me with eyes I would have sworn contained love.

“Okay,” he whispered. “Be careful.”

“I will. And I’ll come and find you the minute I return. This isgoingto work.”

32

Sadie

Climbing the stairs to the cavern entrance, I stepped out into the night, looking around just in case some guards had been posted that Reece wasn’t aware of.

The hills and meadows were peaceful and deserted, but that would change at midnight. The ceremony procession would snake through the caverns and our people would congregate here under the full moon.

The last thing I wanted was to get caught up in that.

I had to put as much distance as possible between myself and the Bastion before it started. And I had to make it back to Reece before he was forced to make an eternal commitment to the Bloodbound—and our queen.

Breaking into a run, I focused on that goal. The car was waiting just where Heather and Kelly said it would be—on a dark lane off the main road about a mile from the cavern entrance. We’d left separately so as not to draw attention to ourselves.

Kelly lowered the passenger side window as I approached. “Finally. What took you so long slowpoke?”

Heather leaned forward to see around Kelly’s head. “You’re alone. He wouldn’t come with you?”

I shook my head, willing myself not to cry as I climbed into the back seat. “Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”

The drive to Washington D.C. took about two hours. On the way, Kelly turned up the radio and sang along to every song she knew. Heather rolled down the windows, allowing the cool night air to whip through the car.

“Is it just me, or does it feel easier to breathe with every mile we put between us and the Bastion?” she asked.

“I know what you mean,” Kelly said. “I totally appreciate that they saved me from starving or daylighting myself, but I’ve never had much interest in vampire politics or warfare preparation classes or stuff like that, you know? I just kind of want to live and let live. I mean—we were humans once, not that long ago really. Why do I want them to be my enemies?”

“I never met Imogen personally,” Heather said, “and I know she’s got her fans, and she’s your vampire mom or whatever, but she seems kind of... harsh to me. I think that’s why I admire Sadie so much. She’s a vampire too—obviously—but she found a different way. I think peace is better. Besides, there are still a lot more humans than vampires out there, and they have all the power. We need to get along.”

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