Page 17 of Crimson Storm

“So you’re an addict. And yet you’re forced to be around the source of your addiction every day.”

“Yes,” I lied. “Like I said, no one knows why. I have no way of knowing if it’s genetic because no one in my family drank or did drugs. But when I was first turned, it became obvious pretty quickly that I didn’t need to be drinking directly from people.”

“What about your friends?”

“Same story. Maybe that’s why the three of us were attracted to the Vampire-Human Coalition. It offered us a way to give back, to try to make up for the damage we’d done before getting our thirst under control. That’s why I can’t bite you. The vow is more than a belief system. It’s a safety net. If I were to try it... it would be my first time drinking from a human in more than a year. I’m not sure what would happen. I might not be able to stop.”

“Wow. I never would have guessed. You seem so...”

“Civilized?” I finished his sentence for him. “Harmless? Never forget the original source of vampirism was a powerful wild animal infected by killer bees. That animalistic instinct paired with a thirst for blood means none of us is truly civilized. One of the many reasons we refused to turn your uncle.”

“Okay well, whether you drink my blood or not, we have to get you all out of here tonight—beforeGlenn gets here.” He paused a beat to think. “If you’re too weak to run, you could take Terry’s SUV.”

“I can’t drive.”

“What? You look old enough to have a license.”

“I am. I was seventeen when I was turned. But I never got a license. My family... didn’t have a car.”

That was the simple explanation. We didn’t have time to get into the rest of it.

“Heather’s too sick to drive, but maybe Kelly could do it. I’ll wake them. What time is it?”

“About three o’clock. A couple hours till sunset. I’ll get the keys. Glenn won’t be here until about seven. You can just wait in the garage until the sun sets and it’s safe to go out.”

Shane ran up the steps and out of sight. I roused my friends, encouraging them to get on their feet and get moving.

After dark we’d drive straight to Los Angeles, to Sadie’s headquarters. She’d know what to do. If anyone could help with our legal troubles it was her.

“What’s going on?” Kelly asked.

“We’re getting out of here. Shane is helping us. Now come on and be quiet.”

Heather was more difficult to rouse.

“Go ’way,” she mumbled, swatting at my hand on her shoulder. “Tired.”

She really needed blood. Her hypoglycemia had progressed to the point she was confused and irritable. As soon as we got on the road, I’d have to locate some blood bags for her.

Her continued lethargy was concerning to say the least.

Shane met us at the top of the stairs, holding a set of keys and several blankets. “I thought these might come in handy in case you have to sleep in the car or something. You could use it to cover the windows and block out the sun.”

“Good thinking. Thanks,” I said, taking them from him.

Since we were only going to LA, which was about a six-hour drive, we wouldn’t be needing them. We could easily make it there before sunrise, but I didn’t want to clue him into our plans.

Shane stuffed his fingertips into his pockets and rocked forward and back on his feet. His pensive expression struggled to become a sad smile.

“Okay, well, I guess it’s goodbye then. I’ll stay here and keep watch. If Uncle Terry wakes up, I’ll distract him and get him whatever he needs, keep him away from the garage until tonight when you’re long gone. You should have a good head start before he notices his car is missing.”

We headed for the door connecting the kitchen and the garage. My friends went through it, but I stopped just short of the opening and turned back to face Shane. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it—please. I feel terrible I played a part in getting you into this mess. If I’d known they were planning to hold you prisoner...”

“I know,” I said, brushing off his apology. “And ultimately, you probably saved our lives by getting us out of that detention center. I’m glad I met you, Shane. Humans like you give me hope for the future.”

“I’m glad I met you too. I wish... I mean, if you ever need anything... well, you know where to find me.”

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