Page 33 of Crimson Storm

“What about it?”

“Does it have any special significance? What is that red stone?”

“It’s... not a stone. It’s blood.”

Shrugging, I let my pretended nonchalance cover a world of emotion as I was overcome by a hollow, hungry feeling that had nothing to do with my stomach.

For reasons I still couldn’t understand, Reece had given me this necklace the night I’d left the Bastion. The blood inside the orb was his. “It’s a vampire thing.”

Shane nodded. “How’d you become one? A vampire? Did you choose it? Was it something you always wanted?”

It was an odd question, but I answered it. “No, I didn’t choose it. I was in a highway accident, injured and near death. The vampire who turned me saved my life.”

“Oh. Wow. I didn’t think about it happening like that. What about your friends? How’d you meet?”

I glanced toward the privacy curtain that hung between us and them. The rumble of the road would obscure much of our conversation from their hearing, but I knew my friends wouldn’t mind me telling him their stories anyway.

“We met at the place we’re going now. It’s sort of a... sanctuary, I guess, for vampires. Heather was already there when I got there. Her boyfriend, who was a vampire, abandoned her after turning her, so she was alone. Kelly got there about the same time I did. She was attacked by a group of nomadic rogue vampires. They left her for dead, and she woke up alone and really confused. She wandered around on the verge of starvation before she was found by the—”

I’d been about to sayBloodboundbut stopped myself. Shane wasn’t part of vampire society. He wouldn’t understand Imogen’s elite group of warriors even if Iwasallowed to tell him about them.

“...by some people from our group. We became friends there and then left together when we decided to work for Sadie Aldritch.”

“Who do you think bombed the VHC headquarters?” he asked.

“They said on the news it was terrorists.”

It had also occurred to me that human vampire haters were not theonlyenemies Sadie had. Would Imogen order a strike against her sister’s organization?

It had been more than a year since I’d seen anyone from the Bastion. I assumed my vampire “mother” knew I’d gone to work for the VHC—and for her sister and ultimate rival. There wasn’t much in the vampire world Imogen didn’t know about.

Was it possible she’d been so angered by my defection she’d ordered the Bloodbound to bomb the building? Had she been trying tokillher sister?

And me?

I’d finally gotten the story behind their feud from Sadie one evening after work. It went all the way back to the Regency era when they’d both been turned as young women in England.

Like so many human rivalries, theirs had started with a man.

“I hope Sadie’s okay. She seems pretty cool,” Shane said. “I’ve seen her on TV.”

“You should meet her in person. She’s beyond cool. She’s a hero—our hero anyway. First, she drafted the Accord. Ever since then she’s been a champion for vampire rights. She’s tireless, and she’s truly good.”

“I’m not sure about her methodology though.”

I nearly gasped at the insult. “What problem could you possibly have with her methodology? She’s kept countless humans from being drained or turned. She’s the strongest voice there is for peace between the species.”

“That’s just it. I think she might betoopeaceful.”

“There’s no such thing. It’s the only answer. Do youwanta human-vampire war?”

“Of course not. I’m just saying while she talks about diplomacy and letting the courts and legislature handle things, President Parker keeps chipping away at vampire rights. I mean, they put you in what amounts to a prison camp for no reason. And according to my Uncle Glenn, they were planning to exterminate all of you—in all the camps. I’m not sure Sadie’s message of non-violence isn’t just letting him get away with it.”

“You don’t agree with the president’s position?”

Shane rolled his eyes. “Do Ilooklike I agree with him? Look where I am.”

“Good point.”

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