Page 60 of Crimson Storm

But no one knows that. No one but me and him.

One problem... Kannon knew how grave my wound was. If I miraculously healed, he’d be suspicious.

I hesitated another few moments until the sensation of paralyzing cold reached my lungs and stole my breath.

Hearing my gasp, Kannon cast another worried glance in my direction. “Hang on. Just ten more miles.”

I nodded in return, unable to answer.

It was now or never. I could let it all end here. I could close my eyes and let go of life, hoping the next, far better one my lifelong Amish beliefs had promised me would be waiting.

My gaze fell to Shane’s face and the still-spreading red stain on his torso. If I died, there would be no reason for anyone at the Bastion to help him.

As nice as he was to me, Kannon wasn’t a human-lover. He’d either leave Shane outside or let his Bloodbound brothers finish the human guy off.

And then I saw another face—this one perfectly preserved in my mind’s eye. The strong brow bone, the intense lilac eyes shaded by thick, black hair.

It was pointless except for as an exercise in self torture, but God help me, Iwantedone more look at him.

Raising the pendant’s glass orb to my lips, I bit down on it and cracked the surface, sucking the fluid from inside it into my mouth.

The last time I’d tasted blood, it had been human—Josiah’s. Reece’s blood was different—and infinitely better. The moment I tasted it, the pain around my heart ceased. The cold in my lungs began to recede like a wave drawing back from the shore, leaving warmth and comfort in its wake.

The weakness that had overcome my body began to ebb as well, and a new strength and energy filled me.

It had worked. Steadily the eerie cold sensation drained from my torso, retreating down my hip and leg to the point of the injury and then disappearing altogether.

Almost in disbelief, I shook my leg, flexed the thigh muscle then released it. It didn’t feel as good as new. It felt better.

Kannon parked in the paved lot near the cavern’s entrance then bounded out of the driver’s seat and slid open the rear compartment’s door. He reached for me as if to lift me, but I protested.

“Take him. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. You were shot with an exploding round. You’re likely half-dead by now if not more, so don’t try to be a hero. I’ll help your human—afterI help you.”

“Kannon. I’m fine. I promise.”

I rose to my feet, lifting each leg and moving it around to show him I was telling the truth. Then I jumped from the van to the ground, landing lightly without any sign of pain.

“See? I’m good.”

“How is that possible?” Kannon demanded. “You couldn’t even stand back at the checkpoint.”

I shrugged. “I guess it was only a flesh wound. The bullet must have just grazed me instead of exploding inside me.”

It was a lie, but a necessary one. The truth would get Reece punished if not killed. Knowing it would only put Kannon in a tough spot. To erase any doubt, I lifted the long skirt I wore and showed him the nearly healed wound on my lower thigh.

He stared at it for a second then, apparently satisfied, moved to lift Shane. “Okay, I guess you’re right. All I can say is thank God because I’ve never seen anyone survive one of those rounds. I was really afraid you weren’t going to get the chance to ‘meet your maker’ again. And she isdefinitelygoing to want to see you.”

He looked down at Shane, whom he carried unconscious in his arms like a sleeping baby as we walked toward the entrance to the Bastion.

“As for you, my little human friend... you might end up wishing you’d never met her. I still don’t know about this, Abbi...”

“You let me worry about her. Just get Shane to the medical clinic.” Remembering something Kannon had said earlier, I asked, “How did you know where we were? You said you went there to get me?”

He nodded. “We monitor police radio. I overheard the border agent’s call about three fugitive vampires at the checkpoint. When he said they were dressed as Amish and driving a buggy, I knew something was up. Besides... your mother has a sense about these things. She’s the one who ordered us there in force.”

“Your mother?” Shane said in a groggy voice. I’d thought he was completely out. Either he’d just come to or he’d been listening all along. “I thought your mom was Amish.”

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