Page 96 of Shadows of Eternity

“But I didn’t. And I won’t.”

She snuggled against him again. “We were supposed to get married on Sunday. I guess that’s off now that Josiah’s prowling around.”

“I’m afraid so.”

“My father would never have approved anyway,” she said with a heavy sigh. “He wasn’t too crazy about the idea in the first place.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Trent sat on the edge of the bed in the Winchester’s guest room and stared at his phone. Then, with a sigh, he called the number of the burner phone he’d given to Janae. It was late, but she answered on the first ring.

“Hi, honey, it’s me. How are you doing?” he asked.

“We’re all right. The boys miss you.”

“What about you?”

There was a pause before she said, “I miss you, too. When can we come home?”

“I don’t know. Hopefully, soon. Listen, I’ve got something important to tell you, and I don’t want you to say anything until I’m finished. Okay?”

“What’s wrong?” she asked anxiously. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it? I can hear it in your voice.”

“Janae, just listen! That dancer, Rohan, is a vampire and—”

“Oh, Trent, this is no time for jokes.”

“It’s not a joke. It’s the truth. I know it’s hard to believe, but I’ve seen the proof with my own eyes.”

“But … there’s no such thing.”

“Yeah, well, I’m afraid there is. And that’s not the worst of it. He’s made Leia one, too.”

“Oh, no! Trent, if you’re kidding me, I’ll never forgive you. Never!”

“It’s the truth. I swear it on the life of our boys. It’s one of the reasons you can’t come home now. I wasn’t going to tell you, but I thought it would be best if you heard it from me. That’s why I sent you and the boys away. You can’t tellanyoneabout this. It could put Leia’s life in danger. And yours and the boys, too. Do you understand?”

“Not really.”

“Just promise me you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone. Not your parents, not anyone.”

“I promise. Oh, poor Leia.”

“She seems to be doing all right, I guess. Listen. I need to get some sleep. I love you, sweeting. I’m sorry for this mess and I’ll come and get you as soon as I can.”

“Be careful, Trent. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“I’ll call you again when I can. Stay close to home. Don’t invite anyone you don’t know into the house. Vampires can’t enter a home unless they’re invited. Warn your parents, too. You can’t tell them the vampire part, just warn them to be wary of strangers. And whatever you do, don’t go out at night. And remember, you can’t tell anyone what I’ve told you. Not a word, not a hint.”

“All right. I love you, Trent.”

“Love you, too. Good night, sweeting.”

Chapter Forty

Leia woke abruptly. Momentarily confused, she stared at the ceiling. Funny, she had never noticed that hairline crack in the corner before. Odd that she could see it now, when the room was dark.

And then she remembered. She was a vampire. She had no memory of falling asleep. One minute she’d been talking to Rohan and the next, nothingness. Apparently vampires didn’t dream.

---