Page 74 of Blood Illusions

Something shuffled in the dark. Or at least I thought it did.

Justice slowly rose from his crouched position and headed to the cell door. His head tilted as he listened intently, his gaze fixed on something outside.

I leaned in and asked in a hushed voice, “What is it?”

He held up a hand, silencing me.

I reached for my bow and carefully selected an arrow from my quiver, preparing to defend my father. We stood back-to-back, ready for whoever or whatever was about to enter our space. My pulse raced as I waited for the first vampire’s approach, my arrow nocking loudly against my bowstring.

Justice hurried back. “There’s something out there. I don’t think it’s a vampire.”

Dad’s face darkened. “I can hear it, too.”

Great, I was the only one who couldn’t. I wet my lips. “Oh, shit. Maci?”

“Most likely.” He glanced at my dad. “We’ve got to get out of here, or we’re going to share the same fate.”

Dad’s senses had improved from the vampire blood, but what about his body? I put my hand on his leg. “Dad, can you walk?”

“I don’t know,” he replied through gritted teeth.

“Give me your arm,” Justice told him.

Dad gave him a cool glare and refused to get up. He pressed his palms on the cold floor as if to push himself up. His arms shook, and he collapsed.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Really, Dad? Going for the martyr-of-the-year award? You’re shaking like a leaf, and Mr. Tall, Dark, and Fangy over here might actually be useful.”

He shot me a withering look, but I wasn’t backing down. “Look, I get it. You’re pissed at me for letting him give you vampire blood. Accepting help from a vampire is about as appealing as hugging a cactus. But unless you’re planning on sprouting wings and flying out of here, let’s swallow that hunter pride for a sec, okay?”

“Fine,” he grumbled. He gave me a cold stare. “This doesn’t change anything. Your brother wouldn’t have betrayed me like this.”

“Don’t kid yourself. Damon? He’d dance with the devil at midnight if it meant keeping you in the game.”

“Enough of this family politics,” Justice grumbled as he grabbed Dad’s arm and hauled him to his feet. “We need to move. If Maci’s coming, our little arsenal isn’t going to affect her.”

Dad frowned as he reluctantly leaned against Justice. “What arsenal?”

“Ah, the good stuff. Vampire off-switches. It’s like we walked into a bloodsucker’s worst nightmare. Let’s see how they like a taste of their own medicine, but with a bit more…sting.”

Justice and I quickly filled him in about the witches, the phoenix feather grass, and my bow and arrows.

“Lisa was always a good witch. She always reminded me of Samantha on Bewitched.” He looked at Justice. “None of this stuff works on you?”

“None of it.” He shrugged as he maneuvered them toward the edge of the cell. “I don’t know why it works on them. However, phoenix feather grass won’t work on a shadow dragon.”

I slipped in front of them with my arrow ready.

“Sawyer, get behind us,” Dad ordered, his voice strained with pain.

I rolled my eyes, but I moved. “Oh sure, let’s add ‘damsel in distress’ to my resume. Don’t worry about me. Focus on not turning into vampire roadkill, okay?”

As Justice dragged Dad alongside him, I couldn’t help but add, “Looks like you’re getting a taste of your own medicine, being rescued and all. How’s that for a plot twist, huh?”

As we navigated the dimly lit corridors, Dad suddenly blurted, “Hold on. I just remembered something about shadow dragons.”

“Don’t keep us in suspense, Dad. Share with the class,” I invited as I focused directly ahead.

Justice shone the flashlight from behind me so I could see where I was going. The only problem was he couldn’t carry the shotgun, not while holding the flashlight and dragging Dad. Talk about being vulnerable. Once again, I wished Damon was here.

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