Page 39 of Blood Illusions

“How do you know?” He blinked, trying to shake off the sleep clogging his brain.

I held his gaze. “I don’t. Justice claims they’re gone.”

“Claims? Equinox and I flew around this place, and I didn’t see any sign of them.” Justice raised an eyebrow, and a wave of hurt passed over his face before he could cover it up.

I looked away from him, forcing myself to remember I had to be wary around him. He was a vampire, and a vampire had killed my mom.

I had to keep reminding myself of that over and over again. Something inside me didn’t completely believe it. The problem was I didn’t know if my doubt was based on reality or fantasy.

Damon got up from his chair, nearly knocking it over. He scanned outside. “He’s right. I don’t see any sign of them, but that doesn’t mean anything. They could be hiding, waiting to ambush us.”

“We can’t stay here,” I remarked. “Those things are powerful. We can barely kill one, let alone an army of them. If they besieged us, we’d never escape.”

Damon looked at me. “The bigger question is, why aren’t they besieging us?” He went back to peering out the window. “Maybe they’re out buying more creepy vampire groceries. Either way, sitting duck isn’t a good look for us.”

“This library has books you won’t find anywhere else.” Justice moved his fingers over the bindings on one bookshelf.

Damon turned away from the picture window and stood next to me as if he was my bodyguard. “Great, a library full of one-of-a-kind ghost stories. Let’s not turn into a chapter ourselves. I’m not keen on my sister and I being the main course for the vampire book club.”

“I’ll be ready in less than half an hour,” I said as I reluctantly folded up the blanket.

I glanced out the window and sighed. The sun peeked over the horizon as we prepared to depart the safe house. As the first hints of dawn emerged, the sky transitioned through a spectrum of deep blues to the softer shades of twilight. Faint light gradually outlined the edges of the mountains, their rugged contours becoming more defined. It was absolutely beautiful, and I wished I could wake up in a place like this every morning. Minus the vampires.

I entered the living room with the quiver of arrows secured over my shoulder, gripping my bow tightly. Justice had a burlap knapsack flung over his shoulders, and he held Equinox’s bridle in his other hand.

I gestured toward his bag. “What’s in there?”

“Some rare books that might help us discover what those things are,” he replied.

Equinox stared at me with his big brown eyes. I hoped the beautiful creature wouldn’t be killed.

Damon rolled his eyes, but for once, he didn’t smart off. Instead, he unsheathed his sword and slowly opened the front door. “Make like the road runner, sis, and run for the car.”

Justice stiffened. “I told you they were gone.”

Damon cast him a dubious look. “So you say, Dracula.”

I glanced at my scuffed leather boots, precariously perched on the fine line of salt that seemed to be the only thing preventing those creatures from attacking us. My heart raced, and my throat turned bone-dry. “You know they might not be attacking us because of the salt barrier.”

“I know,” Damon replied grimly. “Move fast, and don’t stop no matter what.”

I nodded somberly. The tone of his voice and the look in his eyes confirmed my worst fears. He didn’t think we would make it.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

As my gaze swept the towering pines and aspens, a peaceful quiet settled over me. I couldn’t get too comfortable, though. Death could be waiting to ambush me at any moment. I drew a deep breath, pulled an arrow from my quiver, and nocked it onto my bow. My heart raced as I felt that burning sensation coursing through my forearm.

Equinox snorted behind me as if he sensed danger in the woods, too.

I turned toward Damon. “My arm’s burning again. They’re here.”

Damon raised his eyebrows and shuffled toward Justice with a cold expression. “Looks like the welcoming committee’s here. Your spider sense needs a tune-up, man.”

My brother was pretty calm about this, but what if Justice had been lying? What if he was in cahoots with those things and setting Damon and me up like plump turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner?

I hesitantly stepped over the salt line and stood on the front porch. My heart pounded so hard that blood boomed between my ears. Damon joined me, then Justice.

A deafening pounding noise thudded through the trees, threatening and looming.

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