Page 57 of Blood Illusions

As my heart raced, I blurted out my plan. “There is no time to think, Justice. They’re probably feeding on him as we speak. I’m not irrational. Between Damon and me, I’ve always been the rational one. We know some of their kryptonite, and it gives us an edge.” My voice was surprisingly calm.

He loosened his grip. “I’m listening.”

“First, we make sure we have plenty of salt. Plus, my arrows burn those things up like a matchstick.”

“You don’t have enough arrows to take all those vampires down. It’s like that place is their ground zero.”

I thought about it for a minute, then about Dad’s journal. “That makes sense. It’s why Dad went there. He figured it out, but his mistake was going alone.”

“Salt and your arrows aren’t enough to defeat those things, especially if that’s their nest.”

He fell silent, and I could see the wheels turning in his head.

“You’re right. We need more ammunition.” I gave him a sly smile. “And I know where to get it.”

“Where?” Suspicion filled his tone.

“We need to go back to the safe house and steal some of the phoenix feather grass from that rock garden.”

His eyes widened as if I had spoken a foreign language he couldn’t understand. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious.” I broke free of his grip and stood tall, determined to make my point. “Yes, I am. Are you coming with me or not?”

He furrowed his brow, analyzing me carefully. “You know where the Abbey is, don’t you?”

My heart raced at the thought of it. The old stone walls, the hidden chambers filled with secrets. “Yeah, I do.” My voice trembled with excitement and a touch of fear.

He released a long, weighted exhale. “You’re going to go there with or without me, aren’t you?”

I didn’t answer him as I headed toward the exit.

“Sawyer.” Justice caught up and slipped in front of me. “This is suicide.”

“Maybe.” I met his gaze with determination. “Justice, my dad, my brother and I have been running into danger all our lives. I’m a Grant and a hunter. This is what we do. While others run from evil, we rush straight for it.”

Justice put his hands firmly on his hips, his expression serious. “Is this really what you want to do?”

I stood my ground, determined not to show any hesitation. “Yes, it is.”

He clasped my chin. “Will you make me a promise?”

A shiver ran down my spine as I gazed into his hypnotic eyes. God, was he using his vampire mumbo-jumbo on me?

I stepped away from him, wary of his influence over me. I didn’t trust him. Or maybe I didn’t trust myself.

He clasped my hand. “Will you hear me out?”

My heart fluttered. “Maybe. Make it quick.”

He looked at me earnestly. “Those creatures out there…they took down an orc, leaving him barely alive. If things get too dangerous, promise me you’ll retreat. I can’t lose you.” His voice was so tender, so sincere, and it scared me.

I furrowed my brow in confusion and frustration. “You keep saying that. What does that mean?”

He chuckled and caressed my cheek. “I’m surprised you haven’t figured that out.” With a charming smile, he brushed past me and headed toward the police station doors, leaving me standing there, contemplating his words.

Tim came up behind me. “Something eating at you, Sawyer? That bloodsucker giving you trouble?”

“What?” I shook my head. “No. I’ve got to go.”

---