Then force me to submit. Or walk away.
Oliver shook his head, and Claire thought he started to turn, but then his right hand shot out and closed around Amelies throat, slamming her back against the wood. She tried to speak, but his grip was cutting off her voice.
We cant be equals, he said. Im sorry. I never wanted it to come to this.
And he bit her in the throat.
Claire screamed.
Oliver was drinking Amelies blood. Amelie was fighting him, but he was too strong for her, and her guard . . . her guard wasnt moving.
Do something! Claire screamed at the guard, but he just stood there. She dashed to the other door and threw it open. The female vamp was on guard there, and turned when Claire screamed at her, too.
But she didnt do anything, either.
Oliver suddenly let go of Amelie and stepped back, wiping blood from his mouth with the back of one hand. She stood there, eyes closed, and put a trembling hand over the wound on her neck. There was blood spilled on her immaculate white jacket. She didnt speak.
Oliver turned to the guard and said, See her to a chair. Gently.
The guard bowed his head briefly, then came toward her, but Amelies eyes snapped open. Dont touch me, she snapped, but he didnt obey her. Not at all. He took her arm and guided her back to a chair at the side of the table . . . not the head, where shed been sitting before. Amelie shook free and sank down. She looked ill now, and angry, and humiliated.
Oliver stood where he was for a moment, then turned and addressed the other guard. Go get Ysandre and John, he said. I want them here.
The guard nodded and left. Ysandre? Claire said. Youre bringing her in here? Ysandre was a stone-cold menace. Amelie had kept her in prison for a while, and Claire hadnt seen her much recently. Shed hoped that someone had accidentally thrown her under a bus.
Ysandre had tried to hit on Shane. And that alone was reason enough to hate her.
Quiet, Oliver said. Sit down, all of you. You have no reason to panic. The situation is under control. Under his control, which was in itself plenty of cause for panic, not to mention freakout. But Claire didnt dare not obey, not until she understood what had happened, and why.
Richard looked at Amelie and asked, Are you all right?
She opened her eyes and made her face into a smooth mask, showing nothing of whatever she was feeling now. Im well enough, she said. She took her hand away from her throat. The wound was already closed and healing. Dont interfere. This is an internal matter.
I know, but if you need me to help
You cant help. I tried to keep my position. I failed. She lowered her gaze to the table. Oliver leads the town now.
No, Claire whispered. No, that cant be true. That isnt right. Youre the Founder; youre
Defeated, Amelie said. Enough, Claire. There is nothing to be done now. He spared me some of the more humiliating aspects that could have accompanied the transfer of power. I wont disrespect that favor by rebelling now.
Oliver didnt say anything. He took his seat at the head of the table, and a moment later the vamp guard came back, with two othersJohn, who owned the hospital and several clinics in town, including the blood bank. John had long blond curly hair and a proud, sharp face. He looked like hed rather be anywhere else. And next to him . . . Ysandre.
Ysandre was just exactly as Claire remembered her from her days as Amelies father Bishops follower. She was beautiful, and smoky, and sexy in a sleazy kind of waythat was mostly her clothes, because she loved low-cut crop tops and even lower-cut jeans. She trailed fingers over the back of Richard Morrells neck, and he slapped them away with a glare.
Temper, Ysandre purred, and even in that one word Claire could hear the sickly sweet Southern accent. Im just trying to be friendly. Were all friends here now, right?
Oh, for Gods sake, do shut up, John said wearily. He had an English accent that was a lot more charming than Ysandres put-on drawl. Founder? You had something to Awareness dawned in his face, and Claire thought he must have sensed what had happened. His expression looked a lot like horror, and he stared at Oliver. No. No, thats not possible.
Im afraid it is, Oliver said. You command loyalty from many of Amelies closest friends and supporters. I need you to spread the word. I am now in charge. You may hear it from her own lips.
John definitely looked horrified now. Claire couldnt blame him. She was feeling pretty awful herself. Madam? He went to one knee beside Amelies chair. Command me and Ill obey.
There is nothing to command, she said. You can feel the shift of power. It is a fact of nature, one none of us can fight. Obey him, John. I wouldnt wish to see you, or any of you, harmed.
John took her hand and pressed it to his forehead in what looked like real grief, and then stood up and faced Oliver. No one will support this, he said. Watch your back, Oliver. You were well treated, and youve betrayed her. We wont forget.
John, dont, Amelie said. She sounded tired.
Im not threatening. I am stating facts. Which you know well, Oliver.
Oliver nodded. I dont care how you feel about it. Bargain with yourself as you wish, but go and tell your fellows that I am now in charge, and I wont take any challenges to my power. I am not Amelie. Test me, and Ill destroy you.
Johns eyes flared a rebellious red, but he bowed stiffly and walked out of the room.
Ysandre laughed. What a sanctimonious old frog, she said. Well, Ollie? I think I threw my lot in with the winning side this time. Were going to have a wonderful time. Where should we start? Lets just declare open season on the humans and kick it off right. I feel a good hunt coming on.
Oliver looked at her with the same kind of distaste hed just gotten from John. Youre not my second, he said. Dont presume to be informal with me. I spared your life for a specific reason, but dont think that it has anything to do with fondness.
She frowned. What do you mean, Im not your second? Whos going to challenge me for it, John?
Theres to be no challenge. Amelie is my second.
Amelie? Ysandre sounded furious, and Claire saw her hands clench. You cant be serious. You cant keep her around. Shell have a dagger in your back the first chance she gets
Like you would? Ive seen how you treat your friends as well as your enemies, presuming you make any distinction between the two at all. Dont push me. I interceded for you when Amelie wanted to wall you up in a cell with Bishop. You can show your gratitude by remembering your place, which is definitely not at my side, Oliver said. Go to my people. Tell them whats happened. Tell them I expect nothing to change until they hear differently, but that change will come. But it will be controlled, and measured, and I will look badly on any attempts to push it faster.
Ysandre stared at him through narrowed eyes, and Claire thought she was just as angry as John, but for different reasons. She finally shrugged and said, Whatever you want, boss man. If you want to be a fool, go right ahead. You just got the big chair. Good luck holding on to it, with that kind of attitude. She turned her attention to Claire, on the other side of the table, and smiled. Well, if it isnt the little bit of nothing. Hows Shane? She licked her lips. Ive been missing him.
Claire gave the vampire her best impression of Amelies cold look. If I see you around Shane, Ill stake you.
Ysandre made a little O of her mouth, and then said, No empty threat, is it? Ill just bet youve got a stake somewhere, dont you? Bet you never go anywhere without it.
Claire glanced over at her backpack. Shed brought it, but shed set it in the corner, out of the way. It was on Ysandres side of the table.
Id better go on and disarm her, boss, Ysandre said. Security and all.
Oliver looked irritated, but he didnt stop her. She went to the backpack, opened it, and dumped books and papers all over the floor.
A silver-coated stake tumbled out to thump on the carpet at her feet. Then a silver-coated knife.
Well, well, well. I think these ought to be illegal, dont you? Ysandre grabbed one of Claires papers and wrapped it around the stakes handle, and one around the knifes, and strolled back to the table. Dangerous weapons, especially in council chambers.
And before Claire or anyone else could suspect what she was going to do, she stabbed Amelie in the back, through the heart, with the stake. Amelie screamed and toppled out of her chair, limp, to the floor. Claire felt like the world was moving at nightmare speedsYsandre was too fast, Claire was too slow, and she couldnt do anything to stop it as Ysandre yanked on Amelies white-blond hair and exposed her throat to the knife.
No! Oliver shouted, and sprang to his feet.
Im going to be your second whether you like it or not! Ysandre yelled back, and put the knife to Amelies throat. And the first thing is, get rid of the competition!
Oliver lunged across the table. He hit her so hard he threw her into the far doors, which broke off the hinges, and Ysandre and the doors slid down the marble hallway for twenty feet before coming to a stop. She was still moving, weakly, but Oliver snapped his fingers and pointed the guards in her direction.
No, he said. Youre finished. Amelie was right after all: youre too stupid to be allowed to live.
He went to Amelie, kicked the fallen knife out of the way, and dropped to his knees beside her. She was frozen by the stake, and where the silver touched her, it was burning her. Ysandres paper handle had fallen off, but Oliver didnt wait. He grabbed the silver and pulled it out of her back in one fast motion, and threw the stake into the corner. Claire caught a glimpse of his hand turning black from the contact, but he didnt pause, didnt seem to feel the pain.
He cradled Amelies head in his hands. Its out, he said. Can you hear me? Amelie!
She still wasnt moving. Oliver pulled her into his arms. The female guard came back, pulling Ysandres struggling body by the hair, and he snapped, Get Theo Goldman. Now. And put that one in a cage until I decide how we should be rid of her. Something painful, preferably.
Amelies eyes slowly blinked. She focused on Olivers face. Claire had never seen her look so pale; her lips looked blue, and even her eyes seemed faded. You should have let her finish, she whispered. Better death than dishonor; isnt that our code?
Hundreds of years ago it was, he agreed. His voice was different now. Gentle. Youre the last one to cling to the past. How bad is the pain?
She seemed to think about it. Compared to what? To what youve done to me?
He was holding her hand, and now he raised it to his lips. I wouldnt have acted unless you forced me. But we both know that I dont lose once Im challenged.
You did, she whispered. Once. To me.
He kept her hand at his lips. So I did, he said, so softly Claire almost missed it. I will never hurt you again. I swear it. He hesitated, and then drew one sharpened fingernail across his wrist. Drink. I give it to you freely.
A drop of his blood hit her lips, and she gasped, opening her eyes wide. She reached for his arm and pulled the cut to her lips, drank, and then let go. She sighed and went limp. Her eyes closed. Claires throat closed up tight. She wanted to ask, but couldnt.
Richard asked for her. Is she dead?
Not yet, Oliver said. A silver stake wouldnt kill her immediately at her age, even in her weakened condition with the loss of blood. But she needs additional treatment. He looked up at Richard, at Hannah, and finally at Claire. No one speaks of this. No one.
You mean we dont say that you saved her? Richard asked. Or that you love her?
Without blinking Oliver said, Say it again and we will be electing a new mayor, boy. Im not in the mood to tolerate more human nonsense today. Do you understand me?
I understand that you want to turn this town into a cattle pen. That my people are going to be hunted and killed without mercy. So you know what, Oliver? If you want to run Morganville your way, you wont just be looking for a new mayor. Youll be looking for a place to hide while we tear this town apart. Richard got up and just . . . walked out. Hannah sat for a moment, then got up and followed him.
Leaving Claire alone with him.
Oliver was looking down at Amelies still, quiet face. He said, without raising his head, You should have gone with them. You have no part in this.
I cant go, Claire said. I need to tell you something.
Then say it and leave.
Her throat was dry, and she knewknewthat he was ready to kill the next person who annoyed him just now. Amelie wouldnt, couldnt stop him. But she had to say it. She had to try.
You said you had to kill a vampire last night, she said. Not the one from the diner?
No, Oliver said. He didnt look up at her. An old friend. I couldnt stop her any other way.
Did she say anything?
What? Oliver looked up, frowning. No. She was beyond speaking anything like sense.
But she did speak.
Only to scream that nothing was right.
That confirmed it, and Claire felt a cold, heavy sense of guilt. People are forgetting who they are. Or where. Or else they know somethings wrong, but they cant tell what it is, and its driving them crazy.
Then its obviously not confined to humans, Oliver said. Blood analysis on the affected vampires shows nothing. Its not the same as the illness we were enduring before. So he did know. And hed even done something about it, or tried.
Then its got to be the machine, the one Myrnin and I fixed. It started about the time we turned it on. He raised his head and met her eyes, and her mouth, if possible, went even dryer. Myrnin doesnt think theres anything wrong with it. I . . . I wish that was true, but I think hes in denial. I think the machine is doing this to us, and its getting worse the longer its on.
Oliver was silent for a moment, then said, And if we turn it off?
Then the barriers go down. But I think the memory problems stop, too.
Youre certain of this.
Was she? Because she knew she was staking her life on it. Yes.
Oliver growled, low in his throat, and said, Then turn the damned thing off and fix it. Find whats wrong. We cant do without the barriers for long; our human residents are already defying authority, and once they realize the barriers dont function, we will lose control entirely, and this will become a true bloodbath. Do you understand?
Yes. Ill turn it off. Well fix it.
Then youd best get to it. Now get out.
Claire scrambled out from behind the table and grabbed her backpack. She hesitated over the knife and stake, but scooped them up and stuffed them in before throwing it over her shoulder and running for the door. She looked back once; Oliver didnt seem to have noticed shed left. He was still holding Amelie in his arms, and for the first time she saw real, raw emotion on his face.
Grief.
Dr. Theo Goldman stepped off the elevator carrying his doctors bag. He blinked at Claire as they maneuvered around each other, him coming out, her going in, and said, I was told I had a patient. This is an odd place to find one.
Its Amelie, Claire said. That way. Theo?
He looked back, but kept walking.
Please help her.
He nodded, smiled reassuringly, and the doors closed on her before she could say anything else.
TEN
Myrnin wasnt at the lab when she arrived. That was unusual; she thought that maybe he might be sleeping, but when she checked his room at the back, it was neat and empty. He was just . . . out.
Well, that made things easier.
Claire called home and got Michael and Shane. I need you to come help me, she said. And I need a ladder.
Tell me you did not volunteer us to paint somebodys house, Shane said. That would be a lot like work. Im already doing work way too much.
Michael, however, got it immediately. You need to get through the trapdoor at the lab. Myrnins not there?
No, Claire said. Can you help?
Sure. Open up the portal and well come straight through.
Claire hung up and rolled back the bookcase that blocked the portalno easy job, because Myrnin hadnt balanced it for humans, although hed at least removed the lead, which was nice and unlocked the door from a set of keys she found in the mouth of one of Myrnins discarded vampire-bunny slippers. She swung it open, concentrating on the Glass House, and the image flickered, wavered, and clarified into reality on the other side of the door.
Shane and Michael were carrying an extendable metal ladder. Claire reached through and gave Shane her hand, and he stepped over, pulling Michael after him along with the ladder.
Wow, Shane said, and shivered. Thats not weird at all.
Youve done it before, Claire pointed out. When I first fixed the portal.
Didnt really think about it that time. Never gets any less strange, though. Okay, where to?
Here. Shed already unlocked the trapdoor at the back of the lab and opened it, and Shane leaned over and peered down into the darkness. Michael pulled him back.
What? Shane asked.
Better not to present a target before you know whats actually down there, hero. Lets get this ladder in, and then I go first, okay?
You bet, tough guy. Last time I was in a dark tunnel, I nearly got my face eaten. Im a slow learner, but I do learn.
They extended the ladder down, and Shane held it in place as Michael descended. Claire leaned over and said, The light switch is at the end of the room.
Yeah, I see itwhoa.
What?
Michael was quiet for a moment, then said, Im thinking its going to be better if I dont tell you. Just hurry.
Shane went first, and then Claire; the ladder felt rickety, but it held just fine. She hopped the last couple of steps down to land on the cave floor. Michael had turned on the tunnel lights, so there was no risk of walking into an ambush by . . . whatever, but she was still wondering what hed seen, exactly. If he wasnt just yanking Shanes chain, of course. He never got tired of that.
No sign of trouble all the way to the big cave, and Michael hit the main switch there to turn on the banks of lights. The machineClaire hated to call it a computer, reallywas sitting exactly as shed left it, screen showing normal readouts. Nothing wrong at all.
Okay, I need to put in a password, she said. Hang on a second.
She thought about it, and tried Myrnins name at the keyboard. No, the red light stayed on. She tried Amelies. The red light stayed on.
She tried putting in Adas name.
The red light stayed on.
Claire blinked at it. Myrnin didnt have more than three passwords. He couldnt even remember more than one at a time. He didnt have a birthday he could remember; he didnt have any family; what could he possibly use for a password?
Ah. She had it.
Claire.
The red light stayed on. Claire frowned at it. Seriously? Now you get security conscious?
Problem? Michael asked.
No. Ill get it. She tried Bob, for Bob the Spider. Bob was busily spinning webs in a fish tank near Myrnins chair. Myrnin fed him a steady diet of crickets and flies, which seemed to make Bob happy. That qualified as a pet, right? People liked to use pet names for passwords.
It wasnt Bob, either.
She tried, in desperation, Oliver. Not it. She plugged in the names of every possible vampire she could remember, including Bishop.
None of them worked.
At least he didnt put a lockout on it, she muttered. Shed tried at least thirty passwords, without success. Come on. I built you, you stupid piece of junk! Give me a break!
How about pulling the plug? Shane asked. Just turn off the power.
She thought about it, but shook her head. I dont know what everything does in here. I could shut down something vital. Or destroy something we cant rebuild easily. She sighed. He wont be happy, but Im going to have to ask Myrnin for the password.
Michaels head suddenly turned, but before he could speak, a rich, slow voice from the darkness said, Ask Myrnin what, precisely?
That was Myrnins voice. His hunting voice. Claire had heard it before, and it gave her immediate, life-threatening chills. He stepped out of the dark. The cheerfully neon Hawaiian clothes were gone. He was dressed in elegant black, with a bloodred vest, and his long hair was freshly combed and rippling in waves down to his shoulders, very old-school Gothic vamp. He was smiling.
Not in a nice way at all.
Visitors, he said, still using that creepy, oddly soothing voice. There was something about it that made Claire feel a little sleepy. A little . . . relaxed. So lovely to have visitors. I get them so seldom. Especially here.
Myrnin, Claire said. He was steadily coming toward her, without looking like he was moving at all. His large eyes were fixed on her, luminous, fascinating. She couldnt blink.
Yes, my dear. How surprising that you know.
Know what? She felt stupid, almost drugged. He was close now, gliding up to her. She felt the cool brush of his fingers on her cheek.
My name, he said. How surprising that you know my name. Perhaps you should do me the courtesy of giving me yours.
A rush of adrenaline spilled into her body. He didnt know her. Or Michael. Or Shane. He was acting like they were strangers.
To him, they were intruders.
She licked her lips and said, Myrnin, I work for you. Im Claire. Remember? Claire.
Nice try, sweet one, but I already have an assistant. Maybe Ill save you for her. Shed like you.
Ada. Claires heart thumped painfully as she took it in. Myrnin had been sucked under by the machine, and he thought Ada was still here. Still alive.
Youre talking about Ada, she said, and tried to keep her voice calm and even. Shes not here, Myrnin. Shes not coming back. Adas dead.
It was kind of cruel to say it like that, but she needed to snap him out of it, and that was the verbal equivalent of a hard slap.
Myrnin pulled up short, dark eyes gone cool and unreadable, and then he slowly smiled. Id know if she was gone, he said. Cant you feel her? Shes here. Shell be back. I know shell be back.
Claire? Shane said. He started to move toward them, but Myrnin suddenly backhanded him and sent him rolling toward the wall.
No interruptions, he said. Im talking! He was suddenly, terrifyingly angry. Why would you say something like that? I wonder. Unless youd done something to Ada . . .
Stop, Michael said urgently. Claire, come over here.
Myrnin made an exaggerated, annoyed motion with his hands and turned to face Michael. I said no interruptions! Ohyoure not human, are you? Hmm. One of Amelies latest, I take it. I thought shed sworn off new fledglings after that last disaster.
Michael grabbed Claires arm and pulled her close. Yeah, well, Im Amelies, and this ones mine. That other one, too.
Shane, Claire thought, would punch him for that one. When he finally got up.
Myrnins eyebrows slowly rose. Are you telling me that you brought snacks, and youre not going to share? How rude. Youre an intruder, too, you know. I dont have a taste for you just now, but these other two . . . Well, I havent drunk a good intruder in ages.
Myrnin, wake up! Claire yelled. Its Claire! You know who I am!
Myrnin shook his head sadly. Youd better eat her now, he told Michael. Shes far too loud. Makes my head hurt.
And then he hit his forehead with the heel of his hand, again and again and again, frighteningly hard. Claire clung to Michael. Shed seen Myrnin do crazy things, but this was just . . . creepy.
He stopped. Hed opened up a cut on his forehead, and blood that was slightly paler than a humans trickled down toward his eyes. It closed in seconds. Thats better, he breathed. Now. You, new fledgling. You owe me a tribute, since you came here without permission. Choose.
Choose what? Michael asked.
Which one I will have. Myrnins fangs came down, lazy and terrifying, and he reached out for Claire. I think I like this one.
Michael kicked him, right in the chest. It drove Myrnin back, but not very far.
Myrnin stopped smiling, and tilted his head forward. It made him look crazier. That wasnt wise, blood child. Not wise at all.
Run, Michael said to Claire, and shoved her toward the tunnel. Myrnin snarled and jumped, but Michael got him in midair and pulled him down, hard.
Myrnin missed grabbing onto Claires foot by about three inches. She hesitated at the base of the ladder. Shane was still in there, maybe hurt. She couldnt just run.
She heard Michael let out a muffled cry, and then Myrnin said, in a voice that echoed silkily off the tunnel walls, I like rats that run. Here, little rat. Im going to save you for Ada.
She swarmed up the ladder as fast as she could. She was halfway up when she felt it vibrate. Myrnin had jumped and landed on the rungs just a few feet below her. He was almost within grabbing range.
Claire kicked him in the face as soon as he was closer.
Ow! he yelped, surprised. She did it again. Ow, stop, you hellion! What do you think youre doing?
She kicked him again, and he lost his grip on the ladder and fell. He landed on his back on the floor, looking surprised. His nose was bloody. He straightened it, and it snapped back in place with a soft crackle.
Ow, he said again, and shook his head. I wont let you live to regret that, you know.
Claire raced up the last few steps and flung herself out onto the lab floor, just as Myrnin tensed his legs and launched straight up, intending to grab her at the top of the ladder. He missed, hit the floor awkwardly, and rolled smoothly up to a crouch.
Claire scrambled up to her feet and ran for her backpack. She didnt want to use the silver, but she didnt know what else to do. She couldnt just let him eat her.
Myrnin seemed to have temporarily lost interest in her. He was standing now, looking around at the lab, mouth half-open. What . . . what in the devil happened? Did Ada do this? My. Shes quite a good housekeeper, isnt she? I remember it being so much messier.
Claire grabbed her backpack on the run and unzipped it. She cut her fingers on the knife shed crammed inside, but groped around for the hilt and got it out just as Myrnin stopped looking at the scenery and started running for her.
He leaped from table to table, zigzagging as she did, eyes glowing dull red. She saw Michael climb out of the tunnel below, and then pull Shane up after him. Neither one of them looked very good.
Claire waited until Myrnin got close, and then slashed the knife across his chest. She just missed his face.
He stopped, looked down, and said, Oh, no, I loved this vest. And then the silver started to burn him. His eyes went from dull red to bright, furious crimson.
He looked at Claire. No one fights back. Thats strictly against the rules.
This isnt you, she said. Please dont do this.
For a second she actually thought she saw something surface in him, something she recognized . . . but then it was gone, and the old Myrnin, the cruel one, was back. If you come here again, he said, Ill tear you apart. This is my home. Youre not welcome.
Claire! Michael yelled. The portal! Go for it!
She wasnt far from it, but there was no way shed be able to beat Myrnin. He was deadly fast, and very angry. She needed to hurt him enough to stop him, at least temporarily.
She lunged, buried the knife in his shoulder, and left it there. She didnt want to do it, but it was the only thing she could think of in that split second. Myrnin was old, maybe even older than Amelie; the silver would hurt him, but itd take a long time to kill him. She had to take the risk.
It worked. Myrnin howled and grabbed at her, missed, and swatted at the knife, but it was all silver. He couldnt get a grip without burning himself. Claire didnt wait. She sprinted for the portal just as Michael arrived there and pushed Shane through ahead of him.