What happened here? I asked the lead soldier. Are all these people from Eden? Whats going on?
Not at liberty to say, bloodsucker. The soldiers voice was clipped; he was obviously on edge. People stared at us as we walked by, eyeing me with suspicion. This was probably not the best time for a vampire to arrive at Edens gates; nerves were shot, and tempers were already frayed thin with the chaos.
The soldiers ushered me to one of the long cement buildings, down a flight of steps, and into a small underground room. Two cells stood opposite each other in the dim light, small and cramped, and already occupied. A pair of scruffy-looking men looked up from the bench in one cell, their eyes going wide when they fixed on me. The lead soldier marched to a cell, unlocked it, and yanked open the door.
Out, he snapped, glaring at the men in distaste. Go on, then. Back to your zones, and stay out of trouble this time. No one is happy, but were working on the problem as fast as we can. I swear, if I have to break up any more fights, Ill start tossing people over the wall, you got that?
What, you mean youre not going to let the girl stay with us? one of the rougher-looking men drawled, peering through the bars at me. She must be pretty special, to get a whole cell block to herself. He leered at me, showing broken yellow teeth. You can throw her in here with us, Sarge, well be good, I promise.
The monster perked at this, and I swallowed the sudden excitement...and fear. That would be a very, very bad idea. Me, in a tiny cell with a pair of humans, locked in, nowhere to go. Even if these men didnt try anything, I wasnt sure I could control my instincts. The soldiers might come back to a massacre.
Funny. The soldiers voice was cold; apparently he was thinking the same thing. Stepping back from the cell, he jerked his thumb at the stairs, glaring fiercely. Out, he barked again. Both of you, get out. Now.
The men complied. Filing out of the cells, they shuffled toward the stairs, shooting me looks that ranged from curious to hungry. One of the soldiers jabbed a gun in my direction and backed me against the wall, away from the humans passing us. They kept their guns trained on me until the men clumped up the steps, and then the lead soldier pulled back the cell door with a groan, motioning me inside.
Move, bloodsucker. A gun poked me in the ribs, and I went. Passing the sergeant, who watched me carefully, as if I might turn on him at the last moment, I stepped into the cell, and the door clanged shut behind me.
I took in the space in one quick glance: cement walls, heavy iron bars, no windows. That was something, at least. I wouldnt have to worry about the sun slinking across the floor, with me huddled in the corner, desperate to get away from it. I didnt think Id be able to break out of here even if I got the chance; the door and bars seemed pretty heavy-duty. Kanin could probably bend them, no problem, but I wasnt a Master vampire and didnt have his strength. I might be stuck in here for a while.
I gazed back at the sergeant. How long will I have to stay here?
Not my call, vampire. The men seemed a little more at ease, now that iron bars separated us. Well alert the proper authorities, but its up to them to decide what to do. I suggest you get comfortable, and dont get any ideas. You poke one fang out of this room without authorization, Ill have every soldier in this place shoot you full of holes. You got that?
Yeah. I sighed, walking to the bench on the far wall. I got it.
Good. Make sure you dont forget. He strode away, barking orders to his men. Lewis, Jackson, watch this room. No one comes down here without my say-so, and if the bloodsucker so much as sneezes, I want to know about it.
Yes, sir.
And check out the other threethe kid and the two strangers. I want to know who they are, where they came from, everything.
Yes, sir.
And check out the other threethe kid and the two strangers. I want to know who they are, where they came from, everything.
Yes, sir.
Their footsteps clomped up the stairs, their voices fading away, and I was alone in the room.
Great. Id been afraid it would come to this, locked in a cell while I waited for the humans to decide what to do with the vampire. I hoped that, when I woke next, I wouldnt be strapped to a bed while scientists in white coats milled around, poking me with needles and taking my blood. Like theyd done to Sarren, and all those other vampires sixty years ago. The ones theyd turned into the rabids.
Shivering, I hugged my arms to my chest and sat on the hard metal bench, trying not to think about that. This had been a bad idea; I shouldve known not to trust the humans. I hoped Zeke, Kanin and Jackal were all right, that theyd be smart enough not to wait for the soldiers to return. I worried most for Zeke. Would he be able to control himself in the presence of so many humans, many of them weak and vulnerable? I trusted Kanin would be able to keep him sane, but I also had my doubts that my sadistic blood brother wouldnt say or do something that would send him over the edge. And if that happened, we could all end up in here, waiting for the scientists to strap us to tables and poke tubes through our veins.
An hour, maybe two, passed in silence. No one came to check on me, and I alternated between sitting on the bench and pacing my cell. I tested the bars and door a couple times, wondering if I could break free if I had to, but the metal was thick and the door firmly locked. I wondered what Zeke and the others were doing, if they had found a way to Eden without me. Or had their secret been discovered and they were in hiding now, trying to avoid capture, or death? Zeke had promised that the Eden scientists wouldnt use me as a lab rat, but those scientists were no longer around. Growling, I clenched the bars of my cell, feeling my fangs slide free. If it did come to that, I wouldnt go quietly. A vampire could only be pushed so far. Keeping me locked up was one thing. If they came anywhere near me with a needle or a scalpel, I hoped they were ready for a hell of a fight.
I had just paced back to the bench to settle in the corner again when a noise on the steps made me look up.
A human stood at the foot of the stairs, watching me from behind his glasses with sharp black eyes. He was tall and slender, with a narrow face, thinning hair, and a pristine gray suit that looked slightly too small for him, showing off bony ankles and wrists. I narrowed my eyes. He reminded me of a Pet, of a boy I once knew, whod betrayed me to become the aide to the vampire Prince of New Covington. It seemed Eden had their version of Pets, as well.
The man gazed at me, lips pressed into a serious line, then stepped briskly into the room. I tensed as he approached the cell and stopped several feet from the bars, well out of my reach should I decide to lunge at him. I eyed him wearily. I didnt know what he wanted, but if he was anything like that Pet I used to know, then I didnt want to talk to him. He was probably here to threaten, or ask questions, or maybe to inform me that I was bound for some kind of secret lab on the island. I wondered if I could get any information out of him regarding Zeke and the others.
Miss Allison.
I blinked, frowning. I was surprised that hed used my name; most humans just called me vampire or bloodsucker. But his tone wasnt condescending, or smug. It almost bordered on...civil. That was different. Yes?
He continued to stay well away from the bars, but his voice was serious as he folded his hands before him. Please, forgive the accommodations, he said, as if he was soothing an annoyed yet important guest. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to clear up this misunderstanding. Your friends are speaking with the mayor right now about the situation in Eden. We expect that you will be able to join them soon, if you can be patient just a little longer.
I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. It had been so long since any human had spoken to me like I was a person, once they knew what I really was. You...you do realize what I am, right? I asked. Maybe he didnt know what he was talking to; maybe his boss hadnt told him the girl in the cell was really a monster. He blinked, then gave a somber nod.
Yes. You are a vampire. That has already been established. But your friends have vouched for you, that you mean no ill to the people of Eden, and we will hold them to that. If you harm or kill anyone while you are here, it will be on their heads. The mans voice didnt change; it was still polite and matter-of-fact, but the warning in it was clear. If I hurt anyone, Zeke and the others would pay for it, too.
However, the human went on, Zeke Crosse has done much for Eden, and we have spoken to the doctors and soldiers who saw you the last time you were here. On their testimony, and the insistence of Mr. Crosse, we have decided to trust you. As soon as the mayor gives the order, you are free to go.
Hes letting me go. A vampire. Suddenly leery that this could be a trap, I narrowed my eyes, searching his face for the truth. I find that a little hard to believe. What does he really want from me?
Only your cooperation, Miss Allison. The mans voice didnt change. And the promise that you will not harm anyone here. The citizens of Eden do not know about you, nor should they, but the mayor realizes that a vampire could be of great use to us, especially now.
If that means hes going to turn me over to the scientists, Im afraid we dont quite see eye to eye, I said, showing the very tips of my fangs. But the man shook his head.
No, Miss Allison. Never without your consent. If he saw my incredulous look, he didnt mention it. The scientists you speak of did need vampire blood to continue their research, this is true, but we fear they are all dead now. They never got off the island when the catastrophe hit.
What catastrophe?
Im afraid youll need to hear it from the mayor, the human said gravely. He just sent me here to inform you that the situation is being resolved, and ask you to please not attack the citizens of Eden when you leave this place.
I continued to stare at him. That wasnt what Id been expecting. Humans welcoming a vampire into their city? Treating her like she wasnt a monster, or a thing that could be turned into an experiment? The human outside the cell was being cautious, yes, but hed spoken to me with respect, like I was a real person. Maybe...Id been wrong. Maybe Zekes version of Eden had been the right one, after all.