I should have been there with them, Zeke whispered. If Id never left the island
I would be dead, I told him softly. And Kanin would be dead. And Sarren would still be trying to destroy the world, with no one to stop him. I paused, then added, very gently, Im not discounting their deaths. And maybe theyre still alive somehow. We dont know for certain that theyre gone. But...you once told me everything happens for a reason. Maybe this is why.
Zeke gave a short, humorless laugh. Why I became a vampire? he asked. Id never heard him sound so bitter. Why an entire city is lost, and everyone I love is probably dead? He shivered, gazing out over the lake. My family is gone, he said in a flat, empty voice. Ive lost everything. Seems an awfully high price to pay.
My voice was almost a whisper. Im here, Zeke.
A tremor went through him. He didnt say anything more, and I didnt feel any tears drip onto my hands. I didnt know what he was thinking, but we stayed like that, silent and motionless, the waves lapping at the pier and the wind blowing flurries around us. I didnt move, feeling his skin grow cold under my cheek, until I felt another presence at my back, a dark set of eyes gazing down on us.
I turned. Kanin stood at the end of the dock, impassive and imposing against the night, his arms folded before him. Zeke hadnt turned, didnt see the Master vampire, but those depthless black eyes were on me, waiting. He didnt move, didnt beckon me forward, but I turned back to Zeke, lowering my voice.
I have to go, I told him, and his head bobbed very slightly. Will you be all right?
Yes. His voice was soft, but almost normal. I reluctantly let him go, and he hesitated before adding, Allie...thank you.
I wanted to say more, but I felt the weight of Kanins gaze on us both. So I lightly touched Zekes shoulder and went, leaving him alone at the edge of the water, worry and sorrow still heavy on my mind.
The Master vampire waited for me at the end of the dock, watching as I approached. As usual, he gave no hints to his thoughts or feelings, though I was surprised hed sought me out. Usually, my sire was the silent, neutral observer, leaving me and Jackal to our own devicesuntil our bickering got too annoying, anyway. I wondered why hed chosen tonight to come after me.
Come, he said simply, when I finally joined him at the edge of the wooden planks. There is work to be done. Follow me.
Work? I frowned and hurried after my sire, jogging to keep up with his long strides. What work? What are you talking about?
The people here have lost a great deal, Kanin said without looking at me, heading toward the main street and the huge tent city clustered beyond. There are too many in need and very few with the resources to help. There are things that we can do to alleviate that.
Why me? We passed the hospital, where a pair of soldiers nodded to Kanin but eyed me with wary suspicion. Kanin smiled humorlessly.
I would not ask James, he replied, making me snort. And Ezekiel needs some time alone. There is only so much you can do for him, Allison. He must come to terms with this loss himself. His voice turned slightly grave. Also, I fear with four vampires here, Eden might not come away completely unscathed. We might have to feed soon, so let this be part of that compensation. I only hope it does not come down to that.
Kanin and I worked through the night. The most pressing concern was the wall that kept out the rabids; there were places that had weakened with the relentless attacks and were in danger of crumbling entirely. The humans watched us come and go without suspicion, unaware of the monsters in their midst. After a few hours of fortifying the defenses, Kanin volunteered me for guard duty, watching the road for stragglers and making sure the rabids couldnt claw their way in. As I sat atop one of the towers, gazing down at the hissing, writhing mass outside the gates, I wondered if the real reason Kanin was doing this was to keep me away from Zeke. Maybe not with the intention to separate us, but to keep me occupied and to give Zeke a chance to deal with this loss alone. Maybe that was the best thing for him now.
Or maybe not. Maybe Kanins reasons were as he saidpayment for the harm four vampires might bring to the community. Or perhaps it was something else. I didnt know. My sire had always been inscrutable, and Id given up trying to figure him out.
About an hour before dawn, I was relieved of sentry duty, and I returned to the hospital. In the quiet stillness before sunrise, most of the tent city was asleep, huddled between blankets and family members, their misery forgotten for a while.
As I headed toward the front door, a hint of fresh blood came to me over the breeze. Frowning, I followed it around a corner, where Jackal leaned casually against the outside wall, cloaked in shadow, his yellow eyes glowing in the darkness. He smelled of blood, but clean and untainted with chemicals, unlike the bandaged, wounded patrons in the hospital. I desperately hoped he hadnt eaten one of them. My Hunger perked up with a growl, and I shoved it back.
Oh, hey, sister. Jackal grinned at me, then took something out of his duster: a plastic bag full of dark liquid. Did they finally release you from manual labor? A vampire working for the sheephow positively nauseating. If I were you, I wouldve told the old man to go sit on a campfire. But, hey, better you than me. He gave me a mocking salute, then bit into the plastic. I frowned.
Where did you get that? No one here knows youre a vampire.
He pulled his fangs from the bag and smirked at me with bloody lips. Its amazing what you can find if you go poking around back rooms when no ones looking, he answered. Found this hanging in a fridge, and I got Hungry. Want one, sister? He lifted the bag, and a few red drops fell to the ground, making my stomach churn with Hunger. Theres still a couple left, last I checked. He peered at me again, then arched a brow. Whats that look for?
Nothing, I said, smiling. Just never thought Id see you choose a bloodbag over a human to feed from. Are we finally rubbing off on the big, bad raider king?
He rolled his eyes. Im a vampire, sister. Im not stupid. If one of these meatsacks up and vanishes without a trace, who are they going to blame first? We dont need the heavily armed, vampire-hating soldiers poking around and asking questions, and its so tedious to dispose of a large pile of corpses. But not to worry. He settled against the wall, crossing his long legs, and bared his fangs in a smile. After we stop Sarren, I fully intend to indulge in a nice killing spree to get this taste out of my mouth, so dont think youve de-fanged me quite yet.
I grinned. If you say so. James.
He glared at me. Shouldnt you be saving orphans with the puppy right now? Or pretending to be interested in Kanins stories? Go bother someone else for a while.
Triumphant, I turned away, preparing to leave. Where are Kanin and Zeke?
Hell if I know. Last I saw the old man, he was talking to the mayor, making plans to leave tomorrow and all that shit. They didnt look like they needed me, and besides, I was bored. Jackal took a long swig from the bag. So I thought Id do my own exploring. Oh, and by the way, they cleared out a room for you so you dont have to share the common area with the sickies. Guess having a vampire in the hospital made them a bit nervous after all. He waved the bag at me, arching his brows. Sure you dont want one, sister? You could split it with the puppy over candlelight.
I walked into the hospital, leaving Jackal outside with his stolen blood. The rooms were quiet now, most of the humans sleeping, only a couple nurses milling around the beds, checking on patients. They ignored me as I made my way through the halls, not really knowing where I was going. I wondered if I should go look for Zeke, but figured Id leave him alone tonight. Maybe he was weary of my constant hovering. Dawn was less than an hour away, and I was tired. Zeke knew I was here; if he wanted to talk, he would come to me.
I finally stopped a nurse in the corridor and asked where my room was. She pointed me in the right direction, then fled, hurrying around a corner as quickly as she could. So, apparently, some of the humans here knew of the vampire wandering the grounds. Hopefully, theyd keep that knowledge from the rest of the patients. I could only imagine what a mob of scared, panicked humans might do if they realized a vampire was sleeping in the room next door.
I walked into my room, which happened to be a large storage closet with a bed in the corner, and froze when I saw a figure leaning against a shelf, waiting for me.
Zeke? I blinked as the door swung shut behind me. What are you doing here
Zeke took three steps forward, took me gently in his arms, and pressed his lips to mine. Shocked, I stiffened, but only for a moment. Then my arms snaked around his waist, and I leaned into him as he pulled me close. His mouth worked against mine, gentle but insistent, almost desperate. I could feel the hard cords of muscles in his back, in his arms, like steel bands dragging me closer. His hands rose to tangle in my hair, and I sighed against his lips, feeling a different hunger rise up, burning through my veins. I wanted to tip my head back, baring my throat, but Zeke held me so tight, it was all I could do to kiss him.
When he pulled back, I was a little dazed. His arms were still around me, pressing me close, and didnt feel like they would loosen anytime soon. I looked up at him, meeting that intense stare, and gave him a puzzled smile. What was that about? I whispered.
Zeke touched his forehead to mine, closing his eyes. That was me...finally realizing whats important. He sighed, his voice full of regret. It shouldnt have taken me this long, but it seems Ive always had trouble seeing what was right in front of me. I guess... His brow furrowed, and he shivered. I guess everything had to be taken away for me to get it.
Zeke...
He pulled back, his eyes tormented as the stared into mine. Eden is gone, he said, making my stomach clench. My home has been destroyed, and my family...is probably dead. And Im a vampire. Ive lost almost everything. His grip tightened painfully, his gaze almost desperate. I cant lose you, too.