Redson Read online

  “Hunt? As in animals? You don’t have bagged blood?” The woman sounded irritated.

  “No, I do not. I keep under the radar of humans. Buying blood would draw too much attention. I’m also over four hundred years old. Bagged blood is for you modern children.”

  The woman and two men lifted from the floor. Paula turned her head to peer at Emma. A low growl came from one of them.

  It gave her the willies to be studied that way but she refused to look up. She knew how a rat must feel, cornered by three hungry cats. She concentrated on her breathing and heart rate to stifle her fear.

  “Not her. She’s mine,” Her grandfather announced in a cold tone. “She’s a rare type I just acquired, and I don’t share.”

  Paula turned away. “Where are your other slaves?”

  “Dead. I haven’t replaced them yet. She supplies all my needs. You will find some large animals nearby.” He snorted. “Be happy I’m offering that. Next time, send a letter of intent to lodge here if you expect warm meals at your disposal. Perhaps you’ve spent too much time hunting rogues and have forgotten proper manners.”

  Paula tried to protest but her grandfather cut her off. “Slave, go to my room now. Undress and get into my bed. I have other needs besides your blood.”

  Emma fled, ignoring the “ewww” factor of his implied intent. He wanted her away from the Vamps—now. She quickly walked out of sight upstairs but paused around the corner to listen.

  “We need human blood,” Paula protested.

  “You should have brought your own then. I killed the four slaves I had. They were too weakened and frail to use anymore. One of them nearly burned down my kitchen.”

  Emma winced at the reminder. She’d been the one who’d done that…but the damage hadn’t been too bad. She’d been baking and used too much yeast in her cake mix. The batter had spilled over into the oven, catching fire. She had managed to clean most of the smoke stains from the walls and ceiling.

  “You could share the girl.” It was one of the male Vamps who spoke.

  “I could but I won’t. She’s my only source at the moment. I haven’t tired of her enough to allow you to bleed her to death. I wouldn’t lend you my clothes, so I certainly wouldn’t allow you to share my slave.” His voice deepened. “Who else approaches?”

  Paula hesitated. “No one.”

  “You lie,” her grandfather accused.

  “Emma?” His voice filled her head. “Get to the roof. It’s a trap. Eduardo coming. He’s with them. This changes everything. Avoid our safe house. Last resort.”

  Terror gripped her as the memory surfaced from her childhood. Eduardo was the monster who had taken her mother away, attacked the small town where she’d lived, and changed her life forever. It also meant that she wasn’t going to hide in the same state. She’d have to take off on her own—and Grandpa wouldn’t be joining her right away.

  “Emma! Answer me. Grab your bag and get on the damn roof. You know what to do. The sun will rise soon and they’re young enough to need shelter before dawn breaks. They won’t have time to chase you down the mountain.”

  She forced the fear back and concentrated. “I don’t want to go without you! We should leave together. I’m not abandoning you to face that asshole alone.”

  “It’s too late. Six more of them entered the house and two of them are eyeing the stairs. Go. I love you.”

  “He’ll kill you!”

  “He could try but he’d fail. I’m his master. You’re a weakness to me if it comes down to a battle. He also knows he’d break our laws by attempting to kill me in front of Vampires not under his control. The council frowns upon youths killing the ones who made them. They fear the same fate will befall them. These children aren’t ones Eduardo made. They smell different. Move your ass and remember what I always told you. Reach safety and remind my old friend that it’s a blood oath he swore. Tell him the truth about who you are and the entire situation. Go! They’re inching closer to the stairs.”

  “I love you. You better come for me soon.”

  “It’s a promise. You look just like your mother. Eduardo can’t see you. He’d kill you just to hurt me. Hurry! Love you too, my little one.”

  Emma opened her eyes and crept down the hallway to the wall. She pushed on two spots with her index finger and thumb, then passed through the doorway that silently opened. The door closed behind her. Automatic lights came on and she hoisted her bag, laying on the floor where her grandfather had placed it. Instead of moving to the ladder that ran to the basement, she took the one up to the roof. Fear made her cautious but it also urged her to hurry.

  “Tell me when you’re ready. I’m going to distract them.” Her grandfather’s voice in her head had a soothing effect on her panic.

  She climbed faster, scared of what might happen to him if he fought all those Vamps by himself. It tempted her to turn around but he was right. She’d only be a weakness. They were too fast and strong for her to fight. They’d capture her, and her grandfather would be at their mercy to keep her alive. It sucked but it was also reality.

  She reached the top, unlocked the bolt to the access hatch, and pushed. The section above her opened and she climbed out onto the roof. Two large chimneys hid her from the ground. She closed the hatch, turned, and put on her backpack.

  The moon shone from above, making it a clear night. It was a blessing and a curse. She could see better but so could anyone on the ground, once she left the safety of the chimneys. City lights of the town nestled in the valley far below beckoned. Their home sat in the woods, high on a hill, and the view had always been spectacular. Tonight, it sent her into a near panic attack.

  “Are you ready?”

  She closed her eyes, pushing her thoughts at her grandpa. “Give me two minutes and I’m out of here.”

  “Be careful.”

  “I hate this, by the way.”

  “I know.”

  “I’d have real wings if I were meant to fly. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

  “I swear. They wouldn’t dare kill me. I’m too strong. I need you gone, honey. You’re a distraction.”

  “I know. Promise me that you’ll be okay?”

  “I do. Get a move on. Two minutes and counting. Ignore the noises you hear. Eduardo is speaking to someone in the front yard and about to enter the house. Safe landing.”

  She grabbed the device hooked to the chimney on her right and softly cursed as she ripped off the protective plastic. Once it was freed, she opened the horrible contraption. The wind instantly tried to tear it from her fingers but she managed to clip on the straps and step into the harness. They’d practiced it a thousand times.

  “Fly, angel. I love you. He’s here.”

  She picked up more than his thoughts. She felt his fear through the link…and she paused. “Grandpa?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “Grandpa?”

  Still no answer. Faint shouts sounded from below. Terror made her stumble forward. The wind caught the wide wings of the glider and it propelled her forward. She staggered along to prevent herself from being dragged.

  Then her feet skidded off the edge of the roof.

  She dropped and swung crazily, but the wind caught the glider. It jerked her along. She sailed over trees on the way down the mountain. Fear motivated her to steer, aiming toward the city lights.

  * * * * *

  “Miss?”

  A hand jerked Emma awake from her nightmare and she stared at the bus driver with wide eyes.

  “We’re here.”

  Not a nightmare, she thought, sitting up from where she’d slumped on the seat against her bag. She met the man’s gaze with a forced smile.

  “Thank you.”

  He turned away, moving toward the front. She gripped her bag and peered out the dirty windows of the bus. The place looked small. It appeared more of a tourist trap than a real town. She sighed, dreading whatever she’d face.

  “Great. Up note, how hard can it be to find