ASHADEOFVAMPIRE17:AWINDOFCHANGE

BELLAFORREST

Contents

AlsobyBellaForrestCopyright

1. Prologue:Ben2. Chapter1:River3. Chapter2:River4. Chapter3:River5. Chapter4:River6. Chapter5:River7. Chapter6:River8. Chapter7:Ben9. Chapter8:River10. Chapter9:Ben11. Chapter10:River12. Chapter11:River13. Chapter12:Ben14. Chapter13:Ben15. Chapter14:Ben16. Chapter15:River17. Chapter16:River18. Chapter17:Ben19. Chapter18:Ben20. Chapter19:Ben21. Chapter20:River22. Chapter21:Ben23. Chapter22:River24. Chapter23:Ben25. Chapter24:River26. Epilogue:DerekReadMorebyBellaForrest!

A L S O B Y B E L L A F O R R E S T

ASHADEOFVAMPIRESERIES

Derek&Sofia’sstory:AShadeofVampire(Book1)

AShadeofBlood(Book2)ACastleofSand(Book3)

AShadowofLight(Book4)ABlazeofSun(Book5)

AGateofNight(Book6)ABreakofDay(Book7)

Rose&Caleb’sstory:AShadeofNovak(Book8)

ABondofBlood(Book9)ASpellofTime(Book10)

AChaseofPrey(Book11)AShadeofDoubt(Book12)

ATurnofTides(Book13)ADawnofStrength(Book14)

AFallofSecrets(Book15)AnEndofNight(Book16)

TheShadeliveson…AWindofChange(Book17)

ASHADEOFKIEVTRILOGY

AShadeofKiev1AShadeofKiev2

AShadeofKiev3

BEAUTIFULMONSTERDUOLOGY

BeautifulMonster1

BeautifulMonster2

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I

P R O L O GU E : B E N

rantheentirecircumferenceoftheboundarysurroundingTheOasis.Therewasnowayout.Thebrandonmyupperrightarmburnedmorethanever.

Itfeltlikemyskinwasonfire.Therewasnopointtryingtobreakthroughanylonger.Iwasn’tgoingto

escape.Notnowandnotlikethis.Ihadtoreturnbeforesomeonenoticedmeuphere.IhopedthatMarilynhad

beentoodrunktorememberwhathadhappenedonceshewokefromsleep.IhurriedbackacrossthesandtowardTheOasis.Iwaswithinonemileofit

whenIspottedsomethingnorthofthecoven’sentrance.Astable,filledwithcamels.Theremust’vebeenatleastfiftyofthem.Iwasn’tsurewhytheywerethere,becauseJeramiahandhispeopleseemedtohavenoshortageofhumanbloodintheircellars.Icouldn’timaginewhytheyneededcamelbloodtoo.Tearingmyeyesawayfromthestable,Iracedbacktowardthetrapdoorleadingdowntowardtheatrium.

Beforedescendingthestaircase,IpokedmyheaddownthroughtheholeinthegroundasfarasIcouldandlookedaround,listeningforanysignofsomeonehavingwokenupnearby.Icouldhearheavybreathing,andtheoccasionalsnore.AsfarasIcouldtell,everyonewasinbed.IclimbeddownthestairsandclosedthetrapdoorabovemeasquietlyasIcould.

Almostassoonasmyfeettouchedthefloor,theburninginmyarmstopped.IthoughtImighthavebeenhallucinatingatfirst.ThenIwonderedwhetherthehotairoutsidehadaggravatedit.Itwasbizarre.Icouldstillfeelitpricklingslightly,butthepainwasnowherenearasagonizingasbefore.

IloweredthesheetfilledwithsacksofbloodthatIhadflungovermyshoulder,andproceededtotakeofflayerafterlayerofshirtsIhadpiledon.Ididn’twanttobecaughtlookinglikeIhadjusttriedtoescape.

IstoppedpeelingoffthelayersasIreachedthelastone.Bunchinguptheclothingundermyleftarm,Ipickedupthebundleofbloodandtuckedthatundermyrightarm.AlthoughIlookedlesssuspiciouswithoutsomanyshirts,ifIbumpedintoavampiretheywouldsmelltheblood.Ihadtomovequicklybeforeanyonestartedwakingup.

Itooktheelevatordowntomylevelandsprintedalongthewindingverandatowardmyapartmentdoor.Itwaswideopen.Isteppedinsideandlockedthedoor.Headingstraighttomybedroom,Iexpectedtheworst—thatMarilynwasstillinhere.Butshewasn’t.Isearchedtherestoftheapartmentjusttobesure.Shehadgone.PerhapsshehadreturnedtoJeramiah,ortakenupmysuggestiontofindsomeotherapartmenttosleepin.

Headingformybathroom,IremovedthetwopairsofpantsIhadlayeredon,thenremovedmyshirt.Istaredatmyselfinthemirror.Mybreathhitchedatthesightofthetattoo.Previouslypitchblack,nowitwastingedred.Theskinarounditwasglowing,likeanemberdyingdownafterafire.Thiswasnoordinarytattoo.Itclearlyhadsomekindofmagicalpower.Perhapsoneofthewitchesresidingherehadetcheditintome…

Igrabbedatowelfromtherailingandwetitwithcoldwater,thendabbeditoverthetattoo.Ihelditthereforabouttenminutesbeforelettingitgo.Thepricklingwaspracticallynonexistentbynow,andtheglowingofthetattooseemedtohavedieddown.

ThenIsteppedintotheshowerandturnedonthecoldwater,calmingtherestofmybodyafterbeingexposedtotheswelteringheatoutside.OnceIhadfinishedshowering,Idriedmyself,pulledonacleanpairofpantsandanothershirt,thenreturnedtomybedroom.Iwalkedtothebedandsatdownontheedgeofit.

Whatnow?Irestedmyheadinmyhands,closingmyeyesandtryingtoplanmynext

step.Ihadtoescape.Thatmuchhadn’tchanged.Jeramiahhadtoldmeabouttheboundary—andwarnedmenottogonearit.

He’dtoldmethestoryofthevampirewhousedtoliveinthisveryapartment,whohadgottendrunkandventuredoutside,onlytobekilledbythehunterswhopatrolledthisareaclosely.

IhadassumedthatIwouldhavethefreedomtostepoutside,justasthatvampirehad,howeverdangerousitwas.Icouldonlyguessthatthewitcheshadsetupthisbarrierspellandhadn’tyetgrantedmepermissiontocomeinandoutasIpleased.

Myfirststepbecamecleartome.Ihadtogainthesepeople’strust,by

whatevermeansnecessary.Andthatmeantonlyonething:IhadtoseekoutJeramiah.Hewastheclear

leaderofthisplace.IfIgainedhistrust,everythingelsewouldfollow.Istoodupandpacedaroundtheroom.NowthatIknewJeramiahwasthe

bastardchildofmyuncle,conceivedbeforeLucasturnedintoavampire,justthethoughtoflookinghimintheeyefeltsoawkward.AlthoughIguessedthathedidn’tknowIwasDerekNovak’sson,andindeedbelievedthatmynamewasJosephBrunson,therewasnowayIcouldbecompletelysure.

Still,itwasn’tlikeIhadanyotherchoice.Ipickedupthesheetwrappedwithbloodsacksfromthefloorandtookit

intothekitchen.Rollingitoutonthetable,Ipickedupthesacksandreplacedtheminthefridge—exceptforone,whichIpouredintoaglassanddrank.Ineededsomebloodinmysystemforwhatwasaheadofme.

ThenIleftmyapartment.AsIlookedaroundmylevel,peoplewerebeginningtowakeupandstepoutoftheirapartments.TherewasstillnosignofMarilyn.

“Joseph,”amalevoicecalledbehindme.Iturnedaroundtofindmyselffacetofacewithoneofthevampiresfromthe

crowdthenightbefore,whenJeramiahhadintroducedmetoeverybody.Hehadshorthairandanosethatwasdisproportionatelylarge.

“Goodmorning…Orgoodday,whatevertimeitis,”hesaid,grinning.“I’mLloyd.”

“Goodday,”Isaid,eventhoughthisdayfeltlikeitcouldn’thavebeenanyworse.

“Youlookabitlost,”hesaid.“Notlost,”Ireplied.“HaveyouseenJeramiaharound?”Hegesturedtowardthegardensdownbelowinthecenteroftheatrium.

Walkingovertotherailing,hepointeddowntowardthelilypond—whereLucasNovak’smemorialstonelay.Abouttenfeetawayfromtheedgeofthewater,sittingcross-leggedandshirtlessonthelawn,wasJeramiah.Hishairwasbunchedupinabunontopofhisheadandhesatmotionless,hiseyesclosed.Hehadanexpressionofserenityonhisface.

“He’smeditating,”Lloydsaid.Meditating?“Hedoesiteverymorning.Hefindsitstrengthensthemind.Beforehegot

turned,hespenttimeinIndiawithabunchofyogis.Learnedaboutmindandself-control…Whatever,”hesaid,turningbacktome.“Anyway,goodtohaveyouhere,Joseph.Ilivejustfivedoorsdownfromyou,ifyouneedhelpwithanything…”

“Thanks,”Isaid.Heturnedandwalkedaway.Ifixedmyeyesbackdownonthevampiresittinginthecenterofthelawn.

Hebeganinhalingdeeply,hisbackstraight.Iremainedwatchinghimforthenexttwentyminutesuntilhefinallyopenedhiseyesandstoodup.Hemovedclosertothelilypond.Beforehecoulddisappear,Itooktheopportunitytojoinhimdownstairs.Hesensedmeapproaching,andturnedaroundtofaceme.

“Ah,Joseph.Howdidyousleep?”“Well,”Isaidcoolly.Istoodnexttohimbythewater’sedge.“Good,”hesaid.“Good.”Therewasnopointinbringingupthetattooonmyarm.Hewasshowingno

signsofofferinganexplanationaboutit,soIwasnotgoingtomentionit.Itwouldonlybecounterproductive.AndwhatwouldIsayanyway?Obviouslyoneofthemherehaddoneit,itwasjustaquestionofwho.Aminordetail.ThefactwasthatthemarkhadbeenetchedintomeatJeramiah’sorder.

Still,Ifounditoddthathefeltnoneedtooffermetheslightestbitofexplanationforit.

“I’msorryIhadtoleaveearlylastnight,”Isaid,watchinghisreactioncarefully.“AsIsaid,Iwasn’tfeelingwell.”

“That’sallright.Weunderstood.Iguessallofthis”—hegesturedaroundtheatrium—“isalottotakeinforanewcomer.Thedesertaircanalsohaveastrangeeffectonpeoplewhoaren’tusedtoit.Especiallyintheseparts…”

“IalsorealizedthatIhavenotthankedyouproperly,”Icontinued.“FirstofallforsavingmefromthosehuntersbackinChile,andthenofferingmerefugehere.”

“That’squiteallright,”hesaid,lookingmeoverthoughtfully.“Ilikeyoualready,Joseph.I’msureyou’llprovetobeavaluableadditiontoourcovenandwon’tletusdown.”Hepaused,fixinghiseyesbackonthelilypond.“I’mgenerallyaneasypersontogetalongwithinanycase.”Hisgazeshotbacktome.“Justdon’teverlietome.BecauseIdon’ttolerateliars.”

Ilookedbackathimunflinchingly,thoughinsideIwastakenaback.ItmademewonderwhetherhesuspectedIwasn’tbeingtruthfulaboutmyidentity.

Buthisappearanceresumeditspreviouszenstateandhelookedbackatthebluelilies.

“AsIsaidbefore,”hecontinued,“I’msurethatyouwilllikeithere.Itmighttakesomegettingusedto,butonceyoudo,youwillneverwanttoleave.”

“I’msureIwon’t,”Isaid.Marilynhadbetterhaveforgottenwhatshewitnessedlastnight.“IrealizethatIstillknowverylittleaboutthisplace,”Isaid,lookingaround

themagnificentatrium.“Iwouldliketoknowmore.Youmentionedhowyoufounditandrebuiltitintowhatitistoday,butI’mcuriousabouthowyoumanagethelogistics.Like,howdoyougethumansdownhere?”

Jeramiahgesturedtoawoodenbenchbythesideofthepondandwebothsatdown.

“Muchthesameasanyvampireprocureshumanblood.Wegooutonhunts,usuallycatchingalargenumberofhumansatthesametime,andthenoneofoursixwitchestransportsusback.WerarelystepdirectlyoutoftheboundaryofTheOasis—wetravelplacesbymagicinordertoavoidthehuntersstationedoutside.”

“Isee.Andyoukeepallthehumansdowninthebasement,don’tyou?”Iasked,recallingmyownbriefventuredownthere.

“Yes.Westorehumansdowntherebutalsosomehalf-bloodslaves.Manyofthehalf-bloodslivewithvampiresinapartments—mostlyinservantquarters—butothersremaindownstairs.”

“Andhowmanyvampiresaretherehere?Howmanyhalf-bloods?”“Threehundredandtwentyvampires,andonehundredandsixtyhalf-

bloods,”herepliedwithouthesitation.Iraisedabrow.“Youliketokeeptheratioprecise.”“Yes.”Hedidn’tofferanyfurtherexplanationastowhythatwas,andIdidn’task.“Andhowmanyhumansdoyoutypicallykeepdownthere?”Iasked,

gesturingtotheground.“Itvaries.”“Andwhyisittheirbloodtastessogood?It’sthebestI’vetasted.”Abroadsmileformedonhislips.“Wekeepourhumansexceptionallywell.

Wefeedthemahealthydietandkeepthemfreefromdiseases.Ofcourse,ithasaneffectontheblood.”

“Isee.”Thathadn’tbeentheanswerIhadbeenexpecting,butIsupposeditmadesense.“Andyoumanagethisplacealone?”

“Amaya,MichaelandIdomostofthemanaging.Butsinceeveryonearoundhereisanadult—althoughsomecancertainlyactlikechildren—keepingthingsinorderisn’ttootaxing.We’vebeenlivingherelongenoughtoworkoutsystems.Everyoneknowstheirroleinhelpingoutandkeepingeverythingrunningsmoothly.”

ThiswastheopeningIwaslookingforallalong.“Speakingofhelping,”Isaid,“Ifeelindebted.IstheresomethingIcandoto

playmypart?”“Yes,”hesaid.“Youwon’tbeusefulinhuntinganyhumansrightnow,being

newlyturned—buttherearecertainlyotherthingsyoucanhelpwith.”Itriedtohidemyfrustration.“Ifeelmoreconfidentinmyabilitytocontrol

myselfaroundhumans.Butyou’reright,it’sperhapsstilltooearly.”Ishouldhavelaughedattheunderstatement.Istillhadzeroconfidence

aroundhumans.ItwasawonderthatIhadmanagedtokeepmyselffromattackinganyhumanswhenIhadgonedowntothebasement.Thefactthattheywerelockedinsecureroomshadhelped.Still,eventhenI’dbeenscaredthatIwouldbreakinsideandstealone.Itwasagoodthingthatmyventuredownstairshadonlybeenquick.

“Soifyou’rereadytostarthelping,comewithme,”hesaid.Hebeganwalkingawayfromthepondandthegardensandledmetowardoneoftheroomsontheatrium’sgroundlevel.Thedoorwasunlockedandhepusheditopen.Steppinginsideafterhim,Ifoundmyselfinalargedimstoragechamber.Itsmelledof…somekindofanimal.Reinsandharnesseshungfromtheceiling.Jeramiahheadedstraightforacornerwheretherewasapileofmetalbucketscoveredwithlids.Hepickedupsixbythehandle,balancingthreeineachhand,andgavethemtome.

“Abovegroundwehaveastableofcamels.Goandfillthesebucketswithmilk.”

Istaredathim,wonderingifthiswassomekindofjoke.“Milk?Whatdoyouusemilkfor?”“Thehumans,”hesaid.“Itoldyouwemakesurethattheygetproper

nutrition.”Istareddownatthebuckets.“Sure,”Ireplied,althoughIwasanythingbut.WeexitedtheroomandJeramiahandIparted.Imademywayuptothetop

levelinoneoftheelevators.IwasstillthinkingabouthowstrangethisrequestwasevenasIclimbedthroughthetrapdoorandsteppedoutonceagainintothehotdesert.Eventhoughthesunwasn’tshiningdirectlyuponme,duetothewitches’spellofnightaroundthisarea,IcouldstillfeeltheheatnowthatIwasoutsideofthecoolatmosphereofTheOasis.

Theyneededmilkforthehumans.Iwonderedwhythewitchesdidn’tjustprovideitbymagic.Ididn’tunderstandwhytheybotheredwithmundanelaborlikethis.

Milkingcamels.Iletthethoughtsinkin.Isurehadn’tthoughtthiswouldbewhatJeramiahwouldaskofme.

Apartofmehadbeenexpectinghimtoaskmetohalf-turnoneofthehumans.Iwasrelievedhehadn’t,ofcourse.Iwouldhaveendedupmurderingthem.TheonlyreasonI’dbeenabletocontrolmyselfaroundTobiaswasbecausehewassick.IdoubtedIwouldbeabletorefrainfromdevouringa

healthyhuman,especiallysuchahealthyhumanastheonestheykeptdowninthebasement.Theirbloodtrulytasteddivine.

IheadedforthestableIhadspottedearlier,thebucketsclinkingatmysides.MilkmanBenjamin.Iimaginedmysisterwouldgetakickoutofthatimage.Mysister.ThethoughtthatIwasathreattoevenhernowmademygut

clench.IhavetofigureoutwhyI’veturnedintothismonster.Butfirst,Ineedtoescapethisplace.Iarrivedatthestable,enteredit,andwalkedalongtheaislesofslobbering

camelsuntilIspottedMichael,bendingdowninonecorneroverabucketmilkingaparticularlystoutcamel.AfterlearningfromJeramiahthathewasoneofthemanagersofTheOasis,Iwassurprisedtoseehimdoingsuchamenialjob.

Hedidn’tevenlookupasIapproached,althoughhehadobviouslysensedme.

HehadbeennothingbutfrostywithmesincethetimeIhadfirstmethimwithJeramiahinChile.IhadnointerestintryingtosparkupaconversationsoIignoredhimtoo.Thoughitwouldhavebeenusefultogetatleastsomedirectionastohowtomilkacamel.

Walkingfurtherdowntheaisles,Ipickedacamelwhoseemedtohaveaparticularlyswollenudderandplacedthebucketonthefloor.AsImotionedtotouchher,shejerkedbackwardandbegangruntingandkickingwildly.Oneofherheavyfeetnarrowlymissedmyrightfoot.

Istoodupandplacedbothhandsfirmlyonherback,tryingtocalmher.“It’sokay,girl.”Believeme,I’masuncomfortableaboutthisasyouare.Mybodyexpelledanimalbloodlikeitwaspoisonanyway.Anyfearthis

creaturehadofmewasunfounded.Iapproachedherheadandstrokedherlongneck.Thatseemedtocalmherdowngraduallyandshestoppedstruggling.Ibentdownandstartedsqueezingthemilkfromherteats.Thistimesheremainedstillforme—well,stillenoughformilktostartsquirtingintothefirstbucket.

Oncesheseemedtobegrowinguncomfortableagain,Imovedontothenextcamel.Thenthenext.Andthenext.Untilallsixbucketswerefilledupwiththefrothywhiteliquid.Wipingmystickyhandsagainstatowelhangingonahook,IlookedaroundthestableforMichael.Icouldn’tseehim.HeappearedtohavefinishedhisworkandreturnedtoTheOasis.

Iwasgladthatthebucketscamewithlids.Iftheyhadn’t,Iwould’vespilledalotofthemilkonmyjourneyback.Thelidsweretight,butbalancingsix

heavybucketsofmilkwasachallengeevenforavampire.Mypalmswereonlysobig.Still,goingslowlyandtakingcarenottosloshthemilktoomuch,IreachedtheentranceofTheOasisanddescendedthestaircase.

Itooktheelevatordowntothegroundfloor.Lookingoutacrossthegardens,IspottedJeramiahbythelilypondagain.HewastalkingwithafemalevampireIdidn’tknowthenameofbuthadseenthenightbefore.

“Jeramiah.Whatdoyouwantmetodowiththese?”Iasked,noddingtothebuckets.

“Ah,”hesaid,lookingpleasedasheeyedthelargebuckets.Helefthisfemalecompanionandapproachedme.Takingthreebucketsfromme,heledmebacktowardthebottomterrace.Weheadedstraightfortheroomthatleddowntotheprison.Webothtookthebucketsinside,andaswereachedthedooratthebackoftheroom,Inoticedthatthelockhadbeenreplaced.Itlookedmuchstrongerandsturdier.WhenJeramiahdrewoutakeyfromhispocket,Icouldseefromthewaythatitwasmoldedthatthiswasamuchmorecomplicatedlock—muchmoredifficulttopickthantheoneI’dmanagedtocrack.

Iwonderedwhetherthey’dfoundoutthatsomeonehadbeendownthere—andthattheintruderhadbeenme.

Orperhapsitwasacoincidence.Averyoddcoincidence.Asheopenedthedoorandsteppedinsidewiththreebuckets,Imotionedto

followhim.Plantinghisbucketsonthefloor,heswiveledbackaroundandheldupahand,blockingtheentrance.

“I’lltakethese.Thanks.”Hetookthethreebucketsfromme,placedthemonthegroundnexttothe

others,andthenclosedthedoorbehindhim.Therewasasharpclickasthedoorlocked.

Adeliciousaromawaftedintomynostrilsfromdownbelow.Icouldappreciatethesmellevenasavampire.Someonewascookingsomethingexoticinthebasement.Itmusthavebeenforthehumans.Iwascuriousastowhoexactlywasdoingthecookingandwhere.Ihadnotnoticedanykitchens.Thenagain,I’donlyexploredasmallpartofthemazethatwastheirprisonsystem.Iactuallyhadnoideahowbigitwas.ForallIknew,itcouldbespreadoutoverseverallevelsunderground.

IdecidedtowaitforJeramiahtoreturn.Hedidaboutfiveminuteslater,lockingthedoorbehindhimandslippingthekeyintotherightpocketofhispants.

Heflashedmeasmile.“Thatcanbeamorningdutyforyoufromnowon.Sixbucketsofcamelmilk.Ihavetothinkwhatelseyoucanhelpwitharound

here.I’mgoingtodiscussitwithAmayaandMichael.”“IwassurprisedtoseeMichaeluptheremilking,”Isaid.“Yes.Well,wedon’tliketoomuchhierarchyamongus.EvenIwilltakea

turninmilkingonceinawhile.”Weheadedbacktowardthegardens,passingthelilypondandenteringa

sprawlingorchardcontaininganarrayofexotic-lookingtrees.Hestoppedandlookedmeintheeye.Therewasafaintlookofamusement

onhisface.“Now,Iknowyousaidyouweren’tinterestedinhavinganyservantsinyourquarters.Butwouldn’tyoulikeafemalecompanion?Sometimesthenightscanfeellongwithoutone…”

Irolledmyeyesinternally.Girlsweretheverylastthingonmymindrightnow.

“Wedohavesomehalf-bloodgirlswhoaren’tyetcoupledwithvampires.I’dbehappytomakeanintroduction.Justasuggestion.Youareoneofmypeoplenow,andit’smyresponsibilitytomakesureyourneedsaremet…”

“Iappreciatethegesture.I’llletyouknow,”wasthepolitestwayIcouldthinktoreplytohissuggestion.

Wecontinuedwalkingthroughtheorchardinsilence.Wehadalmostreachedtheendofitwhenahissingsoundcamefrombehindus.Iwhirledaroundintimetoseeagiantsnakewithjet-blackscalesandablood-redtonguelaunchtowardme.

Myfirstinstinctwastolaunchrightbackatitandtackleittotheground.ButinthesplitsecondbeforethesnakeandImadecontact,Jeramiahhadflownatthecreatureandpinnedittothefloor.ThesnakewrithedandtriedtowraparoundJeramiah’sbody,buthekickedittothesideforcefully,holdingitsheadfromthebackandpositioningitsgapingfangsawayfromhim.Hehadalookofmildirritationonhisfaceasheyelledoutacrosstheatrium:“Wholetthissnakeintotheorchard?”

Amalevampirecamehurryingoutfromoneoftheroomsonthegroundlevel,carryingalong,thicksack.HeandJeramiahwrestledthesnakeintoitandtieduptheopening.

“Sorryaboutthat,”thevampiremutteredtoJeramiahbeforemakinghiswaybacktotheroom,draggingthesquirmingbundlebehindhim.

Whatonearthwasthatabout?I’dexpectedthemtokillthecreature.Itmightnotbesomethingavampire

couldn’thandle,butitwouldcertainlybeathreattohalf-bloodswhoweren’tasstrongasus.Insteadtheyseemedtobe…keepingit.

SinceJeramiahofferednoexplanation,Ididn’task.Weexitedthegardensandarrivedbackontheverandathatlinedthegroundleveloftheatrium.

Heturnedtome.“I’llhaveatalkwithMichaelandAmaya,asIsaid,andgetbacktoyouaboutotherresponsibilitiesyoucantakeon.”

Inodded.Partingwayswithhim,Iheadedstraightbacktomyapartment.EvenasidefromthefactthisplacewasmanagedbyLucasNovak’sson,

somethingaboutthisplacewasoff…thoughIcouldn’tyetputmyfingeronexactlywhatitwas.

AllIknowis,thesoonerIgetoutofhere,thebetter.Thetroublewas,unlessImanagedtocoerceawitchintohelpingme,itno

longerlookedlikeIwasgoingtogetthequickescapeI’dbeenhopingfor…

I

CH A P T E R 1 :R I V E R

staredatmyfatherthroughtheglassseparator.Hisblack,gray-streakedhairhunglimplyatthesidesofhisfaceandhisbrowneyeslookeddim

andjaded.HisfacewasspeckledwithmorescabsthanIwantedtocount.HisorangeuniformcontrastedstarklywithhispalecomplexionandhelookedthinnerthanI’deverseenhim.IfIhadn’tknownhimtobeforty-four,Iwould’veassumedhimtobeinhisearlysixties.

Foldsoflooseskingatheredoneithersideofhismouthashesmiledatme,revealingstainedteeth.Hishandunsteady,hereachedforthephoneonhissideofthewindowandplaceditagainsthisear.

Ipickedupthephoneonmyside.“River,”hebreathedintothereceiver,hisvoiceraspy.“Sweetheart,howare

you?”Iswallowedbackthelumpinmythroat.“Okay.”Hiseyesroamedeithersideofme.Thenhisexpressionsaggedin

disappointment.“DafneandLalia…Theydidn’tcome?”Ishookmyhead.“I’msorry.”Hesighedheavily,thenforcedanothersmile.“Areyouoffschoolnow?”“Yes,”Ireplied.“Wejustgotofftwodaysago.”“I’vebeenreadingwhateverpapersIcangetaholdof,butonehasn’tcome

mywaythelastweek.Havetherebeenanymorekidnappings?”“NotthatIknowof,”Isaid.“TheschoolsontheWestCoastwerestillclosed

rightupuntiltheholidaysstarted.Butnobodyseemssurewhetherthethreathaspassedornot.”

“Well,let’shopeithaspassed.”Hepaused,wettinghislowerlip.“HowisyourFrenchgoing?”

“Spanish,Dad.”“Spanish,”hesaid,shakinghishead.“I’msorry.How’sitgoing?”“Okay.I’mstillabitbehindcomparedtotherestoftheclass.Myteacherhas

givenmesomeextraworktodooverthesummer.”“Good,”hereplied.“Good.Andhowarethey…mythreeothercherubs?”“Okay,too,”Isaid.“Jamilisthesameasever.”Thecornersofmyfather’seyesmoistened.Ibrokeeyecontact.TherewasonlysolongIcouldlookathimbeforemy

throatbecametootight.“Whenareyoutransferring?”Iasked,staringdownatthemetalcounter.

“StillthisFriday?”“StillthisFriday,”hereplied.“Willyoucometovisitmedownsouth?”Ibreathedout.“Texasisalongway,Dad…Wedon’thavealotofextra

moneyrightnow.”“Oh,Iknow,honey,”hesaidquickly.“That’sokay.I’msurewe’llseeeach

otheragainsometimesoon…”Hisvoicetrailedoff.Ilookedupatthesoundofhisrighthandpressingagainsttheglass.Hewas

leaningclosertolookatme,clutchingthephoneinhisleftfist.“Idon’tdeserveyou,Riv,”hewhispered,hisvoicechokingup.“Idon’t

deserveyou,Dafne,Lalia,Jamil,oryourmother.”That’swhyyoulostus.I’dheardmyfathersayallthisbefore.Ifeltnumbtoitnow.Hisexpressions

ofregretandapologyhadcometomeannothingtomebecauseheneveractedonthem.Whenhewasstilllivingwithus,he’dberemorsefulforperhapsacoupleofdays,thensinkbackintohishabitandwewouldn’tseehimforthenextmonth.AlthoughIhadbeendevastatedwhenmymotherdivorcedhim,I’dslowlycometorealizethatshe’ddonewhatwasbestforallofus.Myfather…thisman…hewasn’tgoodforus.Especiallynotformyyoungersisters.Leavinghimwasthebravestthingmymotherhadeverdone.

“I’msorry,”hesaid.IwishIcouldbelieveyou.Ididn’tknowhowtorespond.IstilllovedhimmorethanIcouldsay,but

he’dwornmedownovertheyears,justashehadmymother.ButthiswasmylastvisitbeforehistransferandIhadnoideawhenI’dsee

himagain.Icouldn’tstandtoendourmeetingwithbitternessorresentment.He’dmadehischoices,andthejudgehadmadehers.

SoIjustbitmylipandnodded.

“Iknow,Dad.”Asheleanedintowardthewindowfurtherstill,IwishedIcouldtouchhim.

AlthoughhewasaghostofthefatherIremembered,awreckofhisaddiction,Ijustwantedtofeelhisarmsaroundme,hiskissagainstthetopofmyhead.

Ireacheduptotheglass,andflattenedmyhandagainsthis.Weremainedsilentinthispositionforseveralmomentsbeforeaharshvoicecalledbehindmyfather.

“Mr.Giovanni.You’vehadyourtime.”“Goodbye,”Isaidsoftly.Myfatherdidn’tbudge.“I’msorry,River,”herepeated.“I’msosorry.”“Mr.RemoGiovanni.”Theguardspokeagain,louderthistime.“Go,Dad.We’llseeeachotheragain.Hopefullysoon,”Isaid,eventhoughI

heldnohopeforsuchathing.Wewerestrugglingjusttocoverourgroceries.Atripacrossthecountrywouldn’tbeaffordablefortheforeseeablefuture.

Theguardapproachedbehindhimandgrippedhisshoulders,pullinghimbackawayfromthewindow.Thephoneclatteredagainstthecounter.Myfather’swiryframetoweredabovetheguardashestoodtohisfeet.Hiseyesremainedfixedonmerightupuntiltheguardusheredhimthroughthedoor.

Iremainedstaringattheemptydoorway.Staysafe,Papa.

P

CH A P T E R 2 :R I V E R

assingalongthecorridorstowardtheprison’sexit,Ifeltlikeaninmatemyself.Ihatedthewaytheguardseyedme,maleandfemale.Ibreathed

outdeeplyonceIreachedthefinaldoorandsteppedoutintothecrisp,earlyeveningair.Iheadedstraightforthebusstop.Therewasasmallcrowdofpeoplewaitingtherealready.Itookaseatonthebenchasfarawayfromeveryoneaspossible,butIdidn’tmanagetoescapetheattentionofanelderlywoman.

“Whowereyouvisiting,honey?”sheasked.Iwasn’tinanymoodtotalk,butthiswomanhadkindeyesandIdidn’twant

toberude.“Myfather,”Isaidquietly.“Oh.”Herfacefell.“I’msosorry,sweetie.”“That’sokay.”“Icametovisitmyson,”shesaid.Shereachedoutandsqueezedmyhand

gently.“Sometimespeoplejustdon’tthinkthroughtheconsequencesoftheiractions.Itdoesn’talwaysmeanthey’rebadpeople.Oftenthey’rejuststupid…Likemydumbassboy.Smashingupapolicecar.Whattheheckwashethinking?”Sheshookherhead.

Igaveheraweaksmile,thenlookeddownatmyfeet.Ifallmyfatherhaddonewastrashavehicle,Iwouldbesittingherenow

withamuchlighterheart.Thewomanseemedtotakethehintanddidn’tattempttostrikeupanother

conversation.IfumbledinmybagformyiPod,unwoundtheheadphonesfromitandplacedtheminmyears.IbrushedafingeragainstthecrackedscreenandnavigatedtowardthefilesIhadcopiedfromtheSpanish-learningCDmyteacherhadgivenme.Iturnedthevolumerightup,lettingthesoothingfemale

voicefillmyears.Ithelpedtodrownoutthethoughtsgoingthroughmyhead.Wewaitedtenmoreminutesbeforeabuspulledup.Aftertheelderlylady

andtherestofthecrowdhadboarded,Iclimbedinside.Ichoseaseatthatwasfurthestawayfromeveryoneandreplacedmyearbudsinmyears.

Thebusrevvedandmovedforward.Soon,wehadstartedalongthebridgethatledbacktowardLongIslandCity.Astronggustofwindblewinthroughthewindowofthebus,catchingmyhair.Istaredoutattheriverflowingbeneathus.Aswefinishedcrossingthebridge,Ilookedbehindustowardtheprisononelasttime.Iwipedmyeyesagainstthebackofmyjacketsleeveasmyvisionblurred.ThenIforcedmyselftofocusontheSpanishinmyearsonceagain.

IlookedupagainonlywhenIsensedmystopwasnearing.Ithankedthedriverandleftthebus,steppingoutontothesidewalk.Ihadtowaitforanotherfifteenminutesbeforethebusarrivedthatwouldtakemetomynextdestination.Itookaseatclosertothefrontthistime,whereIcouldgetaclearerviewofmysurroundings.Ienjoyedlookingoutofthewindowatthispartoftown.Theprettybuildings,thefancyshops,thepeoplewearingbeautifulclothes…

Idebarkedagainaswearrivedonaparticularlyswankyroad.Steppingout,IremovedthebudsfrommyearsandplacedmyiPodbackinmybag.ThenIstraightenedoutmyjacketandjeanssoIlookedalittlelessscruffy.Iwalkeduptothechocolatierdirectlyoppositethebusstopandlookedatmyreflectioninthewindow.Mylongbrownhairhadgottenmessyfromtheriverwind,soIattemptedtotameitalittle.OnceIwassatisfiedthatIlookedatleastsemi-presentable,Iwalkedanotherhundredfeetandstoppedoutsideagorgeousfive-starhotel.Walkingthroughtheentrance,Itookaleftandenteredtherestaurant.

Itwasclosedstill,butIcouldseesomeofmycolleaguesmillingaboutthetablespreparingfordinner.Iknockedandcaughttheattentionofaco-workerIparticularlyliked—Trisha,ashortyoungwomanwithcurlyblackhair.Shegavemeasmileandwalkedovertothedoor.Pullingoutakeyfromherpocket,sheopeneditforme.

“Ididn’tknowyouwereworkingtoday,”shesaid.“I’mnot.ButIneedtospeaktoRachel.Isshearound?”“Yeah.She’sinthekitchendoinginventory.”“Great.”Ihurriedalongtherestaurant’strendybeechwoodfloorsandentered

thekitchenarearoundtheback.Sureenough,Rachelwasstandinginthecenterofit,leaningagainstoneofthemetalcounterswithatabletinherhands.AsIapproached,sheraisedherblueeyestome,brushingasideherblonde-highlightedhair.

“River.Whatareyoudoinghere?”“Doyouhaveamoment?”Iasked,settingmyheavybagdownononeofthe

tabletops.“Sure,”shesaid.“AsItoldyou,Iwon’tbeabletoworknextweek.ButwhenIreturn,I

wantedtoaskifthereareanyextraslotsyoucouldgiveme,say…startingMondaythetwenty-fourth?”

Shefurrowedherbrows.“You’realreadyscheduledtoworklunchanddinner,fivedaysaweek.Youreallywanttoworkonweekendstoo?It’sthesummerholidays.”

Exactly.IhadtoworkasmuchasIcouldbeforeschoolstartedupagain.“Yes.I’dliketotakeasmanyextradaysasyouhaveavailable.Canyoufit

mein?”“Hm.Is’poseIcouldscheduleyouonSaturdaystoo.”“Thankyou,”Isaid.“Wasthatallyoucametoseemeabout?”“Yes.”Ipickedupmybagandflungitbackovermyshoulder.“Haveagood

evening.”“Youtoo,hon,”shesaid,givingmeanothersmilebeforelookingbackdown

athertablet.Iheadedbackoutontothestreetandhoppedontoanotherbus.Theprospect

ofadayofextraincomeperweekhadlightenedmymoodalittle.IpluggedmyselfbackintothecalmvoiceoftheSpanishwoman.Asthelastlegofmyjourneyprogressed,Ibecameincreasinglygratefulforhercalm,becausethebusgotdelayedanumberoftimesbeforereachingmyneighborhood.MymotherwouldbeworryingandwonderingwhyIwaslate.Andmyphonebatteryhaddied,whichmeantIcouldn’tcallher.Thethoughtofmymotherworryingalwaysmademetense.

Whentheelegantroadsgavewaytoshabbier,rougher-lookingones,IknewIwasnearinghome.Itwasdarkbythetimethebusfinallypulledupatmystop.Itookamomenttotuckmybagbeneathmyjacketandpullupthehoodovermyheadbeforeracingalongtheshadowysidewalktowardourapartmentblock.Onlylosttouristswereoutafterdarkonthesestreets.WhenIhadalateshiftcleaningupintherestaurantkitchen,TrishausuallyletmecrashatherplaceandreturnhomeinthemorningsoIdidn’thavetomakethejourneyatnight.

Attheentrancetoourtoweringapartmentblock,twohoodedmensmokedbythedoorway.Ifixedmyeyesonthegroundandstrodethroughthedoor.Iwalkedtothefarcorneroftheentryareawherethemailboxeswerestacked.Pullingthekeyfrommybag’szippocket,Iopenedourbox.Therewasonlyoneletterinside.AthinbrownenvelopeaddressedtoNadiaHaik.

Itwasstillstrangetoseemymotherbeingaddressedbyhermaidenname,

eventhoughithadbeenmorethantwoyearsnowsincethedivorce.Islippedtheletterintomybag,lockedtheboxandhurriedpasttheelevatortowardthestairs.Ineverusedtheelevatoranymore,notsinceithadbrokendownonmesixmonthsagoandI’dbeentrappedinitalonefortwohoursbeforetheengineercame.

IclimbedupstaircaseafterstaircaseuntilIreachedtheseventhfloor.Panting,Ileanedagainstthewalltocatchmybreath.Thesmellofdeliciouscookingwaftedintomynostrils.ItmademerealizehowhungryIwas.

Irantherestofthedistancetothedoorofourtwo-bedroomapartmentandopeneditwithmykey.

“River?”Mymother’svoicedriftedthroughfromthekitchenasIshutthedoorbehindme.

“Hello,Mom,”Icalledback,untyingmyshoes.Sheappearedinthehallwaywearinganapron,herthickbrownhairtiedup

inabun.Sheplacedherhandsonherwaist,herturquoiseeyeswide.“Whathappened?Itriedtocallyou.”“Sorry.Myphonebatterydied.”Ifinishedtakingoffmyshoesandstoodup

straight.Atfive-seven,Iwastwoinchestallerthanmymother.“Howcomeyou’realmostanhourlate?”“Igotdelayedonthebusjourneyhome.”Ireachedintomybagforherletter

andhandedittoher.Shetookitfrommeandeyeditbrieflybeforelookingbackatme.Icouldseethequestionbehindhereyes,butIknewshe’dwaituntilmysistershadgonetobed.

“Youmustbestarving.”Shetookmyhandandledmeintothekitchen.Idumpedmybagonthefloor.Mythreesiblingswerestillseatedatthetableinthecenterofthesmallroom.

“Whyareyousolate,River?”Lalia,mysix-year-oldsister,scoldedthroughamouthfulofhummus.

Iheavedasighandsatdownatthetable.“Thebusesweren’tbehavingthemselves.”

Myten-year-oldsisterDafnepeeredatmethroughherroundpurplespectacles.“Wheredidyougo?”

“Youknow…therestaurant.”Dafne,LaliaandIlookedmorelikeourmotherthanourfather—more

LebanesethanItalian.Wesharedhereyecolor,herrichbrownhairandlighttanskin.Mynineteen-year-oldbrothersittingoppositemeresembledourfatheruncannilywithhisblackhair,browneyesandwhiterskintone.

“Hello,Jamil,”Isaid,givinghimasmile.Hegavemealopsidedhalf-smileandmetmygazebrieflybeforemumbling

inaudiblytohimselfandlookingdownatthetable.IcouldseethatmymotherhadbeenfeedinghimwhenI’darrivedback—hehadhalfaplateofstuffedeggplantandfalafelstillinfrontofhim.

Mymotherapproachedwithmyplateandsetitdowninfrontofme.Mymouthwatering,Idugrightin.Therewasnothingintheworldlikemymom’scooking.SheresumedherseatnexttoJamil,pickeduphisforkandcontinuedfeedinghim.

“How’sthemakdous?”sheasked.“IthinkIaddedtoolittlesalt.”“No,it’sperfect,”Isaid.“Sowhathaveyouguysbeenuptotoday?”“We’vejustbeenhangingaroundtheapartment…Dafne’sbeengettinga

headstartonherhistoryhomework—”“Hey,River,youknowmyclassisstudyingtheAncientEgyptiansnext

year?”Dafneinterrupted.“Finally!”Ichuckled.Ourgrandfatheronmymother’ssidebeinganEgyptologist,I

wouldn’thavebeensurprisedifDafneknewmoreaboutEgyptianhistorythanherhistoryteacher.

“AndLaliapaintedapicture,”mymothercontinued.“Ofus!”Laliapipedup.Stillclutchingapieceoffalafelinonehand,sheslid

offherseatandranoutofthekitchen.Shereturnedwithawatercolorpainting.ItwastypicalLalia-style—brave,boldcolorsandhalfadozengiantflowersfloatingaroundourstickfiguresfornodiscerniblereason.Thiswasn’tthefirstfamilyportraitLaliahadpainted.Wehadawholepileofthemstackedbeneathherbed.Butsomethingaboutthisonemademestopchewing.

Ourfatherwasmissing.ThiswasthefirstpaintingI’dseenofherswhereshe’dexcludedhim.

Althoughitmademeacheinside,Isupposeditwasagoodthing.Perhapsshewaslettinggo.Icaughtmymother’seye.Fromthelookofmelancholyonherface,Icouldtellthatshewasthinkingthesamething.

“It’sbeautiful,Laly,”Isaid,kissingherchubbycheek.Shegrinnedproudlybeforesettingthepicturedownonthekitchencounter

andresumingherseatbetweenDafneandmymother.“Wealsomadebaklava,”mymothersaid.“CanIhavesome?”Laliasaid,stuffingthelastforkfulofhermaincourse

intohermouth.Mymotherrolledhereyes.“Youalreadysneakedfivepiecesbeforedinner,

littlerascal.”“Justone…please?”Laliaflutteredhereyelashes.“I’llgiveyouhalfapiece,”mymothermuttered,standingupandopening

thefridgedoor.

Laliapulledhergrumpyface.“Baklavawillstartcomingoutofyourearssoonifyou’renotcareful,”

Dafnesaid,castingLaliaasidewaysglance.Mymotherreturnedwithatrayofthesweet,richpastry.Slicingapiecein

half,shehandedittoLalia.ThenshescoopeduptwopiecesandhandedthemtoDafneandplacedtwopiecesinabowlformebeforeputtingthetraybackinthefridge.

“NoneforJamil?”Dafneasked.Mymothershookherhead.“I’mcuttingdownonhissugarforawhile.It’s

notgoodforhim.”Ifinishedthelastofmysavoryfoodandpushedmychairback,rubbingmy

stomach.Iwasstuffed.“Oh,andGrandpacalled,”mymothercontinued.“Dafnespoketohim.”“Whatdidhesay?”Iasked,leaningforward.“Hejustwantedtomakesurewewerereadyforthetrip,”Dafnereplied.

“Andhesaidhe’sgotasurpriseforuswhenwearrive.”Mygrandfatheralwayshadonesurpriseoranotherforuswhenwewentto

visitinthesummer.HelivedinCairo.Dafne,LaliaandIwereduetotraveltherethiscomingSunday—withoutmymother.She’dhadafallingoutwithherfatherafewmonthsago.

“Healsosaidagainhowdisappointedheisthatwe’reonlygoingforaweekthistime,”Dafnecontinued.

“Yeah.”Ibreathedout.“Well,IalreadytoldhimIwanttoworkmorethissummer.Youtwocouldstayonlongerthanme.Bashiracouldbringyouback…I’msureGrandpawouldn’tmindtheexpense.”

“Youcandiscussitwithhimwhenyouarrive,”mymothersaid.SheeyedLaliaandDafne,who’dbothfinisheddessertbynow.“Okay,timeforbed.”

Laliacrinkledhernose.“Butit’ssummerbreak.”“Andyou’vealreadystayedupanhourpastyourusualbedtime.Come.”Lalialeaptupfromherchairanddartedintothelivingroom,whileDafne

obedientlymadeherwaytothebathroomtobrushherteeth.MymotherchasedafterLaliaandreturnedtothekitchenhalfaminutelater,

carryingmysisteronherback.“River,couldyoukeepaneyeonJamilwhileIputthismonkeytobed?”

Jamil’sheadlolledslightlyashesatstrappedtohischair.He’dbereadytosleepsoon.

“Yeah,”Isaid,standingupandwalkingtothesink.“Whenareyoucomingtobed,River?”Laliacalledtomeasmymother

disappearedwithhertowardthebathroom.

“Soon,”Icalledback.Istartedwashinguptheplatesandcutleryfromdinner.Jamilgruntedsuddenly.Iwhirledaroundtoseehisshouldersbeginningto

tremble.Droppingtheplatesinthesink,Irantothekitchendoorandunhookedthehelmetthathungoverthebackofit.Istrappeditoverhisheadandfasteneditjustintimebeforehiswholebodywentintoaseizure.Ifhehadn’tbeenstrappedtothechair,hewouldhavefallentothefloor.

Afterhisbodyhadstoppedshakingsoviolently,hishandsballedintofistsandhereachedforhisheadasheattemptedtohithimselfoverandoveragain.Unstrappinghimfromthechair,Icaughtbothofhishandsgentlyandhelpedhimtohisfeet.Hecontinuedstrugglingagainstmeashetriedtopunchhimself.Hewastallerandstrongerthanme,butIwaspracticedatthisbynow.Iguidedbothofhishandsbehindhisbackandheldthemtherefirmly,butgently.

“It’sokay,Jamil,”Isaidsoftly,restingmycheekagainsthisback.“I’vegotyou.”

Hisgroaningandgruntingtrailedoffandhestoppedstrugglingsohardtofreehishands.OnceIwassurethathewasn’tgoingtoattempttohithimselfagain,Islowlyletgoofhim.Althoughhewasunrestrained,bothhandsremainedexactlyasI’dpositionedthembehindhisback.

Islippedanarmaroundhiswaistandledhimoutofthekitchentowardthebathroom.Icouldhearmymothernowinthesecondbedroom,readingastorytoDafneandLalia.IenteredthebathroomwithJamil,pulleddownthetoiletlidandsathimdown.Iremovedhishelmet,thenpickeduphistoothbrushandhelpedhimtobrushhisteeth.ThenIassistedhiminchangingintohisnightclothes.Oncehewasready,Iledhimtothebedroomhesharedwithmymother.Althoughitwasasmallroom,shehadtosleepinthereincaseheneededassistanceduringthenight.IguidedJamilintobed—theleftofthetwotwinbedslineduponoppositesidesoftheroom—andpulleduphisblanket.

Theseizurehe’dhadwasthestrongestI’dseeninawhile.Helookedexhaustedbyit.Iheldhishanduntilhiseyelidsclosedandhisbreathingbecamesteady.Itdidn’ttakelong,onlyfiveminutes.MymotherhadfinishedreadingtomysistersbythetimeIcameoutandwasfinishingcleaningupthekitchen.

“Jamil’ssleeping?”sheaskedasIentered.“Yes.Hejusthadafit.”“Oh,dear.That’sthefifthonetoday.”Wewerebothquietasmymomfinishedwashingup.Thenweheadedinto

thelivingroomandtookaseatonthecouch.“So,”shestarted,hervoicelow,“howdiditgowithyourfather?”“Howcouldithavepossiblygone?Hesaidhewassorry.Isaidgoodbye.He

wasn’tgivenlong.”Mymothernodded,bitingherlowerlip.“WashedisappointedDafneand

Laliadidn’tcome?”“Ofcourse.”“Didheunderstandwhytheydidn’t?”“Heseemedto.”Mymotherpaused.“Didheaskyoutovisithim?”“Yes.ItoldhimIcouldn’tpromiseanything.”Sheleanedbackonthesofa,heavingasigh.Idrewupmyfeetandwrapped

myarmsaroundmyknees.“Laliaseemstohaveacceptedthesituation,”mymothersaid.“ButDafne

keepsaskingmewhereheis.I’mnotsurewhattosaytoheranymore.Ijust…Idon’twanttohurther.”

“Dafne’smatureforherage,”Isaid.“Itmightbetimetojusttellherthetruth.”

Tearsburnedinmymother’seyes.Butsheswallowedhardandheldthemback.“Nexttimesheasks,I’lltellher.”Shebreathedindeeply.“So,areyoulookingforwardtogoingtoGrandpa’s?”

“Yeah.Imeanitwilljustbelikealways.It’snicetohaveabreakthere,but…Mom,I’msoworriedabouthowyouwillcopehereallalonewithJamil.”

“Don’tthinkofme,”shesaid.“Youjustgoandenjoyyourself.I’llmanage.”Isnuggledcloseronthecouch,restingmyheadagainsthershoulder.I

doubtedI’dbeabletopassmorethananhourwithoutworryingaboutherhereinthisapartment.

Shewrappedanarmaroundmeandpulledmecloser,brushingmyforeheadwithherotherhand.Weremainedsilentineachother’scompanyforacoupleofminutesbeforeshereachedfortheremoteandswitchedontheTV.

Shebeganflippingthroughthechannels,andstoppedatanewschannel.“They’restilltalkingaboutthesekidnappings,”shesaid.“Ijustcan’tbelieve

onsomechannelsthey’rebouncingaroundwordslike‘vampires’and‘witches’…Imean,I’mtalkingaboutrespectablenewscastershere.They’resupposedtobedeliveringnews,notspreadinghoaxes.Thefootagethey’reshowingseemsrealistic—butsodosci-fimoviesthesedays.It’snothingaskilledspecial-effectsteamcouldn’tpulloff.”

“ThatfootageoftheattackinChile,”Isaid.“Youcanactuallyseethemanrippingintotheperson’sthroat…AndwhataboutthatdragonfootageshotinCalifornia?Whywouldsomeonewanttocreateanelaboratehoaxlikethis?Andwhatdoyouthinkisthecauseoftheseattacksandkidnappings?Whataboutallthemissingpeople,andthewitnesses?”

“Ihavenoclue.Iwashopingoneofthesenewschannelscouldfinallyshinesomelightratherthancontinuetospoutthisrecycledcrap…SeemsIhopedfortoomuch.”

“TheyevenclosedtheschoolsalongtheWestCoast,”Imuttered.“Well,somedreadfulorganizedcrimeisclearlygoingonhere.Whoever’s

behindthisseemstobehavingfunleavingthismediafrenzyafterthemtocovertheirtracks.”

I’dneverwitnessedsuchbizarretheoriesbeingbroadcastaroundmainstreammedia.Thiswasthetypeofthingyou’dreadaboutonsketchyconspiracyblogs.Ofcourse,mymotherwasright.Thesemediaconglomerateswerejustspinningthisstorytogetmoreviewsandsellmorepapers.

Witchesdidn’texist.Andvampirescertainlydidn’t.

T

CH A P T E R 3 :R I V E R

henextfewdayspassedquicklyuntilourtrip.Beforeweknewit,itwasthenightbeforeandmysistersandIwerefinishingourpacking.

IwaskneelinginthebedroomIsharedwithDafneandLalia,makingsuremypursecontainedalltheimportantdocumentsweneeded—allthreeofourpassportsandothertraveldocuments.Mymotherwouldcomewithusinataxitodropusoffattheairport,andourgrandfatherwouldbewaitingattheotherendtopickusup.I’dmadethisjourneyseveraltimesbeforewithmymother,andwasusedtoit.Besides,theairportstaffwasalwayshelpfulifIwasn’tsurewheretogowithmysisters.

“YoushouldputLalia’sinhalerinyourbag,”mymothercalledfromthehallway.

Lalia’sasthmawasbetterthanithadbeenafewyearsago,buttherewerestilloccasionswhensheneededherinhaler.

Mylittlesisterwasloungingonherbed,humminganoff-tunesongtoherselfasshebusiedherselfwithacoloringbook.

“Laly,where’syourinhaler?”Iasked.“Idunno,”shemumbled,makingnomotiontogetupandlookforit.Iguessedmymotherhadputitinthebathroomcupboard.Iwasright.

Pullingitout,Iplaceditinmybackpack.Wewenttobedearlythatnightbecausewewereduetoleaveat4amthe

followingmorning.Thethreeofuswokeuptomyshrillalarmgoingoff.Stumblingoutofbed,wecrowdedintothebathroom.Laliawasfallingasleepstandingup,hertoothbrushhanginglopsidedinhermouth.Igrabbedawashclothandwetitwithcoldwater,brushingitoverherfacetowakeherup.

Wetookturnstakingashowerandgettingdressed.Mymotherwasalreadyinthekitchen,makingsandwichesforustotaketotheairport.

Oncethetaxidrivercalleduptosaythathehadarrived,Ibundledoutoftheapartmentwithmytwosistersandourluggage,whilemymothermadeherwaydownafteruswithJamilstrappedintohiswheelchair.Itookthestairswhiletherestofthemtooktheirchanceswiththeelevator.

Arrivingonthegroundfloor,westeppedoutsideandpiledintothecar.Asitdroveaway,Icouldn’thelpbutfeelexcitementforthejourney.AlthoughIwishedthatmymotherandJamilcouldcomewithus,Icouldn’tdenythatIwouldenjoygettingoutoftheneighborhoodforawhile.

Oncewehadarrivedattheairport,mymotherandJamilstayedwithusaslongastheycoulduntilwegotinlineforthesecuritychecks.ThenwekissedandsaidgoodbyebeforemysistersandIpassedthroughthebarrierintodepartures.

Wekeptwavinguntilmymotherwasoutofsight.Ilookeddownatmytwosisters.Laliawaswide-eyedandlookingaroundattheshopssurroundingusinthedeparturelounge,clutchingmyforefingerinherpudgyhand.Dafnewaslookingupatmeexpectantly.

“Whatnow?”sheasked.Itookherhandtoo,holdingbothofmysistersclosetome,andcheckedthe

departuresboard.“Wedon’thavethatlongtowait.Halfanhourbeforewehavetogotoour

gate.Wecanhangaroundtheshops.”Wecouldn’taffordtopurchaseanything,butmysistersenjoyedlooking

aroundtheperfumeshop.Afterthat,wemovedtothebookshopandspenttherestofourtimetherebeforeheadingtothegateforboarding.

Laliarequestedhersandwichandfinisheditduringthefifteenminuteswehadtohangaroundbeforewecouldfinallyboardtheplane.Wetookseatsnexttoeachothernearthefrontoftheaircraft.Dafnegotairsicknesssoshegotthewindowseat,whileIpositionedLaliainthemiddleandIsatintheaisleseat.

AmischievoussmileslowlyspreadacrossLalia’sface.Shelookedupatme.“DidMommypackanylollipops…orbaklava?”

“Nobaklava,”Ireplied,rollingmyeyes.“Butshegaveuslollipopstohelpkeepourearsunblocked.I’llgiveyouoneoncetheflighttakesoff.”

IhandedherandDafneastrawberrylollipopastheplanetookofffromtherunwayandunwrappedoneformyselftoo.Ileanedbackinmychair,lookingupatthescreenaboveourseats.Wehadalongflightaheadofus.

AfterDafneandIateoursandwiches,allthreeofusfellasleep.ItwaslunchtimebythetimeIwokeupagain.Anairstewardesswasstandingbyourrowofseats,offeringustraysoffood.

Iwokemysistersandplacedourtablesdowninfrontofus.Wewatcheda

movieasweate,andafterlunch,DafneandIplayedagameofhangmanwhileLaliacontinuedwatchingthescreen.Oncethemoviehadfinished,Laliainsistedonplayingagameofsnap—mymotherhadthoughtfullypackedthecardsinherbag.Itwasoneofherfavoritegames,andshewonalmostallthetime.

Wedozedoffagainatsomepointand,onwakingupthenexttime,itwastothenewsthatwewereapproachingCairoInternationalAirport.Ifelttheplanebeginningtodescend.IlookedoveratDafne.Shewasstaringoutthewindow,herknucklespaleasshegrippedherseat.Surprisingly,shehadcopedwellonthisjourney.Normallyshevomitedatleastonce.

Oncetheplanehadtoucheddownandtaxiedtoastop,weallstoodupandstretchedourlegs.ThenIbundledourcarryonluggageoutofthelockeroverhead.Ifeltexcitedaswemovedtowardthefrontoftheplane.Itwouldn’tbelongnowuntilwewouldbereunitedwithourgrandfather.

Aswesteppedoutoftheplane,thehotEgyptianairengulfedus.Iwasalreadysweating.Wehurriedthroughtherestoftheairportand,afterreclaimingourbaggage,wefinallyreachedthearrivalsarea.Welookedaroundforourgrandfather.Laliawastheonewhospottedhimfirst.

“Grandpa!”Hewasashortmanwithwhitehairandabeardthatcoveredhalfhisface.

Heworealightcottonsuit,andhistanfacesplitintoasmileashespottedus.“Mygirls!”Werushedintohisarmsandhecuddledallthreeofusatonce.Thesmellof

hiscolognefilledmynostrils.“Howwastheflight?”heasked,hisLebaneseaccentthickasever.“Itwentsmoothly,”Isaid.Atallebony-skinnedmanarrivednexttohim.“MeetFariss,”mygrandfather

said.“Mynewdriver.”Farisssmiledandshookhandswitheachofus.Hebentdownandpickedup

mysisters’luggage.Whenhemotionedtocarryminetoo,Iheldupahandandsaid,“No,it’sfine.Icanmanage.Thanks.”

Wemadeourwaytowardmygrandfather’sshinyblackcarintheparkinglot.MysistersandIsatinthebackwhileourgrandfathersatinthepassengerseat.AfterFarisshadpackedalltheluggageintotheback,hestarteduptheengineanddroveusaway.

Ireachedforapapernapkinstuffedintothebackofoneoftheseatsandwipedmyforehead.

“Wow,it’shot,”Isaid.“WelcometoCairo.”Mygrandfatherchuckled.“Sowhat’sthesurprise,Grandpa?”Dafneasked.

Heswiveledinhisseattolookbackatus,agleaminhiseyes.“Well,itdidn’tlooklikeitwasgoingtocoincidewithyourvisitatfirst,butplanschanged…We’vebeeninvitedtoanexcitingdig.It’sintheruinsofanancienttempleandit’shappeninginthedesertnottoofarfromhome.”

“Oh,my,”Dafnegasped.“Normallytheywouldn’tallowchildrentoattendsuchthings,butthe

organizerisafriendofmineandheagreedtomakeanexception.So…whatdoyousay?”

“Yes!”Dafnesquealed.Laliastilllookedtoooverwhelmedbythechangeofsceneryandtemperature

toregisterwhatmygrandfatherwassaying.Shewasstaringoutofthewindow.Iwassurethathewouldfindawaytomakethediginterestingevenforasix-year-old.

Thedigcertainlysoundedexcitingtome.AlthoughIwasn’tquiteasmuchofanerdasDafnewhenitcametoEgyptianhistory,Iwasalwaysinterestedinmygrandfather’swork.

“Howlongwillthediglast?”Iasked.“Well,it’sstartedalready.ButIthinkwewillmostlikelyseesomething

interestingbythedayaftertomorrow.Isuggestweleaveearly,staythewholedayandnightandreturnthenextdaybeforelunchtime.”

“Staythenight?Inthedesert?”Dafnelookedallthemoreexcitedbytheprospect.

“Yes.They’vesetupcampthere.”“Wow,”Dafnesaid.“Bashirawouldcomewithus,too,”mygrandfatheradded.“HowisBashira?”Iasked.Mygrandmotherhaddiedfiveyearsago,and

nowmygrandfatherlivedaloneexceptforhislongtimehousekeeper,Bashira.“Herjointsaregettingabitstiff,butotherwiseshe’singoodspirits.She’s

verymuchlookingforwardtoseeingyouthreeagain.”Hepaused,straininghisnecktolookmeintheeye.“Areyoureallygoingtogobackafterjustoneweek?I’mstillsoreaboutit.”

“DafneandLaliacouldstaylonger…thenperhapsBashiracouldflybackwiththemtoNewYork?”

Mygrandfatherturnedhisattentiontomytwosisters.“Andwouldyoutwoliketodothat?StayherewithoutRiver?”

Dafnenoddedherheadfuriously.“CanIstayawholemonth?”“Ofcourse!Andwhataboutyou,Lalia?”Shetorehereyesawayfromthewindow.“Huh?”“Grandpa’saskingifyouwanttostayherelongerwithDafne,”Isaid.“I’ll

bereturninghomeafteraweek.”Shepaused,lookingfrommetoourgrandfather.“Ummm,I’llstayforjust…

fourmoredaysifRiverisn’tgonnabethere.”“Justfourmoredays?”mygrandfathersaid,chuckling.“Ilikehowprecise

youare.Okay,I’llchangetheticketswhenwegethome.”Afterhalfanhour,wepulledupinthedustystreetoutsidemygrandfather’s

home.Itwasafive-bedroomhouse—notincludingBashira’squarters,whichwereroundtheback—andbeautifullyconstructed.Itswhiteexteriorandsleekstoneentrywaymadeitseemlikeaminiaturepalace.

Weenteredthroughtheheavydoorandlookedaroundattheentrancehall.Thewallswerecoveredwithparchmentcontaininghieroglyphics,mountedingoldframes.Ancientrelicsfromhisvariousexcursionscoveredthelongmantelpiece.Weapproachedthewidestaircaseinthecenteroftheroomandmygrandfatherledusup.

“So,wherewouldyouliketosleep?Youhavefourbedroomsupheretochoosefrom.”

Dafnechosetheroomwiththebestviewoftheswimmingpoolinthebackgarden.Laliajustlookedupatme.“Whereyougonnasleep,River?”sheasked.

“Umm…”IlookedaroundthethreeremainingroomsandchosetheoneclosesttoDafne’s,alsowiththeviewofthebackyardandthepool.“Let’ssleepinthisone.”

“Well,ifyouwanttomakeyourselvescomfortable…Areyouhungryorsleepy?”mygrandfatherasked.

Sincewehadsleptontheplane,noneofusweretired.We’dalsoeatenquitealot.AfterwegreetedBashira,akindEgyptianwomaninherlatefifties,sheservedusicedwatermelonjuiceandfreshdates.Thenwespenttimewithmygrandfatherinhislibrary.

Althoughhislivingroomwascomfortable,hislibraryalsocontainedalargesofa,anditwasbyfarthemostinterestingroominthehouse.Itswallswerecoveredwithceiling-highbookcasesfilledwithhundredsofbooksaboutEgypt.Dafnecouldsitinhereforhoursandhoursflyingthroughpages.IwassurethatshewouldbecomeanEgyptologistwhenshegrewup.Mygrandfatherwascertainlyhopingforit.

Weretiredtobedonceoureyelidsstarteddrooping.LaliaandIawokethenextmorningtoadelicioussmellwaftingintoourbedroom.Wepaddedintotheensuitebathroom,brushedourteethandtookshowers.WebothchangedintoourswimsuitsandpulledonlightcottondressesfromthecupboardthatBashirahadboughtespeciallyforus.ThenweheadeddownstairstofindBashirainthemidstofcookingatraditionalEgyptianbreakfast.Wehelpedherfinishpreparingthe

mealandthensetupthebreakfasttableoutsideinthebackyard.Dafneandmygrandfatherjoineduswithinhalfanhour.Afterfillingourbellies,weloungedaroundbythepool.IcouldhardlyrememberthelasttimeI’dbeenswimming.IsupposeditwasthelasttimeI’dvisitedhere.

“Fordinner,Ihaveasuggestion,”mygrandfathersaid,lookingdownatusinthepoolashesatinadeckchair.“Myfriend,Yusuf,theorganizerofthedig,hasinvitedustoalovelyLebaneserestaurantabouttwentyminutesaway.Imighthavetakenyoualltherebefore,actually,thelasttimeyoucamewithyourmotherandJamil…Theyalsoserveacertainsweetpastrythatsomepeoplearoundherearefondof…”

IlaughedasLaliastoppedswimmingandperkedup.“Baklava?”sheasked,wide-eyed.

“Yes.”Mygrandfathergrinned.“Yusufhasasonaroundyourage,River—Hassanishisname.”

“Soundsfun,”Isaid,swimmingtotheedgeofthepoolandclimbingout.Igrabbedmytowelandsatdowninachair,watchingmysistersastheycontinuedsplashinginthewater.

Wespenttherestofthedayinthebackyardwithmygrandfather.DafneandLaliastoppedswimmingonlyforalightlunch,andsoonenough,itwastimetogetreadyfordinner.

IheadedwithLaliabacktoourbedroom.WerummagedthroughthearrayofbeautifulclothesBashirahadboughtforus.Laliapickedoutalightpinkcottondress.Ihelpedherchangeintoit,thentiedherhairbackinaFrenchbraid.

“I’mrealpretty,”Laliasaid,checkingherselfoutinthemirrorandswingingherlongbraidfromsidetoside.

“Youare,”Isaid,smiling.Andohsomodest,too.“Whydon’tyouwearthatpurpleone?”sheasked,pointingtoalongflowing

gown.Ieyedit.“Meh.Purpleisn’treallymycolor.”Ioptedforadarkbluedress

instead.Itwaslongbutsleeveless,andhadacoolingfeeltoit.IbrushedoutmyhairandwasabouttotieitupinabunwhenLaliareachedformyhand.“Itlooksnicedown.”

Ipaused,lookingatmyselfinthemirror.Shewasrightthatitlookedbetterdown.Itwasjustsolongthatitgotintheway—Iwasinthehabitoftyingitupallthetime.Still,thiswasaspecialoccasion,soItookmylittlesister’ssuggestion.

OnceLaliaandIwereready,weleftthebedroomandwentdownstairs.MygrandfatherandDafnewerereadyandwaitingforus.Dafnehadchosenaprettygreengownthatcomplementedherpurpleglasses.

“Well?”mygrandfathersaid.“Arewereadytoleave,princesses?”“Yep,”Ireplied.Weleftthehouseandwalkeddownthestepstowardthecar.Farisswas

alreadywaitingbyit.HeopenedthedoortothebackseatsandmysistersandIclimbedinside,whilemygrandfathersatinthefront.Therestaurantwasn’tfaraway,asmygrandfatherhadsaid.Soonwewerepullingupoutsideafamiliarbuilding.Itsexposedbrickexteriorhadanethniccharmanddeepbluefabricdrapeddownfrompillarsthatlinedtherestaurant’sterrace.Thisrestaurantwasrightontheedgeoftownandithadastunningviewofthedesert—indeed,thesandstartedjusttwentyfeetfromtheentrance.

“Areyouhungry,Fariss?Youshouldjoinus,”myfathersaid.“Ihaveeatenalready,”hereplied.“Butthankyoufortheinvitation.”“Thenyoudon’tneedtowaitaroundhereifyou’veotherthingstodo.We’ll

behereatleastacoupleofhours.Whydon’tyouaimtoreturnbynine-thirty?”“Yes,sir.”WeleftFarisswiththecarandwalkedintotherestaurant.Itwasadorned

withbeautifulbamboofurnitureandcozylanternsdangledfromtheceiling.ItwasmorecrowdedthanI’dexpected.Wewalkeduptothewomanstandingbehindthewelcomedesk.

“Doyouhaveareservation?”sheasked.“Yes.MynameisSamirHaik,andmytwofriends…”Hisvoicetrailedoffas

hiseyesfixedontwomensittinginthefarcorneroftheroom—atoneofthetableswiththebestviewsofthedesert.“Iseethey’vearrivedalready.”

“Enjoyyourevening,”thewomansaid.Weheadedtowardthetableandthefatherandsonstoodupwhenthey

spottedus.Yusufhadgrayingblackhair,athickmustacheandtanskin.Hepositivelytoweredovermyshortgrandfather.Hassanlookedlikeayoungerversionofhisfather.Healsohadamustache,albeitmuchlesssalubriousthanYusuf’s.

“Samir!”Yusufsaid,grinning.Hegrabbedmygrandfather’shandandpulledhiminforahug.Thenheturnedtotherestofus.“Andwhoaretheseangels?”

“MeetLalia,Dafne,andRiver,”mygrandfathersaid,gesturingtoeachofus.Weshookhandswithhim,thenHassan,whosmiledmorebroadlyashemet

myeye.“Apleasuretomeetyou,”hesaid,hisMiddleEasternaccentthick.“Andyoutoo,”Isaidpolitely.Iwasn’tsurewhetheritwasjustmyimagination,butmygrandfatherand

YusufseemedtodeliberatelyengineertheseatingsothatIwasnexttoHassan.Afterwe’dscannedthemenusandchosenwhatwewanted,thewaitress

cametotakeorders.Forthefirsthalfofthemeal,welistenedtomygrandfatherandYusufspeakingenthusiasticallyaboutthedig—howlongtheyhadbeenplanningforitandtryingtogetpermission,howtheyhadfinallysucceededandhowithadbeengoingsofar.Apparentlytheyhadalreadydiscoveredsomeartifactsofinterest.

Itwasonlyafteraboutforty-fiveminutesthatHassanspoketomeagain.“MyfathertellsmeyouarefromNewYork?”heasked,glancingatme

curiously.Iswallowedmymouthfulofsalad.“Yes,”Isaid.“Manhattan.”“Ihavevisitedthereoncewithmyparents.Ifounditaniceplace.”“Yes,partsofitarenice,”Ireplied.“HowlongareyoustayinghereinCairo?”heasked.“Justaweekthistime.”“Oh,Isee…”Helookedacrossthetableatmytwosisters.“Youarenothere

withyourparents?”“No.”ThethoughtofmyfatherinaTexasjailandmymotherstuckinour

apartmentwithmyautisticbrothersuddenlymadethefoodinmymouthtasteless.Iworriedabouthowmymotherwasevengoingtosortoutbasicthingslikegroceries.

“DoyouliveinCairofull-time?”IaskedHassan,eagertochangethesubject.

“Yes.”“Whereareyoufromoriginally?”“BornandraisedinCairo,”herepliedproudly.“WereyoubornintheUnited

States?”“Yes.ThoughmymotherwasborninEgypt.”Ourconversationtrailedoffandwewentbacktolisteningtomygrandfather

andYusuf’sdiscussion.LaliaandDafnewerebusyeating.They’dworkedupagoodappetitefrom

alltheswimmingthey’ddoneearlier.IcaughtmyselfwonderingwhetherLaliawouldevenhaveroomforanydessert,thenremindedmyselfthatshealwayshadroomfordessert.

Oncewe’dfinished,thewaitresstookawayourdinnerplatesandweordereddessert.Laliarequestedtheobvious,whiletherestofusoptedforicecream.Hassanchosethesameflavorasme—mango.

Oncewe’dfinished,Yusufinsistedonpayingthecheck.Thenweallretreatedtothesittingareaoutsideontheverandaandadmiredtheviewofthedesert.LaliaandDafnebothlookeddrowsybynowastheyslumpedbackinasofa.Istretchedoutmylegsnexttothem,yawningandlookingupatthestarry

nightskyandthenstraightaheadattheendlessmassofdunes.Acoolbreezewaftedoverus.

AsmygrandfatherandYusufimmersedthemselvesinconversationonceagain,Hassangesturedwithhisheadtowardthedunes.“Shallwetakeashortwalk?”heasked.

Ifeltsofull,Iwasn’treallyinthemoodforawalk,butthedesertdidlookbeautifulinthemoonlight.

“Grandpa,”Isaid,standingupandinterruptinghisconversation.“HassanandIaregoingtogoforashortwalk.Wewon’tgofar.”

“Okay,”hesaid.“Butbecareful.”NeitherLalianorDafnemadeanymovetocomewithus.Theyweretoofull.

SoHassanandIleftthesittingareatogetheranddescendedtheverandasteps.Grainsofsandfilledmyshoesassoonaswereachedthebottom.Wewalkedslowlyforward.Nowthatwewereawayfromtheshelteroftheveranda,thebreezewasstronger.

“Watchoutforsnakes,”Hassansaidsuddenly.Ijoltedback.“Snakes?”“Yes.Cobras.Theytendtocomeoutatnight.”Hereachedformyhandand

pulledmeclosertohim.Oh.Nicemove.Irolledmyeyes.Weremainedclosetothestreetlightsthatborderedthedesertasweventured

furtheralongthesand.“Haveyougonewithyourfatheronalotofdigs?”Iasked.“Yes.”“Willyoubetheretomorrowalso?”“Oh,certainly,”hesaid,smiling.“I’veneverstayedthenightinadesertbefore.Doyouhaveanyadviceabout

whatIshouldpack?”Hethoughtforamoment,thenshookhishead.“Notreally.Thecampis

well-stocked.Plentyofwaterandeventoiletaccessories.You’llfindpacketsoftoothbrushes,toothpaste,soap,shampoo…prettymucheverythingamanorwomancouldneed.Thetentsarealsoverycomfortable—andspacious.Thetoiletsarealittlewalkaway,however—theonlyrealinconvenientthingabouttheexperience.”

“Isee.”Hassanavertedhiseyesawayfrommeagain,andstoppedinhistracks.“Youseesomethingoverthere?”hesaid,squintingashestaredintothe

distance.Ifollowedhisgaze.Iwalkedcloser,strainingtosee.Ifmyeyesweren’t

mistaken,theyweretanks.Andtherewasacrowdofpeoplesurroundingthem.“They’retanks,aren’tthey?”hesaid.“Lookslikeit,”Ireplied.“Iguessthey’refromthearmy?”“Iguessso.Theyjustseemtobestandingaroundandtalking.Shallwemove

closerandsee?”Ilookedbacktowardtherestaurant,nowquitefarbehindus,andthenback

atthetanks.Theyweren’tallthatmuchfurther.Ishrugged.“Okay.”Aswemovedcloser,Iheardvoicesmoreclearly.I’dbeenexpectingtohear

Arabic,buttomysurprise,itsoundedlikethecrowdofmenwereAmerican.Beforewewerecloseenoughtomakesenseofwhattheyweresaying,twoofthemenleftthecrowdandapproachedus.Theyworedarkbeigeuniformsandthickbeltsaroundtheirwaistsheldanarrayofoddobjects.Eachcarriedaboxlikedevicewitharedflashinglight,asharpspear-likeweaponcarvedfromwoodandasilvergunwithanoddbulbousbarrel.

“Canwehelpyou?”oneofthemenasked,hisvoicegruff.Hassanlookedtakenaback.“Wewerecuriousastowhatyou’redoingout

here.”“It’snothingyouneedtoconcernyourselfabout.”Therewasn’tanythingHassanorIcouldthinkoftorespondtothat.Ilooked

pastthementowardthecrowdbehindthem,nowallsilentandlookingusover,beforewebackedawayandtookourleave.

“Americans,”Hassanmutteredoncewewereoutofearshot.“Odd.”Hewasquietforthenextminuteashepondereditover,thenshruggeditoffandpointedbacktotherestaurant.“Shallwereturn?Theymightbestartingtoworry.”

Iagreedthatwasagoodidea.Iwasstillfeelingnervousaboutcobras.DafneandLalialookedabitmorelivelyaswereturned.Theysatcross-

leggedoneithersideofacoffeetableandwereplayingsnap.Dafnemusthavebroughtitwithherinherbag.

“Didyouhaveanicewalk?”mygrandfatherasked.“Yes,”Isaid.“WecameacrossagroupofAmericansoldiers,orsothey

seemedtobe,standingbyabunchoftanks.”“Americans?”heasked,raisinghiseyebrows.“Yes,”Hassanreplied.“Weapproachedtoseewhattheywereuptobutthey

gaveusanon-answer.”“Thatisodd,”Yusufsaid,lookingouttowardthedesert.“Hopefullyit’s

nothingtoworryabout.”WespeculatedsomemoreabouttheAmericansoldiers,thendecidedtocall

itanightandlefttherestaurant.Farisswasalreadywaitingoutsideforus.“Well,”mygrandfathersaid,huggingYusufandHassan,“wewillseeyou

earlytomorrow.”MysistersandIshookhandswithYusufandHassan,thengotinthecar.

Laliahadfallenasleepbythetimewereachedhome.Shewasheavyforherage,butwiththehelpofFarissandmygrandfather,weliftedheroutofthecar.Ishookhergently.

“Laly,getonmyback,”Isaid.Sheopenedhereyesdrowsily,thenIhelpedherclimbonmybackandwe

enteredthehouse.Iheadedstraightforourbedroomandinsistedthatshebrushherteethbeforefallingintobed.Iwasfeelinghotandsweaty,soItookashowerandchangedintoanightgownbeforejoiningLaliaonthemattress.

Ilayonmybackandstaredupattheceiling,mysister’ssnoringinmyears.Ithoughtaboutthedigtomorrow,thenaboutmymother,mybrother,andmy

father,butforsomereasonasIdriftedofftosleepthatnight,itwasthoseoddAmericansoldierswe’dfoundinthedesertwhowereonmymind.

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CH A P T E R 4 :R I V E R

twasthedaywewereduetoleaveforthedigandwehadtogetanearlystart.YusufandHassanwouldbepullingupoutsideat8amsharp.We

didn’thavetimeforbreakfast,soafterwehadwashed,dressedandpackedupsomebelongings,weheadeddownstairs.Bashirahadpreparedsomecontainersofhotfoodforthejourney,butapparentlytherewouldbeplentyoffoodoncewearrivedatthesite.Therewasalargecaravanthatservedasakitchenanddiningroom,accordingtomygrandfather.

YusufandHassanpulledupinablackcarexactlyontime.Wealltransferredtomygrandfather’sshinywhitetruck,Farissinthedriver’sseat.Soonwe’dreachedtheendoftheroadsandFarissbegandrivingthetruckoverthesand.Afterhalfanhourofthebumpylandscape,Iwasfeelingsick.Ifixedmyeyesstraightaheadthroughthewindshield.WehadtocloseallthewindowsandputtheAConbecausethesandwasflyingin.

Bythetimewearrivedatthesite,itwasnoon.Thefirstthingwesawwasaspreadoflargedarkgreententserectedonaraisedareaofsand.Arrivingatthetopgaveusfullviewoftheentirecamp.Upclose,thetentslookedsturdyandsecure.Theyweremadeofthickmaterialthatwithstoodthedesertwind.Therewerealsolongcaravansparkedhereandthere,andIspottedatoiletsignattheveryedgeofthecamp,awayfromthetents.Therewerewoodentablesfixedintothesandanddiggingequipmentscatteredeverywhereaspeoplewearinghatsandlong-sleevedshirtsmilledaboutlargeholesthathadbeendugintotheground.ImadesuremysisterswerewearingtheirhatsandheadscarvesthatBashirahadprovidedasweclimbedoutfromthevehicleandlookedaround.

“Let’sgetsetupinthetentsfirst,”Yusufsaid.“Thisway.”Wefollowedhimtowardtheclusteroftents.Heenteredthethirdonethatwe

passed.ItwasmuchlargerinsidethanI’dexpected.Itcontainedfivespacious

compartmentsthatweretobeourbedroomswhilewestayedhere.Theywerecomfortablelooking,withmattressesontheground,coveredwithcleanwhitelinensandpillows.Eachcompartmentalsocontainedacabinetfilledwithsnacksandlotsofbottledwater.

“Asyousee,youhavearoomeach,”Yusufsaid.Wedumpedourstuffinthetentandthenwalkedbackoutside.“Girls,”mygrandfathersaid,pointingtothegroupofstaticcaravansinthe

distance.“Thetoiletsareoverthere.Theyhaveshowerstheretoo.”Ineededtousethebathroom,soIwenttherewithmysisters.Itwas

surprisinglycleaninside.Thefloorswerestarkwhite,asweretherestofthefurnishings.Weusedthebathroom,washedourhandsandthensplashedourfaceswithwater.Ithadbeenalong,stickyjourney.

Whenweexitedthecaravanandcrossedthebaking-hotsanddunes,mygrandfatherandYusufhadalreadyjoinedthediggersandwereoverseeingtheworktheyweredoing.

“Overhere,girls,”mygrandfathersaidonspottingus.Hepointedtoawidewoodentablethathadbeenfixedinthesand.Itwascoveredwithstoneobjectsandancient-lookingartifacts.

“Thisiseverythingwe’veunearthedsofarthatisofinterest,”Yusufsaid,lookingoverthetablewithfascination.

Dafne’seyespositivelylitupasshegazeddownatthestonecarvingofwhatlookedlikeaneye.Shebegantalkinganimatedlywithmygrandfather,whileItookLalia’shandandweventuredfurtherintothedigsite,snakingaroundholesandlookingdownatthepeoplediggingthere.Laliaaskedmecountlessquestions—whatthenameswereofthetoolstheywereusing,howdeeptheyweregoingtodig,iftherewereanysnakesorscorpionsaround—andItriedtoanswerasbestasIcould.Ikeptlookingatherandsmiling.Shedidn’tknowhowcuteshelookedinherheadscarfandoversizedsunglasses.Ihadleftmyphoneinthetent,butImadeanotetotakeapictureofhertoshowtoourmotherwhenwereturned.

Wewanderedaroundtherestofthesiteuntil2:30pmwhenitwastimeforlunch.Weheadedtoaparticularlylargecaravanabouthalfamileawayfromthemaintentareaand,entering,foundalongdiningtable.Adeliciousaromawaftedtowardusfromthekitchensroundtheback.Weallsatdowntoeatandtheneveryoneheadedbackoutsidetocontinuework.Weremainedoutsideuntilevening,andHassan,mysistersandIevenhadagoatunearthingsomeartifactsourselvesundermygrandfather’ssupervision.Asnightbegantofall,weheadedbacktothelargetablewherealltheartifactshadbeenpiledup.Itwasfascinatingtoseeeverythingtogetherinoneplace.

Peoplehadstartedbuildingabonfireaboutthirtyfeetawayfromthetents,andHassanbeckonedmeovertositdownbesidehim.Mysisters,grandfather,Yusufandawholecrowdofpeoplegatheredroundthefire.IwassurprisedwhenYusufpulledoutagiantsackofmarshmallows.Soonwewerealltoastingmarshmallowswhilesippingdateandbananasmoothies.

Wechattedaroundthefireuntilabout9pm.Bythistime,myheadwasbeginningtofeelstrangelylight.Iclaspedapalmtomyforehead.Itfelthot.Imust’vestayedoutsidetoolongtoday.Iwasn’tusedtothisheat.IfeltlikeIwascomingdownwithamigraine.Isetdownmyemptycuponthesandandbackedawayfromthefire,whichwashotagainstmyface.

“What’swrong,River?”Hassanasked.“IthinkI’llmakeitanearlynight.Ihaveaheadache.”“Youshouldreturntothetentanddrinklotsofwater,”mygrandfathersaid.Yeah,andthenneedthetoiletallnightlong…IlookedtowardLalia.“Areyoucomingtobednow?Orwillyoucomelater

withDafne?”Shewasalreadystandingupandwalkingovertome.Sheclutchedmyhand.

“I’llcomenow,”shesaid.Hercheekswerebrightred.Ifeltherforehead—itfelthottoo.Herbreathingwasunsteady.

“Areyouokay?”Iasked.“Doyouneedyourinhaler?”“IthinkI’mokay,”shesaid,alittletoobreathlessly.“Comeon,let’sgoback…Goodnight,”Icalledtoeveryonesittingaround

thefire.“Goodnight,”theycalledback,manyofwhomIhadn’tevenspokentoyet.Wereturnedtoourtentandsteppedintoourcompartment.ThefirstthingI

didwaslookforLalia’sinhaler.Ipreparedit,thenwatchedasshebreathedin.Herbreathingreturnedtonormalafterthat.

“Feelbetter?”Iasked.“Yeah,”shemumbled.“Now,beforewesleep,doyouneedthetoilet?”“Erm…”Shebitherlipandnarrowedhereyesinconcentration.“Nope.”Isighed.I’veheardthatbefore.Althoughmyheadwasbeginningtofeellikeanoven,Idecidedtotakeher

tothebathroomanyway.Rathernowthaninthemiddleofthenight.Wemovedawayfromthetentsandcrossedthestretchofsandtowardtheladies’toilets.Wewalkedinsidethecaravantofinditempty.ItturnedoutthatLaliareallydidn’tneedtogo,sowesoonmadeourwaybacktothetent.Itookitforgrantedthatshewouldwanttosharemycompartment,soIledherintoitandzippedusinside.

“Youdon’tlooksowell,River,”Laliasaid,lookingatmeinthedimlightingoftheelectriclampattheendofmymattress.

“I’llbefineinthemorning,”Imuttered,lyingdown.Laliasettleddownnexttomeandafterafewminutes,I’dfallenasleep.

Aclammyfingerproddedmyleftcheek.Iopenedmyeyestoseemysister’sroundface,dewywithsweat,directlyaboveme.

“Ineedtopee,”shewhisperedinapainedvoice.Igroaned.“Okay.”WhenIsatup,myheadfeltlikeitwassplittingintwo.

ThemigrainehadintensifiedtenfoldsinceIhadfallenasleep.“Youokay?”Laliaasked,lookingupatmeworriedly.“Yeah,”Imumbled,wincingandgrippingmyheadaswestumbledoutofthe

compartment.Ididn’thaveawatchonandIhadforgottentolookatmyphonebefore

exiting,butitmust’vebeenlatebecauseDafnebreathedheavilyinthecompartmentnexttous,andontheoppositesidemygrandfathersnored.

AsIsteppedoutsideontothesand,myheadfeltsofaintIcouldhardlywalk.Imadeitasfarasthebonfire—whichwasstillcracklingwithafewpeoplesittingaroundit—beforeIhadtostopandkneelonthesand.

“River!”Laliasquealed.“I’mokay,Ijusthaveareallybadheadache.”“Areyouallright?”Hassancalledfromthefire.Ilookedup,squintingandtryingtoseethroughthepain.Heapproachedand

bentdown,touchingmyshoulder.“Ihaveabadmigraine,”Imanaged.“Thenwhatareyoudoingouthere?”heasked.“Gobacktobed.”“Mysisterneedsthetoilet.”“I’lltakehertotheladies’andwaitoutsideforher.Youstayhere.”“Thanks,”Isaid,lookingathimgratefully.HetookLalia’shandandbeganleadingheracrossthedunestowardthe

ladies’caravan.Thepathwaslitbydozensofsolarflashlightsdugintothesandtoformapathwayfromthetentstothetoilets.Theyreachedthecaravan.LaliaclimbedupthestepswhileHassanwaited.Icouldseethathehadturnedtofaceme.

Itriedsittingcross-legged.Slowly,Iwasfeelinglessfaint,althoughmyheadstillhurtlikeit’dbeenhitwithahammer.Imust’vespentwaytoolongintheheat.EventhoughI’dwornathickheadscarf,Ijustwasn’tusedtothisharsh

climate.Ilookedoveratthebonfire.Hassan’sfatherstillsatbyitwithafewother

diggersIhadexchangedafewwordswithearlier.Backattheladies’toilet,IwasrelievedtoseeLaliahadexitedandbegundescendingthesteps.ShereachedforHassan’shandandtheybeganwalkingbacktowardus.

Ihadtomakeitbacktothetent.Fixingmyeyesonmyfeet,Istoodupslowlysothatthebloodwouldn’trushtooquicklyfrommyhead.

Ayellandascreampiercedthenightair.Mygazeshotbacktowardthedirectionofthetoilets.ShockparalyzedmybodyasadarkfigurecollidedwithHassanandmy

sister.Itwasmovingsofast,Icouldbarelyevenmakeoutwhatitwas.Itliftedthembothofftheirfeetanddraggedthemawaysofastthatafterafewsecondstheirscreamshadfadedintothedistance.

Ithoughtstandingupagainmusthavecausedmetohallucinate,butwhenIlookedbacktowardthespotwheretheyhadbeenstanding,theyweregone.

M

CH A P T E R 5 :R I V E R

ythroatwassotightwithterror,Icouldn’tevenscream.“Help,”Ichoked,staringinthedirectionmysisterandHassanhad

disappeared.Istaggeredtowardthebonfire.“Help!”Yusufwasalreadyracingoveralongwithadozenothermen.“Whowas

screaming?Whathappened?”heasked,panicinhiseyes.“Mysister!Hassan!Someonejusttookthem!”Ipointedwithatrembling

hand.Ibeganracingforward.“Who?”Yusufshouted.“Idon’tknow!Theywentinthatdirection!”“Someonegetatruck!”Yusufbellowed.EvenasIcontinuedrunning,severaltrucksstartedupandgrowled,andthen

oneapproachedbehindme.Ileaptintothepassenger’sseatasitwasmovingtofindFarissinthedriver’sseat.

“Faster!”Iurged.Ikeptscanningthearea,butIcouldseenothingbutemptydesert.Icouldn’t

heareventhefaintestscream.“Lalia!”Iscreamedoutuntilmylungsfeltbruised.Wecontinuedtorace

forwardinthetruckalongwithseveralotherswhohadjoinedus.Wedrovefurtherandfurtherintothedesert.WhenFarissbeganslowing,Iturnedonhim.

“Whyareyoustopping?”“Weneedtocontactthepolice,”hesaid.“Butthey’llcometoolate!Keepgoing!”Iwasclosetoshovinghimoutofthetruckandtakingthewheelmyself

whenmygrandfathercalledouttomyright.Hewassittinginthedriver’sseatofanothertrucknexttoYusuf,bothlookingasterrifiedasIfelt.

“Whatexactlydidyousee?”mygrandfatherdemanded.

“Wedon’thavetimetotalk!Weneedtofindthem!”“Weneedtocallthepolice,”Yusufsaid,leapingfromthevanandwalking

overtome.Hegrippedmyshouldersthroughthewindow.“Whathappenedexactly?”

“Mysister…Sheneededtousethetoilet.Iwasn’tfeelingwell.Hassanwaitedoutsideforher.Onceshefinished,theybothstartedwalkingtowardme.Thensomeone…s-somethingjustcrashedintothemanddraggedthemoff.Theydisappearedsofast,Ididn’tevenhavetimetoscream.”

IfeltcrazyevenasIreplayedthevisioninmymind.Itwaslikesomeonehadspedbyonamotorcycle,thefastesttoeverbeinvented,andkidnappedthem.ButI’dheardnosound.AndwhothehellwouldwanttokidnapHassanormysister?

Tearsspilledfrommyeyes.Wherehasmysisterbeentaken?Shehasasthma.Whatifshehasanattack?IturnedbacktoFariss.“Please!Keepgoing!”TheblooddrainedfromYusuf’sface.“Weneedtocontactthepoliceright

away.Theycansendhelicopters.Inthemeantime,fourtrucksshouldcontinuesearching.”Heturnedtomygrandfather.“Samir,returnimmediatelytothecity.Contactthepoliceassoonasyoucangetasignal.River,youshouldgowithhim.”

“No.Ican’t.I’mstayingtosearch.”Hedidn’ttrytoconvincemeotherwiseandIwasgratefulforit.Hegotinthe

carthatIwasin,andmygrandfatherhurriedbacktotheotheroneandheadedback.KeepDafnesafe,Grandpa.

Weremainedwiththeotherfourcarswho’daccompaniedusouthere.Ibrushedawaythetearsfuriouslyandfixedmygazestraightahead.Wefellintotensesilenceasthefourtrucks,theirheadlightsonfullblast,

roaredoverthesanddunes.Ilosttrackofhowmuchtimewetraveled—itmust’vebeenhours.ButwestillhadnotspottedeventheslightestclueastowhereLaliaandHassanwere.Finally,ourvehiclepulledtoastopagain.

“We’regoingtorunoutoffuelifwedon’treturn,”Farisssaid,eyeingthegauge.

“Thenyoureturnandwe’llcontinueinoneoftheothers,”Isaid,alreadyopeningthedoorandsteppingout.

Tomyhorror,noneoftheothervehicleshadmuchfuellefteither.Andwehadtokeepenoughforthejourneyback.

Iwouldhavecontinuedbarefootwithmyflashlightifitmeantfindingmysister,butYusufpulledmebackinthevehicle.

“Weneedtoreturn,River,”hesaid,hisvoiceweak.“Wesimplycan’tgoanyfurtherorwe’llallbestuckouthere.Wehavetorallythepolice.”

Mystomachclenchedasthevehiclesbeganroaringintheoppositedirection,backtowardthecamp,awayfrommysister.

Icouldbarelyseeasmyeyesblurredagain.Iwasn’tevenawareofmymigraineanymore.Theagonyinmychesthadcrusheditintoinsignificance.

“Thearmy?”Farisssaidabruptly,pointingtowardourright.Iwipedmyeyesandstaredoutofthewindowtoseeaclusteroftanks.

“Stopthecar!”Isaidinstantly.Irecognizedthosetanks.Theylookedlikethesameoneswe’dseentheday

beforeneartherestaurant.“Waithereforme,”Isaid.“What?River,where—”Ididn’tgiveYusufachancetofinishhisquestion.Islammedthecardoor

shutandbeganracingfullspeedtowardthetanks.Theharshgrainsofsandhadnowseepedintomyshoesandweregrating

againstthesolesofmyfeet,butIbarelyfeltthepain.Myeyeswerefixedonthedarkmachines.

AsIreachedthefirstone,therewasnobodyinsight.Ibangedagainstoneofthewallsandshouted.

“Openup!Please!It’sanemergency!”Silence.Imovedtothenextoneandbangedagain.“Please!”Icried,evenasmyvoicecracked.Myheartliftedasseveralhatchesclickedopenatonce.Fourmenraisedtheir

headsoutandlookeddownatme.“Please!Ineedyourhelp!Mysisterandayoungmanjustwentmissing.We

arecampingsomemilesaway,andsomeonejustcamebyandtookthem.Haveyouseenanythingatall?”

Amanwithshortcroppedhairandascaracrosshisrightcheekclimbedoutanddroppeddownontheground,thethreeothermenfollowingafterhim.Heapproachedme,lookingdownatmeseriously.

“Tellme,whatexactlydidyousee?”Itookadeepbreathandtriedtosteadymynervestobestexpresswhathad

happened.IrepeatedtheincidentandonceagainfeltcrazyasIrecalledthespeedof

whomeveritwaswho’dtakenthem.TheyweresilentasIfinished,buttheglancestheyexchangedwitheach

othermademebelievethattheyknewsomething.

“Sohaveyouseenanything?”Iasked,daringtoraisemyhopes.“Doyouhaveanyideaatallwhathappened?”

Therewasalongpause.Thenthemanwiththescarclearedhisthroatandsaid,“I’msorry.Wecan’thelp.”

Myheartsankintomystomach.Fromthewayhe’dlistened,andthelookintheireyes,Iwascertainthattheyknewsomething.

“Sir,youmaynotbeabletohelp,butplease,tellmewhatyouknow.It’smysister…mylittle—”Myvoicebroke.“Whyareyouallhereinthefirstplace?”Imanaged.“Whatareyouwaitingfor?”

Themenbeganbackingaway.“I’msorry,”themanrepeated.Ilurchedforwardandgrabbedtheman’sarm.“Please!”HebrushedmeoffandYusuf—who’dfollowedafterme—grabbedmyarm

andpulledmeback.“River,thesemendon’tknowanything.Thebestthingwecandonowis

returnandgiveafullaccounttothepolice.”Ilookedbackatthemenclosingtheirhatches.Theyknewmorethanthey

werelettingon.Ijustknewit.Still,theywererefusingtospeaktomeanymoreandYusufwastuggingme

backtowardthecar.Ihadnochoicebuttoretreat,sowespedbackacrossthedeserttowardthecity.Wedidn’tevenstopatcampaswereachedit—wepassedrightby.

Abouttwohoursintothejourney,wewereafraidthatwemightrunoutoffuelcompletely—we’ddonealotofextradrivingthathadnotbeenplannedfor.Butbysomemercywemanagedtoarriveatthebordersofthecityandreachafuelstationbeforetheenginebecamecompletelyempty.

FarissgotoutofthecarwithYusuftorefuel.Whentheyreturned,weheadedstraightforthenearestpolicestation.

Wehurriedintothereceptionareathatwasfilledwithasurprisinglylargecrowdofpeople.

“Ihaveanemergency!”YusufshoutedinArabic,cuttingthroughthenoise.Apolicewomanapproached.“Whatisit?”sheasked.“Aseventeen-year-oldboyandasix-year-oldgirlwentmissinginthedesert

latelastnight.HasamancalledSamirHaikarrivedhere?”Recognitionspreadacrossherface.“Yes,comewithme.Youare

witnesses?”Yusufgesturedtome.“Sheisawitness.”SheledmeandYusufalongawindingcorridor.Wereachedanofficeand

steppedinside.TherewefoundmygrandfatherandDafneseatedinfrontofadesk.Mysister’seyeswerebloodshot,andshelookedterrified.Mygrandfather

lookedrelievedtoseeus.Thewomantookaseatbehindthedesknexttoapolicemanwhowasalready

sittingthere.“Wehaveawitness,”shesaid,pointingtome.“Well?Whatcanyoutellus?”thepolicemanasked.IcouldunderstandArabic,butIcouldn’tspeakitaswell.Iwasn’taboutto

takechancesonhisEnglishthough,soIrecountedthewholeincidentagaininArabicaswellasIcould.

“Havesearchpartiesbeensentoutalready?”Iasked.Thepolicemanandmygrandfathernodded.“Butanythingmorewecanadd

tothiscasewillhelp,ofcourse,”thepolicemanreplied.“Havetheysenthelicopters?”Yusufasked.“They’reontheirway,”thepolicewomanreplied.“AreyouawareofagroupofAmericansinthedesertwithtanks?Dothey

havepermissiontobethere?Whataretheydoing?”Iasked.Thepolicemanandwomaneyedeachother,thenshrugged.“Wearenot

awareofthem.ButIwillverifytheirauthorizationtobehere.”Weremainedsittinginthatofficethroughouttheearlyhoursofthemorning.

Officerscameinandout,andwelistenedtoreportsofprogress.Iheldmyhandsclaspedtogether,prayingeverytimeaspeakercrackledoranofficercameinthattheywouldhavefoundthem.

But11amcamearoundandtheystillhadn’tlocatedeitherLaliaorHassan.“Atleastnowthatit’sdaytime,wecanseemoreeasily,”thepolicemansaid,

rubbinghiseyeswearily.IlookedtowardmygrandfatherandDafne.Shehadfallenasleepagainsthis

chest.“Let’sreturnhomeforashortrest,”mygrandfathersaid.“Sittinghereany

longerisnotgoingtohelp.We’vetoldthepoliceallweknow.Wecanreturnagainthisafternoon.”

AlthoughIknewwhathewassayingmadesense,leavingthepolicestationfeltlikeyetanotherstepawayfrommysister.Still,YusufandIagreedandweheadedtothecar.Farissdroveusbacktomygrandfather’shome.

TherewasnowayIcouldsleepnomatterhowtiredIwas.ClearlyneithercouldYusuf.Heretreatedintothelivingroomandbeganmakingphonecalls—presumablytohiswifeandrelatives.

MygrandfathercarriedDafneupstairstoherbedroom.IfoundmyselfstandinginthehallwaywithFariss,wholookedexhausted.

Istillcouldn’tgetthosestrangeAmericansoldiersoutofmymind.Whatweretheydoinginthatpartofthedesert,soclosetowheremysisterandHassan

haddisappeared?Ijustknewthattheyhadsomeclueaboutwhathadhappened.Icouldn’tshakethefeeling.

Farisswasabouttoreturntothecar,presumablytodrivehomeforasleep,butsomethingmademecalloutandstophim.

“Fariss,wouldyoudosomethingforme?”“Whatwouldthatbe,MissGiovanni?”“Ineedyoutotakemebacktothatareawherewesawthosetanks,”Isaid.HelookednervouslyatmeandIwassurethathewasabouttorefuse.“Please,”Ibeggedbeforehecouldobject.“Iwilltalktomygrandfatherand

convincehimtoletusgo.”Herubbedhisforehead.“Allright,Iwilltakeyouthere.ButIreallyneedto

sleep,otherwiseI’msureIwillcrashbeforeweeverreachthedesert.”“Okay,”Isaid.Iunderstoodhemust’vebeenexhausted,butIcouldn’thelp

butfeelfrustratedallthesame.“Howmuchtimedoyouneed?”“Givemefourhours.”“Thencanyousleepinoneofthespareroomshere?Travelingbacktoyour

homewilljustwastetime.”“Okay,”hesaid.Itookhimupthestairsandshowedhimoneofthesparebedrooms.Imetmy

grandfatheronthestaircaseonmywaybackdowntothegroundfloor.“Farississleepinginoneofthebedrooms,”Isaid.“Heagreedtotakeme

backtothedesert,towherewesawthosetanks.”Mygrandfatherstaredatme.“Idon’tunderstandwhatgoodreturningthere

willdo.Yusufsaidthatyoualreadyaskedthemandtheyhadnoideaaboutthesituation.”

“Ijustdon’tbelievethem,”Isaid.“IwanttoreturntherewithFarisstowatchthemforafewhours.Perhapsovernight.”

“Idon’tliketheideaofyoutwogoingalone.Ifyouinsistongoing,I’llcomewithyou.”

“No,Grandpa.Youshouldstay.Dafneneedssomeonefromherfamilyhere.Ifyouwanttosendanotherpersonwithme,thenaskBashiraifshewillcome.”

Hesighed,thennodded.“Let’saskBashira.”Weheadedtothekitchenwhereshewasseated,lookingpaleandsipping

fromacupoftea.Weexplainedtheplanandsheagreedwithlittlehesitation.Soitwasdecided.OnceFarissfinishedsleeping,wewouldheadbacktothedesert.

Thenextfourhourswerepossiblythehardestofmylife.Theyfeltlikeaneternity.Itriedtofindthingstodoaroundthehouse—likesearchforaflashlighttopackinmytravelbackpackandtakeashower—butnothingmadethetimepassanymorequickly.Mygrandfathersuggestedcallingmymother,butI

refused.IkepttellingmyselfthatwewouldfindLaliasoon.Thattherewasnoneedtoworrymymother.We’dtellherthestoryonceLaliawassafeathomeagain.Ihadtokeepthinkinglikethis,otherwiseIwouldsinkintoapitofdespair.Ihadtostaystrong.Weallhadto.

FinallythestaircasecreakedandFarissdescendedit.Helookedrefreshed.Helookedfrommetomygrandfather.“Willyoubecoming,sir?”heasked.

Mygrandfathershookhishead.“BashiraandRiverwillbegoingwithyou.”“Verywell,”hesaid.Inthemeantime,Bashirahadbeenpreparinglotsoffoodandwatertotake

withusincasesomethinghappenedandwegotstuckoutinthedesertlongerthanwehadexpected.Iwantedtostayatleastthewholenightinthedesert,campoutinthecarandkeepaneyeontheAmericanstoseewhattheyweredoing—assumingtheywereevenstillthere.

Igavemygrandfatherahug.Thenweexitedthehouseandclimbedbackintothewhitetruck.

Wespedupalongtheroad,andalthoughthetankwasnearlyfull,westoppedbyagasstationandfilleditrightup.Wealsostockeduponsomeextrafueljustincaseweranout.

Andthenweheadedstraightforthedesert.Webarelytalkedaswetraveledbeneaththelate-afternoonsun.Ijustkeptlookingstraightaheadthroughthewindshield.Abouthalfway,exhaustioncaughtupwithme.Myeyelidsbegantodroop.IfigureditwasbettertotakeanapnowthantonightwhenIneededtobealertandwatching.Idriftedinandoutofsleepfortherestofthejourney.

“Overthere,”Farisssaid,pointingtoaclusteroftanksinthedistance.Iwasrelievedthattheywerestillhere.

“Good,”Isaid,leaningforwardinmyseat.“Weshouldtrytoremainhiddenfromthem.Idon’twantthemtoknowthatwe’respyingonthem.”Wehadstoppedonaraisedmoundofsandthatslopeddownwardtowardtheareawherethetankswerestationed.Thisgaveusagoodviewoftheircamp.Butweweretooexposedformyliking.Farisspulledbackalittlesothatwewereabitlessvisiblebutcouldstillseeeverythingthatwasgoingon.

Andthenthewaitbegan.Oncethesunhadsetbehindthehorizon,menbegantoclimboutofthetanksandstretchtheirlegs.Irummagedinthefrontcompartmentofthevehicleandfoundapairofbinoculars.Ilookedthroughthemandzoomedintogetabetterlook.

TheyallseemedtowearbeltswiththesameequipmentI’dseenthetwomenwearingtheothernight—sharpwoodenspears,silverguns,andboxlikeobjectswithflashinglights.Ialsonoticedsomeotherodd-lookingtechnologythatIcouldn’tputanameto.Someofthemsatontopofthetanks,lookingnorth,

whileotherswalkedaroundtheareaorleanedagainstthetanks,eatingandtalking.

WhatIwouldn’tgivetooverheartheirconversations.IlookedatFariss,thenatBashira—whowasbeginningtonodoffinthe

backseatofthecar.“Ineedtohearwhatthey’resaying,”Iwhispered.“MissGiovanni,”Farisssaid,lookingnervous,“youdidn’tsaythatyou

wouldwanttoleavethetruck.”“IpromiseI’llbefine,Ijustneedtodothis.”Igrabbedmybackpackandabottleofwater,openedthedoorandstepped

outontotheground.“MissGiovanni,”Farisscalled,“don’tgotoofar.Andwatchoutfor

dangerouscreatures—cobrasandscorpionsinparticular.”Igulped.“Thanks.”Iputthebottleofwaterintomybackpackandthen

pulledouttheflashlight,tuckeditintomybeltandflungthebagbackovermyshoulders.ThenIpositionedthehoodofmydark-coloredjacketsothatitcoveredmyfaceasmuchaspossible.

Ibeganmakingmywaydowntheslope.OfcourseIcouldn’tusemyflashlightorIwouldattracttheirattention.Thatwasjustincaseofanemergency.Ihadtogobythelightofthemoonandstars.

WhenIwaslevelwiththetanks,Icouldalreadyhearbetter.Iwasjustaboutcloseenoughtobeginmakingsenseoftheirwordswhentwomenturnedtowardme.Idroppedtotheground,hopingthattheyhadn’tnoticed.AndthatIhadn’tjustdroppeddownnearsomekindofdeadlycreature.

Iremainedstillforseveralmoments,turningmyheadtolooktowardthemfrommypositionagainsttheground.Althoughtwomenwerestilllookinginmydirection,itseemedthattheyeitherhadn’tnoticedme,orjustweren’tinterested.Theyturnedtheirbacksandheadedbacktowardtherestofthecrowd.

Ibreathedalittlemoreeasily.Raisingmyheadhigher,Istoodupslowly.Ibegantomovecloser,buttomydismay,theconversationhaddieddownby

thetimeIwascloseenoughtohear.Mostofthemwerenowstaringnorthwardinsilence,gunsintheirhandsandthoseoddredflashingboxesscatteredaroundthearea.Ilookednorthmyself,tryingtounderstandwhattheywereallstaringat.Icouldn’tseeanythingbutendlesssanddunes.

Whataretheyallwaitingfor?Idecidedtostartwalkinginthedirectionwheretheywerestaring.Ikept

downlowagainsttheground,carefultokeepaneyeoutforcreepy-crawlies.Ihadtocatchmyscreaminmythroatasahideousblackscorpionscuttledoutfromaholeinthesandaboutafootaway.Itnearlycrawledovermyfeet.

Afterthat,Iremainedstanding,prayingthatIwouldn’tencounteranotherdangerouscreaturebeforeIreturnedtothetruck.

Iswervedoutwider,furtherawayfromthementoavoidbeingseen,andcontinuedwalkingnorth,lookingbackeverynowandthentobesurenobodyhadnoticedme.

Iwasabouttoseethefutilityofmyattemptandreturntothevehiclewhenasharppainfilledmyskull.ItfeltlikeI’djustwalkedheadfirstintoawall.Istaggeredback,cursingandclutchingmyforehead.

Whatintheworld…?Reachingoutahand,Iwasshockedtofindsomethinghard.I’vegottobehallucinating.Istretchedoutmyotherhand.Thatalsotouchedsomethinghard.Itwasthe

mostbizarrethingI’deverexperiencedinmylife,likesomekindofinvisiblebarrier.Imovedmyhandsalongthehardsurface.Itfeltneitherroughnorsmooth…Ididn’tevenknowhowtodescribeitstexture,ifitevenhadatexture.Itjusthurtlikehelltowalkinto.

Blinkinghard,Ilookedtowardthetruckstillparkeduponthemoundofsand.ThenIlookedbackatthetanks.Ididn’tthinkthatIwashallucinating.

Whatisthis?Iwalkedfurther,keepingmyhandsagainstthisstrangeinvisibleforcefield.Aftertwentyminutesofwalking,IwasabouttorunbacktothecartogetFarissandaskwhathethoughtwhenIheardavoice.Amalevoice,speakingEnglish.

“No,Marilyn.”Itsoundedlikeitwascomingfrombehindthebarrierandyet,whenIlooked

straightthroughit,Isawnothingbutsand.Whereisitcomingfrom?Itsoundedsoclose.

Thentherewasawailing—presumablyafemale’s.Themalevoicespokeagain.“Whydon’tyougoandspendthenightwith

yourboyfriendforachange?”“Becausehe’snotmineanymore!He’sgotanewgirlfriend!”Shesounded

hysterical.Whereoneartharethesepeople?Ifoundmyselflookinginalldirections,

evendownattheground,wonderingiftherewassomekindofbunkerbeneathme.No.Itwascomingfrombehindthisstrangeinvisiblewall.

Clenchingmyfists,Icalledout,“Whoareyou?”Themanandwomanfellsilent.Rapidfootstepscrossedthesand,andthenIhearddeepbreathingonlyfeet

awayfromme.Myhearthammeredagainstmychest.Ifeltapresencesoclosetome,andyetIstillcouldn’tseeanyone.

Couldtheybe…ghosts?Ishookmyself.Don’tbesostupid.Ghostsdon’texist.“Whatbringsayoungwomanlikeyououtheresolate?”Themalespoke.Ishudderedattheproximityofhisvoice.“I’mlookingformysister,”Ireplied,evenasIfeltcrazyfortalkingtothin

air.“Asix-year-oldgirl.Shewentmissingabouttwenty-fourhoursago.She’splump,hasbrownhair,turquoiseeyesandlighttanskin.H-Haveyou—?”

BeforeIcouldfinishmyquestion,acoldhandshotoutfromnowhereandgrippedmywrist.NextthingIknew,Iwasbeingpulledthroughwhathadpreviouslybeenanimpenetrablebarrier.Ilandedonthegroundnearapairoflargefeet.Shockcoursingthroughmyveins,Iraisedmyeyestoseeatall,blond-haired,brown-eyedyoungmanstandingoverme.Hewasterriblypaleandtherewasastrangevibrancytohisirises,almostasthoughhewerewearingspecialcontactlenses.

“Yes,”herespondedcalmly,hisgazeroamingthelengthofmybody.“Wehaveyoursister.Andnowwehaveyou.”

I

CH A P T E R 6 :R I V E R

screamedasthemanbentdownandgrippedmyneckwithhisfreezinghands.Hisgripwassostrong,hecouldcrushmywindpipewiththe

slightestbitofpressure.Heraisedmetomyfeetandstareddownatme.“Whoareyou?”Ichoked.Heignoredmeandlookedoveratablondewomanstandingnexttohim.She

alsolookedunnaturallypale.IstrainedtoseewhereI’djustbeenpulledthrough.Iwasabletospotthewhitetruckinthedistance.

“Help!”Ishouted.“That’sit,”themansaidsoftly,lookinguptowardwhereIwaslooking.

“Callforhelp.Seewhatgooditdoesyou.”Tomysurprise,heletgoofme.Imadeadashtowardthevehiclebut

smashedintothebarrieragain,thesamebarrierI’djustbeenpulledthrough.Icontinuedyellingforhelp.

Thetruck’sengineroaredinthedistanceanditbegantrundlingdownthesanddunestowardus,headlightsonfullblast.ItapproachednearwhereIwasstanding,thendroverightpast.IcouldseeBashiraandFarisslookingaroundinbewilderment.

Theycan’tseeme.Iwhirledaroundtoseethemanwatchingmewithalmostboredom.“What’syourname?”heasked.Rippingouttheflashlightthatwasstillstuffedinmybelt,Ihurleditathis

faceanddartedintheoppositedirection.EventhoughIcouldn’tpassthroughthebarrier,thatdidn’tstopmefromtryingtogetasfarawayfromthismanaspossible.Ididn’tstoptoseeiftheflashlighthadhititsmark.Whateverthecase,ithadn’tdoneenoughdamagebecausehecaughtupwithmeinamatterof

seconds.Hetrippedmeupandknockedmetothegroundagain.“Comenow,”hesaid,bendingdownclosertomeandtouchingmycheek

withhiscoldfingers.“Noneedtogetusofftosucharoughstart.”Theblondewomanwasnowstandingrightnexttous.Hereyeslooked

swollenfromcryingandblackmascarastainedhercheeks.“Whatareyougoingtodowiththisone,Michael?”sheasked.

Michael.“IneedtoconsultJeramiah,”hesaid.Jeramiah?Imadeanotherattempttoscrambleaway,buthewasunnaturallyfast.He’d

grippedmywaistbeforeI’devenmanagedtostandup.“You’lldobetternottostruggle,”hesaidcalmly.Liftingmefromtheground,heflungmeoverhisshoulder.Thenhelurched

forwardwithsuchspeed,itknockedthebreathoutofme.Thewindwhippedagainstmyears.ItfeltlikeIwasfalling,notbeingcarried.

Hestoppedatalargetrapdoorfixedintothesand.Theblondegirlstoopedandpulleditopen,thenMichaelcarriedmeinside.StillwrestlingwithmeasIfoughthim,hedescendedanarrowstaircase.

Igaspedaswetoucheddownonashinymarblefloor.Wewerestandingonaplatformsurroundedbyglasswallsatthetoplevelofahugeatrium.Ithadtoomanylayersformetocount,anditwaslavishlydecorated,withasprawlinggardeninthecenterandmassivechandeliershangingfromtheceiling.

“Whothehellareyou?”Ishoutedagain,kickingandpoundingmyfistsagainsthisback.Hebarelyseemedtonoticemystruggleasheheadedwithmetowardanelevator.Marilynenteredafterusandpushedabutton.

“Whydon’tyoujusttellher?”theyoungwomansaid,rubbinghertemplesastheelevatorbegantodescend.“Herquestionsaregivingmeaheadache.”

MichaelshotalookatMarilyn.“I’lltellherwhenItellher,”hesnapped.MarilyncrossedherarmsoverherchestandscowledatMichael.Icontinuedtoattackmycaptor’sback—andanyotherpartofhisbodyI

couldreach—buthedidn’tseemtofeelathing.Myattemptstobreakfreeonlymadehisfreezinghandsclosemoretightlyaroundmylegs.

“Please,”Igasped.“Please.Letmedown!”Bothofthemignoredmeastheelevatorcametoastopandthedoorsslid

open.MarilyntookaleftturnandheadedintheoppositedirectionfromMichaelandme.Istrainedmynecktoseewherehewastakingmeashespedupalongawideveranda.Wepassedcloseddooraftercloseddoor,hisfootstepsechoingoffthesleekfloors.FinallyMichaelstoppedinfrontofoneofthedoorsandrapped

hisknucklesagainstit.Iheldmybreathastherewasaloudclickandthedoorswungopen.

Michael’shandsranupmythighsandgrippedmywaist.Heloweredmetothefloor.Itriedtodartawayfromhim,backoutofthedoor,butheheldmefirmlyinplace—mybackagainsthischest,forcingmetofaceforward.

Myeyesfellonthemanstandingbeforemeinthehallwayofaluxuriousapartment.Hewastall,eventallerthanMichael.Hehadarobedrapedaroundhisbroadshoulders,partiallyrevealingachiseledtorso.Hehaddarkshoulder-lengthhairandharshblueeyesthatroamedmecuriously.

“Who’sthis?”heasked,hisvoicelowanddeep.“Jeramiah,shewalkedrightuptous.Icouldn’tresist…”Iflinchedastheblue-eyedmansteppedforwardandplacedahandbeneath

mychin,tiltingmyheadupward.Thenheletgoandloweredhisfacetomyneckbeforebreathingin.

“Hmm,”Jeramiahmurmured.“Takeherdowntothebasement.”Ifelttheblooddrainfrommyface.Iwasstillholdingouthopethatthiswasalljustadream.Imust’vefallen

asleepinthecaronthewaytothetanks.ThetraumaoflosingmysisterhadbroughtaboutthiscrazynightmareIcouldn’tescapefrom…

Jeramiahtookastepbackwardandabeautifulebony-skinnedgirlappearedbyhisside.Dressedinashortnightdress,shewrappedherarmsaroundhiswaistandsettledhergazeonme.

“Thebasement?”sheasked,hervoicesilvery.“Really,Jeramiah?She’sabeauty.”

Jeramiahheavedasighandstudiedmeagain.“Sheisabeauty,”hesaidthoughtfully,afterapause.“IwasgoingtosuggestthatIkeepher,”Michaelsaid.Keepme?“Please!”Istammered.“Where’smysister?”Jeramiahraisedadarkbrow,thenspokeasifhehadn’theardme.“Afterthe

kidnappingsthisweek,we’vealreadyselectedenoughhumanstohalf-turn.Keepingherintheupperlevelswouldupsettheratio,”hesaid.

Half-turn?Ratio?Whatishetalkingabout?Therewasapause.“Icould…restoreit,”Michaelsaid.“YouknowIdon’tlikewaste,Michael,”Jeramiahreplied,hiseyesstern.“Don’tworry.I’llpickoneoftheservantswho’sbeenslackingrecently…I

alreadyhaveoneinmind.Leaveittome.”

Jeramiahstilllookeddoubtful.“Whenwillyoudoit?”“Bytheendoftheweek,”Michaelreplied.“Nolaterthanthat.”“Agreed,”Michaelsaid.“ButMichael,”thebeautystandingnexttoJeramiahsaid,“Iwasthinking

thisnewcomercouldbegoodforournewmember,Joseph.WhataboutyouandAlexandria?”

Michaelbreathedoutimpatientlyandgrippedmyarmstighter.“AlexandriaandIaretiredofeachother.AndasmuchasIappreciateyouropinion,Lucretia,itisn’trequired.Josephisn’tinterestedinacompanionanyway,accordingtoJeramiah…Sothisgirlhasarrivedjustintime.Wewereplanningtodoitthisevening,right?”

Jeramiah’seyeswerestillfixedonme,buthenodded.“Yes,thisevening.”“Whatisthisevening?”Iasked,hysteriashakingmyvoice.Again,nobodybotheredtoanswerme.“HaveyoubeentoseeJoseph?”Michaelasked.“No.I’mgoingtodothatnow,”Jeramiahreplied.“Arewesurethathe’sreadyforit?”Michaelasked.“Heseemed…

unsteady.”“Ithinkhe’sready.We’llhavehimseepeopleonebyone,soitwon’tbeso

overwhelming.I’llstaywithhimincasethereisanytrouble.”“He’dbetterbeready,”Michaelmuttered.“Hewon’tbenewly-turnedfor

muchlonger…”Michaelmovedbackdownthehallwaytowardthedoor,draggingmeafter

him.“I’llbringJosephtoyourquarters,yes?”Jeramiahsaid,alreadypullingona

shirtthathisgirlfriendwashandinghim.“Yes,”Michaelsaid.“We’reheadedtherenow.”“Wemightaswellbringhimtoseethisgirlfirstthen,”Jeramiahsaid.“Iagree,”Michaelreplied.“Who’sJoseph?”Ishouted.Michaelthrewmeoverhisshoulderagainandlefttheapartment.Heran

alongtheverandaoutsidesofastIcouldhardlybreathe.Mysurroundingswereablur.Icouldbarelyevenopenmyeyesuntilhestoppedoutsideanotherdoor.

“Mysister.She’snotwell.Shehasasthma.Atleasttakemetoseeher!”“Don’tworryaboutyoursister,”herepliedcalmly.“She’sincapablehands.”Whosehands?Withdrawingakeyfromhispocket,heopenedthedoorandsteppedinside.I

shiveredashelockeditbehindhim.Wewerestandinginanotherapartmentthat

lookedsimilarinluxurytoJeramiah’s.Hecarriedmedownthehallway,pushedopenthedoorattheendofit,andsteppedintoabedroom.Heplacedmedownonthelargecircularbedinthecenteroftheroom.

AssoonasIhitthemattress,Iscrambledawayfromhimandranforthedoor.HewhizzedacrosstheroomandshutitbeforeIcouldreachit.Istaggeredbackward,movingtowardthefarcorneroftheroomandlookingforanythingthatIcouldusetodefendmyself.

“Whatareyou?”Ibreathed.Asmilecurledhislips,hisbrowneyesfixedonmyface.“ComehereandI’llshowyou.”Igrabbedholdofatablelampandpulleditfromitssocket,brandishingitto

createasmuchdistancebetweenhimandmeasIcould.Calmly,heremovedhisjackettorevealathinshirtbeneathit.Hewalked

towardmeslowly,likealionstalkingitsprey.ThenhisarmshotoutsofastIdidn’thavethespeedtoreactintime.Herippedthelampfrommyhandsandthrewitoutofreach.Nowdefenseless,Istoodflushagainstthewall.

“DoasIsay,andyouhavenothingtobeafraidof.”Ashetookhisfinalstep,hisbodypressedagainstme,pinningmetothe

wall.Hegrippedthecollarofmyshirtandrippeditdownward,baringmyneckandcollarbone.

“No!”Iscreamed,clutchingmyrippedshirtwithonehandwhiletryingtopushhimawaywiththeother.

Hepinnedmyhandsupagainstthewallandheldthemthere,thenloweredhisheadtomyneck.Itensedupashislipspressedagainstmyskin.Ithoughthewaskissingmeatfirst,thentwosharpstabspuncturedmyflesh.Iwastooshockedtoevenscream.

Whatishappening?Histonguebrushedmyskin,andhebegansucking.Hegroaneddeeply,andI

felthisentirebodybeginheavingagainstme.He’s…drinkingmyblood?Ifeltclosetopassingoutashecontinuedtotakedeepgulpsofme.Wakeup,River.Please…wakeup.Whenhefinallyraisedhishead,myheadwasfaint.Hislipswerecovered

withdeepredliquid.Myownblood.Hesmiled,revealingsharpfangs.“DoIstillneedtoansweryourquestion,treasure?OrhaveIshownyou

enough?”Hehadshownmeenough.Thesepeoplewerevampires.

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CH A P T E R 7 :B E N

’dbeentryingtokeepmyheaddownasmuchaspossible.JeramiahhadconsultedwithMichaelandAmaya,andhe’dgivenmeafewotherjobs—

mostlymenialtasksliketendingtothelilypond.Ididthemdutifully.MyplanwastodoasIwasrequesteduntilIfeltthetimewasrighttoproposethatIaccompanythemononeoftheirhunts.

Ihadtogaintheirtrustfirst.Itseemedlikethemostobviousthingthatavampirewouldaskifhewantedtoescape—toaccompanythembeyondtheboundary.IneededtobepatientandshowJeramiahthatIwascommittedtobeingagoodcitizenofTheOasis.

Iwasinvitedtojoinmorepartiesatnight,butIdeclined.IjusttoldthemIwasarecluseandhadneverbeenonetoparty.Nobodyseemedtoraisemuchobjectiontoit.Marilyndidn’tbothermeagaineither.NobodyotherthanJeramiahsoughtmeout,andeventhenjustwhentherewasaspecifictaskhewantedtotalktomeabout,ortodelivermoreblood.Thereneverseemedtobeanyshortageofit—indeed,heencouragedmetodrinkasmuchasIwanted.ThoughIdidn’t,ofcourse.Ijustdranktheminimumrequiredtosurvivewithoutclimbingthewallsfromhunger.IwasjustgratefulthatIhadn’tneededtodoanykillingmyself.ThemomentIdidthatagain,I’dbeplungedbackintothesameblackstateI’dbeeninwhiledriftinginthesubmarine.

Whentherewasaknockonmydoorintheearlyhoursofthenight,IassumeditwouldbeJeramiah.Iwasright.

“Jeramiah,”Isaid.“Wouldyoucomewithme?”hesaid.“Whatisit?”“It’seasierifIjustshowyou.”“Allright.”Iwasn’twearingashirt,butIjustwentwithhimasIwas.I

doubtedhe’dkeepmelong,whateveritwas.Hewassilentaswewalkedalongtheveranda.Hestoppedeventuallyoutside

thedoorofanapartment.Heknockedonthedoor.“Michael,”hecalled.SothisisMichael’sapartment.Iwonderedwhyhewasbringingmehereof

allplaces.Therewerefootstepsandthedooropened.Michaelappearedbehindit,his

lowerlipstainedwithblood.Perhapswe’dinterruptedhimduringameal.Thetracesofhumanbloodonhismouthmademystomachlurch,eventhoughIhadalreadydownedthreeglassesearlierthisevening.

“Comein,”Michaelsaid—moretoJeramiahthantome.Heopenedthedoorwiderandsteppedasideasweentered.

Istilldidn’tunderstandwhatMichaelfoundsoobjectionableaboutme—I’dneverdoneanythingtoinsultorharmhim.NotthatIgaveadamn.

“Throughhere,”Michaelsaid,leadingusalongthelongcorridor.Hetookaleftdownanotherhallwayandstoppedoutsideadoorattheendofit.Hedrewoutasmallkeyfromhispocketandopenedit.BeforeIevenrealizedwhatwashappening,Jeramiahhadsteppedbehindmeandpushedmethroughthedoorintowhatturnedouttobeanunheatedsaunaroom.Followingcloselybehindme,heslammedthedoorshutafterus.

IwasconfusedatfirstastoJeramiah’shurrytogetmeintheroom,butthenIwasawareofnothingbutthescentofhothumanbloodoverwhelmingme.AsIlaideyesonayoungwomancoweringinonecornerofthepaneledroom,puncturewoundsinherneckstillbleeding,IrealizedthatagreeingtocomeherewithJeramiahhadbeenaterrible,terriblemistake.

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CH A P T E R 8 :R I V E R

yheadwasstillspinning.Vampires.

Theyexist.DidthismeanthatothercreaturesmymotherandIhadseenreportedonTV

existedtoo?Witches?Dragons?IfeltlikeI’dgoneinsaneevenentertainingthethought.AndyethereIwaslockedinthissaunaroomwithfangmarksinmyneck.IwaspasthopingthatIwouldwakeup.Thiswasnodream.Whenthedooropened,IwasterrifiedthatitwouldbeMichaelbackfor

moreofmyblood.ThesightIwasmetwithwasnolessterrifying:twovampires—Jeramiah,andanotheryoungmanwholookedoversixfeettall,withdeepgreeneyesanddark,almostblackhair.

MyfirstthoughtwasthatthismustbetheJosephpersonJeramiahandMichaelhadbeentalkingaboutearlier.

NowIwonderedwhetheritwouldhavebeenbetterformeifMichaelhadshownupagain.

Iwasexpectingoneofthem,perhapsbothofthem,tolaunchonmeandinflictmorepain,perhapsevenendmylife.Instead,thegreen-eyedmanjerkedbackwardthemomenthelaideyesonmeanddartedtowardthedoor.Jeramiahreacheditbeforehimandblockedhisexit.Joseph’sshoulderswereheavingashekepthisbackfacingme.

“What’swrong?”Jeramiahasked.“I’mwillingtoserveTheOasis,butnotlikethis,”Josephsaid,hisvoice

deepandstrained.“I’mnotgoingtoaskyoutokillthisgirl.Justhalf-turnher.”

“Stepaside.”TherewasurgencyinJoseph’stone.“Yousaidthatyoufeltyouwerereadytocomeoutwithusonahunt,”

Jeramiahcontinued,makingnomotiontostepoutoftheway.“Half-turninghumansshouldn’tbedifficult.AndI’mheretooverseeit.I’llmakesureyoudon’ttakethingstoofar—”

JosephgrippedJeramiah’sshoulderandshovedhimaside.Castinghimaglare,hesaidthroughgrittedteeth,“Ican’t…touchthisgirl.”

Heclutchedthehandle,forcedthedooropenandstormedoutoftheroom.Iwasn’tsurewhethertoberelievedordreadwhatwastohappennext.MystomachsquirmedasMichaelsteppedbackintotheroomwithJeramiah.“Nowwhat?”Michaelsaid,eyeingme.Jeramiahlookedquiteunfazed.“Josephisn’tgoingtodoit,”hereplied.“So

thatmeanswe’regoingtohavetocreateanothernewvampirefromoneofourhumans.”

“Whichone?”“Itdoesn’tmattermuch,”Jeramiahsaid.“Justchooseonewhoissmaller

thanus—someonewhowon’tbeimpossibletocontrolsoonaftertheirturning.BecauseI’mnotwillingtowaitdaysforanewvampiretocalmdown.Assoonastheyturn,they’llbeginworkrightaway.”

“Adamnannoyanceonlynewvampirescanhalf-turnhumans,”Michaelmuttered.

Bothmensteppedoutoftheroom.Thedoorshutbehindthem,leavingmealone.

ItwasallIcoulddotonotlosemyselftodespairwhenIimaginedwhatmysistermightbegoingthrough.Icouldonlypraythatshewasbeingtreatedbetterthanme.Butwhatdotheywantherfor?Whatdotheywantmefor?

MychestachedasIimaginedhowsweetLalia’sbloodmighttastetothem.Please,Laly,whereveryouare,besafe.I’mhere.I’mgonnacomeforyouas

soonasIcan.Ialmostleaptoutofmyskinasthedoorswungopenagain.ItwasJeramiah,

alonethistime.Hewasholdingasyringe.Panicking,Iscrambledtomyfeetandtriedtodistancemyselffromhim,butheclosedinonme.

“Bestill,”hesaidcalmlyasheslidahandaroundthebackofmyneckandpositionedmeagainstthewall.Istruggleduntiltheneedleprickedmyskinandthedrugseepedintomybloodstream.Consciousnesssoonleftmeafterthat.Thenumbnesswasanunexpectedmercy.

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CH A P T E R 9 :B E N

wasfumingasIreturnedtomyapartment.Ishouldn’thavebeensurprisedthatthedayhadcomewhenJeramiahexpectedmetohalf-turnhumans.

Afterall,JeramiahhadsaidallalongthatwaswhatIwasusefulfor—butIcouldn’thelpbutfeelfuriousatthewayhe’dsprungitonme.Thefactthathehadn’ttoldmewhathe’dcomeforwhenhe’dfirstknockedonmydoormademebelievethathe’dthoughtthatIwoulddisagree.

AsmuchasIknewthiswouldsetmebackinmyattempttogainthevampires’trustandescapethisplace,Isimplycouldn’tbringmyselftobiteintothatinnocentgirl’sflesh.IknewthatthemomentIheldherinmyarms,Iwouldlosemyselfinherandresurfaceagainonlytofindherashriveledcorpse.

Jeramiahdidn’tknowwhoIwas.Hethoughtthathewouldbestrongenoughtocontrolme.AlthoughhewasaNovakhimself,IdoubtedthattherewasanyonewhocouldrestrainmewhenIwasinthemidstofabloodfrenzy.EvenmyfatherhadtroublecontrollingmebackinTheShade.

Therewassomethingverywrongwithme,anduntilIfoundoutwhatitwas,Icouldn’triskkillingagain.

MymouthwateredasIrecalledthathumangirlhuddledinthecornerofthesauna.WhenJeramiahhadclosedthedoor,IhadbeensosurethatIwouldlaunchatherandripherthroatout.IfIhadnotshovedhimaside,Iwould’vedrainedeverylastdropfromher.

MybreathingwasheavyasIrecalledthescentofherbloodandIfeltaburninghungerinmystomach.BeforeJeramiahhadknockedonmydoor,Ihadbeensatisfied.Now,Iwascravingbloodagain.

Iheadedstraightforthekitchenandopenedthefridgedoor.Ipulledouteverysinglejugofbloodthatwasstoredthereexceptforone.Idrankitall,andasIfinishedthelastgulp,eventhatdidn’tsatisfyme.Havingahumansoclose

tomehadreignitedthedarknessthatlingeredbeneaththesurface.Igrippedthetablehard.ThiswasthemosthumanbloodI’dconsumedsinceIhadlastmurdered,

beforearrivinginTheOasis.Ihadbeensocarefultoconsumeonlyasmuchasmybodyabsolutelyneeded.NowitseemedthatIneededsomuchmorejusttokeepmycravingincheck.Justlookingatthathumanhadsetmebacksofar.

IfthiswashowIstillactedaroundhumans,whatwasIgoingtodoonceImanagedtoescapethisplace?IknewthatIhadtoescape,butIstilldidn’tknowhowIwouldcopewithoutmurderingeveryhumanwhohadthemisfortuneofcrossingpathswithme.

Dammit.Whycan’tIjustdrinkanimalbloodliketherestofmyfamily?AsIstoodinthekitchen,itoccurredtomethatithadactuallybeensome

timenowsinceIhadlasttriedtodrinkanimalblood.PerhapssomethinginmybodyhadsettleddownbynowandIcouldhandleit.Ifoundithardtobelieve,buttherewasonlyonewaytoknowforsure.

Walkingtomybedroom,Ipulledonashirt.ThenIleftmyapartmentanddescendedtothebottomleveloftheatrium.Iwalkedthroughthegardens,scanningtheroomsthatsurroundedit.IlookedfortheonewhereIhadseenthevampireretreatwiththesnakethathadrecentlyescaped.IwasnotsureiftherewereotheranimalsinTheOasis,butsnakebloodshouldbegoodenoughtotestmytheory.

OnceIthoughtthatIhadspottedtherightroom,Ileftthegardensandapproachedit.Igrippedthehandleofthedoorandwaspleasedtoseethatitwasopen.Ifoundmyselfsteppingintoalargeroomfilledwithcagesofwrithingsnakesofallshapesandsizes.

Whydotheykeepallofthesesnakes?Ihadgottentheimpressionthatthevampireshereonlydrankhumanblood.

Whywouldtheydrinkanythingelsewhentheyhadsomuchofit,andofsuchquality?

Whateverreasontheyhadforkeepingthem,itsuitedmerightnow.Iapproachedthecagenearesttomeandscannedthesnakesinsideit,wonderingwhichtopullout.ThenInoticedthehugeblacksnakethathadtriedtoattackmeoutinthegardensinthenextcageanddecidedhe—orshe—wouldbeaworthytarget.

WhenIopenedthecage,theblacksnakedartedtowardsme,itsfangsbared.Icaughtitbyitsneckandsqueezedhardbeforeitcouldbiteme,thenjerkeditupward,pullingtherestofitstailoutofthecage.Iclosedthecageagainbeforeanyothersnakescouldattemptanescape.

Theblacksnake’stailthrashedaboutasitcontinuedtryingtoattackme.I

didn’tprolongitsdeath.Drawingoutmyclaws,Islicedoffitsheadinoneswiftmotion.Asbloodbegantospillfromitsbody,evenjustthesmellofitmademystomachlurch.Itwashardtodescribethesmell.Itwasjustfoul.SomethingIwouldneverwanttoputinmymouth.

Still,Iforcedmyselftodigmyfangsintoitsfleshanddrawalongdeepgulp.

IheldmynoseasIswallowed,thenwaited.Aftertwentyseconds,nothinghadhappened,soItookanotherdeepgulp.

Andthenanother.ThatwasaboutallIcouldhandleofthevilesubstanceinonego,soIsetthebodydownonthegroundandsatdownonabenchinonecorneroftheroom.Istillheldmynoseevennow,afraidthatifIstopped,Iwouldupchuckeverything.

Aftertwominutes,awaveofreliefwashedoverme.Animalbloodstilltastesdisgusting,butperhapsIcanstomachitnow.MaybeIreallyhavechanged.MaybeallIneededwassometimetosettleintothisnewbody.

IwasstartingtofeelsoconfidentthatIgotupforanothergulpofsnakeblood,butasImotionedtopickupthebody,mystomachgrowledandbeforeIknewit,Iwasstaringatapoolofredvomitonthefloor.

IkeptvomitinguntilitfeltlikeifIvomitedanymore,Iwouldstartthrowingupmyinsides.

Great.Nothinghaschanged.Somethingisvery,verywrongwithme.Ilookedaroundtheroomandspottedsomecleaningequipment.Fillingupa

bucket,Igrabbedamopandcleanedupmymess.ThenIpickedupthecorpseofthesnakeandlefttheroom.Iwasn’tsurewhethersomebodywouldbeirritatedwithmethatIhadjustkilledoneoftheirsnakes,orwhethertheywouldn’tmind.Theyseemedtohavesomany,afterall.

Still,Iwantedtoavoidtrouble,soImademywaytooneoftheorchardsthatwasovergrownwithshrubbery.Idroppedthebodyofthesnakebeneathbushesandcovereditwithsoil.Itwoulddecomposesoonenough.

ThenIwalkedpastthelilypondsandrinsedmymouthandhandsintheclearwater.WhenIstoodup,mygazelandedonthememorialstoneofLucasNovak.ItseemedtohavebeenattendedtosinceIhadlastlaideyesonit.Itwascleaner,andIcouldmakeouttheinscriptionbetter.Feelingunsettled,remindedoftheurgencyofescapingthisplace,Iheadedstraightbacktomyapartment.

Icouldstilltastesnakebloodonmytongue.Iwalkedbackintothekitchenintendingtofinishoffthelastjugofbloodtogetridofthetaste,butwhenIopenedthefridge,theshelveswerefilledwithjuguponjugofdelicioushuman

blood.Strange.Iwonderedwhohaddoneit.Ihadonlybeengoneafewminutes.Itwas

almostliketherewassomeslavelivingwithme,watchingmyeverymove.AlthoughIwasimmenselygratefultonothavetoworryaboutfindingmy

ownblood,Icouldn’thelpbutfeelthatwitheachgulpofthisexquisiteblood,IwasbecomingmoreandmoreindebtedtothisstrangeplaceknownasTheOasis.

I

CH A P T E R 1 0 :R I V E R

wokeuptoaburningsensationinmyrightupperarm.Thepainwasblinding.Igrippedmyshouldertosootheit,butitonlyintensifiedthe

pain.Isatupslowly,wincingasIopenedmyeyes.Tomyhorror,Ifoundmyself

inMichael’slargecircularbed.MyhearthammeredasIscannedtheroom,butIfoundsomereliefinthefactthathewasn’therewithme.Iwasalsostillwearingmyownclothes,whichgavemesomecomfort.

Imovedmyrippedshirtandlookeddownatmyshoulder.Theskinsurroundingmyrightbicepwasredandswollen,andetchedintoitwasablackcross.

Ialmostyelled.Whatthehellisthis?Itwashurtingsomuch,itfeltlikesomeonewasstillinkingmyskin.Whatis

themeaningofthiscross?Whywouldtheybrandmewithit?Althoughoverwhelmedwithdoubtsandquestions,Ididn’tspendanymore

timestaringatmyarm.Iwasalone.Michaelwasnowhereinsight,norwasanyothervampire.IclimbedasquietlyasIcouldoutofbed.

IhavetofindmysisterandHassan.Andwehavetoescapethisnightmare.Thedoorwasajar.Iwasabouttopushitopenwiderandslipoutwhen

somethingcaughtmyeyeonthedressingtableafewfeetawayfromme.Leavingthedoorreluctantly,Iapproachedit.

AsIstareddownattwoobjectswrappedinbrownpaperandcoveredwithapieceofparchment,mymouthfellopenandmystomachsomersaulted.

Anotewaswritteninjerkyblackhandwritingontheparchment:“Foryourmotherandbrother.”Isnatchedupthenoteandstaredatit,myhandsshaking.Ireadthewords

overandoveragain,justincasemyeyesdeceivedme.ThenIdroppeditandpickedupthefirstobjectwrappedinbrownpaper.Itoreoffthepapertorevealablacksilkpouch.Iloosenedtheopening,andfoundmyselfstaringdownatapileofgoldcoins.MyheartbeatfasterasIreachedforthesecondobject.Itwasmuchsmallerthanthefirst,andcylindrical.Itorethroughthebrownpaperandfoundmyselfholdingathinglassvialfilledwithatransparentamberliquid.

Whatisthis?Ilookedaroundtheroom,breathingheavily,thenbackdownattheobjects.Howdotheyknowaboutmymotherandbrother?Whatarethesethingsfor?Ijumpedasadeepmalevoicespokefromthedoor.“Howareyoufeeling,River?”Michaelaskedashesteppedintotheroom.

Hisblondhairlookedwet,likehe’djusttakenashower.Ifeltalltheblooddrainfrommyface.“Howdoyouknowmyname?”Michael’ssmilebroadened.Reachingintohispocket,hepulledouta

crumpled-uptagandplaceditinmypalm.Irecognizeditinstantlyastheairportlabelthathadbeenonmybackpack.Itcontainedmyfullname…andmyhomeaddress.

TheyknowwhereIlive.“Whatarethese?”Igasped,stumblingbackawayfromhimandrippingup

thetag.Heeyedthegoldcoinsandthevial.“GiftsfromTheOasis.”“Mymotherandbrotheraren’there.Whywouldyougivethemthesegifts?”

Ibreathed,fearingthattheyweregoingtokidnapthemtoo.Orhadalready.Michaelshookhishead.“YouneednotworryaboutyourfamilyinNew

York.Wedon’tgothatfarforhumans…atleast,notusually.Wehaveplentyofhealthyhumanstochoosefrominourproximity.Astohowtheywillreceivetheirgifts,wewillsendoneofourwitchestodeliverthem.Wouldyoulikethat?”

“No!”Igrabbedthecoinsandthevialfromthetableandheldthembehindmyback.“Please!Don’tgonearthem.I’mbeggingyou.Mybrotherissick—”

Michaelheldupahand.“Verywell.Youmightaswellkeepthegiftsthen.Notthattheywillbeofmuchusetoyouaroundhere…”Hewalkedovertothetableandopenedoneofthelargedrawers.Hepulledoutmybackpackfromitandhandedittome.Igrabbeditfromhimandstuffedthegiftsinside,thenshovedthebagintoonecorneroftheroom.

“Whereismysister?”Irepeatedforwhatfeltlikethehundredthtime.“Yoursisterisfine.”“Takemetoher!”Ishouted.Irritationsparkedinhiseyes,butIdidn’thearhisresponseasthefrontdoor

tohisapartmentclickedopen.Footstepsshuffleddownthecorridor,andthenthebedroomdoorpushedwideopen.StandingbeforemewasJeramiah,accompaniedbyashortwomanjustasdeathlypale,andboundinchains.Bloodwassmearedaroundhermouthandhereyeslookedunfocusedastheyfellonme.

Ibackedupagainstthewall,wishingtherewasawindowinthisdamnedplacethatIcouldleapoutof.Buttherewerenowindowsanywherehere.Wewereunderground,inthemiddleofadesert.

“Well,whatareyouwaitingfor?”Jeramiahsaid,lookingatMichael.“Positionher.”

BeforeIcouldevenattempttogetaway,Michaelgrabbedmeandwrestledmebackontothebed.Hepinnedmedownwithhiskneesandhands,spreadingoutmybodysotightIcouldn’tevenbudgeaninch.

Thewomanbegantogrowlfrighteningly,agutturalsoundthatcamefromdeepwithinherthroat.SheclankedherchainsandJeramiahrestrainedherastheybothapproachedthebed.

“River,”Jeramiahsaid.Itdisturbedmetonoendthatnowevenhewasaddressingmebymyname.“Iwouldadviseyounottostruggle.Fayeisanewlyturnedvampire.Thatmeanssheisparticularly…unpredictable.She’snotasstrongasme,soIcancontrolher,butonlyifyoucooperate.Ifyoudon’t,youmightfindyourselfbleddry.Understood?”

Myeyeswidenedinterrorasheloosenedthewoman’schainsandsheleaptontopofme.Baringherfangs,shedugthemrightintomyneck,inadifferentspotwhereMichaelhaddrunkfrommebefore.

Igroaned,mybodystiffeningasIseizedupinpain.I’dexperiencedneedlesandinjectionsbefore,butthesevampireteethfeltso

thickcomparedtothem,andtheydugsodeepintomyflesh,Iworriedthattheyweregoingtohitbone.

Iwantedtoscreamout,butIrememberedJeramiah’swordsandsoIbitmylip.

“Don’tsuck!”Jeramiahsaid.Hemust’vedonesomethingtohurtthefemalevampire,becauseshemoaned

andstoppedsuckingsohard.“Releasenow.”Jeramiahspokeagain.Afreezingcoldsubstanceshotintomyneck.Painlitupeverynerveinmy

body,andallmylimbsbegantoshake.Whatishappeningtome?“Enough,”Jeramiahordered,clankingthechains,andFayepulledaway

fromme.

IfoundmyselfstaringupatJeramiahandMichael,whowerelookingdownatme,butsoontheirfaceswereablur.Everythingwasablur.Icouldbarelyevenformacoherentthought.AllthatIwasawareofwasthepainnowcoursingthroughmyveinsandthecoldness,thebitingcoldnessthatseepedrightthroughtotheverymarrowofmybones.

MymouthfeltdryandmyheartbeganbeatingsofastIthoughtthatitwouldgiveup.ItfeltlikemywindpipewasclosingandIcouldbarelybreathe.

Somethingtouchedmyface—anice-coldhand.Michael’sperhaps.“You’regoingtobejustfine,River,”hesaid.

Coldtearsstreamedfrommyeyesaspainwashedovermeinwaves.I’mgoingtodie.I’mgoingtodie.AndyethourspassedandIdidn’t.Istillhungoninthatstrangeplace

betweenconsciousnessanddarkness.TherewasnowayIcouldhaveguessedhowmuchtimepassed.Itcould

havebeenhoursoritcouldhavebeendays.Momentsmergedintoeachother,passinginonelongstreamofpainandtorment.

ItwasonlyoncethetremblingstartedtosubsidethatIfoundpiecesofmyselfagain.Ifounditeasiertothink,easiertobeawareofwhatwasgoingonaroundme,andoncemyvisionhadreturned,mybreathingbecamemoreeven.

Butthecoldness,thebittercoldness…itneverleftme.Itseemedtohavesettledpermanentlyinmybones.Intomyverybeing.

Ididn’tunderstandwhathadjusthappenedtome,butasstrengthfloodedbacktomylimbsandIwasabletositup,onethingIknewforcertain:

IwasnolongertheRiverI’dknown.

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CH A P T E R 1 1 :R I V E R

sidefromtheachingcold,mysensesweresurroundedbyamyriadofstimuli.IcouldhearnoisesinotherroomsaroundtheatriumthatIhadn’t

heardbefore,pickuponavarietyofscentsIhadn’tdetectedbefore,andmyeyesightfelttentimessharper.

Istoodupfromthebedandstaredatmyselfinthemirror.Mytanskinlookeddullandpale.Toopale.Myturquoiseeyeshadanoddvibrancythathadn’tbeentherebefore.Ibaredmyteeth,fearingthatIwasabouttoseefangs…buttheylookednormal.

Michaelgotupfromachairinashadowycorneroftheroom.HeapproachedandIcaughtsightofhiminthemirrorasheplacedhishandsoneithersideofmywaist.

“WhatamI?”Iwhispered,movingawayfromhim.“Youareahalf-blood…myhalf-blood.”“Whatisahalf-blood?”“Comewithme,”hesaid,ignoringmyquestion.“Youneedtowarmup.

Sinceyou’renotfullyavampire,yourbodyneedssomeheatoritcanbecomeveryuncomfortable.Youfeelthecold,unlikeus.”

Iwasstillinadaze.Icouldn’tevenfinditinmyselftoobjectashetookmyhandandledmeoutofthebedroom,downthecorridortowardtheroomhehadkeptmeinbefore.Thesauna.Hesteppedinsidewithme,fiddledwithapanelofdialsandbuttons,thenclosedthedoor.Theroombegantoheatupquickly.Istoppedshiveringsomuch,andthedeepacheinmybonessubsidedalittle.

Ihadsomanythoughtsfightingtoburstoutatonce,Ididn’tknowwhichtoaskfirst.

“Whydidyoudothistome?”“Iunderstandthatit’sashocknow,”hesaid.“Butyouwillcometothankme

forchoosingyouasmyhalf-blood.”Heleanedinandbrushedthebackofhishandagainstmycheek.“Ipromise.”

“Yourhalf-blood?”Ibreathed.“Myhalf-blood.”Istoodupandmovedawayfromhim.“Whatisthistattooyouplacedonmy

arm?”“Weallhavethem.”Herolleduphissleeveandshowedmeanidentical

brandonhisrightupperarm.“Didyouetchthisintome?”“That’snotimportant.Whatisimportantisthatyoulistencarefullytowhat

I’mabouttosay.Ifyouwanttosurviveinthisnewbodyofyours,you’llneedtolearntodependonme.Icanshowyouhowtolivewithoutpain,andhowtoenjoyyourlife.”

IbackedawayasfarasIcouldfromhiminthewoodenroom.“Therearecertainrules,”hecontinued,“thatyouaredesignedtoabideby.

Myrules.Ifyoudisobeyme,verybadthingscanenduphappeningtoyou…andyoursister.”

Ichokedup.“Youhavegivenmenoproofthatshe’sevenstillalive.”“I’mtellingyouthatsheisstillalive.Andshewillremainaliveandwell,

providedyoudoasIsay.”“Whatdoyouwantfromme?”Hepausedasheeyedmeover.“First,Iwanttoshowyouthatyouwillenjoy

havingmeasyourmaster.Iwillbegoodtoyouandyouwillenjoysubmittingtome.”

Thismaniscrazy.“Comehere,”hesaid.Ididn’tbudge.Hiseyesdarkened.“Comehere,River.”Hisvoicewasdangerouslylow.“I

won’taskyouagain.”Iremainedrootedtomyspot.Iwasn’tgoingtosubmittothismonster.WhenIstilldidn’trespond,heleaptup,grabbedmyarm,andpulledmeout

ofthesauna.Hebeganstridingdownthecorridor,draggingmealongbehindhim.Tomyshock,IfoundthatIcouldkeepupwithoutdifficulty.Before,evenhiswalkinghadbeensofast,Icouldbarelykeepup.

Hestoppedatthedoorrightattheendofthecorridor,andpusheditopen.Itwasdarkbut,bizarrely,Icouldseeeverythingclearly.Itwasasmallroom,bareexceptforwhatlookedlikeahugefreezerinonecorner.

Hemovedsofast,Ibarelyrealizedwhathappenednext.Hedraggedmeover

tothecontainer,liftedupthelid,andwrestledmeinside.Isubmergedinicywater—socoldmybodyseizedup.Mybreathingcamehardandfastastheagonyintensifiedinmybones.

“No!”Iscreamed.Heslammedthelidshutaboveme.Thecontainerwassofilledupwith

water,evenmymouthwassubmerged.Iwasforcedtobreathethroughmynose.Ibashedagainstthelid,butitwouldn’tbudge.Ikicked,andrealizedthatI

wastooshorttoevenfeelthebottom.ImovedmybodyasrapidlyasIcould,tryingtogeneratewarmth.IwonderedwhetherevenasahumanIwouldfeelasmuchpainasthis.NomatterhowmuchImovedaround,Iwasunabletoconjureupeventheslightestbitofheat.

Ihadnowayofknowingthetime,butitfeltlikeaneternitybeforeMichaelraisedthelidagain.MybodyhadbecomesostiffIwasbarelyabletokeepmyselfabovethesurface.Ifhe’dcomeeventenminuteslater,IwassurethatIwouldhavedrowned.

Hereachedinsideandpickedmeup,andsetmedownroughlyonthefloor.Unabletostand,Icollapsed.

Hebentdowntomylevel,touchingmyforeheadwithhispalm.“Thatwasuncomfortable,wasn’tit?”heaskedsoftly.Iwasintoomuchpaintoevenrespond.“River,I’msorry.Idon’tliketodothistoyou.Butyouneedtolearntodoas

Isay.”HescoopedmeupinhisarmsevenasIshook,andcarriedmeoutofthe

darkchamber.Were-emergedinthecorridorandheheadedbacktothesauna.HesetmedownononeofthewoodenbenchesandIbackedupagainstthewallasheturnedthedialuphigh.Hedidn’tsayawordasIsatinthecorner,stilltrembling,untilthesaunagrewhotenoughforthepaintobegintosubside.Theshockremainedwithmemuchlonger,however.Iwasstillbreathinginrasps,mybodystillinsomekindoftrauma.

Hereachedforatowelandhandedittome.Iclaspeditinmyhandsandburiedmyfaceinit.ItwastheonlybarrierI

couldformbetweenhimandmeinthatsmallroom.“Now,”hesaid,afterperhapstwentyminuteshadpassed.“Comehere.”Evenafterthepainhe’dputmethrough,Icouldn’tfinditinmyselftogive

in.InsteadIshothimaglare.“Iknowyourtype,”Ispat.“Whowereyoubeforeyoubecameavampire?Wereyoubulliedatschool?Unabletogetgirlsbasedonyourwinningpersonalityalone?Stayawayfromme,youcreep.”

Hegottohisfeetslowly,andclosedthedistancebetweenus.Asheextendedhisfingers,clawsshotout.Hepressedhisforefingeragainstmycheek,cuttinga

thinline.Thebloodseepeddownmycheek,butIrefusedtogivehimthesatisfactionofseeingthatIwasinpain.Ikeptmyfaceasexpressionlessaspossible,evenasmycheekstung.

Hebentdowncloser,hisfacemereinchesawayfrommine.Hislipspartedandhewasabouttospeakwheninstincttookover.Stiffening

myfingers,Ithrustthemtowardhisrighteye.IwasshockedthatImetmymark.I’dexpectedhisreflexestobetooquick

formetodoanydamage.PerhapshejustthoughtmesoweakthatIwouldn’tevenattempttofightback.

Hegroanedinpainandclutchedhisrighteye,givingmethetwosecondsIneededtopushpasthimandscrambletowardthedoor.Thedoorwasclosed,butthelockhadbeendamagedthankstothatJosephmanwhohadstormedoutofhereearlier.Istarteddashingalongthecorridor,skiddingandslippingontheshinyfloorsasIranwithspeedthattookmybreathaway.IheadedstraightfortheexitofMichael’sapartment.MyheartpoundedasIslammedupagainstit.Igrippedthehandleandtrytoopenit,butitwaslocked.

Oh,God.Ilookedaroundfranticallyforakey,butfoundnone.Icouldn’tspendany

moretimelooking.IkeptexpectingMichaeltoraceuptomeandgrabholdofmeatanysecond.IgrippedthehandleagainandpulleddownashardasIcould.Tomyshock,thehandlesnappedoffandIwasabletopushthedoorwideopen.Imightnothavehadthestrengthofavampire,butwhateverIhadbecome,IwasstrongerthanIcouldhaveimagined.Itwasanuncannyfeelingtopossesssuchstrengthwhilehavingdonenothingtoearnit.Itwaslike…magic.MywholebodyhadtransformedintothisbizarrespeciesthatIhadn’tevenknownexisteduntilonlyhoursago.

IcouldhearMichaelcursinginthebackgroundasIdashedoffdownthewideveranda.Imusthavehurthimquiteseverely.

I’dhadtodefendmyselfoncelikethisbefore,inmyneighborhoodbackhome.I’dgoneouttotheconveniencestoretoolateoneevening,andonmywayback,someonehadtriedtomugme.I’djabbedhimintheeye.Godknewwhatwould’vehappenedthatnighthadmyreflexesnotbeensofast.

IhadnoideawhereIwasrunningto.IjustkeptspeedingasfastasIcould.Ithrewalookovermyshoulder,fearingthatMichaelwouldalreadybe

chasingme.Thankfullyhewasn’t—yet.Iranroundandroundthecircularveranda,andwhenIreachedtheelevators,Ienteredoneandtraveledupwardtotheveryhighestlevel—theonedirectlybeneaththetrapdoorthatMichaelhadbroughtmedownthrough.Ihurriedupthewindingstaircaseandbeganfumblingwiththelatches.Themetalclankedandwassonoisy,itwasastruggle

toworkinsilence.Everytimeavoicecamefromdownbelow,myheartjumpedintomythroat.

Please,openup.Ihavetoescape.Istillhadnoideawheremysisterwas,butifIwentlookingforher,Iwould

endupgettingcaughtandthentherewouldbenohopeforeitherofus,orHassan.Ihadtocallforoutsidehelp,somehowgettheattentionofthosetanksthatweresetupnotfaraway.Ibelievednowmorethaneverthattheyhadtoknowaboutthiscovenofvampires.Otherwisewhywouldtheybesonear?

ThisdoorprovedmuchhardertobudgethanMichael’sdoorhadbeen.Buttomyrelief,justasanelevatorcreaked,Imanagedtoopenit.

Assoonasmyfeetdugintothesandofthedesert,thebrandinmyrightarmbegantoburn.Ihadtopauseforamomenttogetahandleonthepainbeforehurryingforwardagainthroughthedark.Ibitmylip,tryingtofocusontheboundaryinthedistance,whereitappearedthesunwasout.AfterIhadtraveledperhapsfivemiles,tomyhorror,Ihitaninvisiblebarrier.Ididn’tknowwhatI’dbeenthinking.Perhaps,asahalf-blood,Iwouldbeabletowalkrightthrough,justasthevampiresseemedtobeabletodo.Butthatwasn’tthecase.Iranallaroundtheareahopingthattherewouldbeatleastoneweakspot,butitwashopeless.Itriedscreamingandshoutingforhelp.Nobodyanswered.Thetattooonmyarmcontinuedtoburnmercilessly.IlookedbacktowardtheentranceofTheOasisandwasrelievedtoseethatnobodyhadfollowedmeoutyet.Perhapsthegroaningoftheelevatorhadbeensomeonedescendingtothelowerlevels,notcominguptome.

Thethoughtofwillinglyreturningdowntheremademeshiver.IwassurprisedthatMichaelhadn’talreadyfollowedmeouthere,butIsuspectedthathewouldbelookingformearoundtheatrium,perhapswithadozenothervampires,justwaitingtopunishme.

Still,Ihadnootherchoice.TherewasnowayIwasgoingtobreakfreethroughthisbarrier.

Ihurriedbackacrossthesand,hopingthatatleastnobodyhadnoticedmecomeouthere.Ireachedtheentrance,butbeforeclimbingbackdowntheironstaircase,Ilookedaroundtoseeifanyonewasontheplatformbeneathme.Therewasnobody.GatheringallthecourageIcouldmuster,Ibeganmydescentdownthestaircase,easingthetrapdoorshutaboveme.OnceItouchedbackdownonthefloor,Icrepttothenearestwallofglassandlookedaroundattheatrium.Icouldseeseveralvampiresmillingaboutalongtheverandas,butnobodyseemedtobeinanyparticularhurry.

Withtheirsenseofhearing,Iwould’vebeenshockedifnobodyhaddetected

meleaving,nottomentionhearingmyscreamingaboveground.Perhapsnobodyhadpaiditanymindbecauseforwhateverreason,half-bloodscouldn’tpassthroughtheinvisiblebarrierthesamewayvampirescould.

ItookadeepbreathasIwalkedbackintotheelevator.Itwascleartherewasnoescapingtobringhelpfromoutside.Ihadnochoicebuttofigureouthowtohelpmyselffromtheinside.

IhadthistimeawayfromMichael—timeIcouldn’thelpbutthinkwouldbehorriblyshort-lived—andIhadtodowhatIcouldtolocatemysisterandHassan.IprayedthatMichaelhadn’tbeenlyingtomewhenhe’dsaidthatmysisterwasokay.

IdescendedallthelevelsoftheatriumuntilIreachedthegroundlevel.Ihadnoideawheretoevenstart,butIfiguredthatthegroundfloorwasthelogicalplace.Iranintoarosegardenandcroucheddownamongthebushes,barelyevenbreathingasIlistenedashardasIcould.IwashopingthatI’doverhearsomesnippetofconversationthatcouldgivemeanideaastowhereshecouldpossiblybe.

Therewereanumberofconversationsgoingoninthechamberssurroundingme.Butoneinparticularcaughtmyattention,perhapsbecauseitseemedtobetheclosestonetome,onlytenfeetaway.Keepinglowagainsttheground,Icrawledthroughthebushes.

Ouch.Ilookeddownatmyforearmtoseealineofblood.Iinstinctivelyraiseditto

mylipsandsuckedonit,hopingthatmysalivawouldhelpitclotfaster.Ialmostchoked.Mybloodtasted…horriblybitter.ThenInoticedsomethingthatmademedoubtmyeyesight.Mywoundwasbeginningtohealbeforemyveryeyes.SoonIwouldneverevenhaveguessedthatI’dscratchedmyselfinthefirstplace,haditnotbeenforthebloodstainsonmyskin.IreacheduptotouchmycheekwhereMichaelhadcutmeearlierwithhisclaw.Theskinfeltcompletelysmooth—again,asiftherehadbeennocutinthefirstplace.

Thisisn’treal.Whatotherpowersdoesmynewbodypossess?Itunedinagaintothevoicessurroundingme,particularlytheconversation

goingontenfeetaway.Itwashardtomakeoutwhattheyweresaying,becausethereweremultipleconversationsgoingonatonceandthevoicesblurredintoeachother.

Imovedcloser,lookingallaroundmetobesurethattherewerenovampires,beforeleavingtherosegardenandheadingstraightfortheveranda.IkeptclosetothewalluntilIreachedthedoorwheretheconversationwascomingfrom.

Fromthesoundofit,theywereeatingandtalkingatthesametime.A

delicioussmellwaftedfromtheroom.Eventhoughmystomachwasinknots,itstillgrumbled.Ihadn’teatenproperlysincethedayofthedig,beforeHassanandLaliahadbeenkidnapped.

Ilistenedforaboutaminutelonger,butwhenIwasunabletopickuponanythinginteresting,Imotionedtomoveawayandcontinuelisteninginanotherpartoftheatrium.Butthenthedoorclickedopenandanelderlywomanappearedbehindit.Herwhitehairwastiedupinatightbun.

Ifearedatfirstthatshewasavampire—Istillwasn’tsurehowtotellthedifferencewhenavampire’sfangsandclawsweren’textended.Butasasmilespreadacrossherface,shelookedlikethefriendliestpersonI’dcomeacrosssofarinthisghastlyplace.

“Youlooklost,”shesaid.“Areyouoneofthenewrecruits?”Iwasn’tsurewhethertostayandrespondtoher,orrun.Butsomethingabout

herevokedtrustinme,soInodded.“Yes.”ShesteppedbackfromthedoorandopeneditwidersoIcouldseeintothe

room.Therewasacrowdofpeople—ifIcouldcallthempeople—sittingaroundalongrectangulartable.Theyhadplatesoffoodinfrontofthemandwereeatingawaywhilechatting.

“Areyouhungry?Wouldyouliketojoinus?”thewomanasked.“I’mPamela,bytheway.I’mahalf-bloodtoo,incaseyoucouldn’ttell.”

Althoughmystomachcouldhavedonewithsomefood,Istilldidn’tthinkIhadenoughofanappetite.ButInoddedallthesameandletherleadmeinside.IwasstillthinkingaboutMichaellurkingaroundlookingforme.Goingintothisroomwiththesehalf-bloodsmighthidemefromhimalittlelongerandIcouldaskthemaboutmysister.

“Whendidyougethere?”Pamelaasked.Iwasn’tsurehowmuchtimehadpassed.Apartofmehadbeenavoiding

thinkingaboutit,becauseitonlymademefeelmoredesperateaboutLalia.“Justveryrecently,”Ireplied,myvoicestiff.“Wherewereyoutakenfrom?”anotherhalf-bloodasked—agirlwholooked

noolderthanthirteen.“Justfromthedesertoutside,”Ireplied.“Whosehalf-bloodareyou?Orperhapsyou’rejustageneralservantlike

mostofushere?”“AvampirenamedMichaeltookmein.”NosoonerhadIsaidthewordsthanahushedsilencefellaroundthetable

andalleyesfixedonme.Istaredbackatthem.“What?”“MichaelGallow,”amaninhisfortiesreplied.“Andhemadeyouhis

slave?”“Apparently.”Iwasbeginningtofeelimpatient.“Please,Ineedyourhelp,if

thereisanythingyoucouldtellmeatall—mysister,she’sbeentaken—”Themiddle-agedmanstoodupfromhisseat,hishandsclenchedintofists.

Helookedfrommetotherestofthehalf-bloodssittingaroundthetable.“What’sthematter?”Iasked,uneasy.Theatmospherewassuddenlyelectricwithtension.“Wedon’tknowthatMichaelisdefinitelygoingtogetridofoneofus.”

Pamelasetherforkdownonthetable.“Calmdown,Frederick.”“Don’ttellmetocalmdown.”Themanglaredattheoldwoman,then

lookedroundthetable.“Whatareyouwaitingfor?ThisisMichael’snewmuse,forwhomoneofusslavesisgoingtobesacrificedbytheendoftheweek.”

Mystomachflipped.Oh,no.Ididn’tneedalotofwitaboutmetoknowthatitwastimeIleftthisroom.I

dartedfortheexit,butfourmalehalf-bloodsformedawallinfrontofit,blockingmyway.Eachofthemheldknives.Thentheybegantoapproachme.

“Idon’tknowifthisisagoodidea,”Pamelasaid,eyeingthemen.“Youmightallgetintomoretroublethanit’sworthifyoutouchahalf-bloodMichaelhasalreadyclaimedashisown.”

Therestofthehalf-bloodsintheroomactedasthoughtheyhadn’tevenheardPamelaspeak.

“Pamela’sright,”Isaid,tryingtokeepmyvoicesteady.“Iwouldn’tdothisifIwereyou.”Ididn’twanttoshowfear,becausefearwasthefirstsignofdefeat.I’djustsurvivedseveralencounterswithblood-suckingvampires,Icouldn’tallowmyselftobefinishedoffbyagroupofhalf-bloods.

Fiveofthemlurchedtowardmeatonce.Theywerefast,justlikeme,butImanagedtothrowmyselfunderthetableintimetomisstheirbladesaimeddirectlyatmychest.Morehalf-bloodschasedafterme,tryingtograbmeasIemergedattheotherendofthetable.Theroomwassmall,andtherewasonlyoneofme.Iknewmytacticswerejustawaytodelaytheinevitable—unlessImanagedtoreachthedoorintime.

ImighthavebeensaferwithMichaelafterall…Itriedtomakemywaytowardtheexit,butIwashopelesslyoutnumbered.

I’dmanagedtofightmywaywithinfivefeetofthedoorwhenamanlurchedformymidriffandsentmecrashingtotheground.Straddlingmywaist,heraisedabreadknifeandbroughtitdowntowardmyheart.IfIhadn’tforcedmylegupwardandkneedhiminthegroin,thebladewould’vesunkrightthroughme.

Hebackedawayfromme,doubledoverinpain,andIscrambledtomyfeet

again.Fightingmywaytothedoor,Ipusheditopenandstaggeredout.Iheadedstraightfortherosegardenanddoveintoaclusterofbushes,ignoringthethornsscrapingmyskin.ItriedtokeephiddenwithinthebushesasIscrambledaway,butastronghandclosedaroundmyankle,draggingmeoutofthebushestowardtheclearinginthecenteroftherosegarden.Anotherlargemanstoodoverme,andwhilehewasn’tarmedwithaknife,hisfistswerelikeironballsastheybeganpoundingdownagainstmyface.Theyweremerciless,andbythesixthblow,Ifeltclosetounconsciousness.Anysecondnow,anotherpersonwouldarriveandhandhimaknife.Thiswouldbemyend…

“Whatareyoudoing?”Adeepvoicespoke.Themanontopofmedidn’tletuphispounding.Ifanything,hehitmewith

morevigor.Myeyesweresopuffyandbloodshot,Icouldhardlyseethroughthem.

“Whyareyoubeatingthisgirl?”Thevoicespokeagain,moreaggressivethistime.

Ibarelyheardthehalf-blood’sanswer.AllIwasawareofwasthepaincoursingthroughme,andthepoundingofbloodinmyears.

ThenIfeltarmsbeneathmybody.Iwasliftedfromthegroundbyamanandhebegancarryingmeawayfromthegardens.Hespedupandthenthesoundofanelevatorfilledmyears.Weascendedseverallevels,andafterwalkingsomedistancealonganotherveranda,adoorclickedopen.

Ibegantostruggle.Whoeverthismanwas,Icouldn’tbelievethathisintentionswereanythingbutevil.Justlikeeveryoneelseinthisgodforsakenplace.

Igroanedashelaidmedownonabed,mybatteredlimbsbrushingagainstthemattress.

Hisweightpressedthebeddownwardbymyside,andthentheman’sfaceappearedabovemine,staringdownatme.

“Don’thurtme,”Igasped.“Please.”Acoldhandtouchedmyforehead,andthenwithdrew.Myearscaughtthe

soundofslicingflesh.Ifearedforamomentthatitwasmyflesh,andIwasjustsonumbthatIcouldn’tfeelit.Butwhentheman’swristpressedagainstmymouthandcoolbloodtrickledintomymouth,Irealizedthathe’djustcuthimself.Icoughedandspluttered.Hisbloodtastedevenmoredisgustingthanmine.

“You’reawreck,”hesaid.“Stopspittingoutmyblood.Drinkit.Itwillspeedupyourhealing.”

Istilldidn’tknowwhethertotrusthim,butthethoughtofrelieffromthepainwasenoughtomakemebeginswallowinghisblood.Iheldmynoseto

makethetastemorebearable,thoughthestrangetextureofitremainedoff-puttingasever.

Withinaminuteofdrinkingtheman’sblood,amiraclehappened.Thepainallovermybodyandfacesubsided.Myvisionreturnedtome.Ifoundmyselfstaringupintothefaceofahandsomedark-hairedmanwithvibrantgreeneyes.Itwasthesamemanwho’dstormedoutofthesaunaearlier,afterJeramiahhadaskedhimtohalf-turnme.

“Joseph?”Isaid,sittingupslowlyandbackingawaytowardtheheadboard.Henodded,thenstoodupfromthebed.Istaredathim,studyinghisfaceandtryingtofigureoutwhetherhewasany

dangertomenow.Iwonderedwhathisagendawasinsavingmefromthosehalf-bloods.Hisfacewasquiteexpressionlessashelookedmeover.Itwashardtocometoanykindofconclusion.

“Soyou’re…avampire?”Iasked.Henodded.“Whydidyouhelpme?”“BecauseIsawthembeatingyouintoapulpforapparentlynoreason.”Inarrowedmyeyesonhim.“Whywouldthatbotheryou?”Hepaused,frowningasifhewereunsureoftheanswerhimself.Thenhe

shrugged.“It’swhatanymanwouldhavedonewhowasn’tatotalmonster.”Soyou’renotatotalmonster?“Whatareyougoingtodowithmenow?”Iasked.“I’mnotgoingtodoanythingwithyou.Infact,it’sbestyouleave.Areyou

coupledwithavampire?”Thethoughtofleavingmademepanic.Istilldidn’ttrustthisvampire,butso

farhehadn’tgivenmeanyreasontofearhim.“AvampirecalledMichaelstolemeandbroughtmedownhere.”Ibitmy

lowerlip.“Please…don’tmakemeleave.He’sgoingtoputmethroughtorturewhenhefindsmeagain.”

AflickerofdiscomfortplayedacrossJoseph’sface.“SoMichaelhasn’tbeentreatingyouwell?”heasked.

Igatheredmykneestomychest.“He’sasickbastard.”ThatwasallIwantedtosayofMichael.Iwastryingtoforgetthetraumahe’dputmethrough.Ididn’twanttoreliveitoveragain.

“WheredidMichaelstealyoufrom?”“Thedesert.Theyalsostolemysisterandafriend.Iwasoutlookingfor

them.Iwalkedrightuptothatweirdbarrier,andMichaelpulledmethroughit…Whoareyouexactly?”

Hepausedbeforeresponding.“JosephBrunson.”

Itirritatedmethathisnamewasalltheinformationheoffered.“And?YouseemtobedifferentthantheothervampiresI’vemetheresofar.Whydidyoustormoutofthesaunathemomentyousawme?Ithoughtyouweregoingtoattackme.”

Heavertedhisgazeawayfromme.“Longstory,”hesaiddarkly.AlthoughIwascurious,nowcertainlywasn’tthetimeforlongstories.This

vampire,forwhateverreason,wasbehavingsympatheticallytowardmeanddidn’tseemtobeascrazyasalltheothersI’dmetheresofar.IhadtotakeadvantageofthesituationwhileIcould.

“Youmustknowwherethehumansarekeptinthisplace,right?”Iasked.“Doyouhaveanyideawheremysistermightbe?”

Hetookaseatontheedgeofthebed,stillkeepinghisdistancefromme,andbreathedoutslowly.“Humansarekeptinthebasementbeneaththeatrium.Butsimplyknowingthisisn’tgoingtobeofmuchusetoyou.”

Myheartliftedalittle,evenasmyanxietyincreased.“Thebasement?Canyoutakemethere?”

Hefurrowedhisbrows.“What’syourname?”“River.RiverGiovanni.”“River,”hesaid,adeepfrownstillonhishandsomeface.“EvenifIknew

exactlywhichcellshewasbeingkeptin,andyoumanagedtogetheroutoftheprisonwithoutalertinganyone,andthenupthroughthemanylevelsoftheatriumwhichisswarmingwithvampireswhocandetecthumanbloodmilesoff,youstillcouldn’tescape.TheboundarysurroundingTheOasiswon’tletyouout.”

“C-couldn’tyouhelpusthroughtheboundary?You’retheonlysanepersonI’vecomeacrosssofarinthisplace.Couldyounotfinditinyourselftohelpus?”

Hebreathedoutimpatiently.Heshotaglancetowardthedoor,asiftochecknobodywasstandingthere,andthenspokeinalowvoice.“IfIknewawayout,Iwouldn’tbeheremyself.”

Hisanswertookmebysurprise.“Whatdoyoumean?”“Ican’tpassthroughtheboundaryeither.”Istaredathim,wonderingifhewasjustlyingtome.“Butyou’rea

vampire?”“Yes.Andnotallvampireshavepermissiontocomeandgoastheyplease.”Iwastryingtowrapmymindaroundhiswords.“Soyou’re…you’rea

prisonerheretoo?”Iaskeddisbelievingly.“Youcouldputitlikethat.”“Howlonghaveyoulivedthisway?”

“I’velosttrackoftimedownhere,butithasn’tbeenlong.”Ileanedalittleclosertowardhim.“Haveyoutriedtoescape?”“HowelsewouldIhavediscoveredIcouldn’tpassthroughtheboundary?”Hiswordsdealtmyhopeacrushingblow.Ifhe,avampire,couldn’tfigurea

wayoutofhere,whatchancedidIhave?“Sothere’sreallynowayoutofhere?”“Thereisnoimmediatewayout.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“Anescapewillrequiretimeandplanning,”herepliedsoquietlyhewas

practicallymouthing.“Andeventhen,ofcourse,there’snoguarantee.”“Andhaveyoubeenplanningtoescape?Surelyyoucan’tbehappyliving

hereforever.Whathaveyoudiscoveredsofar?IsthereanythingIcandotohelp—”

Ijumpedatabangingonthefrontdoor.Myeyeswidenedinpanic.Josephfroze,staringatthedoor,thenlookedbackatme.Iscrambledoffthebedandrushedovertohim,grippinghisshoulder.Idared

notspeakbutmouthedinstead.“Please,ifthat’sMichael,hideme.Keepmehere.Ibegyou,don’tlethimtakeme.”

Helookedreluctantlyfrommetothedooragain.Itwasimpossibletoknowwhatwasgoingthroughthatmindofhis.

TherewasanotherroundofbangingandthenMichaelcalled,“Openup,Joseph.”

Somehowhe’dmanagedtofindme.Perhapsoneofthehalf-bloodshadtoldhimthatJosephhadtakenmeaway.

IwasrelievedwhenJosephgrabbedmyarm,pulledmeoutofthebedroom,andledmealongthecorridortowardthefarthestroom,whichhappenedtobe…asauna.Iknewbynowthatvampiresdidn’tneedsaunas,soIwonderedwhetherJosephhadahalf-bloodofhisownalready.

Silently,hepushedmeinsideandclosedthedoor.Ipressedmyearagainstthewood,listeningtohisfootstepsdisappeardownthecorridor.

Thefrontdooropened.“Youhavemyhalf-blood,”Michaelsaid.“Yourhalf-blood?”“Yes,myhalf-blood,”Michaelrepliedirritably.“Thesameoneyoulefttobebeatenbyagangofmen?”“Justhandherover,Joseph,”Michaelsnarled.“Shebroughtitonherselfby

runningawayfromme.”“Andwhatmadeherrunaway?”“That’snoneofyourbusiness…Youseemtoforget,vampire,thatIamone

oftherulersofTheOasis.Isuggestyouhandoverthegirlnowlestyousorelyregretit.”

“Please,”Josephsaid.“Webothknowwhoreallyrunsthisplace.”Iheardascuffle,thebangingofadoor,somethingsmashingagainstawall.

ThenMichaelsworeloudly,andJosephspokeagain.“Comeon,Michael.We’veneverbeenthebestoffriends,butsurelywecansettlethislikegentlemen.Whydon’twegotoJeramiahandseewhathehastosay.”

Ifroze.Jeramiah?ThesamevampirewholetMichaelhavemetobeginwith?WhatisJosephthinking?“Agreed,”Michaelsaid,hisvoicestrained.“Waithere,”Josephsaid.“I’llgether.”No.No.No.Footstepsapproached,andJosephopenedthedoortothesauna.Hisshirtwasrippedandrumpled,asthoughhe’djustbeeninafight,though

therewerenosignsofcutsorbloodanywhere.Heheldoutahandformetotake.“No,Joseph.Youdon’tunderstand.JeramiahisgoingtochooseMichael.”“River,”hesaid,lookingatmesternly,“ifyouwantmyhelp,thenyou’ll

comewithme.”Ididn’tknowwhatelsetodo.Ihadnochoicebuttotrusthim.Ireachedfor

hishand,andtookit.Atleasthisstrengthgavemesomecomfortashisfingersclosedaroundmineandheledmeoutside.Iwasgladthathecontinuedholdingontome,evenasweexitedthecorridorandappearedbythedoorway.

IsteppedbehindJoseph,tryingtohidemyselffromMichael,asIeyedhimwarily.

Tomysurprise,hiseyeappearedtohavehealedalready,thoughhelookedlikehehadjustbornethebruntofthescufflebetweenthetwomen.Hisarmhadadeepgashinit,andhisneckalsolookedred.

Heglaredatme,andIwasonlyabletoholdhisgazeforashortwhilebeforeIlookeddownatthegroundandclutchedJoseph’shandeventighter.IwasgratefulthatJosephkeptmeontheoppositesideofhim,awayfromMichael,aswelefttheapartment.

WetraveledalongtheverandainsilenceuntilwereachedJeramiah’sfrontdoor.Michaelknocked.

Footstepssoundedandthedoorcreakedopen.Thevampirewithharshblueeyesanddarkshoulder-lengthhairappeared

behindit,hiseyebrowsraisedinsurpriseashelookedatthethreeofus.

“Weareheretosettleadispute,”Michaelsaid.Iwincedattheconfidenceinhisvoice.

IlookedupatJoseph’sface.HeseemedtobequiteunfazedashelookedcalmlyatJeramiah.Icouldn’tfathomwhatgavehimsuchconfidence.Ijustprayedthatitwasfoundedonsomethingotherthanmaleego.

“Josephhasclaimedmyhalf-bloodashis,”Michaelsaid.Jeramiah’seyesfixedonme,andthenhelookedbackatJoseph.“Whatisthis,Joseph?Ithoughtyousaidyouweren’tinterestedina

companion?”“Ididsaythat.ButI’vechangedmymind.”“Howcome?”Josephranahandthroughhisthickdarkhair.HebreathedoutasighthatI

wassurewasexaggerated.“Iregretnotbeingabletodowhatyourequestedofmeearlier.MyconfidenceevaporatedasIwaslockedintheroomwithahuman…thisgirl.HerbloodcalledtomeandIdidn’tthinkthatevenyouwouldbeabletorestrainme.IwassurethatIwouldendupkillingher.IknownowthatIhaveaveryseriousproblem,butIwant—andneed—tosolveitifI’mtobeofanyrealusetoTheOasis…IthinktheonlywayIcanovercomemyproblemaroundhumansiswithahalf-bloodassistingme.Thebitternessofherbloodwillhelpme.”

AsJeramiahstaredatJoseph,IwonderedforamomentwhetherhedoubtedJoseph’sstory.“Butwhythisone?Thereareothersyoucouldhave.”

Josephglanceddownatme.“Because…I’vetakenalikingtothisone.She’snewlyhalf-turned,sosheandIhavemuchincommon.We’rebothgettingusedtothesesupernaturalbodiesandIthinkwemightmakeagoodteam.”

Jeramiahfrowned.IwassurethathewasabouttorefuseJoseph’srequest,butthenhiseyessoftenedandheshrugged.

“Michael,”hesaid.“JustletJosephhaveher.He’sbeenhavingaroughtimeadjustingandthismighthelphimtofinallybeofsomerealusetous.”

Michaellookedfurious,butsurprisingly,hedidn’targuewithJeramiah.ItseemsthatJeramiahreallydoeswearthepantsinthisplace…

MichaelglareddaggersatbothJosephandIand,withoutanotherword,turnedonhisheelandstormedaway.

“Idohaveaconditionthough,”JeramiahsaidasMichaeldisappeared.Iheldmybreath.“What’sthat?”Josephasked.“Westillhaveonehumanlefttohalf-turnfromthemostrecentbatch.Prove

yourtheory.Takethisgirlwithyouandhalf-turnahealthyhuman.Let’sseeifyoucancontrolyourself.”

Joseph’stensionseemedtospreadfromhisjawdowntohishand,whichsqueezedminetighter.

Therewasapause.Ihadnoideawhathewasgoingtosay.Thethoughtofmyassistinginhalf-turningsomeonewasthemosthorrific

thingIcouldimagine.Andyet,ifJosephrefused,I’dbestuckwithMichael.Itriedtojustifythatthehumanwouldbehalf-turnedanyway—justbyanothervampire,whoIguessedwouldbemuchmoreinsanethanJoseph.

Josephseemedtohavecometothesameconclusionashesaid,“Certainly.”Iwasamazedbytheconfidenceinhisvoice.

“Good,”Jeramiahsaid,acontentedexpressiononhisface.“Let’sdothisrightnow.”

W

CH A P T E R 1 2 :B E N

hathaveIgottenmyselfinto?Ihadn’tbeenabletoseeanywayoutofthesituation.

I’drealizedonthewaytoJeramiah’sapartmentthatRiverbeingahalf-bloodcouldbeusedasanadvantagebothforherselfandformeinescaping.AfterI’drefusedtohalf-turnanyoneinfrontofJeramiah,IsawnowayofsuggestingthatIjointhemonahuntinthenearfuture.BecausewhatreasonwouldJeramiahhavetotrustmeaftermybehavior?

Then,afterrealizinghowoff-puttingRiver’sbloodhadbecometomeafterherhalf-turning,I’dseenjusthowwemightbeabletohelpeachother.

Butithadbackfired.IhadofcourseexpectedJeramiahtoputmytheorytothetest.ButI’d

thoughthemightwaituntilthehuntitself,oncewewerealreadyoutsideoftheboundary,nothavemeexperimentonahumanbeforehand.

AlthoughIfeltguiltyaboutinflictingonanotherhumanthelifeofahalf-bloodhereinTheOasis,withnoguaranteeofwhomighttakehimorheron,Jeramiahhadmadeclearthatthepersonhadalreadybeenchosentobeahalf-blood.EitherIdidthejob,orsomeoneelsewould.

NowIjusthadtohopethatmytheorywouldindeedholdup,becausetherewasnowayoutofthisnow.

Jeramiah,RiverandImadeourwaydowntothegroundlevelandJeramiahledusintoaroomwhereawomanwashuddledinonecorner.

I’vegottopullthroughthis.Ican’tmurderagain.Havinghothumanbloodwithinsuchcloseproximityimmediatelystirredthe

predatorwithinme,evenasItriedtoputitbacktosleep.Iwantednothingmorethantosinkmyfangsintoherandneverletgo.IclutchedRiver’sarmandheld

herclosertome,breathinginherscentdeeply,hopingthatherbitternesswouldbluroutthesweetnessofthehumanlessthanfivefeetaway.

OnceIfeltalittlemoreconfidentinmovingcloser,Idid,stillholdingRiverclosetome,untilIwasstandingrightnexttothecoweringwoman.

Iknewwhattodo—Ihadalreadyhalf-turnedTobias,afterall.Iknewhowtoinjectmyvenom,andatwhatmomenttopullaway.Butthatwasjusttheproblem—summoningthewillpowertopullaway.TakingonelastdeepbreathofRiver,andthenholdingmynosesothatherscentwouldremainwithmelonger,Ibentdownquickly.Grabbingthewoman,Iduginmyfangs.

Shesquirmedandcriedbeneathme,butIheldhertight.Asbloodbegantoseepintomymouth—fresh,hot,exhilaratingblood—anysmallconfidenceI’dfeltevaporated.TherewasnowayIcouldstopmyselffromtakinganothergulpofblood,andthenanotherandanother.Iwasgoingtofinishthiswomanoff,andnotevenJeramiahwouldhavethestrengthtopullmeoff.

“That’senoughblood,Joseph,”Jeramiahcommandedashegrippedmyshoulder.“Releaseyourvenomnow.”

Iheardhim,andyetIcouldn’tfinditinmyselftoobey.Itseemedlikeasintopoisonthisblood,sopureanddivine.Toturnsomethingsosweetintosomethingsobitterandrotten.

Thewomanbegantogrowweakbeneathme,herstrugglinglessening.Afewmoregulps,andshelikelywouldn’thavethestrengthtosurvivethehalf-turning—Iwould’vemadehertooweaktomakeittotheothersideevenifIcouldfinditinmyselftoreleasemyvenom.

Thenawristslidbetweenmynoseandthehuman’sflesh.Acold,smoothwrist.AsIbreathedin,itsmeltdisgusting.River’sscentwasmixingwiththebloodthatIwasdrinking,makingitlesspalatable.

Idrewback,swallowingthegulpthatwasalreadyinmymouth,butnotfeelingsuchanappetitetogobackformore.

Mymindreturnedtome,alongwithmywillpowertonotletthisbeafailure.IclutchedRiver’sarmandbreathedheavilyagainstherskinagainbeforeonceagainplungingmyteethintothewoman’sneck.Irefusedtosuckthistime,andinsteadinsertedmyice-coldvenomintoherbloodstream.IdrewawaybeforeitfeltlikeIhadbegun—asJeramiahhadonceinstructedme—and,holdingRiverbythewaist,Iburiedmyheadinherneck.Ibreathedherinforthefinaltimebeforedartingoutthedoor.

IfIhadperformeditcorrectly,thehalf-turningwouldnowbeinprocessandthehumanwouldbeshaking.ButIdidn’twanttostayanylongerthanIhadto.IheadedforthegardensandstoppedonceIwasinthecenterofthewilloworchard.

Ileanedagainstthetrunkofatree.Exhalingandinhaling,ItriedtocalmmyselfafterthefrenzythatIhadjustmanagedtobreakfreefrom…thankstomynewhalf-bloodfriend.

IlookeduptoseeRiverapproaching.Herexpressionwasamixtureoffascinationandhorrorasshestaredatme.Imusthavelookedastate,withblooddrippingfrommymouthandstainingmyshirt.

“Didyoudoit?”sheaskedinahoarsewhisper.Inoddedslowly,findingmyvoice.“Ithinkwedid.”

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CH A P T E R 1 3 :B E N

iverwaitedwithmeawhilelongerasIrecoveredmysensesbeneaththewillowtree.Aftertenminutes,thedoortotheroomwhereIhadhalf-

turnedthewomanopened,andJeramiahsteppedout.Hemadehiswaydirectlytowardus.

Iwasrelievedtoseethathehadasatisfiedexpressiononhisface.“Itlookslikeyoudidthejob,”hesaid,lookingfrommetoRiver.“The

humanisshowingalltherightsymptoms.Seemsyoutwodomakeagoodteam.”

“Goodtohear,”Ireplieddryly.“I’llcheckbackonthehumantomorrowmorning.Asforyou,feelfreeto

takethegirlbacktoyourplace.”Hewinkedatme.“She’syoursnow.”Withthat,heheadedoff.RiverandIstoodinsilence,justlookingateachother.“Thankyou,”shewhispered.Ididn’tneedherthanks.WhenIhadcaughtsightofherbeingbeatenbya

manalmosttwicehersizeinthegardens,Ihadn’tthoughttwiceaboutgoingtoheraid.

Shewaspretty,withlargeturquoiseeyesandlongdarkhair.Physically,I’dbeenattractedtoherassoonasIsawherinthatsauna.Herlookshadonlymadeithardertocontrolmyselfaroundher.ThatwasoneofthereasonsI’ddartedsoquicklyfromtheroom.

ButI’drealizedonlyafterwardthatsavingherinthatrosegardenhadbeenawayofhelpingmyself.I’dbeensoshroudedindarknessrecently.I’dmurderedsomanypeople—morethanI’devenbeenabletokeepcountof—andmybloodlustwasstillasstrongasever.Takingthisgirlundermywingwashelpingmekeepmyheadabovewater.Herbloodnotbeingtemptingintheslightest,she

remindedmeofwhatitwasliketonotfeellikethedevilpersonifiedaroundsomeonewhohappenedtobeweakerthanme.

Andnow,ifIdaredtobelievethatwemightbeclosetobeinginvitedoutonahunt,myescapewouldn’tbepossiblewithouther.

Iclearedmythroat.“You’rewelcome,”Ireplied.“Shallwereturntomyplacethen?”

Shenoddedandtookmyhandagain.Asweenteredtheelevator,Iasked,“Sowhereareyoufromoriginally?”“NewYork,”shereplied.“You?”“California,”wastheeasiestanswerIcouldgive.“Vampires…Tobecomeone,yougetturned?Whoturnedyou?”Admittingthatithadbeenmyfatherwouldonlyinviteanotherslewof

unwantedquestions.Besides,Istilldidn’tknowthisgirlwellenoughtotrusther—certainlynotenoughtorevealmytrueidentity.SoIgaveherasimilaranswertotheoneI’dgivenJeramiahwhenhehadfirstaskedme.

“Icameacrossavampireonenight—Iwasattendingafriend’sbeachparty.Apparentlyhethoughtofmeasaneasytarget.HedruggedmeandwhenIwokeup…Iwasthis.”

Shegasped.“MyGod.Whydovampiresdothat?Turnpeople?What’sthepoint?”

Ishrugged.“Guesstheywanttoincreasetheirkind.”“Howdidyougethere?Tothisplace?”“ImetJeramiahandsomeofhiscompanionsinChile.”Icouldseethatshewasstillinastateofshock.Noneofthishadfullysunk

inyet.“Didyouhaveanyideaabouttheexistenceofsupernaturalsbeforecoming

here?”Iasked.“Imean…IhadseenfootageontheTV,butIneverbelievedanyofit.Ijust

thoughtitwassomekindofelaboratehoax.Doothersupernaturalcreaturesreallyexisttoo?Witches?Dragons?”

“Idon’tknowaboutdragons,”Ianswered,surprised.“Butwitches,werewolvesandogrescertainlydo.”

Shelookeddumbstruck.Reachingmydoor,Ipusheditopenandwewalkedinside.Ilookeddownat

heraswestoodintheentryhall.“Areyouhungry?”Shebitherlowerlip.“Iprobablyshouldeatsomething.Iwasinvitedtojoin

thatgroupofhalf-bloodsforameal,actually…Butincaseyoucouldn’tguess,Ididn’tgetfarintoit.”

Ismiled.“Idon’treallyhaveanything,uh,suitableforyou.Unlessyoulike

theideaofdrinkingblood?”“Blood?”“Yes.Idrinkhumanblood.”Ithoughtitbesttojusttellherupfront.Hermouthdroppedopen.“That’sallyoudrink?”Iknewthatmyanswerwouldonlydisturbherabouthersister,butshewould

findoutsoonerorlater.“That’swhyvampireskidnapsomanyhumans.Afewofthosetheycaptureareturnedintohalf-bloods,andtheresttheykeepdowninthebasement…I’mprettysurethey’reallforblood.”

“Oh,no.”“Howoldisyoursister?”Iasked.“Six.”Sheneededtoeatsomethingorshewouldgetsick.Ihadtothinkof

somethingtocomfortherwithorshe’dhavenoappetiteforanything.“Ifyoursisterisonlysix,Ithinkshemightbesafeforawhile.Theyhave

gonetothetroubleofkidnappingher,theymightevenwaituntilshe’sgrowntomaturitybeforethinkingabouttakingherblood…”

Ofcourse,theycouldalsohavekidnappedherforhertenderyoungblood.ButRiverdidn’tneedtohearthatnow.I’dscaredherenoughalready.

“Michaelsaidthatshewouldn’tbeharmed,”shesaid,hervoicecracking.“Thenmaybemyguessiscorrect…”Ineededtochangethesubject.“You’re

actuallyinluck.Unlikevampires,half-bloodscanconsumeregularfood.Youdon’thavetodrinkblood.”

“ThankGod.”“Idon’thaveanyregularfoodinmyownfridge,but…”Ithoughtabout

wherethebestplacewouldbetogetsomefoodforher.ThenIrememberedmyneighborwho’dbeenfriendlytomerecently—Lloyd.He’dsaidthatIcouldcometohimifIneededsomething.

“Comewithme.Justafewdoorsdown,Lloyd,myneighbor,hasahalf-bloodstayingwithhim.Heshouldhaveregularfood.”

Shenodded,thoughshestilllookedpetrified.Weheadedforthedoor,andjustbeforeIopenedit,shetookmyhandagain.

Theideathatshegotcomfortfrommebroughtmewarmth.ThatIwasstillcapableofexperiencingemotionslikethiswasinitselfcomfortingtome.

IstoppedwithheroutsideLloyd’sapartment.Wedidn’thavetowaitlongafterknocking.Heopenedthedoorandthe

momenthesawme,hesmiled.“Hello,Joseph.You’vebeenkeepingtoyourselfalotrecently,haven’tyou?”“Yes.Untilnow,actually…”IgesturedtowardRiver.“She’smynewhalf-

bloodfriend.IrealizedthatIhaveabsolutelynofoodforherinmykitchen.Do

youhavesometospare?”“Yes,plenty.Comein.”Westeppedinsideandheledustohiskitchen—whichlookedprettymuch

identicaltomine.HegesturedtowardthefridgeandlookedtowardRiver.“What’syourname?”heasked.

“River,”shereplied,evenasshekeptclosetome.“Beautifulname…”Helookedbackatme.“Wouldyoumindseeingyourself

outafteryouaredone?Iwasactuallyinthemiddleofsomething.”“Yes,ofcourse.Thankyou,”Isaid.ItookaseatatthekitchentableandwatchedasRiveropenedthefridgeand

scannedtheshelves.Food.ItfeltlikeaneternitysinceIhadlasttastedit.Whileapartofme

yearnedforit,theotherpartwasrepulsedbytheideaofputtinganythingbuthumanbloodinmymouth.

JudgingbytheingredientsRiverwaspickingout,itlookedlikeshewantedtomakeherselfsomesandwiches.Shegatheredaloafofwholewheatbread,cucumber,lettuce,cheese,andsomekindofpickle.Aftershewasdone,sheclosedthefridgedoor.

“Finished?”“Yes.”WeleftLloyd’splaceandheadedbacktomine.Itookaseatagainatmy

kitchentableandwatchedasshewentaboutpreparingsandwiches.Sheworkedinsilence,andthensatdownatthetableoppositemeandbegan

eating.Iwatchedherexpressionassheswallowed.“Thisisweird,”shesaid,asshestoppedchewing.“Food.Ittastes…

different.”Shedunkedaspoonintothejarofpicklesanddollopedmoreintohersandwiches.“Everythingtastesmore…tasteless.Itfeelslikeitneedsmoresaltormore…something…”

“Iguessthat’sbecauseyou’rehalfwaytobeingavampire.”“Doyouknowalotabouthalf-bloods?”sheasked.“Morethanyou,I’msure,butnotalot.”Sheadjustedhershirttorevealatattoo—thesameblackcrossthatweall

bore—etchedintoherrightarm.“Whatisthis?”sheasked.“Idon’tknow.EveryonewhoentersTheOasisseemstogetonethefirst

nightthey’rehere.”“ItriedtoaskMichaelaboutit,buthewascryptic.”Marilynhadalsogivenmenoclearanswer.I’dputitdowntojustherbeing

drunk.ButIhadn’tbotheredtoaskanyoneelseaboutit.Ihadbeensofocusedonhowtoescapethisplace.

AfterRiverhadfinishedeating,andchuggingdownawholejugofwater,wewentintothelivingroom.Sittingdowninthecomfortablearmchairs,wecontinuedtalking.Shebeganaskingdozensofquestionsaboutvampires,half-bloodsandtheworldofsupernaturals.Itriedtoanswerthemtothebestofmyabilitywithoutgivingawaytoomuchpersonalinformation.IalsodeliberatelyskirtedaroundthetopicofimmortalitybecauseIfeltitwouldoverwhelmher.

TheexcuseI’dgiventoJeramiahforwantingRiver—thatshewasnewlyturnedandsowehadmuchincommon—hadbeensomethingthatI’dthoughtofonthespot.Butitturnedouttobetrue.AlthoughI’dbeensurroundedbysupernaturalsallmylife,fromtheverydayofmybirth,beingasupernaturalmyselfwasstillsonewtome.

Whensheaskedmewhethershecouldeverturnbackintoahumanagain,assumingwemanagedtoescape,Ididn’tknowhowtoanswerher.Ofcourse,Iknewthattherewasacureforvampires,buthalf-bloods?Thatwasunchartedterritory.Ihadn’tevenknownoftheexistenceofhalf-bloodsuntilI’dmetJeramiah.Discoveringacuretovampirismhadn’tbeeneasy,andhadcomeaboutafterdangerousexperimentation.Ijustansweredherhonestly.

Thenshebegantoshiver.“You’recold?”Iasked.Shenodded.“Feelfreetousethesauna,”Isaid.Shestoodup.“No,I’lljustgetmyselfablanket.”Shewalkedoutoftheroomandreturnedwithathickduvet.Iguessedshe

hadfounditinoneofthesparerooms.Shetookherseatagaininthearmchairandwrappedherselfinit.She

shuddered.“Thiscold.I’veneverexperiencedanythinglikeit.”Therewasaknockonthedoor.Riverlookedpanicked.Iwonderedwhoitcouldpossiblybe.Leavingherin

thelivingroom,Imademywaytothedoorandopenedit.Therewasnoonethere.Ilookedleftandright,buttheverandawasempty.Butthenmyeyesloweredtothefloorinfrontofme.Abackpackhadbeen

placedinfrontofmydoorway.Ibentdownandpickeditup,thenmademywaybacktothelivingroom.

Riverwasstandingwaitingforme,theduvetstilldrapedaroundhershoulders.Hereyeswidenedasshespottedthebackpackinmyhands.

“That’smine,”shewhispered,takingitfromme.“Whobroughtithere?”“Therewasnobodyoutside,”Ireplied.

“IleftthisinMichael’sapartment.Iwonderwhyonearthhe’dbothertobringitbacktomeaftereverything…”

Shesatdownandunzippedthebag,pullingoutavialofclearamberliquidandthenablackfabricbag.Looseningthebag,sherevealedthatitwasfullofgoldcoins.

“InMichael’splace,”shesaid,lookingtense,“whenIwokeupafterbeingdrugged,thisbagofcoinsandthisvialofliquidwerewaitingformeinhisbedroom.Therewasanoteleftwiththem.Itsaidthattheseweregiftsformymotherandmybrother.MichaelsaidtheyweregiftsfromTheOasis.WhyonearthwasIgiventhese?Howdotheyevenknowaboutmyfamily?”

Istaredatthetwoobjects.Iwasjustascluelessasher.“I’msorry,”Isaid.“Ihavenoidea.”Sheputthebackpackdownandlookedatme.“Whendoyouthinkthenext

huntwillbe?”“Therewasonerecently.Itcouldbeaweekormaybelongeruntiltheygoon

oneagain.Theredoesn’tseemtobeasetschedule.”Shemovedclosertome,theblankettrailingbehindheronthefloor.“Please,helpmelocatemysister.Evenifwehavenowayofsavingher

yet…Ijustneedtoseeher.”Ilookeddownintoherdesperateeyesandheavedasigh.“Okay.I’llhelpyou.”

A

CH A P T E R 1 4 :B E N

fterpromisingRiverIwouldtrytogetusdowntothebasement,Inowhadtofigureouthow.Ididn’tneedtoexaminethelockagaintoknowthatIwouldn’tbeableto

breakthroughitwithoutdamagingit.Itwasfartoocomplicatedalocktopick.No.Wehadtofindasmarterwaytodothis.RivertookashowerwhileIthought,andbythetimeshe’dfinished,I’d

comeupwithaplan.Shesteppedintotheroom,dressedinnewclothes—acrispwhiteblouseand

cottonpants.“Anyideas?”sheaskedanxiously.“Yes.We’regoingtoneedtopayanothervisittoJeramiah.”Shelookedconfused,butdidn’taskquestions.Perhapsbynowshetrusted

meenough.WelefttheapartmentandheadedtoJeramiah’splace.WhenIknockedon

thedoor,anebony-skinnedhalf-bloodgirlopenedit.“You’rehereforJeramiah?”“Yes.”Shelookedoverhershoulderandcalledbackintotheapartment.“Baby,it’s

Josephandhisnewhalf-blood.”Jeramiahapproachedthedoor.Hehadasmirkonhisface.“We’reseeinga

lotofeachothertoday.”“Iwon’ttakeupmuchofyourtime,”Isaid.“I’vecometorequestavisitto

thebasement.”“Why?”“IknowRivercanhelpmecopewithonehuman.IwanttoseehowIcope

surroundedbycrowdsofthem.IfIdoendupaccompanyingyouonahunt,I’ll

needtobepreparedforthis.”Iwassurprisedbyhoweasilyheagreed.“Yes,that’snotaproblem.ButI

willsendsomeonetoaccompanyyou.You’repermittedhalfanhouronly.”Halfanhour.Ihopedthatwouldbeenoughtime.Itwouldhavetobe.Jeramiahcalledbackintotheapartment.“Lucretia.”Lucretia—hisnewgirlfriend,apparently—walkedbacktothedoor.“What?”“IwantyoutoaccompanyJosephandhisgirldowntotheprison.I’vegiven

thempermissiontowalkaroundthereforthirtyminutes.Youdon’tneedtoaccompanythemdown.Youcanwaitintheroomupstairsifyouprefer—justmakesuretheyhavereturnedafterhalfanhour.”

“Okay,”shesaid,eyeingus.“I’llbewithyouinaminute.I’dliketogetsomethingtodowhileI’msittingthere.”

Jeramiahdisappearedbackintotheapartment,whileRiverandIwaitedforLucretia.Sheonlykeptuswaitingaminute.Shearrivedholdingacosmeticbagandslippedoutthedoor.

Wedescendedthelevelsoftheatriumandarrivedinafamiliarroom,wheretheentrancetothebasementwas.Shepulledoutakeyfromherpocketandopenedthelock,thenpushedthedooropen.Thesmellofhumanbloodwasoverwhelming.IreachedforRiver’shandandbreathedinherscent.Togetherwedescendedthesteps,leavingLucretiaatthetop,whereshesatdowninonecornerandbegantofilehernails.

Arrivinginthefirstprisonchamber,webeganwalkingfromcelltocell.Thecells’doorshadwindows,buttheywerefixedquitehighupandRiverwastooshorttoseethroughthem.SoIscannedallthewindowsfirst,andifIsaweitherayoungmanwhofitthedescriptionofherfriend,Hassan,oragirlwhocouldhavebeenhersister,IliftedRiveruptothewindowsothatshecouldpeekthrough.

Wetraveledfromchambertochamber,carefulnottomissasinglecell.WhenIhadlastbeendownhere,Ihadbeeninmoreofahurry,andalthoughI’drunfast,I’dbarelyscratchedthesurfaceofthenumberofprisonersdownhere.AfterscanningsixentirechamberswithRiver,Iwasbeginningtowonderwhetherhalfanhourwouldindeedbeenoughtime.EspeciallybecauseIfelttheneedtokeepstoppingandbreathinginRiver’sscentinordertokeepmyselfsane.

Finally,attheendofarowintheseventhchamberwepassedby,Riverbreathed,“That’shim.Hassan.”Shewaspointingtoayoungmancurledupinacot.

Shebangedonthewindowpane.Apparentlyhewasfastasleep.

Shebangedmoreloudly.“Hassan!Wakeup!”Themanstirredfinally.Hisexpressionwasthatofuttershockashegazedup

atusthroughthewindow.Heshottohisfeetandhurriedtowardthedoor.“River?”hegasped,hisMiddleEasternaccentthick.Hepressedhishands

againsttheglass.“Canyougetmeoutofhere?Please!”Riverlookedupatme.“Istherenowaywecouldtakehimupstairs?We

couldhidehiminyourapartment.”Ishookmyhead.“Iwouldn’triskit.Westilldon’tknowhowwe’regoingto

escape,andhislifecouldbeinmoredangerthanifhejuststayedhere.”Hassan’sbodywastrembling.“Thisplaceisanightmare,”hesaid.“We’regoingtocomebackforyou,”Riversaid.“Ipromise.”“When?”heaskeddesperately.Riverlookedupatme,thenbackattheyoungman.“Idon’tknow.But…as

soonaspossible.”Sheleanedcloseragainsttheglass.“Doyouknowwheremysisteris?”

Heshookhisheadsadly.“Ihavenoidea.I’msosorry.”Riverswallowedhard.“Okay.We’regoingtohavetokeeplookingforher.

Just…trytokeepyourselfwell.IpromiseI’llcomebackassoonasI’mableto.”

Helookeddevastatedaswelefthimandcontinuedwalkingalongthecorridor.

“Lalia?”shewhispered.“Wherecouldshebe?”Thenshebegantoshoutouthersister’sname.“Lalia!Lalia!Whereareyou?”Hervoiceechoedaroundtheprison.

Igrippedhershoulder.“Don’tshout,”Isaid,myvoicelow.Wespedup,movingfasterpasteachofthecells.Wedidn’thavemuchtime

left.Wewereonourthirteenthchamberofhumansandwestillhadn’tfoundher.“MyGod.Whereisshe?”Riverlookedlikeshewasabouttohaveanervous

breakdown.Igrippedherhandhard.Sheneededtokeepacoolheadortherewasno

chanceofherbeingreunitedwithhersister.AndthenIspottedalittlegirlwithlongbrownhair,twodoorsalong.She

waslyingonacotalongwithanothergirlwholookedinherlateteens.Igesturedtowardthedoorand,holdingRiverbythewaist,liftedherupso

shecouldseethroughthewindow.“Lalia!”shegasped.Sheslammedherfistsagainstthewindow.Thelittlegirlstirredonthemattress,thenlookedtowardthewindow.Her

roundyoungfacelookeddumbstruck,asthoughshewasinadream.Thensheleaptupandrushedtowardus.ShewasfartooshorttoreachRiver’slevel.But

hersmallhandsbangedagainstthedoorandshecriedouthersister’sname.“River!Help!Iwanttogohome!”

TheoldergirlinthecellwithherwokeupandmovedtowardLalia.ShewrappedherarmsaroundLalia’smidriffandpickedherupsothatshecouldbelevelwithhersister.

Riverlookedatmedesperately.“Istherereallynowaywecantakeherwithusnow?”

“No.Lucretiaiswaitingforusupstairs.There’snowaywecouldsmuggleanyoneoutunnoticed.”

Riverlookeddesolate,butshedidn’targuewithme.Itwasuncomfortablewatchingthetwoconversethroughtheglass.River

keptcomfortingLaliatellingherthatwe’dfindawaytogetherout.Ididn’tknowwhatRiverwasthinkinginmakingsuchapromisetoher.RiverandImightbeabletofigureoutawaytoescapethisplace,but

smugglingHassanandLaliaoutwithusposedanothersetofobstaclesentirely.

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CH A P T E R 1 5 :R I V E R

owordscoulddescribehowpainfulitwasseeingmysisterontheothersideoftheglass.Ididn’tknowwhothatothergirlwas,butIwasgrateful

thatatleastLaliahadn’tbeenimprisonedalone.Laliadidn’tappeartobesickorwounded,butherfacebetrayedtraumathatIfearedhadscarredherforlife.

WhenJosephtouchedmyshoulderandsaidthatourtimewasup,itkilledmetostepback.

LeavingLaliainthatcellwasthehardestthingI’deverdoneinmylife.AsJosephandIexitedthechamberhercellwasin,mylegsfeltweak.And

aswereachedthebottomofthestaircasethatwouldleaduptotheexitoftheprison,Ibrokedown.Isanktothefloor,pullingmylegsuptomychestandburyingmyheadagainstmyknees.

IwasthankfulthatJosephgavemespaceeventhoughwewerelateleavingtheprison.HejustwaitedformeuntilIcomposedmyself.WhenIlookedup,hereacheddownahandtomeandhelpedmeup.Iwipedmyeyes,doingmybesttoavoidlookinglikeI’djustbeencrying,andwecontinuedupthestairs.

Lucretiawaswaitingforus,stillworkingonhernailsinonecorneroftheroom.Shelookedupasweentered.Thenshegottoherfeetanddustedherselfoff.

“You’realmosttenminuteslate,”shesaid,lookingatuspointedly.“Apologies,”Josephreplied.“Wegotlost.It’sareallyhugeplacedown

there.Howmanycellsaretherealtogether?”Sheshrugged.“Noidea…Sohowdiditgo?”“Itwentwell,”Josephsaid.“River’sbloodisarealhelptome.”“Good,”shemuttered,lockingtheentrancetotheprisonagainandsliding

thekeyintoherpocket.Welefttheroomandsteppedoutintothebrightlylitatrium.

WepartedwayswithLucretiaandheadedbacktowardJoseph’sapartment.Iwasunabletospeakaword.MymindkeptreplayingthosefewmomentsI’dspentwithmysister,howforlornshe’dlooked,andhowutterlyhelplessI’dfelttodoanythingtohelpher.

AsweenteredJoseph’sapartment,hebrokethesilence.“It’slate.Isuggestyougetsomesleep.”Ialmostscoffed.Sleep.Thatwasthelastthingonmymind.Eventhoughmy

bodywasexhausted,IdoubtedIwouldevenbeabletogetawinkofsleeptonight.

Still,sinceJosephwasturningin,Ididtoo.Heshowedmetooneofthesparebedroomsinhisapartment,thenleftmealoneandreturnedtohisownroom.

Ilookedaroundthespaciousbedroomandfloppeddownonthebed.ItwasoneofthemostcomfortablebedsI’deverlainon.HereinTheOasis,everythingexudedluxury.Thefloors,thebedlinen,thelighting…andyetIcouldn’tenjoyanyofit.

Iwasbeginningtofeeluncomfortablycoldagain,mybonesstartingtoache.Islidbeneaththeblanketandcurledupintoafetalposition,closingmyeyestightandprayingformysister.

Itossedandturned,tryingtofindsomereliefinsleep,butImightaswellhaveprayedforamiracle.

Iwasstilltryingtofallasleepwellintotheearlyhoursofthemorning.Itmust’vebeenabout2amwhenastrangenoisebrokethroughmythoughts.

Isatupinbed,holdingmybreathasIstrainedtolisten.Itsoundedlikeamachinegivingoffanoddgrindingnoise.Anditwas

comingfromoneofthelevelsbelow.Iwonderedwhatonearthitwas.Igotoutofbedandpaddedovertothedoor.Openingit,Iwalkeddownthecorridorandapproachedthefrontdoor,thenplacedmyearagainstthewood.

Yes.Itsoundedlikesomeonewasgrindingsomething.Anditwasloud,atleasttomysensitiveears.

SinceIwasn’tabletosleepanyway,Iwascurioustogoandseewhatitwas,butIdidn’tdareleavetheapartmentbymyself.Ididn’twanttowakeJosepheither,soIdidn’tseeanyotherchoicebuttoheadbacktomybedroom.

IjumpedasJoseph’sbedroomdoorcreakedopen.Hisdarkhairwastousled,andhisnightshirthungloosely,revealinghismusculartorso.

“Youcouldn’tsleepeither?”Iwhispered.Heshookhishead.“Irarelysleepinthisplace…Doyouhearthat?”he

asked.“Yes.That’swhyI’moutofbed,”Ireplied.“Doyouhaveanyideawhatit

is?”“I’mgoingtocheckitout.”“I’llcomewithyou,”Isaid.Anythingwasbetterthangoingbacktobedand

lyingthereinsilencewithnothingtodistractmyselfwith.Josephopenedthefrontdoorsoftlyandwebeganfollowingthenoise.Itled

usdownseverallevelsuntilwerealizedthatitwascomingfromthegroundfloor.Wedescendedquietlyandsoonrealizedthatthesoundwasemanatingfromoneofthechambersdirectlyoppositethelilypond.

IexchangedglanceswithJoseph.Heheldafingertohislips.Mymouthsealed,Icontrolledmybreathingtomakeaslittlenoiseas

possibleasthetwoofusmadeourwayovertothedoor.Josephbentdownassoonaswereacheditandpeeredthroughthenarrowkeyhole.Iwaitedpatientlyuntilhehadfinishedlookingandgavemeaturn.

Theroomwasdimlylitandrunningthefulllengthofthefurthermostwallwasahugepieceofmachinery.Hoveringnexttoitwasatallman.Icouldn’tseehisfacebecausehisbackwasturnedtowardme,butIrecognizedwhoitwasbasedonhishairandphysique.Jeramiah.Hishandswereobscuredbyawidemetalfunnel,butitlookedlikehewasloweringsomethingintothemachine,andeachtimehishandsdescended,thatloudgrindingnoisepenetratedmyeardrums.

Whatishedoing?Iremainedwatchingforaboutaminutelonger,andthenIlookedbackat

Joseph.Hegesturedwithhisheadtowardourright,suggestingthatweleave,andIfollowedhim.Wewalkedquietly,anddidn’tspeakagainuntilwewerebackinhisapartment.Eventhen,wespokeinhushedtones.

“Thatwasweird,”Isaid.“Yeah,”Josephsaidgrimly.“Alotofthingsaboutthisplaceareweird.”“Whatdoyouthinkhe’sdoing?”“Idon’tknow.”Itwasfrustrating.Thereseemedtobefarmorethingsaboutthisplacethat

Josephdidnotknowthanthosehedid.IwasremindedofanotherquestionthatI’dbeenmeaningtoaskhim.“This

tattoo,itstartedburningwhenItriedtoescapethroughtheboundary.Whywasthat?”

Heleanedagainstthedoorway,runningahandoverhisownrightarm.“Thesamehappenedtome,”hereplied.“Ithoughtforawhilethatthe

witchesheremightberesponsibleforthesetattoos.Butafterstayinghereawhilelonger,I’mreallynotsure…”Heheldmygazeforafewmomentsandthenlookedaway.“I’mgoingbacktobed.Goodnight.”

Heheadedtowardhisroom.

Watchinghimdisappearingdownthecorridorfilledmewithemptiness.Thoughhewasstillastrangertome,hispresencebroughtmecomfort.AndIwasn’tusedtosleepingalone.Iwasseventeen,andalthoughitwasembarrassingtoadmit,Iwassousedtosharingaroomwithmytwosisters,Iactuallydidn’tlikesleepingalone.

“Joseph,”Isaid,justbeforeheclosedhisdoor.“Whatisit?”“Iwaswondering,wouldyoumindifIjust…sleptonthefloorinyour

room?I’mjustnotusedtosleepingalone,tobehonest.Especiallynotinastrangeplace.Idon’tthinkI’llevergetanysleep…”

Helookedtakenabackbymyrequest.Helookedbackintohisroom,andthenpushedhisdooropenwider.Heshrugged.

“Allright.Ifyouwant.”“Thankyou.”Ihurriedbacktomybedroomandgrabbedmypillowandblanket.Iwas

goingtocarrythesetohisroomfirstandthencomebacktodragthemattress.ButwhenIsteppedintoJoseph’sbedroom,hehadalreadystrippedhisbedofitspillowsandwassettingupasleepingareaonthefloorforhimself.

“Oh,no.Joseph,Idon’twanttokickyououtofyourbed.Idon’tmindsleepingonthefloor.”

Heturnedaroundandgavemeasmile.Dimplesformedonhishandsomeface.

“It’sallright,River.Yousleeponthebed.”Ifeltguiltyashecontinuedtosetuphissleepingspotonthefloor,butI

wasn’tgoingtoobjecttohimactinglikeagentleman.Godknew,Ihadn’tknownenoughoftheminmylife.

A

CH A P T E R 1 6 :R I V E R

fterImovedintoJoseph’sroom,IwasamazedthatImanagedtogetafewhoursofsleep.AndIwokeupfeelingrefreshed.Perhapsthatwasjustone

ofthemanyquirksofthisnewbodyIfoundmyselfinhabiting,thatIdidn’tneedmuchsleep.Iguessedthatvampiresdidn’tneedmucheither.Josephwasupbeforeme.Ifoundhiminthekitchen,sippingfromaglassofblood.

HeeyedmeasIentered.“Howareyoufeeling?”NomatterhowwellrestedIwas,itwasimpossibletofeelanythingbut

miserableknowingmysisterwasstilltrappedinthebasementofthishorrifyingplace.

“Abitbetterthanlastnight,”Imuttered.Imovedtothefridge,andopenedit.Therewerestillsomesandwich

ingredientsleftover.Iplacedsomebread,cheeseandtomatoesonaplate,pouredmyselfaglassofwater,andsatdownoppositeJoseph.EvenasIbeganeating,Icouldn’ttakemyeyesoffthebloodhewasdowning.

Itwasdisconcertingtothinkthatthatbloodcouldeasilyhavebeenmysister’sorHassan’s.

“Idon’tunderstandhowyoucandrinkhumanblood,”Isaid,shuddering.Josephwipedhislowerlipwithanapkin.“It’snotaquestionofchoice.At

leastnotforme.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“Somevampirescansurviveonanimalbloodalone,althoughittastes

disgustingcomparedtohumanblood.ButIcan’tstomachanythingbuthumanblood.”

“Youhavesomerealself-controlissues.”“Gladyoufinallynoticed,”hemuttered.“Buthowdoyoulivewithyourself?Imean,youusedtobehuman.Howcan

youjustdrinkthateverydayandnotbecrushedbyguilt?”Hisjawtwitched.“WhatmakesyouthinkthatIdon’tfeelguilt?”Ididn’treply.Iguessedhewasjustdoingwhathehadtodotosurvive.IfI’d

beeninhisposition,Iprobablywouldhavedonethesame.Ishiftedinmyseat,wantingtoleadtheconversationelsewhere.Icouldsee

I’dmadehimuncomfortable.“Beforewhenyouwereansweringmyquestionsaboutvampires,you

mentionedthatyoucan’tgointhesun.Whatwouldhappenifyoudid?”“Wewouldwitherawayeventually,”hereplied.“Wecanstanditforonlyso

long.”“Whatabouthalf-bloods?Cantheytoleratethesun?”“Idon’tknowhowwell,butI’msurebetterthanvampires.”Iwasabouttoaskanotherquestionwhensomeonedisturbedusbyknocking

onthefrontdoor.JosephgotupandleftthekitchenwhileIcontinuedeatingmybreakfast.Asthedooropened,Jeramiahspoke.“I’vejustcomefromcheckingonthe

half-bloodyoucreated.She’sdoingwell.Youreleasedjusttherightamountofvenom.”

“Good,”Josephreplied.“Acoupleofthings.First,therewillbeanotherpartyupstairstonight.Iknow

yousaidyouweren’tinterested,butnowthatyouhavea,uh,companion,perhapsyou’llreconsider?Anyway,thinkaboutit.Secondly,”hecontinued,“ournexthuntprobablywon’tbeforacoupleofweeks.ButI’vebeenthinkingthatsinceyou’vebeenputtingeffortintolearningtocontrolyourselfaroundhumans,wecouldgoonasmallhunt,justafewofus.Wecanalwaysdowithafewextrahumansanditwouldbegoodpracticeforyou.Whatdoyouthink?”

“Iliketheidea,”Josephsaid,withoutamoment’shesitation.“Nowitcheswouldcomewithus,sinceit’slastminuteandtheyusuallyonly

agreetocomeonthemainhunts…Thismeanswe’reatriskfromthehuntersassoonaswestepoutsidetheboundary,buttherewillonlybeafewofusandifwemovefast,weshouldbeallright.”

“I’mwillingtotaketherisk,”Josephreplied.“Whenwereyouthinkingtogo?”

“Tonightaftertheparty.”Josephpausedthistimeforafewseconds,thensaid,“Sure.”“Good,”Jeramiahreplied.“IfIdon’tseeyouabovegroundtonight,I’llstop

byyourdoorlaterontopickyouup—alongwithyourhalf-blood,ofcourse.Thepartyshouldwinddownaround2am.Solet’ssay3am.”

“We’llbeready.”

Thenthedoorclosed.I’dforgottenallaboutmyfoodbynow.I’devenforgottentoswallowwhat

wasalreadyinmymouth.MyjawhungopenasJosephreturnedtotheroom.Helookedatme.Hedidn’tbotherrecountingtheconversation.HeknewthatIheard

everything.Wehadlessthantwenty-fourhours.Ishottomyfeetandlookedathimdesperately.“Wehavetofindawayto

getmysisterandHassanoutoftheboundary.”Afrownformedonhisface.Thenhesatdowninachairoppositemeand

rubbedhistemple,deepinthought.Howarewegoingtodothis?Howcanwebringthemonahuntwithus?

JosephandImightbeabletofigureouthowtoescapeoncewewereoutsidetheboundary,buthowwouldIsavemysisterandHassan?

Yes,we’dknowtheexactlocationoftheplacetogivetothepolice,buthowwouldtheybreakin?TherewasanimpenetrableboundaryprotectingTheOasis.Ifwedidn’tfindawaytogetthemout,mysisterwouldbestuckhereforever.Oruntiltheydecidedtomurderherforherblood.

Islumpedbackintoachair,buryingmyheadinmyhandsasItriedtothinkofhowwecouldpossiblygetoutofthissituation.

AwaveofreliefrushedthroughmewhenJosephlookeduptenminuteslaterandsaid:

“IthinkIhaveanidea.”

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CH A P T E R 1 7 :B E N

twaspossiblythemostharebrainedschemeIhadeverthoughtof,butIdidn’tseewhatotheroptionwehad.

AfterIexplainedittoRiver,herfacefilledwithdoubt,butsheapparentlydidn’thaveanybetterideas,sosheagreed.

Wehadsomehoursuntilthepartytonight,sointhemeantimewediscussedhowweweregoingtopullofftheidea.Wetalkedinhushedvoices,practicallymouthing,aboutallthethingsthatcouldgowrong,andhowwecouldavoiddisaster.

OnceRiverandIcouldhearsoundsofpeoplegatheringupstairsfortheevening’srevelry,Itookherintothekitchen.Grabbingthecontainerofpicklesfromthefridge,Iemptiedtheremainingpicklesintoabin,thenwashedanddriedthecontainer.

IsatRiverdownoppositemeatthetableandplacedthecontainerinthecenterbetweenus.Thensheheldoutherwristforme.Extendingmyclaw,Islitthroughherskin,deepenoughsothatbloodbegantoflowintothecontainer.OnceIwassurethatIhadenough,Iwrappedherwoundupintissue,thenmadeherdrinkmyblood.Herbodydidhaveitsownnaturalhealingcapabilities,buttheyweren’tasfastasthoseofavampire,anditwasbestthatshehealedbeforeweheadedupstairs.

Afterherwoundclosedup,Riverwenttochange.Shemanagedtofindalongredgowninoneofthebedrooms,whileIjustworealooseshirtandcottonpants.

Thenwelefttheapartmentandheadedupstairs.Islidanarmaroundherwaistasweapproachedthecrowd.Thereweretablestoourleft,linedwithhalf-bloodsservingupbloodandliquor,andtherewasalsoaself-servesnackareacontainingregularfoodtoourright.

Atrioofwitcheswereinonecornerwithinstruments,playingahauntingmelodyforthoseinthecentraldancearea.

IledRiverintothemidstofthedancingcouplesandplacedonehandonherwaistwhiletakingherotherhandinmine.IswayedherslowlyfromsidetosideevenasIscopedoutoursurroundings.IwaslookingforJeramiah,andsowasRiver.

Ispottedhimfirst.Hewasoneofthedozensofvampiressittingonthesoftcushionedseats.He

wastalkingtoagroupofthreevampireswhileLucretiasatonhislap.IwasgladthatJeramiahandhisgirlweresurroundedbypeople.Itwould

makeiteasierforRivertodoherjob.IturnedRiveraroundsothatshewasfacingJeramiah.“Youseehim?”Ibreathedintoherear.Shenodded.Ifelthergulpagainstmychest.“Let’sgo,”shewhispered.Stillholdinghands,thetwoofuscasuallymadeourwaytowardwhere

JeramiahandLucretiaweresittingwiththeircompanions.Heraisedhisglassofbloodtomeashespottedus.

“Youcame.”Iforcedasmileandsatdowninoneofthecushionedchairsneartohim.

Rivertookaseatnexttome,andhereyesfixedinstantlyonLucretia.OnceLucretiamethergaze,Rivergaveherasmileandtomyrelief,Lucretiasmiledback.

Thatwasthefirststep.Ibusiedmyselfwithaglassofbloodthatoneofthehalf-bloodslaveshanded

measIcontinuedtowatchRiver.ShelefttheseatnexttomeandmovedclosertoLucretia.

AsJeramiahcontinuedhisconversationwiththemalevampiressittingnexttohim,IrealizedthatIwassittingonlyafewfeetinfrontofLloyd.I’dbeensofixedonJeramiah,Ihadn’tevennoticedhimuntilnow.

Lloydnudgedmyshoulderandengagedmeinsmalltalk.Iresponded,gratefulthatInowlookedlikeIwasbusy,whilemyattentionwasfocusedontheconversationthatRiverhadstartedupwithLucretia.

Riverwasbeginningtoaskquestionsaboutlifeasahalf-blood—questionsshehadalreadyaskedme.Lucretiarespondedkindly.Anothergoodsign.

Afterabouttwentyminutesofchatting,Riversuggestedthattheygetsomethingtoeatfromthesnacktable.Lucretiaagreed.ShekissedJeramiah,thentookRiver’sarm,andtheybothmadetheirwayovertothefood.

Evennow,Lloydwascontinuingtotalktome.Fortunately,heseemedto

preferthesoundofhisownvoicetomine.Ijustnoddedandgruntedoccasionally.

LucretiawasservingupdifferentsnackstoRiver,advisingheronwhatshemightlike,andthenthetwoofthemstoodtoonesideandateastheywatchedcouplesdancing.Aftertheyfinishedtheirsnack,theychattedsomemoreandfinallyRivershivered,rubbinghershoulders.

“I’mfreezing,”shesaid.“Aren’tyou?”Lucretiashrugged.“Notparticularly…ButIwouldn’tmindsometimeinthe

sauna.I’vebeenouthereforquiteawhilealreadyandthedesertaircanbecoldatthistimeofnight.”

“ShouldwegotoJoseph’ssauna,orJeramiah’s?”Riverasked.“Jeramiah’siscloser,”Lucretiareplied,takingthebait.Thetwoofthemlefttheareaanddisappearedfrommysightastheyheaded

backdownintotheatrium.Iwaitedthreeminutes,thenleftLloydwiththeexcusethatIneededsome

timetopreparemyselfmentallyforthehuntlateron.IlefttheareaasfastasIcouldwithoutappearingtobeinahurry.

Descendingthestairstowardtheatrium,ItooktheelevatordowntothelevelwhereJeramiah’sapartmentwas.IhurriedforwardalongtheverandaandstoppedatthesightofthetwogirlsstandingoutsideJeramiah’squarters.Lucretiahadpulledoutakey,andwasjustintheprocessofopeningthedoor.Lucretiapusheditopenandthegirlssteppedinside.ThedoorwassecondsfromclosingwhenRiversaid,“I’llshutthedoor.”

Iracedtoitwithinseconds.Riverwaskeepingthedoorajar,waitingforme.Assoonasshefeltmeholdingit,herhanddisappearedandshecontinueddownthecorridorwithLucretiatowardthesauna.

Iwaiteduntiltheirvoiceshadfaded,andforthesoundofthesaunadooropeningandclosing.

Althoughtheywereinthesauna,Istillhadtobesilent.Half-bloods’hearingmightnotbeassharpasavampire’s,butitwasstillacute.

Easingthedooropenonlyenoughformetosqueezethrough,Islippedinsideandleftthedoorrestingonitslatch.

ThenIlookedaroundthedarkapartment.Keys.WherewouldJeramiahkeephiskeys?

I

CH A P T E R 1 8 :B E N

’dbeencarefultolookJeramiahoverwhenwewereupstairs,lookingforanybulgesinhispockets,butIhadn’tseenany.Ihopedthatmeanthis

keyswereinhisapartment.Movingsilentlyfromroomtoroom,Ibeganlookingineverycupboard,in

everydrawer,andoneveryshelfthatIcameby.Istoppedeverynowandthen,tuningintotheconversationthatRiverandLucretiawerehavinginthesaunatomakesurethattheywerestilloccupied.Itwasn’tuntilIreachedtheroomattheverybackoftheapartment,somekindofstorageroom,thatIfoundalargeclusterofkeyshangingfromahookinthewall.

Removingthemsilently,Iplacedthemintomypocket.ThenIcontinuedsearchingtherestoftheapartmentforkeys,andonfindingnomore,IhadtohopethattheonesinmypocketwouldbeallthatIneeded.

Icreptbackthroughtheapartmentandslippedbackoutthroughthedoor.Again,Iwascarefulnottocloseitfully,restingitagainstthelatchsothatitremainedajar.

ThenIheadedstraightdowntothegroundfloor.Iranacrossthegardenstotheroomthatheldtheentrancetotheprison.Beforeenteringit,Ilookedinsidetomakesurethatitwasempty.ThenIcrossedtheroomandloweredtomykneessothatmyeyeswerelevelwiththelock.

Isplayedoutthekeysinmypalms,lookingateachofthemandtryingtodecidewhichtotryfirst.Ioptedforalargebronzeone.Itdidn’tfit.Thenathinnerblackone.Stillnoluck.Itriedfourmorekeysbeforefinallyarrivingattherightone.Ibreathedasighofreliefasthelockclickedopen.Ihurriedthoughthedoorandlockeditbehindmefromtheinside.

Thesmellofhumanbloodwasintoxicatingonthissideofthedoor.FumblingforthecontainerofRiver’sbloodinmypocket,Ipulleditoutand

openedthelid.Iinhaleditsbitterscent,tryingtocalmmynerves.Then,stirringtheliquidaround,Iputthecontainertomylipsandtippedsomebloodontomytongue.Iclosedthelidagainandreturnedthecontainertomypocket.

Holdingmynoseandkeepingthedisgustingbloodonmytongue,Ihurriedforwardintothedepthsoftheprison.IheadedfirstforHassan’scell,sinceitwasonthewaytoLalia’s.Lookingthroughthewindow,Isawthathewashuddledinacorner,kneesdrawnuptohischest,hisheadburiedinhishands.

Ispreadoutthekeysinmypalmsagainandlookedatthem.Thesecellswouldhavetoshareacommonkey.Therewerejusttoomanyinthisprison.

IttookmetenkeysbeforeHassan’scelldoorclickedopen.Hassangazedupatme,stupefied.Thenherushedtowardme.Ishotawayfromhim,backingupagainsttheoppositewall.

Breathingdeeply,Ihissed,“Keepyourdistancefromme!”ItookanothersipfromRiver’sblood,thenlookedbackathim.“I’mheretohelpyou.ButI’malsoarisktoyou.WaithereinyourcellwhileIfetchRiver’ssister.I’llknockonthedoorwhenit’stimetocomeout.Understand?”

Helookedbewildered,butnodded.ThenIdartedoff.AlthoughRiver’sbloodinmymouthwashelpingto

overwhelmthescentofhumanbloodsurroundingme,justthesightofahumansoclosetomewasenoughtoignitemybloodlust.IdreadedarrivingoutsideLalia’scell.Heryoungfleshwouldbesotendertosinkmyfangsinto,herbloodsopureandsweet…

Myhandsshakingslightly,IopenedthecontainerofRiver’sbloodagainandtookanotherswig.I’dconsumedhalfofitalready.Ihadtopacemyself.IfwegotheldupforsomereasonandIranoutofRiver’sblood…ThatwasascenarioIdidn’twanttothinkabout.

ItriedusingthesamekeythatIhadusedforHassan’scellforLalia’s,anditworked.Thedoorswungopen,andLaliaandtheoldergirlwhowaswithherlookedtowardmeinshock.ThenreliefwashedovertheirfacesandtheyrushedtowardmejustasHassanhaddone.Ileaptbackdowntheprisoncorridor.

“Where’smysister?”thelittlegirlasked.“I’lltakeyoutoher,”Iwhispered,myvoicestrainedasItriednottotempt

myselfbylookingather.“Justfollowme,okay?Youcancometoo,”Iadded,addressingtheoldergirl.

Carefultokeepatleasttenfeetbetweenus,Iledthetwogirlsthroughthewindingnetworkofcells,urgingthemtohurryupeverynowandthen.ItwasfrustratingthatIcouldn’tjustpickthemupandcarrythembothmyself.TheothergirlendedupcarryingLaliaonherback,whichmadethingsalittlefaster.

ArrivingatHassan’scellagain,Iwasgladtoseethathewaswaitinginside

hisroomandopeneditonlywhenIknocked.Helookedatme,andthenatthetwogirls.Ibackedawayagain,nowwithfullaccesstothreehumans.

Ilengthenedthedistancebetweenthemandmeevenmore,andcontinuedtravelingbacktowardtheexit.WereachedthestairsandIopenedthedooragainbeforewehurriedintothesmallroom.Stillmaintainingasmuchdistancefromthemaspossible,IinstructedthemtohuddleinonecornerasIfumbledwiththekeysandlockedthedooroncemore.River’stastewasbeginningtofadefrommymouthagain.Itookanotherswigfromthecontainer.NowIbarelyhadonefullmouthfulleft.

Icursedmyself.Ishouldhavethoughttotakemorebloodfromher.Wehadtomovefast.Aswesteppedoutside,Ihadtohopethatwewouldn’tbumpintoanyoneon

ourwaybacktomyapartment—andthatnobodywouldnoticethreehumansweremissingfromtheircellsbeforethehunttonight.Thereweresomanyhumansdowninthatprison,myhopedidn’tseemtoounreasonable.

TherewasnowaythatIwasgoingtogetintothesameelevatorwiththem,soIcalledtwoelevatorstothegroundfloorsimultaneously.Isteppedintooneofthemwhiletheybundledintotheother.Iinstructedthemwhichfloornumbertopress,andthenweascended.Wearrivedontherightflooratthesametime.Thedoorsslidopen.Irushedoutbeforetheycouldand,runningupaheadofthem,orderedthemtofollowme.HassanpickedupLaliaandcarriedheronhisbackastheyracedafterme,tryingtokeepupwithmyspeed.Rushingtothedoorofmyapartment,Iopeneditandthenrandownthehallway.Iwaitedinthedoorwayofmybedroomforthemtoarrive.

“Shutthedoorbehindyou,”Iwhisperedastheyentered.Hassandidso.Thenallthreeeyesfixedonme.Theirfacesweredeathlypale

andsweatywithfear.“Nowlistentome,”Isaid,lookingatthemsternly.“Takealeftdownthe

corridor,andattheveryendyouwillseeasauna.Lockyourselvesinthereanddon’tmakeasound.Doyouunderstandme?”

Theyalllookedpetrified,butnodded.“Where’smysister?”Laliawhispered,hereyeswidewithfright.“I’mgoingtogether.”Iwaiteduntiltheyhurrieddownthecorridorandsteppedintothesauna.

Whenthedoorclickedshut,Iapproacheditand,reachingintomypocketforthelastofRiver’sblood,Ipoureditintomypalmandthenspreaditupanddownthewoodendoor,hopingitwouldhelptomaskthescentofhothumanbloodatleastsomewhatifavampirepassedby.

ThenIwashedmyhandsinthekitchenandranbackoutthefrontdoor.I

headedstraightbacktoJeramiah’sapartment.Iwasgladtoseethatthedoorwasstillajar,asI’dleftit.Pushingitopen,Islidinside.

Tomydiscomfort,RiverandLucretiahadleftthesaunabynow.Iheardtheirvoicescomingfromthelivingroom.Creepingpast,Iwascarefultoholdthekeysinsuchawaythattheydidn’tclinkandmademywaybacktothestorageroomatthebackoftheapartment.Ireplacedthekeysonthehookinthewallslowly,rearrangingthemagainstthewalltolookhowIrememberedfindingthem.

NowIhavetogetoutofhere.IwasabouttoheadbacktothefrontdoortoleavewhenIheardasoundthat

chilledmetothebone.Thefrontdoorslamming.AndthenJeramiah’svoiceemanatingfromthehallway.

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CH A P T E R 1 9 :B E N

ucretia?”Jeramiahcalledthroughtheapartment.“Whywasthefrontdooropen?”

FootstepssoundedasLucretiamadeherwayalongthecorridortowardJeramiah.

“Itwasopen?”Shesoundedconfused.“Oh,I’msorry.Riversaidshe’dshutit.”

“River?”“Yes.Joseph’shalf-bloodisherewithme.”Morefootsteps.“Hi,”Riversaid.Icoulddetectthenervousnessinhervoice.“Whyareyoutwodownhere?Comeupandenjoytheeveningwith

everyoneelse.”“Wewerecold,”Lucretiasaid.“Wejusthadasessioninthesaunaandthen

wegottochattinginthelivingroom.”“Wellyoucancontinuetalkingupstairs,”Jeramiahsaid.“I’mjustdownto

checkonthenewhalf-bloodagain,andthenI’lljoinyou.”No.Myeyesfixedonthekeysdanglingfromthehook,thenIlookedaroundthe

storageroomforsomewheretohide.Itwassmallandalthoughcabinetslinedthewalls,theyweren’tlargeenoughformetohideinside.

“Okay,I’llseeyoubackupthere,”Lucretiasaid,andfootstepsmovedtowardthefrontdoor.Thenmorefootstepsproceededtowardme.

Ibackedupintothefurthermostcorneroftheroom.IfJeramiahsteppedinside,therewasnowayhewouldn’tspotme.Hewasasplitsecondfromenteringasthedoorcreaked.ThenLucretia’svoicesoundedagain.

“Jeramiah?”

“

Thedoorstoppedmoving.“What?”Jeramiahcalled.“River’sjustcutherselfonthedoorstep.Couldyoulendabitofyour

blood?”“Allright.”Ithoughtforamomentthathewasgoingtofallforthedistractionandleave,

buttomyhorrorthedoorcontinuedmovinguntilitwaswideopen.Iwasbracingmyselftobeseenwhenhisarmshotintotheroom.Hereached

forthehookandgrabbedthekeys,thendisappearedagain,hisfootstepsfadingdownthecorridor.

OnceIsensedhimmovetoanotherpartoftheapartment,Icrepttothedoorandlookedout.Thecorridorwasempty,andIcouldhearvoicescomingfromthelivingroom.IcouldnothavefeltmoregratefultoRiverthanIdidatthatmoment.Shemust’vemovedherselfinthereonpurpose,tograntmeaclearexitthroughthefrontdoor.Withoutanothermoment’shesitation,Ihurriedoutofthestorageroom,silentlyracingtowardthehallway.Thedoorwasajaragain—perhapsalsoRiver’sdoingaftershe’dcutherself.Ilookeddownatthesteponmywayout.Thesharpmarbleridgewaslinedwithherbitterblood.

Ilaunchedintoasprintanddidn’tletupuntilIarrivedbackoutsidemyapartment.Breathingheavily,IleanedagainstthedoorwayandlookedbackacrosstheatriumtowardJeramiah’squarters.Iwasn’treadytoentermyapartmentyet—notwiththosethreehumanslockedupinthere.IhadrunoutofRiver’sbloodtodistractmyself.

IremainedwatchingJeramiah’sfrontdoor.Afterfiveminutes,heappeared,keysclaspedinhisrighthand,andhemadehiswaytowardtheelevatorsthatwouldtakehimdowntothegroundfloor.RiverandLucretiaexitedtheapartmentsoonafterhim.TherewasnosignofalimpfromRiver—Jeramiah’sbloodmusthavefinishedhealingher.

IfRiverfollowedtheplan,she’dstayupstairsforanothertwentyminutesorso,andthencomebackdownagain.Ihadnochoicebuttowaitinsilence.

Icaughtsightofheracrosstheverandaalmostfortyminuteslater.Herfacewastightwithworryasshemadeherwaytowardme.

“Didyoufindthem?”Ilookedaround,unwillingtospeakawordouthere.Ijustnoddedandled

herinsidetheapartment.“They’reinthesauna,”Iwhispered.Herfacelitupandshemotionedtorushthereatonce,butIgrippedherhand

andheldherback.“Ineedsomemoreofyourblood.”Itookherintothekitchenandplacedthecontainerinthecenterofthetable.

ShewincedasIcutherskinagainwithmyclawandfilledthecontainerwithmoreblood.ThenIsetthecontainerasideandraisedherwristtomymouth.Iclosedmylipsoverherskinandsucked.Iwascarefulnottoswallowtoomuch,sothatsomebloodremainedinmymouth,soakingmytongue.ThenIhealedherwoundbyfeedinghermoreofmyownblood.Evenwithherbloodinmymouth,Istillwantedtostayasfaraspossiblefromthehumans.Ididn’twanttotemptfate.

“Thisissoweird,”shesaid,eyeingthecontainerofherbloodwithdisgust.“Betterthanwatchingmeslaughteryoursister,”Imuttered.

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CH A P T E R 2 0 :R I V E R

hurriedtotheblood-smeareddoorofthesaunaandpusheditopen.OnseeingmysistersafetherewithHassanandtheothergirlshe’dshareda

cellwith,Iburstintotears.Laliajumpedintomyarms,clutchingmetightasIshoweredherfacewithkisses.

“Oh,myGod,River!”Laliagasped.“Whyareyousocold?”Ididn’twanttostartexplainingtoher.She’dbeenthroughenoughtraumaas

itwas.Therewouldbetimeforthatlater.“I’vejustbeenworriedsickaboutyou,”Isaid,runningmyhandsthrough

herhair.“Howareyou?How’syourasthma?”“Shehadanattack,”theoldergirlnexttohersaid.“Somewomancamein

andhelpedher.”“What’syourname?”Iaskedher.“Morgan,”shereplied.“SomeonecameintohelpLalia?”Iasked.“Who?”“Shewasabigfatwoman,”Laliamumbledagainstmyshoulder.“Andshehelpedyourasthma?How?”“Shegavemesomehorriblejuice.”“Juice?”“Tastedrealsour,”shereplied.“Andhowisitthatyoutwoendedupsharingacelltogether?”Iasked.“IguessbecauseLaliaisonlysix,”Morganreplied,“theydidn’tthinkitwas

wisetoputherbyherself.”Laliawasstillholdingontomesotightshewaspracticallychokingmyneck.“Soyou’reokay?”Isaid.“Whathaveyoubeendoingallthistime?”“Justsittin’onourbutts,”Laliamuttered.IlookedtowardHassan.“Andhowareyou?”

Helookedshaken.“AswellasIcanbe,Iguess—certainlymuchbetterthanafewhoursagonowthatI’veescapedthatplace.”

“Wherearewe?”Laliaasked.“Andwhowasthattallmanwhosavedus?”Again,Iwasn’tsurehowtoexplainwithoutfreakingheroutmorethanshe

alreadywas.Oncewewereoutofthisplace,Iwouldexplaineverythingtoher.Ialsorealizedthatwe’dbeenmakingtoomuchnoise.Iraisedafingertomy

lips.“Thattallman’snameisJoseph,”Iwhispered.“He’sgoingtotrytohelpusalloutofhere.Butnow,wejustneedtobequiet,okay?”

Ispentthenexttwohoursholdingmysisterinthesauna.Itoldhertostopaskingquestions,whichshedid.Sheseemedcontenttojustbeinmyarms.

Thenitwastimeformetoleave.“I’llbebacksoon,”Iwhispered.“Huh?Whereareyougoing?”Lalialookedpanickedandclungtighterto

me.“IneedtogospeaktoJoseph.IpromiseIwon’tleaveyoulong.Juststay

hereandkeepquiet.”Lalialookedlikethelastthingshewantedtodowasletgoofme,butI

detachedmyselffromher,andplacedherinthefurthestcorneroftheroomonthebench.

IfoundJosephpacingupanddowninhisbedroom,thecontainerofmybloodclutchedinhishands.

HelookedtowardmeasIentered.“So…areyoureadyforwhat’snext?”heasked,hisvoicedeep.Ididn’tknowthatIwouldeverfeelreadyforwhatwehadplannednext.But

itwasnowornever.“Yes,”Isaid,withasmuchconfidenceasIcouldmuster.“Itsoundslikethepartyisdyingdownuptherenow,”hesaid,lookingupat

theceiling.Ifollowedhimoutofthebedroomtowardthefrontdoor.Heopeneditand

webothsteppedout,lookingaround.Vampiresandhalf-bloodsweredescendingthroughTheOasis’entranceandheadingbacktotheirapartments.Weremainedstandingbythedoorwayforthenextfifteenminutes,untilthelasttrickleofrevelersseemedtohavereturned.Butstrangely,neitherofushadspottedJeramiah,LucretiaorMichaelyet.

Ilookedbackattheclockhangingfromthehallway.Itwasalready2:30am.Wewererunningoutoftime.

IexchangedglanceswithJoseph.“Wheredoyouthinktheyare?”Iwhispered.Heshrugged.“Wejustneedtokeepwaiting.”Tenminuteslater,allthreeofthemfinallydescended.Iwonderedwhythey

hadtakenlongerthantheothers.Ididn’tgiveittoomuchthoughtthough.Iwasjustrelievedthattheyhadfinallycome.

IwasexpectingthecoupletopartwayswithMichaeloncetheyarrivedoutsideJeramiah’sapartment,butinsteadtheyremainedstandingandtalking.JosephandIlookedawayasJeramiahturned,spottingusstandinginthedoorway.

Joseph’shandsfoundmywaist.Heloweredhismouthtomyear.“Putyourarmsaroundmyneckandpretendthatyou’rekissingme,”hebreathed.

Istaredathim,raisingabrow.ThenIrealizedwhyhewasaskingthisofme.Standingheredoingnothing

butstaringlookedodd.Weneededtolooklikeweweredoingsomething.Josephpositionedmeinfrontofhim,sothathestillhadfullviewofthetrio.

Slowly,IdrapedmyarmsaroundJoseph’sneckandcranedmyneckupward.Heleaneddownuntilourlipswerelessthananinchapart.Mybreathingquickenedashisgreeneyesmetmine.Heloweredhismouthtomycheekandpressedhislipsgentlyagainstit,thenavertedhisgazebacktowardJeramiah.

Myskintingledatthetouchofhislips,soclosetothesideofmymouth.Ihadn’texpectedhimtotouchme.Butnowthathewas…Icouldn’tsaythatIobjected.Atall.Whenhishandrestedonthesmallofmyback,pullingmecloserstill,Ifeltbutterfliesinmystomach.

Geez,River.Getagrip.He’sjustan…incrediblyhandsomeguy.“Aretheystillthere?”Ibreathed,attemptingtodistractmyselffromhis

touch.Hedidn’trespondforalmostaminuteashislipscontinuedtograzemy

cheek.Thenhesaid,“They’regonenow.”HeloosenedhisholdonmeandItookastepback.Oureyeslockedbefore

heclearedhisthroatandlookedbackthroughhisdoorway.Webothknewwhathadtobedonenow.

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CH A P T E R 2 1 :B E N

wasthinkingofRiverasIleftherintheapartmentandmademywayuptothedesert.

WhenI’dbentdownsoclosetoherface,herradianteyesgazingintomine,I’dfoundmyselfdrawingclosertoherthanIhadeitherintendedorneededto…withoutevenrealizingit.

Ishookmyself.Stopbeingafool,Novak.Focus.Arrivingaboveground,Iwasgladtoseethatnobodywasstilluphere.

Everyonehadreturnedtotheirrooms.ThankGod.Itwas2:45amalready.ThatleftonlyfifteenminutesbeforeJeramiahknockedonourdoor.Fifteenminutestogetthreehumansuphereundetected.Wecouldn’taffordforanythingtogowrong.

Surethattheareawasempty,Iranbackdowntotheatriumandheadedbacktomyapartment.IfoundRiveraloneinthelivingroom,standingoverabasinthatshe’dplacedonacoffeetable.Shehadalreadycutherselfagainandwasdrainingmoreblood.Iwalkedovertohelpher,slittingmyownskinandallowingmybloodtoflowintothewidecontainer.Bothofourbloodsmixedandformedadarkredpoolatthebottomofit.OnceIfeltlikewehadenough,Ihealedher,thentookamouthfulfromthesmallcontainerofRiver’sbloodinmypocketwhileshehurriedtowardthesaunatoretrievethehumans.

Ibackedaway,watchingassheherdedthemintothelivingroom.Walkingtothebasin,shedippedahandinthebloodandbegantosmearitoverhersister.ShelookedtowardMorganandHassan.

“Coveryourselveswiththisbloodasmuchasyoucan.”Thehumanshadlooksofdisgustontheirfaces—especiallyLalia.

Therewasn’tenoughbloodtocompletelydousethemselveswith,butitwasenoughtodulltheirscent.Itshouldn’tbemuchmoredetectablethantheotherhumanbloodthatwasstoredinallofthevampires’apartmentsaroundTheOasis.

Afterthebloodinthebasinhadbeenusedup,Iwentintomybedroomandgrabbedthedarkbeigerugthatlinedonecornerofthefloor.Rollingitup,IputitoveroneshoulderandthenreturnedtothehallwaytofindthatRiverhadgatheredthethreehumanstowaitoutsidethedoor.

WehadonlytenminutesnowbeforeJeramiahknocked.Iglancedatthethreehumans.Iwasgoingtohavetocarrytwoofthem—the

largestones,MorganandHassan—whileRiverwouldcarryhersister.ThiswouldbetheclosestIhadeverbeentoahumanwithoutrippingout

theirthroatssinceI’dturnedintoavampire.Iswallowedhard.Riverlookednervouslyatme.Heregoes…IallowedHassantoclimbontomyback—itwasluckythathewasshorter

thanme—andthenIpickedupthegirlinmyarms.EvenwithRiver’sandmybloodsmotheringthem—aswellasRiver’sbloodonmytongue—theystillcalledtomelikeasiren,especiallythegirl.

Herneckwassoclosetomymouth.Sopainfullyclose.Allitwouldtaketohaveherwarmbloodfloodingdownmythroatwouldbeleaningdownafewinches…

IforcedthethoughtoutofmyheadandwasabouttoheadoutofthedoorwhenRiversaid,“Wait!”

Sheputhersisterbackdownontheground,andhurriedintothelivingroom.Reappearingafewsecondslater,shewasclutchingherbackpack,whichsheflungontoherback.Isupposedthattakingthebackpackwasagoodidea.Riverdidn’tknowhowlongitwouldbebeforeshereunitedwithherfamily.Shemightneedmoneyinthemeantime.

RiverpickedupLaliaagain,sothatthegirlclungtoherfrontlikeamonkey.Andthenweran.Iwassofast,IwassurethatIwasablurtoanyonlooker.Riverwasslower,butshewasn’ttoofarbehindme.Reachingtheelevators,wehurriedinsideandmadeourwaytothetop.Andthenthefinalstretchofthejourney…IcarriedHassanandMorganthroughthetrapdoorandbeganspeedingthroughthesandtowardtheedgeoftheboundary.

Sixfeetawayfromtheexit,thebrandinmyarmbegantoburnagain.IlookedovermyshouldertoseeRiverstaggering,herfacecontortedinpain.

Herbrandwasscorchinghertoo.Whatarethesedamnthings?

Itwasalmostasthoughtheywereconsciousandwereawareofourintent.Ihadbeenabovegroundinthedesertbeforewithoutthetattoocausingmeagony—likeearlierthiseveningattheparty.ItonlyburnedwhenitsensedthatIwastryingtoescape.Itsensed.Ifeltmadthinkingofthesetattoosasthoughtheywereconsciousbeings,andyettherewasaclearpattern.

Clenchingmyjawagainstthepain,Icontinuedforward.Assoonaswereachedtheboundaryfivemilesaway,IloweredHassanandMorgantothesand.Removingthebeigerugfrommyshoulder,IwaiteduntilRiverhadcaughtupwithmeandplacedLalianexttotheothertwohumans.

“MyGod,River,”Laliagaspedasshestaggeredaround,apparentlydizzy.“Whend’youlearntorunsofast?”

Allshegotfromhersisterinreplywasahush.Idroppedtherugandmovedbackward.Thebloodcoveringthemfeltlikeit

waswearingoff—orperhapsIwasjustbecomingimmunetoit.ItookanotherswigofbloodoutofRiver’scontainerandbreathedindeeply,desperatelytryingtodistractmyselffromthehumans’sweetness,especiallythelittlegirl’s.

RiverpickeduptherugthatIhaddropped.“Sitdowninahuddle,”shesaid.Thetriodidasrequestedandthensheplacedtherugoverthemsothattheyweresomewhatcamouflaged.ThenRiverhandedthebackpacktoHassanforsafekeeping.

Wehadjustafewminutestogetbacktotheapartmentnow.IhopedthatJeramiahwouldn’tarriveearly.IscoopedRiverupinmyarmsbeforesprintingbacktotheatrium.Itwasmuchfasterthanhertryingtorunafterme.

Hurtlingthroughthedoorofmyapartment,Ilookedupattheclock.Oneminuteuntil3am.

RiverandIrantothenearestbathroomandwashedourhands.Ilookedatherclothes.Theywerestainedwithblood.

“Youneedtochange,”Isaid.Hereyesroamedme.“Sodoyou.”Shewasright.Afterwehadwashedourhandsandfaces,wefoundcleanclothes.River

endedupwearingoneofmyshirts,althoughitwasfartoolargeforher,andapairofshorts—shehadn’tbeenabletofindanyfemaleclothesotherthandresses.

Then,takingdeepbreaths,wewaitedinthehallwayandstaredateachother.Iwassurethatthesameworriesweregoingthroughourmindssimultaneously.

JeramiahhadsaidthatheplannedtobringMichaelandLloydwithus.Ihadtocaptureoneoftheminordertogetusthroughtheboundary.Ididn’tknowjusthowstrongJeramiahwas,becausetherehadn’tyetbeenoccasionforhimtodisplayhisfullstrengthinfrontofme.ButIknewthathewasaNovak,andthat

wasenoughtoknowthatIoughtnotunderestimatehim.Theplanwaswild,andsomanythingscouldgowrongwithit,butitwasall

wehad.Jeramiahendedupknockingtwominuteslate.Iwalkedtothedoorslowly,

andopenedit.Hisdarkhairwastiedupinabun,andhewasdressedallinblack.“Ready?”heasked.Heseemedsober.Iguessedhehadn’tdrunkmuchattheparty.IlookedovermyshoulderandcalledtoRiver.Shearrivednexttome.Jeramiahsmiledashelaideyesonher.“Good.Let’sgo.”Thatjourneyuptothedesertwaspossiblythemostnerve-rackingexperience

I’dhadsincearrivingatTheOasis.Aswecrossedtheatrium,Ilookeddownatthegardensbelow,myeyestravelingpastLucasNovak’smemorialstone,andIwonderedwhetherthiswouldbethelastthatIsawofthisplace.

Aboveground,MichaelandLloydwerealreadywaitingforus.Ilookedaround,gladtoseethatnowitchwaspresent,asJeramiahhadmentioned.Ifawitchhadcomewithus,ourwholeplanwouldlikelyhavefallentopieces.

Myfistsclenched.Wehadhitthefirstobstacle.Howarewegoingtoensureweleavethe

boundarynearwhereweleftthehumans?Therewereanynumberofdirectionswecouldexittheboundary.Wehadtoleavenearthem,orthedistancewehadtoruncouldcauseourplantounravel.

Idecidedtojusttakethelead.“Shallwestartmovingthen?”Isaidbriskly.HoldingRiver’shandandkeepingherfirmlyawayfromMichael,whowas

glaringdaggersatthetwoofus,Ibegantomarchtowardthehumans.Jeramiahlookedabitsurprisedatmyinitiative,buttomyrelief,nobodyobjected.Theyfollowedafterme.

Ispedup,andsodidthey.“Whattimedoesthesuntypicallyrise?”“Ifweaimtobebackbyaround5am,wewillbefine,”Jeramiahsaid.“That

givesustwohours—plentyoftimetocatchafewhumans.”“Wheredoweplantogoexactly?”Iasked,wantingtokeeptheconversation

goingasweapproachedthehumans.“Thenearesttown,”Jeramiahreplied.“Ittakesaboutfifteenminutesto

travelthereatourfullspeed.Andwemustrunatourfullspeedifwewanttotravelpastthehuntersalive…Sowe’llhaveninetyminutestolookaroundthestreetsforanypeopleoutlate.”

“Hunters,”Rivermurmured.“Thosemenintankssetupnearby…they’rehunters?”

“Yes.They’rethereasonwetypicallytravelwithwitcheswheneverweneedtogoout.”

“Doyoustealpeoplefromtheirhomes?”Riverasked.“Sometimes.Itdependsonhowmanyhumanswecomeacrossoutside—”Jeramiahstoppeddeadinhistracks.Mybreathingquickenedashiseyesshot

towardthethreehumans,nowonlytwentyfeetaway.That’sit.He’sdetectedthem.IletgoofRiver.“Go,”Ihissedtoher.Shedartedtowardthehumans.LurchingforwardandgrabbingLloydbythethroat,Ibeganhurtlingafter

her.Iranwithallthespeedthatmylegscouldmuster,andIdidn’tlookbackonce.WhenLloydtriedtostrugglewithme,Idugmyclawsdeeperintohisflesh,thensnappedhisnecktoparalyzehim.

“I’msorry,Lloyd,”Imuttered.Ifeltbadfordoingthistohim.Hehadonlybeenfriendlytome.Buthe’dbeenclosertomethanMichael,otherwiseIdefinitelywouldhavegrabbedthelatter.

Weapproachedwithinfeetoftheboundary,andIpushedusbothfullspeedtowardit.Tomyrelief,wewentflyingrightthroughitandtumbleddownonthesand.StaggeringtomyfeetandgrabbingholdofLloydagainsothatIcouldpassthroughtheboundary,IsteppedbackthroughwhereIsensedthehumanswereandgrabbedLaliabythehand.Riverhadpositionedallthehumansinarow,linkinghandswithoneanother,whileRiverstoodattheend.ItuggedonLaliaandsteppedbackoutoftheboundaryagain,pullingthemallthroughwithme…exceptRiver.IwasexpectinghertobeholdingontoHassan’shandattheendofthechain,butheappearedwithouther.

Shescreamed.Iswore.“Moveback,”Ihissedtothehumans,keepingmyselfinfrontofthem,while

stillmaintainingagriponLloyd.JeramiahandMichaelsteppedthroughtheboundarytenfeetaway.Michael

washoldingRiverbythethroatwithonehand,whiletheotherreachedintoherlonghairandyankedherneckdownwardatapainful-lookingangle.

“River!”Laliascreamed.IpositionedmyclawsoverLloyd’schest,abovehisheart.“Lethergo,”Igrowled.IlookedfromMichaeltoJeramiah.WhileMichael’sexpressionwasnothing

butvindictive,Jeramiahbarelylookedfazedatall.Itwasalmostasifhehad

expectedmetodothis.“Letthehalf-bloodgo,”Irepeated.“Takehimdown,Jeramiah,”Michaelsaid,tighteninghisgriponRiver,who

wasbeginningtogroan.IwasexpectingJeramiahtolurchforward…oratleastdosomething,buthe

didnothing.Hejuststoodrootedtothespot,lookingatme.Michael’sclawswereinchingdangerouslyclosetoRiver’sheart.IwasabouttoshoveLloydasideanddiveforhermyselfwhenJeramiahspoke.

“Lethergo,Michael,”hesaid,hisvoicesteady.MichaellookedasshockedasIfelt.“What?”Hegapedathiscompanion.“Isaidletthegirlgo.”JeramiaheyedMichaelasheloosenedhisgriponherandsteppedback,

dumbstruck.Clutchingherthroat,Riverstaggeredacrossthesandtowardhersister.

Thenmycousinreturnedhisgazetowardme.“Ithoughtyouweregratefulforushavingtakenyouin,”hesaidslowly.

“SeemsIwasmistaken.”Helethislastwordslingerbeforecontinuing.“Well,Idon’twanttokeepyouhereagainstyourwill,Joseph.Sogoon,takethehalf-bloodandthehumans…You’refreetoleave.”

Hespokethelastsentencelouder,andtheburningofmytattoostopped.Itwasasifithadneverhurttobeginwith.

Jeramiahhadanoddglintinhiseyeasheturnedhisbackonmeandheadedbacktowardtheboundary.Justbeforehereachedit,hemutteredbeneathhisbreath:“Althoughsomethingtellsmeyouwillbereturning…”

IletgoofLloyd,whomMichaeltookholdofanddraggedthroughtheboundarybehindJeramiah,aftershootingmeadirtylook.

Iwasn’tsurewhatJeramiahNovakmeantbythoselastwords.PerhapshejustthoughtthatIwouldn’tbeabletosurvivethehuntersoutsideandwouldcomebackbeggingtoreturn,orperhapsoneofthewitcheshadputabindingspellonme,similartotheonemyparentshadonceenduredatthehandsofAnnora.

ButsomethingaboutthelookinJeramiah’seyeasheturnedhisbackonmetoldmethatitwasneitherofthosethings.

SomethingtoldmethataftermyweekstrappedinTheOasis,Ihadn’tevenscratchedthesurfaceofwhatreallywentonhere.

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CH A P T E R 2 2 :R I V E R

sIstoodinthedesert,rubbingmythroatandwatchingthethreevampiresdisappearthroughtheboundary,Iwasoverwhelmedbyamixtureof

confusionandrelief.IhadnottheslightestcluewhyJeramiahhadletusgosoeasily,butIfeltnothingbutgratitudetofinallybebeyondtheboundaryofthatterrifyingplace.Andthefactthatmybrandhadstoppedburningonlyaddedtomyeuphoria.

Iclutchedmysisterclosetomychest,kissingthetopofherheadandholdinghertight.Hassanreturnedmybackpack,whichIstrappedonmybackagain.Josephwasstillstaringatthespotwherethethreevampireshadleftus.

Untilnow,wehadbeensofocusedonjusthowweweregoingtoescapeTheOasis,wehadn’ttalkedaboutwhatwewoulddoonceweactuallygotout.

Nowthatwefoundourselvesfree,sosuddenlyandsounexpectedly,Iwasn’tsurewhatournextstepwas.

Forone,Iwasn’tthesamepersonIhadbeenonenteringTheOasis.WhileIpracticallytrembledwithexcitementatthethoughtofreunitingwithmyfamilyagain,Iwonderedwhatmylifewouldbelikenowasthisbizarre…creature.Iguesseditwasalmostlikebeingahuman.Icouldstilleatregularfood,andbeinthesun,atleastforshortperiods.TherewerealsoperksIstillhadn’tquitewrappedmyheadaround—likemysuperhumanspeedandstrength,andmyheightenedsenses.I’djusthavetofindawaytocopewiththeachingcold…

Iwasn’tsureifmygrandfatherhadtoldmymotheryetthatLaliaandIhadgonemissing—Iassumedbynowthathewouldhavesincedayshadpassed.Itmademeacheinsidetoimaginehowmuchpainshe’dbein.She’dbeworriedsick.Icouldn’twaittoseethereliefonherface.

ButIwasgettingaheadofmyself.Wewerestillinthemiddleofthedesert.Onethingwasforsure:Iwantedtogetasfarawayfromthisareaaspossible,in

caseJeramiahchangedhismind.IapproachedJosephandplacedahandonhisarm.Helookeddownatme,

hisexpressionserious.“Whatnow?”Iasked.“Now…”Helookedaroundthearea,andhiseyesfixedonapointinthefar

distance.“Nowyouneedtoreachthenearesttownwithyoursister,MorganandHassan,andcontactthepolicetotakeyoubacktoyourfamilies.Ifyoumakeyourwaytothehunters”—hepointedtowardtheareahewasstaringat,andIcouldmakeouttheoutlineoftanksinarow—“theyshouldhelpyougetthere.Youareahalf-blood,sotheyhavenoreasontoharmyou.Youhavenoclaws,nofangs,andarenothreattothemoranyhumanswhatsoever.Also,youhavethosegoldcoins,incaseyouneedmoney.”

Mythroathadtightenedashespoke.“Whataboutyou?”Iasked.“Imustleave.It’snotsafeforavampiretohangaroundhere.”Mymouthdriedout.Therehadbeensomuchbuild-uptoourescape,andthenithadhappenedso

quickly,theideaofpartingwaysandneverseeinghimagaincameasashock.Ihadn’thadtimetopreparemyselfforit.

Althoughwe’dknowneachotherforonlyashorttime,itfeltlikeI’dformedastrongerbondwithhimthanIhadwithfriendsI’dknownmyentirelife.Hehadbeenthereduringthemosttraumaticanddarkesttimeofmylife.Forustobetornapartsosuddenly,sounceremoniously…itwashardtoswallow.

“Wh-Wherewillyougo?”Iasked,myhandstillrestingonhisarmasIlookedupintohisface.

“I’mnotsure.Ihavesome…thingsIneedtofigureoutaboutmyself.”Ididn’twanttoletgoofhisarm.Ididn’twantourconversationtoend.I

didn’twanttowatchhimraceoffintothedarknessofthedesert.ButIknewIcouldn’tkeephimanylonger.Itwasdangerousforhimout

here.Heneededtoleave.SoIjustsaid,“Thankyou.”Hesmiled,showingmehisdimplesforwhatwouldbethelasttime.“You’rewelcome.AndIshouldthankyoutoo.”Imovedclosertohimandslippedmyhandsaroundhismidriff.Restingmy

headagainsthischest,Ihuggedhimtight.Hisarmswrappedaroundmeandhehuggedmeback,hisstrengthengulfingme.IfelttearyasIlookedbackupathim.IreachedforhisneckandpulledhisheaddowntomylevelsoIcouldplantakissonhischeek.AndthenIsteppedaway.

“Goodbye,Joseph.Itwas…niceknowingyou.IfyoueverhappentoturnbackintoahumanandlikeLebanesefood,you’rewelcometovisitmeinNew

Yorkanytime.I,uh,don’treallyhaveawaytogiveyoumynumberthough…”Hechuckled.“That’sokay.I’dhavetotrackyoudownsomehow…

Goodbye,River.”

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CH A P T E R 2 3 :B E N

didn’tmissRiver’seyesmoisteningasIwalkedaway.Truthbetold,Iwashurtingtoleavehertoo.Buttherewasnopointindwellingonit.Shehada

differentlifetoleadthanmine.Averydifferentlife.Istillhadn’ttoldherthatshewasimmortalnow,andapartofmefeltguilty

forit.Itwouldcomeasashocktoherwhenitfinallyhithome.Butnowhadn’tbeentherighttimetotellher.She’dbeentooelatedatfinallyescapingformetodropsuchabombshellonher.Shewouldhavetorealizeitonherown.

AsIspedupalongthesand,myearspickeduponabeepinginthedistance,comingfromthedirectionofthetanks.Ihadtogetoutofthisareafast.ThelastthingIwantedwastoescapeTheOasisonlytoberecapturedbyanarmyofhunters.

IwasgratefulthatatleastIdidn’thavetheburninginmyarmtodistractme.Iwasalmosttoofarawaytomakeouttheoutlineoftanksinthedistancewhenascreampiercedthenightair.

Iskiddedtoastop.Iknewthatscreambynow.ThatwasRiver’sscream.Andthentherewasanothersoundthatchilledmeevenmore:Gunshots.River.They’reattackingher?Butshe’snotavampire.She’snothreatto

them.Doubtupondoubtcrowdedmymind,butallofthemwereawasteoftime.Ifeltacrushingguilt.I’dbeentheonewhohadassuredherthatshewould

besafewiththem.“Bastards,”Ispat,asIbeganhurtlingbacktowardthearea.AsIgotcloser,Icouldmakeoutalonefiguredartingtoandfroamongthe

duneswithsupernaturalspeed.River.Spraysofsandexplodedallaroundher.

Shewasdodgingbullets.“I’mcoming,River,”Ibreathed.“Holdon.I’mcomingforyou.”Shebeganmovingfartherandfartherawayfromthehunters,andIthought

thatshemightbeclosetoescapingtheirrangeentirely,whensheletoutanotherscream—strangledthistime—andcollapsedonthesand.

No.No.Ipushedmylegsharder,reachingtheareajustastanksbeganclosingin.I

wasablurasIwhiskedpastandscoopedherofftheground.Anotherroarofgunshotsexploded,sprayingthesandallaroundme.Onepassedsoclosetomyearitpracticallygrazedit.Iracedaway,holdingRivertightagainstmychestbutnotdaringtolookheroveryet.IwasscaredatwhatImightsee.Rightnow,Ijustneededtogether—us—asfarawayfromdangeraspossible.

Theminutesthatfollowedweretense.Imanagedtoescapetherangeofthehunterswithoutbeinghitbyoneoftheirfatalbullets,butthenIneededtofindsomewheresafeIcouldlayRiverdownandexamineher.Thehunters’technologyhadclearlybeendevelopingrapidlyandtheyhadtrackersthatcoulddetectvampires—itseemedthattheycoulddetectavampire’spresenceformiles.Iwouldn’thavebeensurprisedifhelicoptersstartedsurroundingtheareasoon.AndsoIkeptrunninguntilIcameacrossacollectionofsmallmountainsthatwereindentedwithcaves.

IchosethelargestcaveandcarriedRiverinside.Iwalkedrighttotheback,and,aftercheckingforsnakes,placedherdownontheground.Iremovedherbackpacksoshecouldliemorecomfortably.Myeyesloweredtoherrightthigh.Shewaslosingblood.Toomuchblood.Abullethadlodgedinsideher.Ibentdownclosertoher.ShegroanedandsquirmedasIeasedthemetaloutofherandthrewitaside.

Itwasawonderthatshewasstillaliveatall.Ifthiswasoneofthehunters’notoriousbullets,itshouldhaveburnedherupfromtheinsideout.Icouldonlyassumethateitherthisbullethadn’tbeenfiredfromoneoftheirUVguns,orsuchbulletsdidn’thavethesameeffectonhalf-bloods.Itappearedtohavejustpenetratedlikeanyregularbullet.

Whateverthecase,shewasn’tlookinggood.Loweringhershortsslightly,Icheckedthatshewaswearingunderwear

beforeremovingtheshortscompletely.Ineededtohavefullaccesstoherthigh,andtheshortsweregettingintheway.

ItookoffmyshirtandcleanedupherwoundasbestasIcouldwiththecleanestcornerofit.ThenIcutmypalmtofeedhersomemoreblood.Herfacewasstillcontortedinpainasshesuckedmyhand.Thensheseemedtocalm

downalittle.Althoughherwoundwasshowingclearsignsofhealing,ittookmuchlongerthanI’dexpected.OnlyonceithadfullycloseddidIallowhertoattempttositup.

Puttingmyarmaroundher,Ihelpedherupright.Shelookedinadaze.Shestaredatmewithwideeyes,herlipsparted,herbreathingstilluneven.

“Thankyou,”shewhispered.

W

CH A P T E R 2 4 :R I V E R

henweapproachedthetanks,fourmenleaptouttoseeus.IexplainedtothemthatwehadjustescapedTheOasis,andtheyseemedtounderstand

whatIwastalkingabout.Theysaidthey’dhelpusbacktothepolice.ButaftertheytookLalia,Hassan,andMorganintooneofthetanks,whenitwasmyturntogetin,threehunterswhippedoutgunsandaimedthemtowardme.

Ididn’tknowwhattothink.Iwasjustbewildered.Whyweretheytryingtokillme?WhathadIdonetodeservethis?Itwasoneofthemostbizarreexperiencesofmylife.Tobetreatedlikeananimal,worsethanacriminal—havingcommittednocrime.Evenafterallthewrongmyfatherhaddone,hehadnotbeentreatedlikethis.

Ifithadn’tbeenformynew-foundspeedandlightningreflexes,Iwouldhavebeenshotthemomenttheypulledouttheirguns.Idartedawayfromthetanks,awayfrommysister.Iranaboutthedunes,tryingtododgethebullets,untilonecaughtmeinmyside.

WhenIfelltothesand,Iwassurethatthatwouldbetheendofme.Thehunterswouldcloseinonmeandlodgeafinalbulletinmyhead.

Butthenarmsgrabbedme,liftedmeupfromthegroundandwhiskedmeaway.

Joseph.Istillcouldn’tbelievethathe’dcomebackforme.Ididn’tunderstandwhyhebothereddoingit,riskinghislifebycomingrightintothemidstofthehuntersjusttosaveme—agirlhebarelyevenknew.

Afterhebroughtmetoacaveandhealedme,althoughIwasdevastatedatbeingrippedfrommyfamilyonceagain,Iwasoverwhelmedwithgratitudeforthisyoungman.

“I’msosorry,”hesaid.“It’snotyourfault,”Ireplied.

“Ishouldhavegivenitmorethought.”“Therewasnowayyoucouldhaveknown.”“Itseemsthey’veadoptedanabsolutelyzerotolerancepolicyforanything

supernatural,harmlessornot…”Hepaused,thenasked,“Howareyoufeeling?”Ilookeddownatmythigh.“Better.”“Didtheytakeyoursisterandtheothers?”Josephasked.“Yes,”Isaid,painbuildinginmychestatthereminderofmysister.PoorLalia.Ididn’tknowthathernervescouldtakebeingseparatedfromme

onceagain.Myonlycomfortwasthatatleastthistime,shewouldn’tbesurroundedbybloodsuckingvampiresandwouldhopefullybereturnedtoourgrandfather.

“There’snothingsupernaturalaboutthem,”Imurmured,“soIjusthopethehunterstakethemstraighttothepolice.”

Ilookedaroundthecave.Therewasarattlecomingfromthefarcorner,nearthejaggedentrance.Arattlesnake,bythelooksofit.Ishivered,anotherwaveofcoldnessintensifyinginmybones.

“Whatnow?”Iasked,myvoiceunsteady.“Weneedtoleavethiscaveandreachthenearesttownbydaybreak.”Ilookedtowardtheskyoutside.Itdidn’tlooklikeitwouldbelongnow

beforethesunrose.“Andthenwhat?”“Let’sjustgettherefirst,”hemuttered.“Withthesehuntersonpatrol,we

can’taffordtogetstuckinthedesert.Ifwegetcaughtoutinthedaytime,whenIcan’tgointhesunwithoutbeingblinded,theycouldhaveustrapped.”

Josephstoodup,and,reachingdownahandformetotake,helpedmeuptoo.Ireplacedthebackpackovermyshoulders.

IwaswearingnothingbutBen’sshirtandmyunderwear,butmyshortsweretootorntoputbackon,soIhadnochoicebuttotravelasIwas.

“Climbontomyback,”hesaid.“It’llbefaster.”Iwasgladhesuggestedit.Althoughmythighhadhealed,Iwasstillfeeling

shakenandweak.I’dlostalotofbloodandmymouthwasparchedforwater.Iclimbedontohisback,feelingthetautmusclesbeneathhisbareskin.

Joseph’shandsclosedaroundmycalvesandsecuredmeinplace.Then,withoutwarning,heshotoutofthecaveandbeganracingalongthedunesagain.

Ikeptmyeyespeeledforanysignofthehunters.AftertenminutesandGodknewhowmanymiles,thecoaststillseemedtobeclear.Josephhadmanagedtoshakethemoff,andIguessedthattheywerenowsearchingforusinanotherpartofthedesertentirely.

AlthoughIhadsomanythingsthatIwantedtoaskhim,andseek

reassuranceabout,Ididn’tspeaktohimasheran.Webothneededtoconcentrate.

Hewastheonewhobrokethesilence.Hestoppedrunningandraisedafinger.

“Youseethat?”Istrainedtoseewherehewaspointing.Yes.Icouldsee.Inthedistancewastheoutlineofbuildings,theoutskirtsofthecity.And

closerstillwaswhatlookedlikeanearly-morningmarket.Therewerepolesstickingup,andwoodenstallsbeingerected.Iwasn’tsurewhatdayitwastoday,butthemarketseemedmainlyforthelocals.Icouldn’timaginemanytouristsbeingupatthishour.

Josephtensed.Ialreadyknewwhatwasgoingonwithhim.Humanblood.Ireallywasn’tin

themoodforhimtodighisfangsintomeagain,soinsteadIraisedbothwristsclosertohisface.

“Doyouthinkmyscentisenoughtoblockoutthetemptation?”Iasked.“Ifyoukeepclosetomethewholetime…Ishouldbeokay.Iwaswhile

half-turningthatwoman…”Asweapproachedthemarket,Icouldmakeoutthetypesofwaresthatwere

beingsold.Mostlygarmentsandshoes,withtheoccasionalstallofdatesandotherdriedfruit.

“Weshouldstophere,”Josephsaid.“Why?”“Foronething,you’rewearingnopants.Weneedtodrawaslittleattention

toourselvesaspossible,andthatsureisn’tgoingtohelp.I’malsohalfnakedandingenerallooklikeI’vejustmurderedsomeone.We’lluseagoldcointopayforclothes.”

“Okay…”Josephcautiouslyapproachedthenearestclothesstallandsetmedownon

theground.Heplacedhisarmsaroundmywaist,standingbehindmewithmybackagainsthischest,keepingmeclosetohim.Icouldfeelhisbreathonthetopofmyheadashebreathedmeinwhilewemovedclosertothestand.

Thestallowner—ashortwomanwearingahijab—gavemeadisgustedlookasIstoodtherehalfundressed.Iignoredherexpression.Iwasbeyondcaringatthisstage.

Ipickedablackheadscarfwithaveilthatcoveredmyentirefaceexceptmyeyes,andthenalongblackrobefortherestofmybody.ThenIlookedforsomethingsuitableforJosephtowear.Ijustendeduppickingablackrobeto

helphimblendinbetter.Andthenitwastimeforpayment.Removingthebackpackfrommy

shoulders,IreachedinsideandpulledoutthesmallestcointhatIcouldfind.Evenstill,theclotheswewerebuyingwouldbeworthonlyatinyfractionofit.

ThewomanfrownedasIplacedthecoinonthetable.Thenlookedbackatme.

“Hm?Ionlyacceptcash,”sherepliedinArabic.“ThisisallIhave,”Ireplied,alsoinArabic.Shepickeditupandstaredatit.Iguessedshethoughtitwasfake.Icouldn’t

blameher.Whatmoronwouldpayforafewgarmentswithagoldcoinofthisweight?Sheplaceditbetweenherteethandbithard.Iwasabouttowalkawaywiththeclothes,butshesaid,“No.Wait.”

Iheavedasigh,evenasIwrappedthenewrobearoundmeandplacedtheheadscarfandveilovermyheadandface.Shemadeherwayovertoasmallvehiclewhereamansatinthedriver’sseat—presumablyherhusband.Iwatchedassheshowedhimthecoin.Heexamineditcarefully,justasshehaddone.Andthenhenodded.

Shelookedoveratus.“Okay,youcantaketheclothes.”Iscoffed.Thanks.Josephwasstillbreathingheavilyaswebackedaway.Oncewewereata

distancewherehewascomfortabletakingafewstepsbackfromme,heputonhisownrobe.Nowthatweweredressed,Iresumedmypositiononhisbackandhecontinuedrunningtowardthebordersofthecity.

“Wheredoweheadfirst?”Iasked,asthesandgavewayandwearrivedataconcreteroad.

“Weneedtofindsomewheresafetostayuntilthisevening.”Ilookedupanddowntheroad,tryingtoseeifIrecognizedanythingabout

thisarea.Ididn’t.SoJosephjuststartedrunningalongtheroadtowardwherethemostnoisewascomingfrom.Wepassedalongnarrowroadafterroaduntilweeventuallyreachedasquarethatwaslinedwithshops.Inonecorner,IspottedasignthatreadGuestHouse.

IpointeditouttoJosephandwearrivedoutsideamud-brickbuildingafewsecondslater.IclimbedoffJoseph’sbackandwasabouttoheadinsidewhenJosephpulledmeback.

“Look,”hesaid.Hepointedtoaposterattachedtooneofthelampposts.Aposterwithmy,

Lalia’s,andHassan’spassportphotosonit.IguessedthiswasoneofmanypostersthatwereputupthenightIdisappearedtoo.

“Oh.”

“It’sagoodthingyou’rewearinganiqab,”Josephsaidquietly.“Youdon’twanttobeseenbyanyonenowthatthehuntersareafteryou…Let’skeepmoving.”

ItoremyeyesawayfromtheposterasJosephusheredmeintothebuilding.Wefoundourselvesinasmallbare-walledreceptionroomthatreekedofdetergent.Therewasadeskinthecenterofit,butnobodywassittingbehindit.Irangthebrassbellfourtimes.

Amanwithaunibrowandathickbushymustacheemergedfromoneofthebackrooms.

Joseph’sgriparoundmywaistwasalmostpainful.“Yes?”themansaidinEnglish,lookingfrommetoJoseph.“Wewouldlikearoom,”IrepliedinArabicasIclutchedJoseph’shands

aroundmywaistandloosenedthemslightly.“Justuntilthisevening.”HeeyedJosephmoreclosely.“Areyoumarried?”“No,”Ireplied,alreadyrealizingwherethiswasheading.“Wedon’tallowcohabitingbetweenunmarriedmenandwomen.Youwill

needtobookseparate—”“Wewon’tbesleepinghere.We’llbeleavingtonight,asIsaid.”Helookedatmesuspiciously.“YouarenotEgyptiannationals?Iwillneedto

seeyourpassports.”“Wedon’thavepassportswithus.”“ThenI’msorry,wecan’taccommodateyouhere.”Ibreathedoutinfrustration.Slidingthebackpackoffmyback,Ipulledout

anothergoldcoinandplanteditonthedesknonetoogently.“Howaboutnow?”Hiseyeswidenedashelookeddownatthecoin.Hepickeditupand

examinedit.Hewasfastertorealizeitsvaluethantheclothesmerchant.Henoddedtowardanarrowstaircase.

“Allright,”hesaid.Reachingintooneofthedrawers,hepulledoutakeyandhandedittome.“Untilthiseveningonly?”

Thatcoinmighthavepaidforahundrednightsinthisbasicguesthouse.Ijustnoddedpolitely.“Please,andIhopeyou’llprovidedrinkingwater.”“Ofcourse,”hesaid,bowinghishead.Hewalkedbackthroughthedoorhe’dfirstenteredfromandreturneda

momentlaterwithatwo-literbottleofwater.Hehandedittome,andthenJosephandImadeourwayupthestaircase.

“Youseemtobegettingabitbetteraroundhumans?”Iasked,oncewewereoutofearshot.

“OnlybecauseI’mpracticallysmotheringyou,”hesaid.“Evenwithyou

standingafootaway,Icanfeelthedifference.”Wefoundourroom—small,withtwinbedsliningoppositewalls.Itwasvery

basic,butitseemedclean.Welockedourselvesinside.Afteropeningthebottleofwaterandchuggingdownanentireliter,IofferedthebottletoBen.Hedeclined.

Itoreoffmyniqabandthenhurriedovertooneofthetwinbeds.Igrabbedtheblanket,wrappingitaroundme.Itwastoothintoprovidememuchwarmth.IwasgratefulwhenJosephreachedfortheblanketonhisownbed,walkedoverandwrappedthataroundmyshoulderstoo.

“Thanks,”Isaid.Hesatdownonthebedoppositemeandbreathedoutslowly,rubbinghis

facewithhishands.Thenhelookedupandstaredatme.“River…there’ssomethingIshouldprobablytellyouaboutmyself.”Iraisedabrow.“What?”“MynameisnotJosephBrunson.”Istaredathim.“Huh?”“MynameisBenjaminNovak.OrBen,ifyoulike.”“Ben-BenjaminNovak…Whywouldyouwanttokeepyournameasecret?”Heleanedbackonthebed.“That’skindofalongstory.ButI’mprinceofan

islandknownasTheShade.It’sanislandunknowntomainstreamsociety.Myparentsruletheplace,andit’sahavenforallvampiresandothersupernaturals.”

Mymindwasreeling.Joseph—Ben—isaprince?TheShade?“Then…ifthat’syourhome,howonearthdidyouenduptrappedinThe

Oasis?”“IleftTheShadeaftermyfatherturnedmeintoavampire,becauseI

displayed…unusualsymptoms.Symptomsthatnobodyelseontheislandhaddisplayedinsuchseverity.AndIdidsomethingbad.Verybad.”

“What?”“Imurderedoneofmyownpeople.”Wow.“Mostvampiresarecapableofdrinkinganimalblood,howeverdisgustingit

isforthem.ButIwasphysicallyincapableofit.Icouldn’triskkillinganotherperson,andinmyposition,leavingwastheonlyrightthingtodo.IsworethatIwouldn’treturnuntilI’dfiguredoutwhatwaswrongwithme.”

“But,Ben,”Isaid,frowning,“youtoldmebeforethatyouknowhowtocurevampirism.Whydon’tyoujusttakethatcureandturnbackintoahuman?”

Hepausedbeforeanswering.“Therewasareasonmyfatherturnedmeintoa

vampire.Mybirth…let’sjustsaythatitwasunusual.Mybloodasahumanwasdeemedvaluablebyenemiesofmyparentsandmademeatarget,andsoIturned.Butevenifthatthreathadpassedbynow,I’mnotsureIcouldlivetherestofmylifeasahuman.AlmosteveryoneIcareabout—mywholefamily,exceptformysister,andmostofmyfriends—arevampires.Ialwaysexpectedtoturnintooneassoonasmyparentsagreed.Growingoldanddyingwhileeveryoneinmylifeliveson…”Hisvoicetrailedoff.

“Howoldisyoursister?”“She’smytwin,”hereplied.“We’reboth…”Hestopped.“Ithinkour

birthdaywasjustrecently.I’velosttrackofthedate.ButIthinkwe’reeighteenbynow—althoughIturnedwhenIwasseventeen.”

Iwassurprised.Heseemedolderthanseventeen.“I’mseventeen,too,”Isaid.IbecamequietasItriedtoprocessallthathe’djusttoldme.Thenhe

droppedanotherbrickonme.“There’salsosomethingelseIshouldtellyou,River…asahalfblood,you

won’tage.”“What?”“You’reimmortal.Justlikevampires.Youneveragepasttheagewhenyou

wereturned.Youwon’tpassawayfromthisworldunlesssomeonemanagestokillyou.”

“Immortal,”Igasped.Icouldn’twrapmymindaroundtheword.Itwasstilltoomuchtotakeinatonce.Ifeltoverwhelmed.Theimplications

ofsuchanotionbegantofloodmybrain.“But…Butmyfamily.Theyarenotimmortal.”Benshookhishead.“I-Ican’tbeimmortal.Ican’tremainwhileeveryoneIlovediesaroundme.”

Justlikeyoucan’tdiewhileeveryoneyoulovelives.Benloweredhiseyestothefloor,hisfaceashen.“Howcomeyoudidn’tmentionthisbefore?”“Icouldn’tfindtherightopportunity,”hesaid.“Theremustbeawayformetoturnbackintoahuman!”Istoodup,the

blanketsfallingtomyfeet.IlookedatBenindesperation.“Theremustbesomewaytocureme.”

Helookeddoubtful.“It’spossiblethatthereisacure.ButasImentionedbefore,itwon’tbeeasytofind,andIhavenoideawhatitmightbe.”Hepaused,wettinghislowerlip.“But…Idoknowsomepeoplewhomightbeabletohelpyou.BackinTheShade.Therearepeopletheremoreknowledgeableandexperiencedthanme.I’mnotsurehowtoreachtherefromhere,andIwouldn’t

setfootwithyouontheisland—”“Whynot?”“Istillhavemyownmysteriestosolve…ButIcantrytohelpyouget

there.”“You’ddothatforme?”Heshrugged.“Ican’tjustleaveyoustrandedlikethis.”Ifellsilent,stilltryingtoprocesseverythinghehadjusttoldme.Immortal.

I’mimmortal.Thatwasinsane.Theideaofneverdying—nevergrowingpastseventeen—wasterrifyingto

me.ButBen’swordshadprovidedatleastsomethreadofcomfortthatperhaps

therewashopeforme.Thatwemightdiscoverawayformetoturnbackintoahumanandreturntomyfamilywhosodesperatelyneededme.

IfixedmyeyesonBen’sstoicface.AndonceagainIcaughtmyselfwonderingwhyhewouldputhimselfoutformelikethis.Iwasn’tusedtothissortofkindnesswithoutsomeexpectationinreturn.

Idriftedoffintomyownthoughts,and,itseemed,sodidhe.Weweresilentforalongtime,untilfinallyIaskedthequestionthathadbeenatthebackofmymindeversinceweleftTheOasis.

“Ben.WhydoyouthinkJeramiahletusgosoeasily?”Hiseyesdarkened.“I’mnotsurewhy.ButIhopeweneverfindout.”

I

E P I L O G U E : D E R E K

lookedaroundourlongcandle-littable.We’dpulleditoutontotheverandatodinebeneaththestars.Surroundingmeweresomeofmy

closestfriendsandfamily.Sofiasatnexttomeonmyright,Roseonmyleft,whileCalebsatontheothersideofmydaughter.FurtheralongthetablewereEli,VivienneandXavier;KievandMona;AidenandKailyn;Gavin,ZinniaandGriffin;AshleyandLandis;AnnaandKyle;CorrineandIbrahim;and,ofcourse,thetwoguestsofhonor—YuriandClaudia.ThelatterhadjustreturnedfromtheirbelatedhoneymoontoParisandhadsuccessfullyaccomplishedwhatthey’dsetouttodo.Claudiawasnowofficiallypregnant.

Shepositivelybeamedasshesatattheoppositeendofthetable,diggingintothemealSofiaandIhadpreparedtogether.Theyhadnotbeengonelong—notthatanyofushadexpectedittotakelong.

Claudia’sanimatedvoicefilledmyearsasIatefrommyownplateoffood,whileallthevampirespresentjustdrankblood.Claudiadominatedtheconversation,askingquestionafterquestionaboutwhathadhappenedontheislandsincethey’dbeengone.

“YoumissedCaleb’sandmywedding,”Rosesaid,throughamouthfulofquiche.Sheheldupherringfinger.

“Oh,myGod.Yougotmarried!”Claudiapracticallybouncedinherchair.“Areyougoingtoturnintoavampire?”

Roseshotmeasidewaysglance,wipinghermouthwithanapkin.“Wedon’tknowyet,”shereplied.“Benstillhasn’treturnedandwestilldon’tknowwhatwentwrongwithhisturning…Sowe’rejustwaitingfornow.”

“Whataboutyourhoneymoon?”Claudiaasked.Roseblushedasshelookedathernewhusband.“We’restilldecidingonthat

also…”

Sofiachangedthesubjectandproceededtoexplainaboutthedragons.Claudiaseemedtobemostinterestedingossipabouttherelationshipsthefire-breathershadstruckupwiththehumansaroundtheisland.Notthatitinterestedmemuch.Rosementionedthatnoneofthegirlshadrevealedanydetailsabouttheirrelationships,buttheyallseemedtobeexceptionallyhappy—whichwasallthatmattered.

Asforthedragonprince,hehadleftunexpectedlyaftermydaughter’swedding,andnobodywassureexactlywherehe’dgone,orifhewouldeverbereturning.

“You’regoingtohavetodosomedetectiveworkyourselfaboutthosedragons,Claudia,”Viviennesaid,grinning.“Thosegirlsaretight-lipped.”

Ismiledatmysister,eyeinghergrowingbump.Shegrewmoreluminousbytheday.Westilldidn’tknowifshewascarryingaboyoragirl,butnoneofuscouldwaittomeetournewestadditiontothefamily.

Bytheendofthemeal,we’drecountedeverythingelsethathadhappenedthatwecouldthinkofwhileClaudiaandYurihadbeeninParis.Afteradessertofcheesecakeandfreshfruit,Ileanedbackinmychair,listeningtotheconversationsaroundme.ThenIlockedeyeswithXavier.Inoddedsubtly,andhenoddedback.

IleanedovertoSofia,whowaschattingwithCorrine,andkissedherneck.“I’llseeyoulater,”Isaidsoftly.MywifeunderstoodwhereIwasgoing.Shesqueezedmyhandandkissed

meback.ThenItookmyleavewithXavier.Weheadedoutofthepenthouseandmade

ourwaydowntotheground.WewalkedsilentlythroughtheforestandtothePort.Aseventeen-footboatwaswaitingattheendofthejetty—anewonethatCalebhadrecentlydesigned.XavierandIboardeditandnavigateditacrossthewavestowardtheboundaryoftheisland.Westoppedjustbeforewereacheditandscannedtheoceansurroundingus.

Evenwithoutvampirevision,Icouldseeclearlythreelargegrayshipsfloatinginthedistance.

“Sothey’restillhere,”Imuttered.“They’retooclosetoTheShadeforthistobeacoincidence,”Xaviersaid.Ofcourse,hewasright.TheseshipshadfirstbeenspottedbyMicahthree

daysago,andtheyhadbeenfloatinginthesameareaeversince.Clearly,theywerealsostrategicallydistancedfromeachother—thespacebetweenthethreeofthemwasidentical.Theirpresenceherewaspreciseandcalculated.

SomeonehaddiscoveredTheShade’slocation,andwaswatchingus.Andthatsomeonewasahunter.

Therehadbeenseveralmoresightingsofsupernaturalcreaturesinthepastweekthathadbeenpickedupbymainstreammedia—sightingsthathadnotbeenofanyonefromTheShade.No,therewereothersupernaturalswhoknewhowtoenterthehumanrealm,andtheywerenolongerbotheringtokeepthemselveshiddensincethecodeofsecrecyhadbeenbroken.

Themostrecentsightinghadbeenatrioofogres,upinCanada,nearMountLogan.ThemostdisconcertingthingwasthatMona’smapmarkedmanygatesconnectingthishumanrealmtothesupernaturalone.Buttherewasn’tagatewithinhundredsofmilesofMountLogan.Andtherewasnowaythatthreehugeogrescould’vetraveledthatfarwithoutbeingnoticed.Thisleftuswiththechillingconclusionthatthereweremoreentrancesintothehumanrealmthanweremarkedonthemap.Whichmeantthat,evenifwemanagedtocloseeverysinglegatelistedonthismap,therewerestillotherwayssupernaturalsweregettingintothishumanrealm.

Ilookedfromonegrayshiptotheother.Theylookedlikenavalships.EliandAidenwereconvincedthatthehunterswerenolongertheclandestine

organizationtheyhadoncebeen—fundedbyindependentbackerswithapersonalgrudgeagainstbloodsuckers.Rather,Eliandmyfather-in-lawbelievedthatthehunterswerenowbeingsupporteddirectlybythegovernment.Allofthisexposureinmainstreammediawasstrikingpanicinpeopleandputtingenormouspressureonleaderstotakedrasticaction.

Thatmeantthatthesehunterswouldsoonbe—orperhapsalreadywere—averydifferentbreedthananywe’dexperiencedbefore.Beingbackedbythegovernmentmeanttheyhadunprecedentedresources,andtheywerenolongerjustdrivenbyablindthirstforrevenge.Icouldforeseeafuturewherebecomingahunterwouldbeacareerrouteforyoungpeople,muchlikejoiningtheNavy.Thenewgenerationofhunterswouldbecool,calculated,moretechnologicallyadvancedthanIwantedtothinkaboutanddrivensolelybyintelligence.Andtherewouldbemanyofthem.Toomanyforcomfort.

Astronggustofwindblewagainstme,makingmyskinprickle.Theworldwaschanging.Andmysonwasstilloutthere.Heneededtobecareful.He’dsoonfindhimselfinawholenewworld.Aworldtowhichnobodyknewtherules.

ReadyforthenextpartofBen&River’sstory?ATrailofEchoesisavailabletopre-ordernowfromAmazon!:

Clickheretograbyourcopy.ATrailofEchoesreleasesSeptember25th2015.Here’sapreviewofthegorgeouscover(youmayneedtoturntothenext

pageforittobevisible):

I’msoexcitedtoembarkonthisnewjourneywithyou!Seeyousoon…Love,BellaxP.S.JoinmyVIPemaillistandI’llsendyouapersonalreminderassoonasI

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ASHADEOFVAMPIRESERIES

Derek&Sofia’sstory:AShadeofVampire(Book1)

AShadeofBlood(Book2)ACastleofSand(Book3)

AShadowofLight(Book4)ABlazeofSun(Book5)

AGateofNight(Book6)ABreakofDay(Book7)

Rose&Caleb’sstory:AShadeofNovak(Book8)

ABondofBlood(Book9)ASpellofTime(Book10)

AChaseofPrey(Book11)AShadeofDoubt(Book12)

ATurnofTides(Book13)ADawnofStrength(Book14)

AFallofSecrets(Book15)AnEndofNight(Book16)

Ben&River’sstory:AWindofChange(Book17)

ATrailofEchoes(Book18)

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